By Delcenia Cosman

Homer Independent Press

The Homer Planning Commission will begin reviewing the newly released Title 21 Public Hearing Draft next Wednesday in an initial work session on steep slopes and administrative adjustments, the first in a series to continue through the fall.

Each work session will focus on a different subject, highlighted by project leaders during a joint work session between the commission and the Homer City Council in June that garnered extensive community feedback and warranted a deeper dive. Additional topics include the updated Title 21 zoning map, wetlands and short-term rentals. 

According to a schedule released Aug. 5, the planning commission will spend the next several months reviewing the draft code, receiving public comments and making recommendations that will be forwarded to the city council, who will later make final decisions on amendments to and adoption of the updated code by ordinance.

A July 29 memorandum from Community Development Director Julie Engebretsen to the commission also notes additional minor updates, corrections or amendments to Title 21 may be needed over time after the code’s adoption, which she said is a normal part of a zoning code rewrite.

The Public Hearing Draft is available online and in hard copy at the Homer Public Library or at Homer City Hall.

The public may provide written comments on the Public Hearing Draft through the City of Homer website. Community members will also have the opportunity to provide verbal feedback during scheduled public hearings, the first of which is currently set for Sept. 2. 

Changes to the planning commission Title 21 meeting schedule will be posted to the Homer Title 21 Update page on the City of Homer website. 

Learn more about the zoning code revision to date by visiting the Homer Title 21 Update website.