Planning & Zoning Commission

Thorne Bay Municipal Code:

Title 2 Administration and Personnel, Chapters:

• Chapter 2.42 Commissions, Boards & Committees
• Chapter 2.48 Planning & Zoning Commission

15.04.020 DEVELOPMENT PLANS.

A. Purpose: to make the public aware of setback requirements and eliminate building encroachments into rights-of-ways, easements and other properties.

B. Plan Required. No structure shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, relocated or extended without a development plan permit issued by the city. No existing use of a structure shall be converted to another use without a permit issued by the city. Failure to submit a development plan shall be a violation of this chapter.

C. All applications for development plans shall be completed on city forms and accompanied by a site plan that includes:

1. Property boundaries and dimensions;
2. Scale with north arrow;
3. All existing and proposed structures and their dimensions;
4. Distance of structures to all lot lines;
5. Rights-of-way and easements adjacent to the property;
6. Off-street parking spaces with their dimensions;
7. Location of utility poles, and water and sewer lines;
8. Access and driveways;
9. Any topographical features that may affect the development of the property;
10. Proposed use of the new structure and current use of any existing buildings.

2.48.010 ESTABLISHED-PURPOSE.

There is established the planning commission for the city to constitute a department of the city and to perform the city-wide functions of planning, platting and zoning for the city, and to advise the chief executive officer and city council of them. The City Council may perform any one or all of the city-wide functions of planning, platting and/or zoning. The Chief executive officer or his delegate shall serve as the city planning official until such time as he appoints, and the City Council confirms another to perform that function.

2.48.020 COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP.

1. The planning commission shall consist no more than 11 and no less than five qualified city voters from the community.
2. Members of the commission must keep current any accounts held with the City (i.e., utilities, lease payments, rents, sales tax, etc.) any member whose accounts fall into delinquency may be removed from the commission by the chief executive officer. City Council will consider financial or other hardship.
3. Any person declaring candidacy for the planning commission shall not be considered until the persons accounts are made current. City Council will consider financial or other hardships.
4. Members shall be appointed by the chief executive officer, subject to confirmation by the city council, for a term of three years. Appointments to fill vacancies are for the unexpired term. The compensation and expenses of the planning commission and its staff are paid as directed by the chief executive officer. 

• Downtown Business District Map
• Zoning Map 1
• Zoning Map 2 – Larger View

View the Community Profile Maps from DCRA:

• Profile Map

Publications:

• Alaska Planning Commission Handbook
• Alaska Sanitation Planning Guide for Small Communities
• Alaska Sanitation Planning Guide for Small Communities – Technical Appendices
• Capital Project Management Handbook
• Planning Powers fro Alaska Communities
• What is Site Control…and Why is it important?

Recommended web site search topics:

• Alaska Planning and Land Management
• Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Statewide Transportation Improvements Program and Needs List
• S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Native Americans
• S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration
• University of Alaska Center for Economic Development, VISTA
• S.D.A. Rural Development in Alaska
• S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Sustainable Communities
• UAF Cooperative Extension Service – Community Support

Applicable Laws and Regulations

Alaska Statutes

• AS 29.35.180 planning within a first or second class borough in accordance with AS 29.40, planning within a home rule borough.
• AS 29.35.250 Cities inside boroughs.
• AS 29.35.260 Cities outside boroughs.
• AS 29.40.010-.200 planning, platting, land use regulation, borough responsibilities, delegation of responsibilities, planning commission, mandatory planning commissions, borough comprehensive plan, limitation on land use regulation variance, appeal, delegation of authority.