Kodiak developer's conservation rezone draws a refuge objection

A Kodiak developer's plan to consolidate 20 house lots into six and rezone them for conservation goes before the Kodiak Island Borough Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, over an objection from the national wildlife refuge next door.

Oceanfront Kodiak LLC wants to fold 20 lots in Cliff Point Estates into six across 47.2 acres and move them into the borough's Conservation District. Manager Michael Martin Jr. says the change would shrink the footprint of future homes and restore environmental protections. The parcels are marked for conservation in the borough's comprehensive plan but were rezoned from Conservation to Rural Residential Two in 2019. Four companion subdivision cases would carry out the consolidation, and the rezone takes effect only once all four final plats are filed.

Natalie Fath, acting deputy manager of the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, urged the commission to reject it. In a June letter, she wrote that the Conservation District permits commercial, industrial, and agricultural uses that Rural Residential Two does not, which she said could harm the adjacent Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge's submerged lands.

Borough staff recommend approval, finding the rezone consistent with the comprehensive plan. If the commission recommends approval, the Borough Assembly makes the final decision.