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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Valdez Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting - January 28, 2026

Meeting Portal — Wednesday, January 28, 2026

BodyValdez, Alaska

SessionMeeting Portal

DateWednesday, January 28, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:08:11

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

Alright, I'd like to call this meeting of the Valdez Planning and Zoning Commission for Wednesday, January 28th to order.

0:06

Let the records show that all commissioners are present with the exception of Commissioner Goodrow, and we have one absence.

0:12

Commissioners Metroca and Wade are on the phone.

0:15

Um we have no minutes to approve tonight.

0:18

So the first item is public business from the floor.

0:21

If anyone would like to address us on a non-agenda item.

0:25

Seeing none, we'll move to new business.

0:27

And item number one is approval of a temporary land use permit 26-03 for Chugach Outfitters LLC for an approximately 5,000 square foot portion of track D, ASLS 79-116 Goldfields, and Walter Day Memorial Road.

0:47

Move to approve a second.

0:50

It's been moved by Commissioner Moulton, seconded by Commissioner Raditic.

0:53

Any discussion on this one from us?

0:58

Yes.

1:01

Yeah, comments.

1:02

Any comments?

1:03

Please do.

1:04

Um yeah.

1:06

I'm actually pretty excited about this proposal.

1:09

Um, so I don't know if everybody knows we had sled dogs for 26 years.

1:13

Uh we used to give community rides during frosty fever.

1:17

Big big event.

1:19

Um, people lined up and waited to be able to do a dog sled ride, and it was a pretty uh pretty exciting time.

1:28

Um actually would come and help out and um volunteer and help out with out and get and it was really it's really if you've ever seen people get to do their dream or their bucket list.

1:42

I mean, this isn't just for kids, it was for people of all ages, and it's really just brings joy to be able to share such a beautiful relationship that you have with your dogs and letting them experience them in a safe manner that they're never gonna be able to do.

2:00

Um the uh another thing that I see that's really positive for this is it's something for people to come and do here.

2:10

We hear from the cruise ships, they want more to do in Bell Dees in the summertime.

2:15

People want things to do, and this gives them something to do.

2:19

And I looked at the you know, the dates that John marked that he'd be coming a couple weeks in February, a few weeks in March, uh uh maybe two weeks worth in July and a couple other days, May, September.

2:32

Um I think a lot of that summertime is when there's some cruise ships, gives them something to do.

2:38

It's also for the community members to come and be able to experience too.

2:42

It's a it's a it's he's taking you know reservations for people to come, is how what I read.

2:48

Um so I think in this town we're always looking to have more things for the locals and for people to come visit.

2:58

I think this is a really unique and great experience.

3:01

You know, raising my kids with sled dogs gave them a whole um a different look on life and and different understanding of what it takes to take care of animals and um and and those kind of experiences.

3:15

There's lots of other trails in our community, you know, in the winter, the bike trail, back the Al Petco trails back in there.

3:24

You know, we used a mush back there too, and it was very multi-use.

3:27

People walking their dogs, snow machining.

3:29

You know, there's lots of other trails.

3:31

We got the Mandal Creek trails in town, um, homestead, we've got so many trails.

3:36

I think for um for this very definite going around the uh ball fields and then down to the river is a beautiful scenic um nice rain for for people.

3:50

So I support this 100%.

3:53

Thank you very much.

3:55

Anyone else?

3:57

Go ahead.

4:04

Uh I mean I I agree with with a lot of what you say, Mo.

4:08

Um it is cool.

4:09

I do think it's a it's a good thing to have.

4:11

I did have some questions and comments as well.

4:15

Um that area has become a lot more heavily used over the years by people uh year-round.

4:22

Um I can't think of since it's I can't think of a time.

4:26

I go out there with my dog a lot.

4:28

I can't think of a time that there aren't multiple people on the trail in the parking lot, winter, summer.

4:34

Um, and in the summer, I guess what less worried about the summer because you can walk lots of other trails in the winter.

4:42

There are lots of groom trails, but stuff is less in the winter than there are in the summer where you can go walk your dog.

4:48

Um this was recently designated an off-leash area, one of few.

4:54

And so to quickly back kind of see at first blush reading it was like, oh, so now we're gonna take this area away that was just made off leash.

5:03

Um, you know, not forever, but for during these times.

5:07

Um I do have some questions on that of how and Kate I believe sort of addressed it or address it more, but how this location was determined.

5:17

Any location you try to do something, there's gonna be people saying yes, no, maybe so, right?

5:22

Um, but this area, you know, just out of town.

5:24

There's not a you're replied about the stuff behind Alpeko Road.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Animal Welfare███████████████████████████████████35%

Parks and Recreation██████████████████████████26%

Public Safety███████████████████19%

Public Engagement██████████10%

Procedural███████7%

Tourism██2%

Affordable Housing█1%

Summary of Proceedings

Valdez Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting - January 28, 2026

The Valdez Planning and Zoning Commission held a regular meeting on January 28, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The primary action was approval of a temporary land use permit for Chugach Outfitters LLC to operate dog sled tours on a portion of Tract D near Gold Fields and Walter Day Memorial Road. Commissioners discussed safety, user conflicts, and operational details, ultimately voting 4-1 to approve the permit with conditions. The meeting also included a director's report on a housing needs assessment and commission vacancy applications.

