2019 Kenai Peninsula Borough Comprehensive Plan Adopted November 5, 2019 by Ordinance No. 2019-25 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................... i Plan Adoption: Kenai Peninsula Borough Ordinance No. 2019-25 .......................................................... ii Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................... 1 Our Values ............................................................................................................................................... 1 Our Vision: What Is Our Future Kenai Peninsula? ................................................................................... 1 Goals and Objectives ............................................................................................................................... 2 Implementation Matrix: Near-Term Priority Strategies ............................................................................. 7 Comprehensive Plan Themes: We Are at a Turning Point .................................................................... 26 Comprehensive Plan Priorities and Policies .......................................................................................... 27 What is a Comprehensive Plan? ............................................................................................................ 29 Relationship to the 2005 Kenai Peninsula Borough Comprehensive Plan ............................................ 29 How to Use This Plan ............................................................................................................................. 30 Timeline for the Process ........................................................................................................................ 30 A Community and Resident-Driven Plan ............................................................................................... 31 What Is in the Plan? ............................................................................................................................... 35 Process for Finalizing, Adopting, Amending and Updating the Plan ..................................................... 35 Kenai Peninsula Borough at a Glance ....................................................................................... 37 Location and Geography ........................................................................................................................ 37 Our People ............................................................................................................................................. 40 Our Communities ................................................................................................................................... 42 Our Economy ......................................................................................................................................... 43 Our Borough Government ...................................................................................................................... 46 Goal 1. Diversify and grow the Kenai Peninsula Borough economy. ...................................... 48 Focus Area: Oil and Gas ........................................................................................................................ 48 Focus Area: Tourism and Recreation .................................................................................................... 55 Focus Area: Sportfishing ........................................................................................................................ 68 Focus Area: Commercial Fishing and Seafood Harvesting ................................................................... 73 Focus Area: Agriculture and Mariculture ................................................................................................ 80 Focus Area: Mining ................................................................................................................................ 92 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............................................................................................................................ 96 Focus Area: Land Use and Changing Environment .............................................................................. 96 Focus Area: Hazard Mitigation ............................................................................................................ 120 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. .............129 Focus Area: Energy and Utilities .......................................................................................................... 129 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 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 TABLES OF FIGURES Figures Figure 1. Kenai Peninsula Borough Comprehensive Plan Timeline ........................................................... 31 Figure 2. Public Engagement Events, Summer 2017 ................................................................................. 32 Figure 3. Kenai Peninsula Borough Comprehensive Plan Project Website ............................................... 33 Figure 4. Kenai Lake, Cooper Landing ....................................................................................................... 37 Figure 5. Senior (Age 65+) Population Growth in Kenai Peninsula Borough, 2010 to 2016 ...................... 40 Figure 6. Kenai Peninsula Borough, School District and Secondary School Enrollment, 2008 to 2017 Academic Years .......................................................................................................................................... 41 Figure 7. Homer Harbor .............................................................................................................................. 42 Figure 8. Monthly Total Employment and Unemployment Rate, January to December 2016 and October 2017 ............................................................................................................................................................ 44 Figure 9. Kenai Peninsula Borough Seal .................................................................................................... 46 Figure 10. Randolph Yost Rig, Nikiski ........................................................................................................ 51 Figure 11. Visitor Spending by Category in Alaska, 2014-2015 ................................................................. 56 Figure 12. Growth in Kenai Visitor Industry Employment and Wages, 2007 to 2016 ................................. 57 Figure 13. Kenai Peninsula Fair .................................................................................................................. 57 Figure 14. Skiing in Turnagain Pass ........................................................................................................... 57 Figure 15. Estimated Visitor Spending (Gross Sales Revenue) in Kenai Peninsula Borough, 2015 ......... 58 Figure 16. Growth in Visits to National Parks in Kenai Peninsula Borough, 2000 to 2016 ........................ 59 Figure 17. Cyclical Benefits of Tourism in the Local Economy ................................................................... 60 Figure 18. Russian River Campground Boardwalk ..................................................................................... 64 Figure 19. Cleaning Salmon, Kenai River ................................................................................................... 68 Figure 20. Kenai Peninsula and East Cook