Several members of the Haines Borough Planning Commission asked for more support from the assembly during a joint meeting of the two bodies last week, citing overturned decisions and unheeded recommendations that caused discontent. Commission chair Rob Goldberg said he would like the assembly to “take the planning commission seriously,” and give the group’s decisions “the weight […]
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Posted inNews
Borough to solicit bids for helicopter noise study
At the direction of the Haines Borough Assembly, manager David Sosa will begin soliciting bids for noise studies estimated to cost between $6,000 and $7,500 aimed at monitoring the impacts of a heliport near 26 Mile Haines Highway. The assembly voted 5-1 to pursue bids for the studies, with assembly member Joanne Waterman opposed. After Sosa and executive assistant to […]
Posted inNews
Assembly postpones helicopter noise plan
The Haines Borough Assembly Tuesday postponed directing the manager to craft a plan for monitoring the impact of helicopter operations near 26 Mile Haines Highway, claiming it wanted to see an estimated cost for the plan first. The assembly recently overturned a borough planning commission decision and approved a conditional use permit for Big Salmon Ventures, sister […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Sorry for helicopter intrusion at lodge
I want to apologize to Mosquito Lake residents who were surprised and upset about a helicopter landing at the Funny Farm on Monday. First, we appreciate your support in the last decade of the heli-ski industry here in Haines. Secondly, Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures and Last Frontier Air Ventures do not condone any helicopter activities […]
Posted inNews
Planners drop 26 Mile rezone
Due to survey results and testimony at its March 14 meeting, the Haines Borough Planning Commission is dropping discussion of a potential rezone in the Chilkat Lake Road area. Several property owners in the Eagle Vista subdivision petitioned the commission more than a year ago asking the area be rezoned to rural residential in response to a heliport project […]
Posted inNews
More input sought on 25 Mile rezone
The Haines Borough Planning Commission is struggling to craft some sort of compromise regarding the potential rezone of the Chilkat Lake Road area. Several property owners in the Eagle Vista subdivision petitioned the borough requesting a rezone to rural residential after a proposed heliport project narrowly failed last winter. Now residents and landowners are divided on what sections, if any, […]
Posted inNews
2012: The Year in Review
The earth moved in 2012 and the shift wasn’t only the “slump” on the side of Mount Ripinsky that cleaved a house and split Lutak Road. Four-term incumbent state Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Haines, aiming to become Speaker of the House, lost his seat to Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a 23-year-old Sitkan seeking his first political office. Klukwan, Inc., once among the wealthiest Native […]
Posted inNews
Neighbors critical of rezone plan
A potential rezone on the east side of Chilkat Lake Road wouldn’t address concerns about industrial development in the neighborhood, some residents say. Based on a recent survey sent out to 60 Chilkat Lake Road property owners, the Haines Borough Planning Commission is discussing rezoning the Eagle Vista subdivision from general use to rural residential or mixed […]
Posted inNews
Assembly agrees to hear SEABA permit appeal
The Haines Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Feb. 28, will rehear a planning commission decision that denied a company’s request for a permit to use a 26 Mile heliport for commercial helicopter skiing. Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures (SEABA) is seeking a conditional use permit for a heliport at .6 Mile Chilkat Lake Road, across the steel bridge. “We’ve displayed clear intent for […]
Posted inNews, Obituaries
Chilkat Valley year in review
An assembly recall campaign and a new effort targeting underage drinking punctuated the year 2011 in the Chilkat Valley News. Extreme weather and some unusual wildlife encounters delivered doses of excitement. The local economy stayed afloat, buoyed by a strong commercial fishing season, increased visitation by foreigners, construction projects and a $13 million distribution by […]