The Planning Commission meets January 25 at 7 p.m. to review applications for a parking code revisions, code amendments regarding pre-application conferences, and revisions to the Marijuana Establishments code. These items are up for public hearing.

This virtual meeting will be by video and telephonic participation only. Join the virtual meeting online https://juneau.zoom.us/j/81485001665 or call: 1-346-248-7799 or 1-669-900-6833 or 1-253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID: 814 8500 1665.  If you’re giving public comment, you’ll be asked to state your name, place of residence, and will be asked to stay on the phone after your testimony to answer any questions from the Commission. For more information about the procedure, contact the Community Development Department at 907-586-0715.

The public is encouraged to submit written comments to [email protected] by 12 noon, January 21, or testify at the meeting. Read the Planning Commission Meeting agenda here.

Parking code revisions, which includes reorganization, establishing a “town center” parking standard, revised parking district boundaries, and allowing parking waivers downtown (AME2021 0003)

The purpose of this agenda item is to consider if minimum parking requirements should encourage or discourage certain uses in the Town Center Parking District and how parking requirements in the Proposed Space Table should be modified. The proposed parking ordinance would be updated with purpose language for the Town Center Parking District that reflects development orientation.

Amendment to the CBJ Land Use Code Title 49 to make pre-application conferences optional and not mandatory (AME2022 0001)

Pre-application conferences are a service provided by CBJ at no cost. Representatives from Planning, Building, General Engineering, and Fire attend the conferences. The meetings provide the opportunity for an applicant to present a conceptual proposal and gain information about the permitting process and requirements of the various codes; zoning, building, engineering, and fire. This information guides the development proposal and sets the applicant up for success, providing them with information about the permitting process, options available, and materials required for a complete permit.

Revision to 49.65 Article XI Marijuana Establishments to remove the requirement for a five-year review for Conditional Use Permits issued to marijuana establishments (AME2022 0002)

CBJ’s proposal to remove the requirement for the Planning Commission to review all Conditional Use Permits for marijuana establishments every five years will ease the permitting burden for business owners and treat marijuana establishments similarly to other businesses permitted through the Conditional Use Permit process. Additionally, removing this review process reduces the number of cases that must to be heard by the Commission and decreases the burden on staff creating staff reports.

The Planning Commission meets January 11 at 7 p.m. to review applications for a land exchange, a land disposal, and modification of a Conditional Use Permit. These items are up for public hearing.

This virtual meeting will be by video and telephonic participation only. Join the virtual meeting online https://juneau.zoom.us/j/87375675296 or call: 1-346-248-7799 or 1-669-900-6833 or 1-253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID: 873 7567 5296. If you’re giving public comment, you’ll be asked to state your name, place of residence, and will be asked to stay on the phone after your testimony to answer any questions from the Commission. For more information about the procedure, contact the Community Development Department at 907-586-0715.

The public is encouraged to submit written comments to [email protected] by 12 noon, January 7, or testify at the meeting. Read the Planning Commission Meeting agenda here.

A land exchange between CBJ land at 11860 Glacier Highway and private property at 11930 Glacier Highway. This will create a new right-of-way to access CBJ land. (CSP2021 0004)

This is a CBJ-initiated land action for a fair market value land exchange. As proposed, CBJ would exchange roughly 24,000 square feet of undeveloped land for roughly 24,000 square feet of flat, developed land. The land exchange would provide CBJ with frontage and direct access to Glacier Highway. The access could provide a secondary route to Auke Bay Elementary School and open up the CBJ land to future development.

Disposal of CBJ-owned land to Franklin Foods (CSP2021 0006)

The applicant requests review of disposal of 4,078 square feet at 139 South Franklin Street to Franklin Foods. Franklin Foods currently leases the property and provides an open-air food service.

