KACHEMAK BAY ADVISORY PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES (Unapproved)
THURSDAY, September 19, 2002 7:00 p.m.
KACHEMAK COMMUNITY CENTER
MOTIONS WHICH PASSED:
AREA 8:
1. Baycrest Sale: Recommend removing all parcels from the sale except the westernmost parcel 17316054. Passed Unanimously.
2. Green Timbers Sale: Recommend sale of all parcels. Passed Unanimously.
3. Skyline Sale: Recommend removing all parcels from the sale except parcel 17307031. Passed Unanimously.
4. Kachemak Sale: Recommend removing all parcels from the sale. Passed Unanimously.
5. Paul Banks Sale: Recommend removing all parcels from the sale. Passed Unanimously.
AREA 7:
6. Horn Sale: Recommend sale of all parcels. Passed Unanimously.
7. Belnap Sale: Recommend sale of all parcels. Passed Unanimously.
PLAT:
8. Recommend support of staff recommendations. Passed Unanimously.
Commissioners:
Dale Banks, Chair
John Coila, Member
Pete Roberts, Member
Jim Levine, Member
Mary Diehl, Member
Doug Schade, Member
Kathy Corp, Member ABSENT
Bill Smith, ex-officio Member, City of Homer
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes of last meeting - Moved to next meeting
5. Correspondence
a. Borough Report: Crista Cady - Roads ordinance was vetoed by the mayor.
b. City of Homer Report: Bill Smith - Special watershed ordinance committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for Sept 28.
6. Public Comments, items not on agenda, limit 3 minutes per speaker - Steve Gibson thanked the Forest Task Force for notifying adjacent landowners of potential tree clearing sales.
7. Old Business
a. Spruce Bark Beetle Killed Timber Sales, Units 7 and 8.
Michael Fastabend, Earl Breyfogle, and Roberta were in attendance from the Fuel Reduction Task Force. Mr. Fastabend stated that unit 6055 had been removed from the FMSR for unit 8.
Discussion between several board members, the public and Mr. Fastabend regarding the protocol of the last meeting. Several board members and public remembered Mr. Fastabend stating at the last meeting that public comments and commissioner comments at that meeting would be considered by the task force in updating their fuel reduction plans, and therefore no resolutions were necessary by this board until the meeting which would occur on 9/19 (This meeting), where the commission would look at the timber sales which had been modified (based on comments) and make recommendations.
Mr. Fastabend stated this was not the case and that the task force could only consider recommendations from the KBAPC board meeting minutes, and therefore had made no revisions to any proposed sales. Chairman Banks pointed out that Mr. Fastabend encouraged the commission to make no recommendations at our last meeting.
The first proposed sale area considered was Unit 8, Baycrest Sale:
Public Comments (paraphrased in these minutes):
Dave Brann - Opposed to the proposed cut at Baycrest. The Kachemak Bay Nordic Ski Club is willing to remove trees which are hazardous to the ski trails and skiers. The fire wise program recommends that 30' space be maintained for defense of property. These parcels being recommended for sale already have these defendable areas without doing any clearing. The trees are needed for the ski trail aesthetics. The parcel in front of the landfill needs to be kept in tact to eliminate views of the landfill and to reduce the potential for blowing trash.
Barbara Seaman - Opposed to the proposed cut at Baycrest. The Kachemak Heritage Land Trust has a high priority to purchase parcels in this area. Feels the most economic benefit is to leave the Baycrest parcels for recreation, habitat and views.
Steve Gibson - Opposed to the proposed cut at Baycrest. Provided a letter from the former fire chief at the last meeting that states that logging will not reduce fire danger much. The hazard analysis for other portions of the peninsula are not applicable in this area due to the higher moisture content in this area. Submitted a draft resolution from the City of Homer opposing the fuel reduction program in the City. This will be discussed at the 9/25/02 meeting. Most important to have defensible perimeter around houses, roads, and utilities. A lot of damage occurs from logging, lost habitat for flora and fauna, and there is a difference between regeneration after logging and natural regeneration.
Mike Gracz - Opposed to the proposed cut at Baycrest. Has master's degree in forestry from University of Washington. Does not see any particular fire danger in these parcels. Skis on these trails and does not want to see it logged, which reduces the aesthetics. Prefers to see trail maintenance. Difference between logging regeneration and natural regeneration. Dry winds create a fire season in some years, but mentioned letter from former fire chief Bob Painter that it is most important to maintain a defensible space and that there is a potential for increased fire risk due to slash pile fires.
