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Kenai neighbors report drug activity, blocked streets and drone surveillance at 1305 Keanna Lane; council points to enforcement limits
Summary
Neighbors at the Aug. 6 Kenai City Council meeting described ongoing criminal and nuisance activity at 1305 Keanna Lane—loose dogs, heavy street parking, trash and suspected drug activity—and asked the city for help.
Several Kenai residents used the council's unscheduled public-comment period on Aug. 6 to describe ongoing problems at 1305 Keanna Lane and to ask the city for enforcement help.
Sherry Powell, who identified herself as a new Kenai resident living at 1307 Keanna Lane, described repeated disturbances at the neighboring property: loose dogs that have attacked people walking pets, loud music, frequent traffic at all hours, trash and inoperable vehicles in the yard, and what she described as "obvious drug use and drug behavior." Powell said the Kenai Police Department had been responsive but that the problems continue and urged the council to investigate.
Paul Gold, who also lives at 1307 Keanna Lane, said vehicles and motorcycles routinely block the street and that piled materials and equipment on the property could prevent emergency access. "You couldn't even get back there if there's a fire," Gold said, noting an apartment complex behind the property that could be affected.
Brad Brown, another nearby resident, praised the Kenai Police Department for a recent raid at the property and urged the council to give police additional tools. Brown cited city code provisions he and planning staff reviewed while seeking enforcement handles: he said city code 13.30.030 addresses street-parking restrictions and 13.30.040 authorizes towing of vehicles that violate those restrictions, but he told the council there is no budget to support towing enforcement so the ordinance lacks practical effect in his view.
Council members repeatedly advised residents to continue calling police for immediate incidents and to start written case files with planning and zoning by submitting photos and complaints through the city's online forms. Council member Douthat said online submissions create time-stamped records that prompt formal follow-up. Planning and zoning director Kevin (first name given in meeting) was in the room and council members said the planner could help with code violations that the police might not be able to address.
Residents also raised privacy concerns about a drone they reported was being flown over private property. Council members did not propose an immediate drone-specific remedy but encouraged continued documentation and law-enforcement reporting. City Manager Eubank said investigations can take time because criminal-process protections limit immediate action and because authorities must develop evidence before filing enforcement actions.
The public comments on Keanna Lane prompted staff suggestions for next steps (document, create written case files, discuss potential enforcement options) but did not result in a new ordinance or direct council action during the meeting.
