Planning Commission

CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Minutes - Final Planning Commission Wednesday, January 17, 2024 7:00 PM Harrigan Centennial Hall I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Present: Darrell Windsor (Chair), Wendy Alderson, Stacy Mudry, Robin Sherman, Katie Riley (telephonic), Thor Christianson (Assembly liaison). Staff: Amy Ainslie, Kim Davis Public: Ariadne Will Chair Windsor called the meeting to order at 6:59 PM II. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Commissioners voted to elect a new Chair and Vice Chair. M-Mudry/S-Alderson moved to elect Darrell Windsor as Chair. Motion passed 5-0 by voice vote. M-Sherman/S-Alderson moved to elect Katie Riley as Vice Chair. Motion passed 5-0 by voice vote. III. CONSIDERATION OF THE AGENDA IV. CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES A PM 23-19 Approve the December 20, 2023 meeting minutes. M-Mudry/S-Alderson moved to approve the December 20, 2023 meeting minutes. Motion passed 5-0 by voice vote. V. PERSONS TO BE HEARD VI. PLANNING DIRECTOR’S REPORT Ainslie reported the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation was offering $4.5 million grant and the City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) would be submitting a letter of interest. This would require a 15% match from CBS and the creation of at least eight dwelling units for residents at 50% or lower of the area median income. All funds would need to be committed by September 2025 and CBS would be looking for potential partners to build and manage the units long-term if the grant was accepted. VII. REPORTS CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 Planning Commission Minutes - Final January 17, 2024 VIII. THE EVENING BUSINESS B MISC 24-01 Discussion of Annual Short-Term Rental Report. Ainslie discussed the short-term rental (STR) report form and report with commissioners. Commissioners proposed collecting additional information regarding use of STRs such a whether STR units were being used in the winter season, if they were vacant when not in use as an STR, and the type of renters utilizing the units such as independent or business travelers. Ainslie also told Commissioners that the City was considering utilizing an STR compliance monitoring system which could provide data on all STR's in the community, including those without necessary permits. Commissioners agreed a compliance system would be helpful in tracking data on STRs. IX. ADJOURNMENT Seeing no objections, Chair Windsor adjourned the meeting at 7:57 PM. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2