Memorandum 16-146 Planning Commission Response to KPB Ordinance 2016-25

Memorandum 16-146

TO:                       Mayor Wythe and the Homer City Council

THROUGH:       Katie Koester. City Manager

FROM:                 Rick Abboud AICP, City Planner

DATE:                  January 13, 2016

SUBJECT:         KBP Ord. 2016-25, An Ordinance amending KPB 2.40.010 to Reduce Planning Commission Membership.

The Homer Advisory Planning Commission (HAPC) reviewed and made a recommendation at the meeting of September 7th in opposition to the Borough ordinance that proposes to reduce membership in the KPB Planning Commission.

The HAPC discussed the item and felt that representation from the various Home Rule/First Class cities and currently designated regions of the Borough is important. A discussion point was that the $30,000 in projected savings was not enough to justify eliminating representation of communities that have great differences in local conditions and populations. It was stated that there were other methods of saving money including consideration of eliminating some meetings.

Other issues with the ordinance were discussed including the following. The ordinance is quite vague in the fact that it does not clearly identify whose seat would be eliminated in the future. It also seems to indicate that a representative from any at-large region could represent any other at-large region, which would lead to a loss of local representation. The Anchor Point area would likely lose a local member.

The Homer Advisory Planning Commission recommends that the Homer City Council oppose the KPS Ordinance 2016-25.