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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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, […]
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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 […]
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Crime, weather left mark on 2014
The Haines Borough, its school and police department, came under new management in 2014, a year marked by lopsided weather patterns, infrastructure worries and chronic crime. Acts of courage brightened a townscape clouded as much by economic uncertainty as by months of rain. Luke Marquardt ran back into a house fire to save a friend. Novice […]
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Planners approve 3 helipads at 10 Mile
The Haines Borough Planning Commission last week approved a conditional use permit for the installation of three helipads at 10 Mile Haines Highway, despite the developer’s refusal to provide details on plans for the landing site. The commission voted 5-2 to approve John Floreske’s permit. Commissioners Heather Lende and Lee Heinmiller were opposed. When asked what he […]
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Borough legal bill $70K last year
The Haines Borough spent about $70,000 on legal services in the past year, including $11,500 on the 2013 election investigation and $7,000 on the appeal of a conditional use permit recently issued by the borough for construction of a heliport near 26 Mile Haines Highway. Borough attorney Brooks Chandler presented a breakdown of the fiscal year 2014 costs to […]
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Chilkat Lake Road rezone petition found to be flawed
Discussion of a possible rezone of 72 acres of property near .6 Mile Chilkat Lake Road ended abruptly last week when the rezone petitioner stormed out of the planning commission meeting. Scott Sundberg in May submitted a petition to rezone 15 lots on the west side of Chilkat Lake Road from general use, the most […]