Bethel Planning Commission to review seven properties referred for possible nuisance abatement

The City of Bethel Planning Commission will get an update on its nuisance property cases at 6:30 pm Thursday, Nov. 12, at City Hall and online. The agenda lists the item as an update discussion, not a vote.

A tracking sheet in the meeting packet shows seven properties that city staff referred to the commission Sept. 10 for abatement hearing consideration: 1019 and 1025 Ridgecrest Drive, 1111 and 1119 Naun Raq, 0 BIA Road Shop, 106 South Harbor Road and 1041 Second Avenue.

Staff notes on the sheet show why some cases have stalled. Both owners of 1019 Ridgecrest Drive are deceased. The city cannot find contact information for the owner of 1041 Second Avenue, and ownership of 106 South Harbor Road is still being determined. The owner of the BIA Road shop told the city there are squatters on the property. At 1111 Naun Raq, where the city first sent letters in May 2024, the sheet says no progress was made in summer 2026.

The commission later recommended three of the seven, 1019 Ridgecrest Drive and 1111 and 1119 Naun Raq, to the city manager for City Council abatement hearings. At its Oct. 8 meeting, commissioners again discussed which properties should move to abatement, according to the minutes.

The council has already approved abatement for three other properties, including 410 Owl Street and 17 Kwethluk Lane and 251 Akiak Drive. If an owner does not comply with a council order, the city may do the cleanup itself and the cost becomes a lien on the property, according to a City Manager's report on public nuisances.

Written public comments are due by 4 pm the day of the meeting.