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Wrangell planning commission approves SEAPA lease and Conditional Use Permit for solar project near Zimovia Highway
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission voted May 11 to recommend a borough lease and approved a Conditional Use Permit for a Southeast Alaska Power Agency solar facility on about 38 acres near 5.25 Zimovia Highway, initially sized at roughly 1.5 megawatts with possible expansion to 5 megawatts; construction is anticipated through June 2028.
The City and Borough of Wrangell Planning & Zoning Commission on May 11 voted to recommend that the Borough Assembly approve a lease to Southeast Alaska Power Agency (SEAPA) for Lot 2, USS 3790 (Plat No. 2020-5) and approved a Conditional Use Permit for a solar photovoltaic generation facility and associated battery storage on the site.
Planning staff said the lease area is approximately 38 acres near 5.25 Zimovia Highway and that the project is expected to generate about 1.5 megawatts at startup, with potential expansion to roughly 5 megawatts. Staff said the facility is intended to improve community resiliency and reduce reliance on diesel generation during outages and maintenance events; construction is anticipated through June 2028. The parcel was transferred to borough ownership via a Mental Health Trust land exchange, staff said.
The Commission approved the lease recommendation (motion by Commissioner Jillian Privett; second Gary Watkins) and the CUP (motion by Privett; second Watkins) unanimously. The CUP approval is subject to conditions outlined in the staff report, including compliance with all permitting requirements; maintaining public access through the existing 60-foot easement corridor; restricting improvements to the leased area unless otherwise approved; maintaining vegetative buffers where practical; and requiring site restoration if the facility is abandoned for more than 12 months.
SEAPA Executive Director Robert Seidman, participating by video, thanked the Commission and said the project "would strengthen local grid resiliency and support future economic development opportunities in Wrangell." Commission discussion touched on project costs, the site's proximity to SEAPA's switchyard and expected minimal traffic impacts; staff noted a prior public town hall on the proposal.
The Commission forwarded the lease recommendation to the Borough Assembly and approved the CUP subject to staff conditions. The Assembly will consider formal authorization of the lease and any contractual terms in a future public meeting.
