Faced with a housing shortage, the borough assembly and planning commission will consider whether to allow adding small apartments, sometimes called “granny flats,” to single-family-zoned lots. The secondary units are often called accessory dwelling units or ADUs. The housing shortage is an issue that has been under discussion at the borough level for several years. […]
Search results
Posted inCommentary
What We Know: Federal funding uncertainty hits home in our communities
Introducing: What We Know. This new recurring column features Southeast Alaskans with direct experience in the systems that shape our lives – from government and science to education and infrastructure. We’re inviting people who know how things work (and sometimes don’t) to help shed light on the things that impact everyday life in the Chilkat […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Extraction permit must go through an open, transparent public process
Southeast Road Builders (SERB) requires a proper Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for their Lutak resource extraction operations. SERB was denied that permit by the Planning Commission for the site it is currently operating on because its plans did not meet the criteria for a CUP laid out in borough code. On SERB’s appeal to the […]
Posted inGatherer's Notebook, Local News, Wildlife, Environment
Gatherer’s Notebook: With spring hooligan run imminent, locals lay out the components of a successful harvest
Tim Ackerman says it’ll be a high tide, sometime in the next few weeks; first the gulls and sea lions will gather at the mouths of the Chilkat and Chilkoot, then the water will take on an unusual look in the light – calm spots, Ackerman says, and then oil slicks on the surface. On […]
Posted inLocal News
Borough settles with SERB, but some question the process
A settlement between Southeast Roadbuilders (SERB) and the borough last week granted a conditional use permit for gravel extraction on Lutak Road, ending a long-running string of appeals that moved between the planning commission, borough assembly, and State Superior Court. But now, the process for the final resolution, conducted in settlement negotiations and executive sessions, […]
Posted inLocal News
Assembly Briefs: New Chilkoot tours, a settlement with SERB, the Mosquito Lake community center, heli-skiing support
More Chilkoot Tour Permits The assembly approved two more tour permits for operations in the Chilkoot Lake area The applications, from Cyclops Cycles and Sue Rakes Photography, come during renewed scrutiny on overcrowding and tourist behavior in the bear-heavy area. Rakes, and Cyclops owners Andrew and Natassja Letchworth, both submitted applications cognizant of this controversy, […]
Posted inPolice
Police Blotter
Sunday, March 23 Police followed up on a court order on Mosquito Lake Road. Monday, March 24 Police followed up on a court order in Haines.A caller reported four-wheelers driving around wetlands on Lutak Road.A caller reported three children speeding on two four-wheelers on Lutak Spur. Tuesday, March 25 Police followed up on a court […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Support Fair, Responsible Business on April 8th
Please consider supporting our business at the Haines Borough Assembly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8. We desire to amend our tour permit for guided two-wheel tours on Lutak Road. In 2024, we voluntarily redirected our Lutak tour to Haines Highway and Mud Bay after opposition from other tour operators. But officials blocked us […]
Posted inThis Week in History
This Week in History: Protection for the Chilkat River, a glacier rescue, Ferebee River logging,
10 years ago The Chilkat Indian Village is pursuing protections for the Chilkat River that would prohibit activities affecting the river’s water quality. The village submitted a proposal to the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council last week requesting the river be designated as an Outstanding National Resource Water, which protects waters of exceptional […]
Posted inBlotter
Police Blotter March 3-15
Monday, March 3 A caller said he had not seen his children in months as they had moved to Washington and did not return his calls. The caller was given options.A driver was given a verbal warning for speeding on Haines Highway. Tuesday, March 4 A caller reported people burning an unknown object next to […]