Wrangell's planning and zoning commission met last Thursday, Sept. 12. One of the big discussion items on the agenda was the potential rezoning of the old Institute property, by Shoemaker Harbor. The property was once the location of the Wrangell Institute, a boarding school for natives that opened its doors in 1932. During World War II, the Institute was used to relocate Aleut people, as well. The Institute closed in 1975, and was briefly used by the Young Adult Conservation Corps until 1980. The property has not seen use since, according to Wrangell's 2017 master plan to develop the land.
According to documents in the meeting's agenda packet, the property was rezoned in 2011 from "multi-family residential" to "holding," until the city could decide how to develop the land. A master plan was developed in the years following, which can be found on the city's website. No further progress in development has been made recently,
however, due to a number of factors.
"We started this discussion a year or so ago, and then with the commission changing and not having a quorum, and life happens, it kind of got dropped to the bottom of the list, but we need to start addressing this," said Economic Development Director Carol Rushmore.
The commission also received a letter from Wrangell resident Jillian Privett saying that she hopes to see the Institute property become a residential area. She would also like to see a portion of the land saved as a memorial site to the Institute, the letter read, "if the local tribe would like to take it on as a historical landmark for what was and will never be again ..."
The final result of the master plan designed a few years ago, Rushmore said, has the Institute property being developed into a mixed-use area. Most of the land would be set aside for residential area, but some bigger areas would be zoned for a variety of potential commercial uses. One such use that was considered was an ANSEP school, she said, but that idea has largely fallen by the wayside recently. Another potential use of the land would be for an assisted living facility. Several potential designs of how the property could be developed can be found in the online master plan.
The commissioners present at the meeting seemed to like the idea of zoning the land for mixed use. Commissioner Don McConachie said that the property was far enough out of town that it made sense to let some businesses into the area, such as small corner stores. That way, people living out there would not have to drive all the way back into town if they forget to buy a loaf of bread, he gave as an example.
Another idea that McConachie said he liked was that of a park, possibly around a creek on the property. Rushmore added that the creek area could also be considered for a remembrance area, like was mentioned in Privett's letter. McConachie agreed that a memorial would have to be put first and foremost on any developments.
"There's going to be, I think, some ceremonies, cleansing and some other things," Rushmore said. "We've been talking to the tribe and we'll continue to be talking to the tribe. In fact, developing this property, the city is going to have to work closely with the tribe."
After further discussion, the commission was largely in agreement that mixed-use rezoning would be the best route to take with the property. This was only a discussion item, and no action was taken. However, Rushmore said that it was good to get the ball rolling again.
During the meeting, the commission also denied a request by Wrangell resident Dale Parkinson for a conditional use permit to use his home at 3.5 mile Zimovia Highway as a bed and breakfast. The issue came down to access to Parkinson's property. An easement to the property cuts through land owned by David Mork, as well as a rocked road from the highway across Alaska Mental Health Trust land. Mork spoke at the meeting against the permit. While he and Parkinson have been good neighbors, he said, he did not want strangers and tourists snooping around on his property.
Parkinson responded by saying that his insurance would be willing to investigate, and likely cover any accidents on the easement involving him or his customers. He also added that he has updated his welcome letter to visitors asking that they be respectful of their neighbors' privacy.
There was some discussion between all the involved parties, and the commissioners, but eventually a vote was called. It was a tie, McConacie and Commissioner Terri Henson against and Commissioners Apryl Hutchinson
and Kate Hein for. Commissioner Andrew Hoyt was not present for this meeting. In the event of a tied vote, a motion fails.
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