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City of Homer

Planning & Zoning        Telephone        (907) 235-3106

491 East Pioneer Avenue                    Fax                  (907) 235-3118

Homer, Alaska 99603-7645                E-mail             Planning@ci.homer.ak.us

                                                            Web Site          www.ci.homer.ak.us

 

MEMORANDUM 09-116

 

To:                   Mayor Hornaday and Homer City Council

Thru:                Rick Abboud, City Planner

From:               Julie Engebretsen, Planning Technician

Date:               September 8, 2009

RE:                  Overslope Development Ordinance

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

The City has been working on a draft overslope development ordinance for over 15 years. Overslope development means the platforms and buildings built over the edge of the small boat harbor. The ice house is a good example of current overslope development. Back in the 1990’s, the city contracted with a design firm to create an ordinance for how platforms around the harbor should be built, and what the buildings on the platforms should look like. The ordinance was never adopted, but the goal of overslope development around the harbor has remained. Between 2005 and 2007, the Port and Harbor Commission spent a lot of time working on this ordinance. The City Council approved memorandum 07-134 in August 2007 that the ordinance be forwarded to the Homer Advisory Planning Commission for consideration. In 2009, staff worked with the Port and Harbor and Advisory Planning Commissions on the current draft ordinance. It was then forwarded to the City Attorney, prior to submittal to the City Council.

 

This ordinance only addresses overslope development around the small boat harbor. It does not apply to the private boardwalks in other locations on the Spit. The City Council, through the land allocation plan or lease offerings, will determine what areas of city property may be developed for overslope use.

 

This ordinance creates a consistent set of standards for overslope development, addressing safety, some open space requirements, maximum building height and other aspects of development.

 

Attorney Klinkner recommended that the ordinance be changed so overslope regulations are within a new overlay district, rather than a conditional use in the Marine Commercial District. Overslope construction will still require a conditional use permit.

 

 

Recommendation: Staff recommends adoption of the ordinance.