Planning commission delays vote, sends draft comprehensive plan back for revisions

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Planning Commission voted unanimously Monday to postpone action on Case 25-059, the borough’s draft comprehensive plan, until Nov. 12, 2025, after a work session during which commissioners, staff and members of the public debated wording and requested edits.

Commissioners said they needed more time to review written suggestions and for staff to prepare alternative phrasing on items that drew disagreement, including how specifically the plan should name partners, whether theme statements should include legally strong terms such as “must,” and how to treat tourism-management language. Planning staff told the commission they would prepare side-by-side text options and background notes for the next meeting.

The motion to postpone was made during the meeting’s return to open session; a roll call recorded the following votes in favor: Gubitayo, Dispensing, Arnold, Medford, Gage and Govars. The motion passed and the item was continued to the commission’s regular meeting on Nov. 12, 2025.

Commissioners and staff framed the session as a work session, intended to allow a more informal but detailed review of public correspondence and to give community members a chance to explain requested changes before the commission forwards a recommendation to the borough assembly. Planning staff said the draft already includes an annual reporting and review process that would keep the plan “living” and allow follow-up revisions beyond adoption.

Next steps: staff will prepare a revised draft or an edit-tracker that shows the planned changes and alternatives discussed during the work session, and will return those materials to the commission in November for formal consideration.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Postpone Case 25-059 (comprehensive plan) to Nov. 12, 2025. Vote: 6–0 (Gubitayo, Dispensing, Arnold, Medford, Gage, Govars — yes).