ITEM TITLE:
title
#20-47 - Opposing Issuance of Permit by Department of Natural Resources for Helicopter Operation Project LAS 33373 (Postponed from the City Council Regular Meeting of September 1, 2020)
body
SUBMITTED BY: Sheri Pierce, MMC, City Clerk
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: N/A
Unencumbered Balance: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
rec
Approve Resolution # 20-47
end
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Approval of this resolution was postponed from the City Council regular meeting of September 1, 2020. Staff will provide a verbal update during the September 15, 2020 meeting.
This resolution is in response to the request for agency review notice from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received by the City of Valdez for the Land Use Permit application, LAS 33373, for a helicopter landing zone, parking and fuel storage on a site located off Corbin Loop Road at milepost 6.5 of the Richardson Highway in Valdez, as requested by for Joseph Wolf dba Alaska Backcountry Guides, LLC.
At the August 19th city council meeting, the City Council received public comment regarding the following concerns associated with issuance of this permit by DNR:
* Proximity of the site to an established residential neighborhood. The proposed permit site sits in the center of the Robe Lake Subdivision, which contains 54 privately owned lots that are zoned rural residential and intended for low-density living.
* Proximity to a known swan nesting area. The proposed site sits above a known swan nesting area located on Tract A of the Robe Lake Subdivision. This area is frequently visited by residents throughout Valdez as a known swan and wildlife viewing area.
* Nearby steam, wetlands and adjacency to a FEMA designated special flood hazard area for the Lowe River.
* Lack of established road system. The residential area dirt roads are maintained by the local residents year-round and would not be suitable for an extensive increase in vehicle traffic, especially during the...
Click here for full text