Community development staff presented case 26‑010, a conditional‑use permit request for a hydroelectric generation facility crossing multiple properties to provide a long‑term renewable electricity source for Old Harbor. Staff said the facility requires Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing and any necessary state permits, and that local approvals would include this conditional‑use permit followed by a zoning compliance permit if the CUP is approved.

Staff noted the commission previously approved the project in 2015 but that approval expired after a zoning compliance permit was not filed: "We did have a 2015 approval from the commission for this use. However, the delay there was delay in that use, and so it never actually got initiated through a zoning compliance permit. And so that particular CUP approval expired." The current submittal, staff said, is substantially similar to the 2015 application and carries many of the same recommended conditions of approval.

Commissioners asked whether the applicant or consultant could list changes since 2015 and whether the FERC license has a fixed term or renewal requirement; staff said those questions are best answered by the applicant and consultant and that the record should include agency coordination with FERC and state permitting. Staff characterized the facility as intended for long‑term operation and said the CUP would include conditions tied to any later zoning or permit filings.

Next step: Staff recommended the CUP be scheduled for the commission public hearing next week with applicant/consultant participation so commissioners can review any changes from the 2015 submittal and hear answers on FERC and interagency approvals.