Assembly adopts Sitka Historic Preservation Plan with one-year sunset on Appendix G

The Sitka City and Borough Assembly voted 6–0 April 14 to adopt the Sitka Historic Preservation Plan (2026 version), approving an amendment that requires Appendix G — the local historic-preservation review procedures — to sunset one year after adoption and be replaced before that sunset.

Planning and Community Development Director Zima Ainsley told the assembly staff had two feasible paths: replace Appendix G before adopting the plan, or adopt the plan now and return a revised Appendix G later. Ainsley asked the assembly to clarify whether staff should document the current review process with minor tweaks or undertake a wholesale rewrite, and to indicate the desired scope of public notice and the preferred timeline (a 30-day expedited or a 60-day moderate public-comment period).

Members of the Historic Preservation Commission and other community witnesses urged adoption of the full plan now. Robbie Littlefield, chair of the commission, and multiple commissioners described the plan as the product of years of work and said Appendix G could be redrafted and reviewed by the commission before being reinserted. Commission members emphasized that their role is advisory and that the commission lacks enforcement power; they also noted the document is necessary to maintain the city’s Certified Local Government status and to secure preservation grant funding.

Assembly debate focused on distinguishing routine, ministerial repairs (for example, nonstructural like-for-like replacements) from changes that should trigger commission review, and on avoiding permit delays for safety repairs. Several assembly members said they supported keeping the plan’s substantive content in place and using Appendix G to clarify exemptions and administrative workflows rather than make the process more onerous for routine work.

The assembly first voted 5–1 to adopt an amendment that adds a one-year sunset for Appendix G and requires staff to replace it prior to that sunset (Mister Pike dissenting). With the amendment adopted, the assembly approved the main motion to adopt the Historic Preservation Plan as recommended by the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission, 6–0.

Staff said the amended schedule will allow Ainsley’s office to bring a replacement Appendix G forward with targeted public outreach to affected property owners and additional commission review. Ainsley outlined two timing options presented to the assembly: an expedited schedule with a 30-day public comment period and commission recommendation in June for adoption in late June, or a 60-day comment period with adoption in July. The assembly asked staff to aim for clarity in the replacement and to include explicit exemptions for routine, safety or in-kind work.

The assembly’s action formally adopts the Sitka Historic Preservation Plan (2026) as amended; staff will return with a drafted Appendix G replacement and a public-notice plan per the direction given on April 14.

The assembly will consider any newly drafted appendix at a future meeting; no additional regulatory changes were adopted at this vote.