Commissions, Committees and Boards

The Code and Planning Committee is a committee of the Planning Commission that includes members from the Borough Assembly, the Ketchikan City Council and the Saxman City Council. This committee provides input and directs the staff of the Department of Planning and Community Development in the updating and rewriting of the comprehensive plan, Title 17 Subdivisions, and Title 18 Zoning. This committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month, starting at 6 PM.

Committee Membership

• Greg Poppen - Planning Commission
• Mike Medford - Planning Commission
• Sam Bergeron - Ketchikan City Council
• Frank Seludo - Saxman City Council
• Felix Wong - Borough Assembly
• Judith McQuerry - Borough Assembly
• AJ Pierce - Borough Assembly
• Bill Rotecki - Citizen Member

Comprehensive Plan Update

Why do we need a comprehensive plan?

 Alaska Statutes require land use management for certain types of governments, in the case of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough, second class boroughs are required to address land use and platting regulations. In order to have zoning or land use regulations, a comprehensive plan is needed. The concept of a comprehensive plan is closely related to the economic prosperity of a community. A comprehensive plan is a planning tool for envisioning the future growth of a community. One of the most important aspects of a comprehensive plan is in addressing the constant change and evolution of a community. Comprehensive plans are often called land use plans; land use planning is an important part of a comprehensive plan, addressing land use issues associated with implementation tools and review processes specifically related to land use changes. Comprehensive plans are also prepared to address compatibility issues between varying land uses, management and preservation of natural resources, identification and preservation of historically significant lands and structures, and adequate planning for infrastructure needs. In other instances, comprehensive plans are utilized to address issues related to schools, recreation, and housing.

What is a comprehensive plan?

Comprehensive planning is an attempt to establish guidelines for the future growth of a community. As the term “comprehensive” suggests, this is an all-inclusive approach to addressing the issue of a community’s future growth. A comprehensive plan is a formal document produced through a visioning process. The document is official in nature, meaning that it is designed to be adopted into law by some form of local government. The document should then serve as a policy guide to decisions about community development, such as changes in zoning and the development of zoning regulations.

Below are links to comprehensive plan topic surveys created to gather ideas on specific focus areas.

General Retail

Marine

Timber

Mining

Visitor

Purpose of the Board

The Creek Street Historic District Board was established to provide advisory guidance to the Planning Commission or Zoning Administrator for all proposed development or improvement plans, policies, or programs referred to the chairman of the board by prospective applicants in order to determine their impact on properties or structures within the Historic District (HD) Zone, as it is defined within Borough Code Chapter 18.35.

Meetings

All meetings of the Board are in Assembly Chambers and are open to the public.

Ketchikan Gateway Borough - Creek Street Historic District Architectural Design Review Board Members Needed

Applications are being solicited from interested citizens to serve on the Borough Creek Street Historic District Architectural Design Review Board. There are two seats for Borough residents at large. The term of office is two years. Periodic meetings are scheduled for Noon on weekdays at the White Cliff Building in the Assembly Chambers. Letters of application may be submitted to the Platting/Zoning Clerk, 1900 First Avenue, Suite 126, or to the Planning Department email: Email the Planning Department.

Applications are being accepted at the Planning Department until filled. The Planning Commission will consider applications on an ongoing basis at its regular scheduled meetings. For more information, please call 228-6610.