Public Comments & Testimony

Kate Foster, a local veterinarian, expressed concerns about dog health, public safety, waste management, and the impact on the off-leash area. She read an email from Sarah Baker, who opposed the permit citing safety issues, lack of liability insurance, trail damage, and inadequate facilities. Baker's email also noted that the applicant had previously caused a trail conflict.

Discussion Items

The commission reviewed Temporary Land Use Permit 26-03 for Chugach Outfitters, LLC, to use approximately 5,000 square feet of Tract D for dog sled tours during specified dates in winter (February 15–28, March 1–27) and summer (various dates May–September).
Commissioner Moulton expressed strong support, highlighting the activity's appeal to locals and cruise ship passengers, and noted the applicant's experience with sled dogs.
Commissioner Raditic raised concerns about safety, especially in summer due to heavy multi-use traffic (walkers, bikers, ATVs), and questioned the location choice given the area's designation as an off-leash dog area. Staff explained that the location was selected after considering multiple sites and balancing user groups, and that the permit would require dogs to be leashed during operations.
Commissioner Wade supported the idea but expressed concerns about the staging area's proximity to the highway and potential conflicts with wildlife. Staging area location flexibility was discussed.
Commissioner Metroca supported the concept but emphasized managing use to respect all users of the space.
Applicant John Fowler addressed concerns: he stated that his dogs are well-trained, vaccinated, and insured; he has experience operating in public areas; and he will coordinate with the city on signage and communication. He noted that the business is a corporation, not an LLC, and that he prioritizes dog health and public safety.
Staff clarified that conditions include liability insurance listing the city as additional insured, vaccine records, waste management, and signage. The city's animal control officer will also patrol during operations.
The commission discussed the need for public communication of operating dates. Staff suggested using city channels and a trail report section on the website. Commissioner Raditic proposed that the staging area be flexible, with staff and parks maintenance determining a suitable location.

Director's Report

Community Development Director reported that two applications have been received for the commission vacancy, to be considered by city council at their next meeting.
Minutes from the previous meeting were unavailable due to a technical error with the Granicus software; they will be addressed on the next agenda.
The final Housing Needs Assessment report is complete and will be presented to city council at a work session on February 4, 2026. The report includes data on housing types and affordability, with an executive summary.

Key Outcomes

The commission voted to approve Temporary Land Use Permit 26-03 with conditions as proposed by staff, with a 4-1 vote (Commissioner Raditic opposed). The motion included allowing staff discretion to adjust the staging area location in coordination with parks maintenance.
The permit authorizes operation during the winter and summer dates in 2026, with the requirement that the applicant post signage during operations and coordinate with the city on public notifications.
The commission will consider a future application for 2027 based on feedback and performance.

Meeting Transcript

Alright, I'd like to call this meeting of the Valdez Planning and Zoning Commission for Wednesday, January 28th to order. Let the records show that all commissioners are present with the exception of Commissioner Goodrow, and we have one absence. Commissioners Metroca and Wade are on the phone. Um we have no minutes to approve tonight. So the first item is public business from the floor. If anyone would like to address us on a non-agenda item. Seeing none, we'll move to new business. And item number one is approval of a temporary land use permit 26-03 for Chugach Outfitters LLC for an approximately 5,000 square foot portion of track D, ASLS 79-116 Goldfields, and Walter Day Memorial Road. Move to approve a second. It's been moved by Commissioner Moulton, seconded by Commissioner Raditic. Any discussion on this one from us? Yes. Yeah, comments. Any comments? Please do. Um yeah. I'm actually pretty excited about this proposal. Um, so I don't know if everybody knows we had sled dogs for 26 years. Uh we used to give community rides during frosty fever. Big big event. Um, people lined up and waited to be able to do a dog sled ride, and it was a pretty uh pretty exciting time. Um actually would come and help out and um volunteer and help out with out and get and it was really it's really if you've ever seen people get to do their dream or their bucket list. I mean, this isn't just for kids, it was for people of all ages, and it's really just brings joy to be able to share such a beautiful relationship that you have with your dogs and letting them experience them in a safe manner that they're never gonna be able to do. Um the uh another thing that I see that's really positive for this is it's something for people to come and do here. We hear from the cruise ships, they want more to do in Bell Dees in the summertime. People want things to do, and this gives them something to do. And I looked at the you know, the dates that John marked that he'd be coming a couple weeks in February, a few weeks in March, uh uh maybe two weeks worth in July and a couple other days, May, September. Um I think a lot of that summertime is when there's some cruise ships, gives them something to do. It's also for the community members to come and be able to experience too. It's a it's a it's he's taking you know reservations for people to come, is how what I read. Um so I think in this town we're always looking to have more things for the locals and for people to come visit. I think this is a really unique and great experience. You know, raising my kids with sled dogs gave them a whole um a different look on life and and different understanding of what it takes to take care of animals and um and and those kind of experiences. There's lots of other trails in our community, you know, in the winter, the bike trail, back the Al Petco trails back in there. You know, we used a mush back there too, and it was very multi-use. People walking their dogs, snow machining. You know, there's lots of other trails. We got the Mandal Creek trails in town, um, homestead, we've got so many trails. I think for um for this very definite going around the uh ball fields and then down to the river is a beautiful scenic um nice rain for for people. So I support this 100%. Thank you very much. Anyone else? Go ahead. Uh I mean I I agree with with a lot of what you say, Mo. Um it is cool. I do think it's a it's a good thing to have. I did have some questions and comments as well. Um that area has become a lot more heavily used over the years by people uh year-round. Um I can't think of since it's I can't think of a time. I go out there with my dog a lot.

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