Timberline Rush replat postponed after staff finds missing easement paperwork

The Kenai Peninsula Borough plat committee postponed consideration of the Timberline Rush replat after staff reported insufficient documentation to process a related utility-easement vacation.

Staff told the committee that the surveyor had indicated an intent to vacate a utility easement but did not file the vacation submittal. Because the easement vacation is a separate legal action and staff received no reply from the surveyor to staff inquiries, staff concluded it could not complete a report and recommended postponement. Petitioner David Rush (appearing on Zoom) asked for clarification and to have the surveyor join the meeting; staff and the committee declined to resolve the easement issue in the public hearing without the formal submittal.

Robert Ruffner, Director of Planning, said that relaying the issue at the public hearing was not appropriate and that the item should be resolved outside the meeting with the surveyor and staff before the committee could hear the petition. "Having this kind of relay at the public hearing is not really appropriate," Ruffner said. The committee did not take formal action and the staff indicated the plat would be brought back for consideration once the necessary documentation (including any easement vacation submittal) is provided.

The petitioner asked that staff notify him when the item is rescheduled. Staff noted the timing of re-submittal will depend on when the surveyor files the separate easement vacation application and coordinates the two actions for concurrent review.