Kodiak Island Borough planning commission backs land disposal, subdivision and three rezonings; approves name change for new road in Old Harbor

The Kodiak Island Borough Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously May 16 to recommend a borough land disposal, approve a preliminary subdivision that creates the Tsunami Subdivision in Old Harbor, and approve three rezonings tied to those plats and to a separate lot intended for seafood processing.

The actions affect: a small easement adjacent to Lot A5, Russian Creek Subdivision (addressed as 522 Leeta/Lita Street) for bank-stabilization work; the preliminary plat that creates Tsunami Subdivision Lot 1 and an associated right-of-way to be named Tsunami Road; a rezoning of the new Tsunami Lot 1 from single-family residential (R-1) to business (B) to allow office uses and recognize an existing tsunami shelter; and a rezoning of the Nuneec Subdivision Lot 1 to industrial to allow a seafood processing facility. All votes were 5-0 in roll calls recorded on the record.

Why it matters: the land disposal clears an easement issue so a property owner can obtain permits to stabilize an eroding streambank on the Russian River; the Old Harbor approvals change the zoning and create a public right-of-way that will affect addressing and future development in that community; and the Nuneec rezone changes permitted uses for an existing building and creates a…