Skagway assembly fixes wording in historic-district code but declines to forward ordinance to Planning and Zoning

Chair Charity Pomeroy opened discussion of a draft ordinance to amend Title 19 (planning and zoning) that she said was intended to correct ambiguous or unenforceable language in the historic district code. The committee approved a technical amendment to replace references to the 'borough manager' with 'building official or their designee' and voted to remove a sentence that had moved appeal deadlines falling on a weekend to the next working day.

The package was presented as largely procedural fixes intended to make existing enforcement provisions workable after legal review identified circular references and a typographical error. "This has gone to legal twice," Pomeroy said, and the proposed changes, she added, are "just the shalls and the shoulds that have been clarified." The assembly approved the staffing-language amendment by voice vote; Pomeroy called the ayes and said, "The ayes have it."

Assembly member Deb Potter pressed the committee to address a separate, contentious subject: internally lighted signs in the historic district. Potter said past debate over resolution 2501 had mobilized the community and she proposed a test rule to limit internally lighted window signs so they "shall not exceed 25% of the total glass area of each individual window opening," offering local window measurements as examples of how that limit would apply. Potter cautioned against allowing flashing or animated displays and urged the group to find standards that allow tasteful, historically appropriate illumination without opening the door to garish or moving-light signs.

Pomeroy and others recommended a slower, multistep approach to sign policy. Pomeroy said she would work with the National Park Service and photographer Carl Gerke to assemble a photo essay of period-appropriate signs to inform guidance for the historic district commission and Planning and Zoning. Members discussed grandfathering existing signs or a temporary moratorium on new signs while the town develops clearer rules.

When Chair Pomeroy moved to forward the revised ordinance to Planning and Zoning for consideration, the motion failed after members split on whether the packet — which still leaves sign definitions ambiguous — should move forward as a whole. Pomeroy said the committee could return to the item once sign policy and public input are better developed.

The committee approved several targeted changes to remove ambiguity but did not send the full package on for Planning and Zoning consideration. The Civic Affairs meeting concluded with members asking staff and the Historic District Commission to prepare clearer sign definitions and public guidance before the next procedural steps.