Borough Subdivisions
The Borough is taking actions to address the housing situation in Ketchikan. Staff is working on multiple projects to combat housing, including subdividing Borough lands.
High End View Lots
The Borough has certain parcels located near 17 and 18 mile North Tongass Highway that are suitable for subdivision into large waterside view lots, to be sold at market rate prices. The proceeds from the sale of lots can be used to repay the Housing Capital Fund for the upfront subdivision costs, and additional proceeds can be deposited to the Land Trust Fund.
Low Density Market Rate Lots
The Borough has parcels in the North Tongass Service Area, between Lighthouse Grocery and Whipple Creek, suitable for subdivision into residential medium lots of approximately 15,000 - 20,000 sq ft., to be sold at market rate prices. The lack of municipal water and sewer precludes low income or workforce housing. The proceeds from the sale can be used to repay the Housing Capital Fund for the upfront subdivision costs which will include road access, and additional proceeds can be used to subdivide additional areas.
Planned Unit Development
The South Tongass Service Area has municipal water and sewer, offering opportunities for affordable or workforce housing. The Borough is exploring the area behind the Fawn Mountain Elementary School for this planned development. However, the Borough is not the best entity to actually build housing, but by forming partnerships with other organizations, the Borough can facilitate housing development. In order to achieve specific price points, some form of subsidy will be required. Subsidies may include donations of land, tax abatements, or other incentives. In a planned unit development, the Borough could subdivide a large parcel, and give portions to other entities such as local or regional housing authorities for housing development.
Staff will be seeking Assembly concurrence to continue work on subdividing specific parcels of Borough land. Next steps would be working with the Planning Commission, issuing RFPs for design and subdivision, etc. Depending on the parcels selected, other issues may need to be considered. The following list provides some examples, but is by no means all-inclusive:
- Service area impacts
- Future maintenance of existing and new roads
- Financing infrastructure improvements
- Method of sale for newly created lots