The Planning Commission meets August 24, 2021, at 7 P.M. This meeting will be virtual and telephonic only, and will be to review an application for an aquatic plant farm.

This virtual meeting will be by video and telephonic participation only. Join the virtual meeting online https://juneau.zoom.us/j/99517564301 or call: 1-346-248-7799 or 1-669-900-6833 or 1-253-215-8782 or 1-312-626-6799 or 1-929-436-2866 or 1-301-715-8592 and enter Webinar ID: 995 1756 4301. 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, August 23, or testify at the meeting. Read the Planning Commission Meeting agenda here.

A Conditional Use Permit for an aquatic plant farm (USE2021 0007)

The applicant requests approval for an aquatic plant (kelp) farm at Lena cove, adjacent to Lena Beach Recreation Area. The project is expected to benefit the local ecosystem, because kelp provides shelter for forage fish; naturally absorbs nitrogen run-off from adjacent properties; and removes carbon dioxide from surrounding waters. A system of lines, anchors, and floats will be used to grow aquatic plants submerged below the ocean surface. The farm will operate seasonally from October 1 to April 15 each year, planting kelp on the submerged lines in October and harvesting in April. All anchors, lines, and floats will be removed after harvest and prior to April 15 of each year.

The Planning Commission meets August 10, 2021, at 7 P.M. This meeting will be virtual and telephonic only, and will be to review applications for a rezone and an ordinance change. 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/98653571983 or call: 1-346-248-7799 or 1-669-900-6833 or 1-253-215-8782 or 1-312-626-6799 or 1-929-436-2866 or 1-301-715-8592 and enter Webinar ID: 986 5357 1983. 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, August 9, or testify at the meeting. Read the Planning Commission Meeting agenda here.

Rezone from Industrial to General Commercial (AME2021 0009)

The applicant proposes a rezone of nine lots, consisting of 7.1 acres, from Industrial to General Commercial near the Yandukin Drive and Egan Drive intersection. The proposal includes maintaining an Industrially-zone buffer between the proposed rezone and the airport property. This accommodation sustains the Comprehensive Plan goal of new Industrial land, while recognizing the need to provide expansion capability for heavy commercial and light industrial uses.

An ordinance change to update CBJ 49.15.330(g)(9), Conditional Use Permit, 49.70.210, Hillside Development, and 49.70.300, Landslide and Avalanche Areas, to adopt the May 28, 2021 Downtown Juneau Landslide and Avalanche Assessment (AME2021 0008)

The currently adopted landslide and avalanche maps for downtown Juneau, dated September 9, 1987, are based on maps developed in the 1970s. These low-resolution maps combined landslide and avalanche areas into a single map, which identifies moderate and severe hazard areas. In 2018, the Community Development Department (CDD) was awarded a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to update these maps with current scientific analysis, and to evaluate landslide and avalanche areas separately. At this time, CDD is proposing only the minimum regulatory changes necessary to adopt the new maps and to reflect the landslide and avalanche designations in the new assessment.

The Planning Commission meets July 27, 2021, at 7 P.M. This meeting will be virtual and telephonic only, and will be to review applications for a Parking Waiver, the Downtown Juneau Alternative Development Overlay District, and a text amendment regarding Accessory Apartments.

This virtual meeting will be by video and telephonic participation only. Join the virtual meeting online https://juneau.zoom.us/j/96970037739 or call: 1-346-248-7799 or 1-669-900-6833 or 1-253-215-8782 or 1-312-626-6799 or 1-929-436-2866 or 1-301-715-8592 and enter Webinar ID: 969 7003 7739. 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, July 26, or testify at the meeting. Read the Planning Commission Meeting agenda here.

A reduction from 14 required off-street parking spaces to 9 to serve a daycare (PWP2021 0003)

The Applicant is requesting a reduction in required parking from 14 off-street parking spaces to nine off-street parking spaces in advance of future development. This property has evolved from a church to a childcare center. The outcome of this waiver will determine if the applicant purchases the property and/or builds a 1,532 square-foot expansion. The applicant would like to understand if the parking waiver is acceptable before investing in the design and expansion.

Proposed revisions to the Alternative Development Overlay District, which affects setbacks, minimum lot area, and other issues related to development. The Overlay covers both downtown Juneau and downtown Douglas, but revisions only concern Juneau at this time (AME2018 0004)

The purpose of the ADOD is development flexibility that is in keeping with current development of the surrounding area. Nonconformities cannot be expanded, limiting redevelopment and infill options. While improving conformity is a by-product of the Alternative Development Overlay District, the primary intention is developmental flexibility.

A text amendment to revise and update Title 49 Section 49.25.510(k) Accessory Apartments and other related sections of the Land Use Code (AME2018 0001)

This ordinance would amend Title 49 with respect to accessory apartments. The revisions initiated by the Community Development Department in 2018 were “housekeeping” in nature without changes to policy or intent. Further discussion by the Title 49 Subcommittee expanded the scope of the amendment to include lot size ratios, the size and number of accessory units, and to allow apartments with a duplex, which is currently prohibited. Additionally, accessory apartments would be Director’s approvals.