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Assembly schedules rezoning hearings, approves harbor safety grant and routine claims
Summary
The assembly introduced two rezoning ordinances and set second hearings for March 16, approved a $60,000 fisheries tax grant to the City of Ketchikan for harbor safety improvements, accepted claims totaling $5,804,478.55 and postponed a school-funding ordinance for additional information.
The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly used its March 2 meeting to advance multiple land-use and routine fiscal items while tabling some budget work until more information is gathered.
Planning staff introduced ordinance 2102 (rezoning lots at 6067 Roosevelt Drive from low-density residential to neighborhood residential) and ordinance 2104 (a planned-unit development—PUD—rezoning for Lot 76 in Herring Bay). Both items were set for second public hearings on March 16. Planning Director Frank Maloney told the assembly the applications were found consistent with the borough''s comprehensive plan and noted public infrastructure availability in the Roosevelt Drive case. Maloney said the PUD approach is intended to allow mixed uses but acknowledged neighbors'' concerns about removing a 50-foot vegetated buffer between industrial and residential uses.
"This buffer is full of trees and brush''it screens noise, lighting and fumes," adjacent resident Margaret Clabby told the assembly, asking that the vegetated buffer remain while the property still permits any heavy industrial uses. Diane Ratzipper, another nearby resident, said modular homes on the waterfront strip would "resemble a small trailer park" if the PUD removed tree buffers and allowed closely sited modular units.
The assembly also approved a fisheries tax grant of $60,000 to the City of Ketchikan to support harbor-safety improvements. Wayne Phillips, the city''s port and harbors director, confirmed ladders are present throughout the harbor but there are not lights mounted at each ladder; he told the assembly there is overhead lighting and ladders are located within 30 to 40 feet of slips.
Members approved claims totaling $5,804,478.55 and passed the consent calendar, which included multiple grants, contracts and appointments. Borough staff recommended postponing adoption of ordinance 2,100 (FY2027 local school funding appropriation) to allow staff to incorporate a finalized MOA and additional fiscal details before setting spending authority.
Several rezoning opponents asked for conditions or preserved buffers during the PUD process; planning staff said PUD conditions can be written into the development agreement and that the planning commission had recommended approval of the rezoning requests. The assembly''s actions leave both rezones subject to further testimony when they return for formal public hearings.
The assembly moved a small set of remaining agenda items to a March 9 special meeting and adjourned at 9:59 p.m.
