Assembly Massages Capital Project Wish List

Jennifer Canfield/KMXT

At last night’s Kodiak Island Borough Assembly meeting, revisions to the Capital Improvements Project draft list were approved. Top priorities are still to expand the landfill, renovating the voc-ed facility at Kodiak High School and service area paving. Changes include adding an upgraded physical education facility to the voc-ed project and extended road access to Anton Larsen Bay.

Some of the other projects are a pedestrian and bike trail at Deadman’s Curve, more street lighting along Rezanof Drive, and an emergency generator for the Bayside Fire Station. Also included are upgrades to Mill Bay Beach, Womens Bay playground, the East Elementary school traffic flow and paving for the Peterson Elementary school parking lot.

Representatives from Alaska Aerospace gave a presentation on their proposal to add a second rocket launch facility capable of medium-lift operations. Kodiak’s current facility is only capable of small-lift operations. Alaska Aerospace is hoping to get 10 percent of the project cost, about $30 million, from the state.

When asked how much of that state money would be spent in the local economy, President and Chief Operating Officer Craig Campbell had this to say:

— (110916 boro mtg 1.wav 37 sec "We do pretty good… and we’ll see")

Lastly, two parcels in Middle Bay were tentatively rezoned. The Old Rendezvous site, owned by Jay Johnston changed from Rural Residential 1 to Rural Residential 2. The adjacent site along the Chiniak Highway, owned by Leisnoi, changed from Conservation designation to Rural Resident 2. A few residents of Middle Bay spoke in opposition to the rezoning saying that the area, zoned for Conservation is the last place for agricultural operations on the island and feared the possibility that the rezone would increase density in their area.

— (110916 boro mtg 2.wav 45 sec "My name is Sarah Thayer… last farm in Kodiak")

While Conservation zoning requires a minimum parcel size of five acres, the Leisnoi property is just over an acre. Johnston, who is in the process of purchasing the property, said that the rezoning is a required part of the sale.

— (110916 boro mtg 3.wav 34 sec "We’re finally getting close… vote to approve")

The assembly voted to approve the change which won’t be official until the sale is final and the two parcels have been re-platted into one.

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