The Haines Brewing Company has cleared another hurdle toward securing 20,000 square feet of borough-owned Main Street property.
The Haines Borough Assembly voted 4-2 Tuesday to uphold the planning commission’s recommendation to classify a portion of Lot 8 of the old primary school property as “for sale.” It also voted to direct the manager to proceed with subdividing the lot and negotiating a sale.
Assembly members George Campbell and Joanne Waterman were opposed.
Waterman said the “prime” piece of property is very valuable to the borough, and that she would like to see the land used for construction of a new “muniplex” to house the fire hall, police station, administration office, assembly chambers and possibly a visitor center.
“The borough owns so little property for its future growth and development,” Waterman said. “I don’t feel comfortable disposing of this property at this time.”
Campbell made a motion to classify all of Lot 8 for sale, not just the requested 20,000 square feet that make up about one-third of the lot, but the motion failed. Campbell also wanted to direct the manager to investigate whether other businesses or individuals are interested in buying the land.
In an interview Wednesday, Campbell said he didn’t think the planning commission would have recommended sale of the land if a business like Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures or Fred Meyer had approached the borough with a similar request.
Campbell said the commission is playing favorites, and he would rather see who else is interested in the land now that it is classified as “for sale.”
“Maybe somebody’s going to show up and have something even better,” Campbell said during the assembly meeting.
Campbell also cited an April 2012 planning commission decision to retain borough ownership of Lot 8 for at least 10 years. “They made a decision, and now they want to subdivide it again,” Campbell said. “They’re not planning. They’re reacting.”
Assembly member Diana Lapham said she was confused by Campbell’s objection to negotiating a sale with the brewery, since that’s exactly what happened with Aspen Hotels. Lapham called the matter a “straightforward, cut-and-dry situation,” and said relocation of the brewery has the “potential of bringing some life and action back to downtown.”
Assembly member Jerry Lapp spoke in favor of the sale, stating it would enhance downtown, and assembly member Dave Berry said he was excited about the possibility of increased employment opportunities.
The question of price was raised by Debra Schnabel, as the brewery has proposed to buy the 20,000 square feet of land for $3 per square foot. Aspen purchased 52,000 square feet of adjacent property for about $4.08 per square foot.
Manager David Sosa said an assessor will conduct an analysis of the property and determine its full market value. That information will be used in the negotiations, Sosa said. Brewery owners Paul Wheeler and Jeanne Kitayama are hoping to build a 2,700-square-foot, L-shaped building that would allow the business to expand its tasting room and production capabilities.