Kenai Peninsula Borough plat committee grants preliminary approval, exceptions for Fields Brown Subdivision

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Plat Committee on Aug. 25 granted preliminary approval for the Fields Brown Subdivision (KPB file 2025-113) and voted to grant exceptions to code for the proposed street layout and block-length requirements, voting unanimously.

The proposed plat divides a 46.5-acre parcel into eight lots ranging from about 0.933 acres to 29.85 acres, and includes right-of-way dedications. Staff told the committee the entrance portion of the proposed Wildwood Circle exceeds the 4% grade limit for the first 100 feet required by code and recommended relocating the cul-de-sac for safer slope grades. The addressing officer denied the proposed street names Wildwood Court, Wildwood Circle and East Side Street because they use words on the borough ddressing-prohibited list.

Planning staff summarized the application in a written report: "The proposed plat will subdivide a 46.5 acre parcel into 8 parcels ranging in size from 0.933 acres to 29.85 acres and includes right of way dedications." Staff also said a purchaser of Tract A plans to acquire adjacent land and asked that an easement be filed to allow existing structures adjacent to the proposed tract to remain; staff recommended that any easement be recorded before final plat approval and that any exceptions be noted on the final plat with the meeting date.

During public comment, resident Suzanne Goodwill of P.O. Box 1229, Sterling, said she did not object to the subdivision but raised concerns about surface drainage near the frontage: "My concern is the water drainage in the front lot there... every year, we watch it before the ground freezes. It fills up." Robert Ruffner, planning director, replied to the drainage concern by asking whether planned road development could worsen the situation and said the borough's principal responsibility is to ensure road drainage; he also noted the borough has no code that regulates drainage on private property. Ruffner advised residents about filing water rights with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources if they want formal protection.

The survey technician working with the applicant, identified as Brandon Dilke of Peninsula Surveying, told the committee he observed an improved gravel road and "pretty significant ditching already in place, and the road is high and dry," and said he was available to answer additional questions.

Christopher James Brown, who said he holds power of attorney for the petitioner, identified himself for the record and confirmed easement arrangements discussed in the staff report.

Committee members voted separately on the exception request and the preliminary-approval motion. The committee granted the exceptions to the street layout and block-length standards (motion carried by roll call: England, Venuti, Morgan, Whitney, Epperheimer and Gillum voting yes). The committee then approved preliminary plat approval subject to staff recommendations and compliance with borough code and adoption of the staff report (same roll-call yes votes). The motions included conditions that staff recommendations be met and that any granted exceptions and their findings be noted on the final plat.

The committee did not approve final platting at the meeting; staff made clear several items must be addressed before final plat, including coordination with the addressing officer on street names, reconsideration of cul-de-sac location for grade, filing any required easements for existing structures adjacent to Tract A prior to final filing, and compliance with the findings the committee adopted when granting exceptions.

No other substantive public-comments issues were raised. The committee also approved consent-agenda items earlier in the meeting (minutes from the Aug. 11, 2025 Plat Committee meeting and three grouped plats) and adjourned. The committee noted the next regularly scheduled Plat Committee meeting is Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.