Planning commission approves variance for 615 Pickering Way after amendment

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Planning Commission on June 10, 2025 approved a major variance for property at 615 Pickering Way that allows existing attached accessory structures to remain and permits a proposed attached deck to encroach into required front, side and rear yards, after commissioners amended the resolution to remove references to encroachment into the northwest side yard.

Staff told commissioners the lot was never properly platted and that the need for the variance was created when the borough adopted the current zoning code after the property had been developed. "The need is caused by the adoption of the zoning code after the lot was created and developed," planning staffer Miss Johnson said, explaining that the property configuration and existing development left no practical alternative locations for the structures and proposed deck. Staff recommended approval of the requested variance, with an amendment addressing setback references.

Johnson said the application seeks approval for existing encroachments of up to 10 feet into the required front yard, 3 feet into a required side yard and up to 10 feet into the required rear yard, and for a new attached accessory deck that would also encroach into a side yard. She told the commission that the property’s so-called lots were never described by meets-and-bounds and that the as-built survey shows a single, unusually shaped lot constrained by adjacent development and the right-of-way.

Commissioner Shaw moved to amend the draft resolution by removing all references to encroachments into the northwest side yard in section 1. The amendment passed on a 6-0 roll call. After limited additional discussion and a roll call vote, the commission approved the resolution as amended by a 6-0 vote. The clerk called each member present as voting yes: Shaw; Gage; Gubitayo; E. Spenson; Medford; Govars.

The commission record shows staff recommended approval with changes to the resolution’s setback references and noted that the applicant was present to answer questions. No members of the public testified on the item at the hearing.

Because the commission is a quasi-judicial body, decisions may be appealed within the statutory appeal periods; the commission’s guidance at the meeting noted appeals of planning decisions are subject to the borough’s appeal rules.

The approved resolution (Resolution 45-13A, as amended) will be processed per normal staff procedures and recorded as required.