By Hal Shepherd

Homer Independent Press

Now that the Homer City Council has passed the 2045 Homer Comprehensive Plan, it will begin making changes to its zoning code that could affect land uses, the community and the environment for the next two decades. 

As part of that process, the Homer Planning Commission has been holding work sessions to address specific code changes. The final work session is 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Homer City Hall and will focus on “Natural Hazards and Features (Wetlands and Watercourses).”

According to the City of Homer’s Title 21, “[t]he Homer Zoning Code is adopted as one means of implementing the general goals and policies of the Homer Comprehensive Plan. Its purpose is to enhance the public health, safety and welfare through land use regulation.”

Zoning codes determine how land is used and set rules for property functions within a municipality. Effective zoning aligns with the comprehensive plan’s vision for future land use. A well-crafted code equips the planning commission and staff to regulate development, protect and enhance the community, and clearly communicate requirements to residents, builders, developers and businesses.

In November, the city sponsored an open house on the code, which included posters and a presentation. Citizens can still participate in a virtual open house. The Virtual Open House is open through Jan. 16. 

The final work session next Wednesday will focus on “Natural Hazards and Features (Wetlands and Watercourses).” The city planning team recommendations under this section of the code consist of citing the current code provision, but no recommendations for specific changes to protect open space, wetlands or watersheds within or affected by the City.

The planning team suggests that the reason for the lack of such recommendations is that the “basis for all wetland regulations via zoning requires a clear wetland boundary. Without that data or a clear way to create it, staff would have no way to evaluate a development proposal/land use application.” 

The Kachemak Bay Watershed Council and other members of the public have submitted changes for protecting open space and integrating mapping of sensitive environmental areas, protecting watersheds from overdevelopment and preventing flooding and landslide hazards.

Even after the completion of the planning commission work sessions, the public can submit comments to the city council when the public review draft of Title 21 of the Code is released (anticipated in late January 2026).

To comment or for more questions, submit a virtual comment card here to share your ideas or contact the Planning Team: City Planner, Ryan Foster (907-299-8529, rfoster@ci.homer.ak.us) or Shelly Wade, Project Manager (907-242-5326, shelly@agnewbeck.com).