Kodiak Island Borough Development Code Revision

1. Kodiak Island Borough Development Code Revision CODE REVISION WORKSHOP May 10: Kodiak May 11: Chiniak

2. The Code Revision Process • Review existing code • Collect research & input • Identify issues • Develop options for code revisionsDraft revised code • Review & finalize revised code • “Test” the new code • Final adoption

3. Why Revise the Codes? • Current codes are inconsistent, making it difficult to interpret or enforce • Codes do not reflect the current development realities in the Borough

4. Why Revise the Codes? • Current codes creates barriers for development • They don’t make use of improved zoning concepts • Need to better distinguish between urban and rural areas • Should reflect the recently adopted Comprehensive Plan

5. Where Do the Codes Apply? Codes are the same throughout the BoroughApplies to:- Private land- State and Borough land- Native corporation landProposed revision creates new zones to reflect unique circumstances of urban Kodiak, the villages, rural areas and road served areas.

6. Title 16: Subdivisions Rules for dividing land Exempt divisions Subdivision process Requirements for plat design Flag lot requirements Trails and pathways Public improvements (roads and utilities) Improved and simplified review process

7. Title 17: Zoning Zoning districts to serve urban/suburban Kodiak, road system settlements, villages, remote areas Allowed uses and area/height/placement requirements for each district Specific use requirements (e.g., bed & breakfast) Development requirements (parkings, signs, etc.) Review and approval processes (conditional use, rezoning, etc.)

8. Title 18: Land Management Acquiring land for public ownership and use Sale/lease of Borough land Grants of easements or right-of-way Management of resources on Borough land (timber, materials, minerals, etc.) Rules for trespass Changes incorporate current best practices; streamlines and simplifies process

9. Zoning Title Improvements

10. Urban and Suburban Districts • City of Kodiak and Environs • Bells Flats, Larson Island • Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Public Lands districts • New “Urban Mixed Use” district (for future use)

11. Settlement and Village Districts • Settlements: Pasagshak and Chiniak • Villages: Akhiok, Karluk, Larsen Bay, Old Harbor, Ouzinkie, Port Lions • Recognizes unique character of these areas • Settlement districts: focus on preserving residential character • Village District allows mix of residential and small businesses/ services, incl. lodging • “Special uses” can be approved by Borough without public hearings

12. Remote and Conservation Districts • Preserves remote and sensitive areas from incompatible development • Watershed and Natural Use districts: same as current • Remote Conservation Dist. allowsvery limited residential uses • Conservation District: wider range of uses allowed • Remote Development: allows more intensive uses (resorts, resource development, etc.)

13. Title 17: Zoning Issues • Bed & Breakfast/Lodges/Vacation Homes • Agricultural Uses/Keeping Animals • Home Occupations/Home Based Businesses • Downtown Kodiak and Business Districts • Screening and Buffers • Signs

14. Bed & Breakfast, Lodges and Vacation Homes • Focus: allow lodging usesin appropriate locationsand protect neighbor-hoods • Definitions: • Bed & Breakfast: Ownermust reside on premises; no more than 5 guest rooms; meals/services limited to guests • Lodge: Allows more rooms, in some cases meals and services available to non-guests • Vacation home: a single family dwelling, rented for up to 30 days, where guests use home’s kitchen for meals and arrange separately for services

15. Bed & Breakfast, Lodges and Vacation Homes • Bed and Breakfast: Conditional use in most districts • Lodges: permitted by right in most commercial districts; in Settlement and Village Districts, are special use (Borough staff approval if <15 guests; conditional use for 15 guests or more • Vacation Homes: Permitted by right in most districts (where single family homes are also permitted)

16. Agriculture and Keeping Animals • No major changes from existing code • Keeping livestock for personal use allowed in all Urban/Suburban single family districts and Settlements (Pasagshak/Chiniak) • Agriculture a permitted use in RS1 and RS2 Suburban districts (includes Monashka Bay and Bells Flats) & Settlement districts; also Remote Conservation, Conservation and Remote Development districts • Livestock grazing allowed in same areas as currently

17. Home Occupations/Home Based Businesses • Home Occupation • Low intensity-hard to tell from outside thata business is there • Conducted by residents of home plus one add’l employee • Commercial fishing business can be a home occupation; equipment may be stored outdoors (must be screened on small lots)

18. Home Occupations/Home Based Businesses • Home Based Business • Not allowed under current code • Allows more intensive home-based enterprises, with conditional use approval • Examples: Small engine or appliance repair, furniture making, small contractor • Two non-resident employees allowed • Outdoor storage permitted on lots of 2 acres or more

19. Downtown Kodiak and Business Districts Current code treats all business areas the same – but is Downtown different from the Mill Bay Road corridor?

20. GC General Commercial District • Downtown Kodiak only • Allows buildings up to 5 stories • Off-street parking is not required; public lots and on-street parking meet parking needs • Allows mix of commercial/office and upper story residential uses • Recognizes the unique character of Downtown Kodiak

21. Other Commercial Districts • CS Commercial Service District: Commercial corridors (Mill Bay Road, etc.) and Near Island • Focused on auto-oriented uses and services • Building height maximum 35 feet (2.5 stories) • Also allows some residential uses • NC Neighborhood Commercial: smaller commercial areas serving neighborhoods

22. Screening and Buffers • Required for certain uses in the Urban/Suburban districts when commercial/industrial is adjacent to residential • Screening: required for outdoor storage areas visible from road or residential property • Fence, hedge, trees, berm, or combination • Buffers: must be provided on commercial or industrial properties when adjacent to residential • 20-foot wide planted area • Not meant to be an opaque barrier, but a transition

23. Signs • Currently, signs are regulated, but no permit is required • New code sets requirements for a sign permit • Sets area, height and placement requirements • Most existing signs already conform • Includes requirements for new sign types, such as electronic displays • Nonconforming signs may be replaced, but not enlarged

24. Next Steps • Review period set to end May 18 • Comments from workshops and from public reviewed by Project Advisory Committee; appropriate changes made • Review and public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission • Final adoption by the Borough Assembly

25. Thanks for attending! • Comments still being taken at www.kodiakak.us/coderevision • Drop off your comment cards as you leave