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Planning commission approves Black Gold Estates right-of-way vacation
Summary
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission approved a petition to vacate roughly 9,360 square feet of a dedicated right-of-way in the Black Gold Estates subdivision, adopting staff recommendations and forwarding the finalized action for any city-level consent or veto as required.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission voted to grant a petition to vacate a portion of a dedicated right of way in the Black Gold Estates subdivision, a request staff said affects about 9,360 square feet.
Staff presented the request (KBB file 2026-034V), summarizing prior reviews by the City of Kenai Planning and Zoning Commission and the borough, and noting a prior Kenai City Council veto in 2025 tied to unresolved ownership questions. Staff said the Kenai Native Association subsequently clarified ownership of Wildwood Drive and the petition was resubmitted. Staff recommended approval subject to the four conditions listed in the staff report and cited KPB 20.65.050.D for the public-necessity evaluation.
Petitioner Alex Douthat, who identified himself as the owner of the adjoining lots, told the commission that the city clarified ownership of Wildwood Drive and that the city is allowing individual lot owners to seek vacating their adjacent rights-of-way rather than funding a simultaneous, borough-led revacation. Douthat said he is the first landowner pursuing the process for his lots.
A commissioner moved to grant the vacation by adopting the staff report and recommendations and applying the four conditions listed in the packet. Commissioners who spoke in support noted prior vacating in the area (a 60-by-250-foot vacated area in 2022) and said the parallel, now-duplicative right-of-way was no longer needed because Wildwood Drive provides legal access. The commission conducted a roll-call vote and approved the motion.
Because the parcel lies within city boundaries, the commission’s approval is subject to the City of Kenai’s consent or veto procedures; staff noted the city council must hear the vacation within 30 days of the planning commission decision. The commission’s decision to approve is final at the KPB level unless vetoed by the city council.
