Commission backs two Shoreline Heights preliminary plats, including a pedestrian‑easement vacation

The Kenai Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 22 recommended approval of two preliminary plats for the Shoreline Heights neighborhood, voting to forward a pedestrian‑easement vacation on Lot 48 and a replat that merges Lots 19 and 20.

Planning staff told the commission the pedestrian easement along the northern boundary of Lot 48 was effectively severed when Pay Drive was dedicated, leaving the eastern portion of the easement terminating on private property. "Staff finds the preliminary plat meets the general standards for KMC chapter 14.10 subdivision regulations and chapter 14.24 development requirements," the Planning Director said during the staff report, and recommended approval of Resolution PZ 2025‑31 subject to the listed conditions, including that the City Council declare the easement not needed for a public purpose before vacation.

Commissioners questioned whether vacating the east‑side easement would cut off public beach access; staff responded that the west side would retain an existing pedestrian easement and public access via the city‑maintained Pay Drive. After discussion, Commissioner Petty moved to approve Resolution PZ 2025‑31 "as presented," the motion was seconded, and a roll call produced six affirmative votes.

The commission also recommended approval of Resolution PZ 2025‑32, a replat to merge Lots 19 and 20 into a single approximately 1.919‑acre parcel. Staff noted Lot 20 contains a single‑family dwelling served by on‑site septic, city water is available along Pay Drive, and proposed Lot 20A would meet the rural residential minimum lot size requirements. Commissioners asked whether merging lots would materially affect property tax assessments and how addressing and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) would be handled; staff said any tax impact would be negligible, the existing structure would typically retain the address and an ADU would be assigned a letter suffix, and on‑site wastewater systems must meet Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation requirements.

Commissioner Petty requested unanimous consent to approve PZ 2025‑32; no objections were raised and the commission approved the replat.

Both preliminary plats will proceed through the borough/city review steps noted in the staff reports: the pedestrian‑easement vacation requires City Council action to declare the right‑of‑way not needed for a public purpose before the vacation can be finalized, and both plats remain subject to building‑permit reviews for compliance with lot coverage, setbacks and other development standards.