ITEM TITLE:
Recommendation to the Valdez Parks & Recreation Commission and City Council for the Construction of Permanent Bathroom Facilities at Robe Lake and Valdez Glacier Lake
SUBMITTED BY: Kate Huber, Community Development Director
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: n/a
Unencumbered Balance: n/a
Funding Source: n/a
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve recommendation to the Valdez Parks & Recreation Commission and City Council for the construction of permanent bathroom facilities at Robe Lake and Valdez Glacier Lake.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The Valdez Planning & Zoning Commission previously requested that staff bring forward a recommendation to City Council for construction of permanent bathroom facilities at Robe Lake and Valdez Glacier Lake.
The Planning & Zoning Commission has mentioned this issue multiple times in the past, particularly when considering the issuance of temporary land use permits in these areas. In general, the comments have noted the level of traffic of recreators at both locations, which sometimes include commercial tour operations or events hosted by local organizations. To meet the needs of residents and visitors alike, the commission has noted that it would be ideal to have permanent city-owned restroom facilities at both sites. The addition of bathrooms in the area will also help to prevent any health hazards generated by visitors leaving human waste in the environment.
While the city has not conducted a formal study of the user numbers in these areas, Community Development staff was able to solicit some informal user data from local businesses that operate at Valdez Glacier Lake. During the 2026 tourist season it is estimated that at total of 4230 visitors recreated in the area with local guiding and rental companies. This does not include recreators that visited the area on their own. Currently, we do not have good numbers regarding the number of users at Robe Lake.
The purpose of this agenda item is to give the P&Z Commission an opportunity to formally discuss their concerns and vote on a recommendation. Should the commission approve this recommendation, Community Development staff will bring forward a similar agenda item for consideration by the Parks and Recreation Commission, and ultimately report both recommendations to City Council, if approved.
At that time, City Council can work with the Community Development, Parks & Recreation, and Capital Facility Departments to ensure that guidance from the commissions and Council is captured on the future projects list. City staff would then, if directed by City Council, further explore the feasibility and design of these types of facilities. Prior to construction, suitable locations will need to be determined, which may also include requesting easement vacation for the State of Alaska ROW near Robe Lake.