Committee discussion of Baycrest Sale:
John - Should leave parcel to south of landfill unlogged as a screen. Ok to log other parcels. Standing trees are more dangerous. Would prefer to see a program where trees are cut and left in place so less damage is done to understory.
Pete - Prefers to see selective logging instead of clearcut.
Doug - Feels this parcel is not large enough to allow room for removing some portions of this sale and still be attractive to a potential logger.
In response to Pete and Doug, Mr. Breyfogle stated that clearcutting is not allowed on these parcels, and that no minimum size of parcel is required.
Jim - Motion to remove Baycrest sale from consideration. 2nd by Pete. Motion fails 4 against to 2 in favor.
John - Motion to remove all parcels from sale except the westernmost parcel 17316054. 2nd by Pete.
Pete - Amendment to include the eastern polygon in the western group. 2nd by Doug.
John - This eastern polygon goes through the ski trails and John feels ski trails should be managed by the ski club.
Amendment fails 3 to 3.
John - Amendment to include parcel 17367004 in area to be sold. 2nd by Doug. Mr. Breyfogle provided a memo from Cathy Mayer regarding the area around the landfill. Amendment failed 3 in favor to 2 opposed with 1 abstention.
Vote on motion passed unanimously.
Green Timbers Sale:
Pete - Motion to recommend sale of Green Timbers Parcel since neighbors are all in favor. 2nd by Doug and John. Passed unanimously.
Skyline Sale:
Public Comments:
Ed Cooley - Would like to see this parcel logged. Danger to his land and to the City Water Treatment Plant if not logged. He logged his land and new trees have grown back.
Steve Gibson - Does not feel that this piece is a fire hazard.
Mike Gracz - Does not make sense to log a few scattered areas.
Committee discussion of Skyline Sale:
Pete - Not much reason from a fire standpoint to cut this area except the NE corner.
Doug - Motion to support the Skyline Sale in all areas. 2nd by Pete. Votes fails 3 in favor 1 opposed 2 abstain.
Dale - Motion to remove all parcels from sale except parcel 17307031. 2nd by Pete. Passed Unanimously.
Kachemak Sale: Motion to not support this sale due to bad access, parcel is in a swamp, area generally does not freeze, & the trees are marginal. Passed unanimously.
Paul Banks Sale:
Public Comments:
Steve Gibson - Opposed to sale. East Hill road is a fast growing area and the water from the uplands flows through this area so it is important to keep it as a wetland. A nature trail goes from the school through this forest. A mix of new growth as well as old dead trees in this parcel. The former fire chief letter indicates local area not a concern for fire danger. The city has jurisdiction and does not appear to agree that fire danger exists.
Barbara Seaman - Opposed to sale. KHLT owns the adjacent property to provide park and habitat for wetland values. Only selective logging has been done on KHLT land for trail and viewing platform. Moose habitat is important in this area.
Dave Brann - Opposed to sale. Moose Habitat, proximity to school and small window of opportunity for cutting makes this an undesirable site.
Mike Gracz - Opposed to sale.
Committee discussion of Paul Banks Sale:
Mr. Breyfogle added that the trail affects approximately 1 acre, and the sale regulations allows for the slash to be burned the following winter.
John - This area is very wet, access is highly unlikely, and this is a critical habitat for moose.
Bill Smith - City policy prohibits slash pile fires burning over 3" remains.
John - Motion to not support this Paul Banks parcels sale. 2nd by Pete. Passed Unanimously.
Unit 7: Horn Sale:
Anchor Point APC recommended sale for these parcels.
Pete - Motion to support the Horn sale. 2nd by John.
Mr. Fastabend mentioned that a 300 foot setback is required if an anadromous fish stream or lake.
Passed Unanimously.
Belnap Sale:
Pete - Motion to support the Belnap Sale since this subdivision is surrounded by a large forest making this a good candidate for fire risk reduction. Passed Unanimously.
8. New Business
9. Plats
a. John - motion to support staff recommendations. 2nd by Pete. Passed Unanimously.
10. Next Meeting Date
11. Commissioners Comments/Future Agenda Items
12. Adjournment