Planning commission approves Green family’s conditional use permit for second dwelling

The Haines Borough Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit (CUP 26-001) allowing the Green family to build a second single-family dwelling on Parcel C, concluding the application met the borough’s code criteria.

Applicant Jim described the proposed project as a replacement dwelling on a long, narrow 1.6-acre lot. Commissioners asked about building footprint, two‑story elements, and valuation. Commissioner Jerry questioned the valuation numbers; Jim said his estimate reflected significant owner labor ("sweat equity") and a lower materials/subcontractor cost compared with hiring out the work.

Planning staff reviewed the statutory standard for CUP findings (Hainesborough code 18.5004) and asked the commission to adopt the manager’s recommendations unless members could show by a preponderance of the evidence those recommendations were in error. Commissioners recorded agreement with the CUP criteria (noise, compatibility, public services, erosion, compliance with conditions, and consideration of impacted property owners) and moved to approve the permit with manager-recommended conditions (setbacks, two off-street parking spaces, and the other standard conditions listed in the manager’s memo).

Commissioner Erica moved to approve CUP 26-001 with the manager’s conditions; Jerry seconded. The commission voted in favor and the chair announced the permit approved. A commissioner recused from this item because of a family relationship to the applicant; staff followed the recusal protocol and the recused member did not participate in the vote.

The approved permit allows the Green family to proceed with the proposed second dwelling subject to conditions recorded in the manager’s memo and the code-consistent guarantees required by the borough.