Planning commission approves vacation of utility easements in Valhalla Heights replat

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission on Oct. 27 approved a petition to vacate a series of utility easements in Valhalla Heights as part of an associated replat (KPB file 2025-129V).

Planning staff described the request as vacating a 20-foot utility easement along certain lot lines and a 10-foot easement on rear lot lines originally granted by Plat K-1588. The associated Valhalla Heights Subdivision Thompson Replat was scheduled for review by the borough plat committee and had received conditional approval from the City of Kenai Planning and Zoning Commission (PC PZ Resolution PZ2025-27).

Jason Young, surveyor with Edge Survey speaking for the petitioner, said the request was “cleaning up some old unused easements,” and confirmed utility providers had agreed to the vacation. The plat consolidates Lots 27 and 28 into a single lot and removes the described easement areas.

A motion to grant the vacation based on the borough’s public-necessity evaluation (KPB code section referenced in staff materials) carried on a roll-call vote; one commissioner recused from the vote and was not counted in the majority. The motion included staff recommendations and two conditions listed in the staff report.

The plat committee reported the associated replat was reviewed and approved at the plat committee meeting; finalization of the easement vacation depends on approval of the associated replat and recordation of the plat.