Comprehensive Plan State of the Kenai 2017
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PUBLIC HEARING DRAFT | July 2019 Kenai Peninsula Borough Comprehensive Plan 2019 Update Public Hearing Draft July 2019 This plan is available to download as a PDF at www.KPBCompPlan.com. Hardcopies are also available at Borough offices: Soldotna0B Seward1B Homer2B George A. Navarre Building Seaview Plaza Homer Annex 144 North Binkley St. 302 Railway Ave, Suite 122 638 E. Pioneer Ave. Phone: 262-4441 Phone: 224-2001 Phone: 235-9837 Toll Free: 1-800-478-4441 Fax: 224-2011 Fax: 235-8990 Fax: 262-1892 Contact the project team Visit www.KPBCompPlan.com Bruce Wall | Borough Planner | Phone (907) 714-2206 | Email [email protected] Shelly Wade | Agnew::Beck Project Manager | Phone: (907) 242-5326 | Email [email protected] PUBLIC HEARING DRAFT | July 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................... i Plan Adoption ........................................................................................................................................... 1 Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... 2 Our Values ............................................................................................................................................... 2 Our Vision: What Is Our Future Kenai Peninsula? ................................................................................... 2 Goals and Objectives ............................................................................................................................... 3 Implementation Matrix: Near-Term Priority Strategies ............................................................................. 8 Comprehensive Plan Themes: We Are at a Turning Point .................................................................... 27 Comprehensive Plan Priorities and Policies .......................................................................................... 28 What is a Comprehensive Plan? ............................................................................................................ 30 Relationship to the 2005 Kenai Peninsula Borough Comprehensive Plan ............................................ 30 How to Use This Plan ............................................................................................................................. 31 Timeline for the Process ........................................................................................................................ 31 A Community and Resident-Driven Plan ............................................................................................... 32 What Is in the Plan? ............................................................................................................................... 36 Process for Finalizing, Adopting, Amending and Updating the Plan ..................................................... 36 Kenai Peninsula Borough at a Glance ....................................................................................... 38 Location and Geography ........................................................................................................................ 38 Our People ............................................................................................................................................. 41 Our Communities ................................................................................................................................... 43 Our Economy ......................................................................................................................................... 44 Our Borough Government ...................................................................................................................... 47 Goal 1. Diversify and grow the Kenai Peninsula Borough economy. ...................................... 49 Focus Area: Oil and Gas ........................................................................................................................ 49 Focus Area: Tourism and Recreation .................................................................................................... 56 Focus Area: Sportfishing ........................................................................................................................ 69 Focus Area: Commercial Fishing and Seafood Harvesting ................................................................... 74 Focus Area: Agriculture and Mariculture ................................................................................................ 81 Focus Area: Mining ................................................................................................................................ 93 Goal 2. Proactively manage growth to provide economic development opportunities on the Kenai Peninsula Borough while preserving what residents and visitors value about the area’s natural features............................................................................................................................ 97 Focus Area: Land Use and Changing Environment .............................................................................. 97 Focus Area: Hazard Mitigation ............................................................................................................ 121 Goal 3. Preserve and improve quality of life in the Kenai Peninsula Borough through increased access to local and regional facilities, activities, programs and services. ............ 130 Focus Area: Energy and Utilities .......................................................................................................... 130 Focus Area: Public Safety and Emergency Services........................................................................... 134 Focus Area: Health .............................................................................................................................. 142 Focus Area: Housing ............................................................................................................................ 151 Focus Area: Solid Waste Services ....................................................................................................... 157 Focus Area: Historic Preservation........................................................................................................ 162 PUBLIC HEARING DRAFT | July 2019 Goal 4. Improve access to, from and connectivity within the Kenai Peninsula Borough. 170 Focus Area: Transportation .................................................................................................................. 170 Goal 5. Create more active and engaged Kenai Peninsula Borough residents, local communities, and a more effective and efficient Borough government. ............................... 187 Focus Area: Education and Workforce Development .......................................................................... 187 Focus Area: Fiscal Health .................................................................................................................... 198 Appendix .................................................................................................................................... 208 Appendix. Public Engagement Process + Materials ............................................................................ 208 PUBLIC HEARING DRAFT | July 2019 TABLES OF FIGURES Figures Figure 1. Kenai Peninsula Borough Comprehensive Plan Timeline ........................................................... 32 Figure 2. Public Engagement Events, Summer 2017 ................................................................................. 33 Figure 3. Kenai Peninsula Borough Comprehensive Plan Project Website ............................................... 34 Figure 4. Kenai Lake, Cooper Landing ....................................................................................................... 38 Figure 5. Senior (Age 65+) Population Growth in Kenai Peninsula Borough, 2010 to 2016 ...................... 41 Figure 6. Kenai Peninsula Borough, School District and Secondary School Enrollment, 2008 to 2017 Academic Years .......................................................................................................................................... 42 Figure 7. Homer Harbor .............................................................................................................................. 43 Figure 8. Monthly Total Employment and Unemployment Rate, January to December 2016 and October 2017 ............................................................................................................................................................ 45 Figure 9. Kenai Peninsula Borough Seal .................................................................................................... 47 Figure 10. Randolph Yost Rig, Nikiski ........................................................................................................ 52 Figure 11. Visitor Spending by Category in Alaska, 2014-2015 ................................................................. 57 Figure 12. Growth in Kenai Visitor Industry Employment and Wages, 2007 to 2016 ................................. 58 Figure 13. Kenai Peninsula Fair .................................................................................................................. 58 Figure 14. Skiing in Turnagain Pass ..........................................................................................................