Homer's zoning rewrite gets its first public hearing Wednesday

Homer's Planning Commission takes public testimony Wednesday on an ordinance that would rewrite the city's zoning code and map.

An earlier draft drew 905 comments from 92 people over six weeks this spring, plus two petitions carrying roughly 600 signatures. Those raised concerns about short-term rentals and development standards.

The project team has recommended changes since, none of them adopted yet. Maximum building coverage downtown would drop to 50 percent from the 70 percent originally proposed. The team also wants revisions to retail size thresholds, height limits in the Gateway Business District and how much staff can adjust on their own. Any additional short-term rental rules would wait for a study by the Economic Development Advisory Commission.

The hearing starts at 6:30 pm at Homer City Hall, after a 5:30 worksession on the zoning map. Testimony is limited to three minutes per person.

It is the first of what is expected to be several public sessions before the commission acts.