The final draft of the Haines Borough’s $41,300 noise study is in, but it’s still unclear if or how the results will translate into law or policy. Though the noise study was authorized in February 2015, discussion of its potential costs and benefits dated to March 2014, when the assembly voted to approve a conditional […]
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Posted inLetters to the Editor
Apply Lutak standard at 26 Mile
What do dog kennels and helicopter noise studies have in common? In fact, two features in the June 18 issue of the Chilkat Valley News address the very same issue: maintaining the peaceful quality of rural residential life in the Haines Borough. The first piece reports on the borough planning commission’s rejection of a Lutak man’s request for […]
Posted inNews
Officials review harbor option history
Concerns about the Small Boat Harbor project this week prompted Haines Borough staff to look into how the current design was chosen. Manager David Sosa and interim public facilities director Brian Lemcke on Tuesday started digging into the question, pulling old assembly agendas, minutes and timelines. The two discovered the Feb. 25, 2014, assembly agenda item to […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Noise study shows how to lie with stats
To site something as noisy and disruptive as a heliport in a residential neighborhood is an example of exceptionally poor planning, bound to create serious problems. The point of any kind of zoning is to ensure neighborhood homogeneity and, consequently, peaceful coexistence. People who have to live with heli-skiing don’t get used to it and they don’t stop […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Helicopter noise study results predictable
The results of the helicopter noise study at the 26 Mile residential area came out exactly as predicted. Helicopters make noise at a level that bothers some people and not others. The fault in the study is that the flight path and elevation of the helicopter was not regulated or monitored. In addition, nine flights […]
Posted inNews
Helicopter noise study out for public comment until June 26
Haines Borough Manager David Sosa released the results of a draft helicopter noise study late last week, but he said he doesn’t want to share his impressions of the $41,300 study until others have had time to interpret it for themselves. “I would rather not have my views influence anyone else’s thoughts on the noise […]
Posted inNews
Neighbors’ comments sink plan for Lutak dog kennel
The Haines Borough Planning Commission rejected plans for a commercial dog-boarding kennel on Lutak Road last week after receiving more than a dozen comments opposing the idea. The commission voted 7-0 to deny Jonathan Richardson’s application for a conditional use permit to build and run a commercial dog kennel in the Tanani Bay residential subdivision. Richardson, who has lived […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
SEABA rigged results of noise study
The Haines Borough has received multiple complaints regarding commercial helicopters using the temporary heliport at 26 Mile. Complaints and borough responses are posted on the borough website. In response to eyewitness testimony, it appears the borough expended great efforts to disprove citizens’ observations, rather than to fairly evaluate which of our laws were broken, when, and by whom. Examination […]
Posted inNews
Noise, cop studies get assembly’s OK
The Haines Borough Assembly approved a major spending package Tuesday, including $41,300 to study helicopter noise, $22,000 to study the police department and $100,000 for planning toward Lutak Dock improvements. The assembly voted 5-1 to approve the package, with assembly member Ron Jackson opposed. Mayor Jan Hill broke the tie in favor of including the noise study in the spending package, […]
Posted inNews
Cost of helicopter noise study soars
The cost of a noise study to monitor the impacts of a heliport near 26 Mile Haines Highway has ballooned from a Haines Borough staff estimate of about $7,000 to nearly $52,000. The borough assembly voted in April to solicit bids for a helicopter noise study after it voted to overturn a planning commission decision and approved a conditional use […]