Modification of USE2021 0002 to allow construction of a 5-foot wide bike path to be delayed until the final condominium building is complete (USE2021 0023)

On April 13, 2021, the Planning Commission heard a Conditional Use Permit application for the construction of a new condominium development (USE2021 0002) and approved the permit with eight conditions. The applicant is requesting a modification of Condition #7: “Prior to the issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy for the first dwelling unit, a 5-foot wide paved sidewalk must be installed providing safe public access form the Clinton Drive sidewalk to the Mendenhall River walking/bike path, per CBJ 49.35.630. The HOA agreement must address the ongoing maintenance of the sidewalk including snow removal.” For safety reasons, the applicant is requesting that the sidewalk installation be delayed until the major construction for Building B is complete. This will help ensure that the sidewalk is not damaged during the construction process and that pedestrians and cyclists are not encouraged to walk or ride near a construction site.

The Planning Commission meets Tuesday, December 14 at 7 p.m. This meeting will be to review applications for a five-year marijuana renewal, an extension of a Conditional Use Permit, an addition of a second story, an accessory apartment on an undersized lot, explosives storage, and a modification to an approved Wireless Communications Facility. These items are up for public hearing.

This virtual meeting will be by video and telephonic participation only. Join the virtual meeting online https://juneau.zoom.us/j/83598204446 or call: 1-346-248-7799 or 1-669-900-6833 or 1-253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID: 835 9820 4446.  If you’re giving public comment, you’ll be asked to state your name, place of residence, and will be asked to stay on the phone after your testimony to answer any questions from the Commission. For more information about the procedure, contact the Community Development Department at 907-586-0715.

The public is encouraged to submit written comments to [email protected] by 12 noon, December 10, or testify at the meeting. Read the Planning Commission Meeting agenda here.

A Marijuana Retail License Five-Year Renewal for Rainforest Farms (USE2016 0006/USE2021 0022)

The Planning Commission approved a Special Use Permit (USE2016 0006), effective May 10, 2016 to allow a Marijuana retail facility. The applicant now requests a five-year renewal of this permit.

An extension of Conditional Use Permit USE2020 0001 for a new educational and research laboratory structure (USE2021 0021)

The Planning Commission approved Conditional Use Permit USE2020 0001 with conditions effective February 25, 2020 to allow construction of a two-story education and research laboratory structure in the Waterfront Commercial Zoning District. The applicant is requesting an extension of this permit to continue with the construction.

A Conditional Use Permit for an addition of a second story to a nonconforming structure (USE2021 0017)

The applicant would like to construct a second story atop a nonconforming one-story, single-family structure. If approved, the second story would be an accessory apartment (USE2021 0016), if the associated permit were approved.

A Conditional Use Permit for an accessory apartment on an undersized lot (USE2021 0016)

The existing structure was constructed in 1924. The applicant plans to rebuild the structure’s roof and walls while maintaining the foundation and daylight basement. CBJ 49.30.210(b) allows for the reconstruction of a nonconforming structure if the cost to reconstruct is less than or equal to 75% of the assessed building value. The CBJ Assessor estimates the building value at $40,900. The CBJ Building Official estimates the cost to reconstruct at roughly $29, 500, or 72% of the assessed value.

A Conditional Use Permit renewal for explosives storage in lower Hidden Valley (USE2021 0008)

The previous permit, USE2009-00018, expired on July 14, 2019. The development is in the Rural Reserve Zoning District, distant from any property lines on the 113.29-acre parcel and complies with all Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives requirements. The proposed development if 2,350 feet from inhabited buildings, 50 feet from AE Special Flood Hazard Area, and 185 feet from Lemon Creek.

A modification to an approved facility (WCF2021 0010)

The applicant is seeking to modify WCF2019 0010, a Special Use Permit for a 150-foot, unlit monopole tower, to a 150-foot, self-supporting tower with a lightning rod. The tower will occupy 5,625 square feet of land leased from CBJ. The tower will be unlit and will support multiple wireless carriers. After the initial approval of the Special Use Permit, the applicant discovered that the soil composition on site would be better suited to a three-legged, self-supporting tower in terms of structural integrity and cost.