DOWL and City Settle on Conceptual Land Use Plan for Near Island

Kayla Desroches/KMXT

After a series of conferences and consultations, DOWL and the City of Kodiak have settled on a Near Island conceptual land use plan. At a council regular meeting last week, City Manager Aimée Kniaziowski said the city is happy with the draft.

“I think it gives us a way to plan so that we can continue to maximize our financial interests there, which is what my understanding that the city received that property to help support and develop the harbor, so we’ve done that and will continue to do that. It allows for that, it allows for very large areas of open space.”

She said the plan incorporates trails as well as commercial businesses that support the harbor.

DOWL has met with the council and taken feedback repeatedly during its process, and Kniaziowski said a plan revision has been under consideration for years.

“1974, there was the comprehensive development [plan]… which was actually a very good plan, there have been several attempts to update,  and there’s not a substantial difference in what is being recommended by the community and by the businesses and the users than was recommended at that time.”

Kniaziowski said after approval, the plan would go out for further public comment.

“What you see here is what is either proposed for development or has already been developed and the only part that we’re recommending through this process be suspended for the time being is along the harbor waterfront until the road is straightened and we have a better, safer walking path.”

After input, the plan will come back to the council for final approval and then advance to the Planning and Zoning Commission. DOWL says it should complete the final plan in 2017.