Sitka 2030 Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing Draft November 2017 Insert Planning Commission Adopting Resolution Insert Assembly Adopting Ordinance Acknowledgements Planning Commission Assembly Chris Spivey, Chair Matthew Hunter, Mayor Darrell Windsor, Vice Chair Bob Potruski, Vice Mayor Randy Hughey Steven Eisenbeisz, Deputy Mayor Richard Parmelee Kevin Knox Taylor Colvin Aaron Bean Kevin Knox, Assembly liaison Richard Wein Aaron Bean, Assembly liaison alternate Mim McConnell (former mayor) Debra Pohlman (former) Tristan Guevin (former) Tamie (Harkins) Parker Song (former) Aaron Swanson (former) Planning Team Maegan Bosak, Project Manager, Community Affairs Director Michael Scarcelli, J.D., Planning and Community Development Director Samantha Pierson, Planner Barbara Sheinberg, AICP, Sheinberg Associates Community Planning, www.sheinbergassociates.com This plan could not have been written without the assistance of borough staff, including: Bryan Bertacchi, Electric Utility Director Keith Brady, Municipal Administrator Cassee Olin, Sitka School District Business Manager Mark Gorman, former Municipal Administrator Chris Duguay, Building Inspector Mary Wegner, Ed.D, Sitka School District Superintendent Dan Tadic, Public Works Municipal Engineer Michael Colliver, Public Works Maintenance Supervisor Dave Miller, Fire Chief Michael Harmon, Public Works Director David Longtin, Public Works Senior Engineer Robb Farmer, former Library Director Don Kluting, Harrigan Centennial Hall Building Manager Ruth Joens, Assessing Administrative Assistant Garry White, SEDA Executive Director Shilo Williams, Public Works Environmental Superintendent Hannah Nelson, Finance Tax Accountant Stan Eliason, Harbormaster Harold Greene, Public Works M&O Superintendent Wanda Bush, Office Manager Jay Sweeney, Chief Finance and Administrative Officer Wendy Lawrence, Assessor Jeff Ankerfelt, Police Chief Howard Wayne, Sitka High School Teacher Joshua Houston, Public Works Engineering CAD Tech Participating City and Borough of Sitka Commissions and Boards Health Needs and Human Services Commission Parks and Recreation Committee Historic Preservation Commission Police and Fire Commission Library Commission Port and Harbors Commission Local Emergency Planning Commission Organizations that Significantly Contributed Alyssa Henshaw, logo designer Sitka Conservation Society Alaska Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development Sitka Economic Development Association Alaska Native Brotherhood/Sisterhood Sitka Camp No. 1 Sitka Fine Arts Camp Baranof Island Housing Authority Sitka Summer Music Festival Center for Community Sitka Tribe of Alaska Real Estate Community: RE/MAX Baranof, Sitka Realty, Swan Lake Senior Center Sawmill Creek Apartments US Coast Guard Greater Sitka Arts Council US Forest Service, Sitka Ranger District Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce USDA Rural Development Sitka Bicycle Friendly Community Coalition Apologies to anyone inadvertently omitted. Cover photo: The morning light touching the Three Sisters, K. Perkins Table of Contents 1 Vision ............................................................................................................................................................... 1 2 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 2 2.1 Plan Purpose and Use ......................................................................................................................... 2 2.2 Public Participation Shapes Comprehensive Plan .......................................................................... 4 3 Community Profile ........................................................................................................................................ 5 3.1 History ................................................................................................................................................... 5 3.2 Demographic, Migration, and Income Data .................................................................................... 8 3.3 Demographic, Migration, and Income Challenges and Opportunities ...................................... 14 3.4 Physical Environment ....................................................................................................................... 15 3.5 Natural Hazards ................................................................................................................................ 20 3.6 Coastal Management ......................................................................................................................... 25 4 Economic Development .............................................................................................................................. 27 4.1 Municipal Role in Economic Development ................................................................................... 27 4.2 The Economy and Work: Sitka Profile ............................................................................................ 28 4.3 Economic Challenges and Opportunities ....................................................................................... 50 4.4 Economic Development Goals, Objectives, and Actions ............................................................. 56 5 Housing .......................................................................................................................................................... 57 5.1 Current Conditions ............................................................................................................................ 57 5.2 Housing Challenges and Opportunities ......................................................................................... 66 5.3 Housing Goals, Objectives, and Actions ........................................................................................ 71 6 Historic, Cultural, and Arts Resources ..................................................................................................... 72 6.1 Current Conditions ............................................................................................................................ 72 6.2 Historic, Cultural, and Arts Resources Challenges and Opportunities ..................................... 78 6.3 Historic, Cultural, and Arts Resources Goals, Objectives, and Actions ..................................... 81 7 Borough Budget, Utilities, Facilities, and Services ................................................................................ 82 7.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 82 7.2 Municipal Budget Review ................................................................................................................ 87 7.3 Current Conditions - Borough Utilities .......................................................................................... 96 7.4 Current Conditions - Civic Facilities ............................................................................................. 101 7.5 Current Conditions - Public Safety ............................................................................................... 104 7.6 Current Conditions - Sitka School District ................................................................................... 109 7.7 Current Conditions - Sitka Community Hospital ....................................................................... 112 7.8 Borough Budgetary, Utility, Facility, and Service Challenges and Opportunities ................. 113 7.9 Borough Budgetary, Utility, Facility, and Service Goals, Objectives, and Actions ................ 127 8 Transportation (Transit) ........................................................................................................................... 128 8.1 Current Conditions .......................................................................................................................... 128 8.2 Transportation (Transit) Challenges and Opportunities ............................................................ 140 8.3 Transportation (Transit) Goals, Objectives, and Actions ........................................................... 148 9 Parks, Trails, and Recreation ................................................................................................................... 149 9.1 Current Conditions .......................................................................................................................... 149 9.2 Parks, Trails, and Recreation Challenges and Opportunities .................................................... 160 9.3 Parks, Trails, and Recreation Goals, Objectives, and Actions ....................................................... 164 10 Land Use and Future Growth ................................................................................................................ 165 10.1 Current Land Use and Management .......................................................................................... 165 10.2 Land Use and Future Growth Challenges and Opportunities ................................................ 166 10.3 Land Use and Future Growth Goals, Objectives, and Actions ................................................ 169 10.4 Future Growth Maps and Focus Areas ....................................................................................... 170 1 Vision In early 2016 residents used these words to describe Sitka: