By Jim Magowan
Turnagain Times Correspondent
Portage Valley residents gathered Monday, April 26, for the Portage Valley Community Council meeting.
Steve Mendive, president of PVCC , explained the purpose of these meetings, “PVCC was formed to deal with this question,” he said. “The goal is to involve all Portage landowners in decisions about how Portage Valley is managed and developed because there is no comprehensive plan written for Portage Valley. Portage Valley has simply been overlooked.
“There was discussion about merging PVCC with Turnagain Arm CC,” added Mendive. “At first it seemed to make sense because there would be more people involved, etc. This idea was ultimately rejected because Portage Valley would lose its identity as a specific and unique community. It would mean giving up the ability to contact people such as assembly members, as Portage Valley residents and owners.”
Mendive explained that the community of Portage needs to decide the direction it wants to take as the valley is developed.
“We need a written plan,” he said. “Not having a written plan could be affecting many projects including highway projects and trails, that will impact owners.”
The focal point of current concerns is recent zoning actions by the Municipality of Anchorage. A second issue for some owners is access to their property because most Portage property is surrounded by government and or Alaska Railroad property.
Initially, without input from the community, the Municipality zoned private land holdings as PLI (Public Lands and Institutions).
One landowner said that under this zoning a church was permitted, but a residence had to get a waiver for non-conforming use and getting a waiver could cost $20,000 or more.
Because of the problems with PLI zoning in the Portage area, the Municipality decided that R-11 was a better classification for the area.
“Originally, the Assembly was going to vote on R-11 zoning of the area with only 12 days notice to owners in the area,” said Mendive. “We got the notice period extended to 90 days so we could find out what the impact of R-11 would be on the area. The comment period was extended until May 3.”
Some landowners expressed concern that part of the provisions of R-11 zoning may not be compatible with the way property is being used in Portage Valley. Others thought such use would be “grandfathered.” Authoritative answers to these questions was not available because no one from the Municipality was at the evening meeting in Portage.
“According to municipal officials, R-11 would not have much impact on the use of private land in Portage Valley,” Mendive said, “although there would be some impact including increasing the minimum lot size from 2.5 acres to five acres.”
The landowners present were unanimous in their feeling that Portage Valley is a unique area. One owner said that it has been described as the “Crown Jewel” of Turnagain Arm.
“If it's the ‘Crown Jewel' why haven't we been consulted,” asked another citizen, expressing what appeared to be a common feeling of frustration from being left out of discussions about what happens in Portage Valley.
Mendive said that the goal for PVCC is to involve all Portage landowners in decisions about how Portage Valley is managed and developed.
“We need to decide the direction we want to head,” he said. “We need a written plan.”
Mendive reported that PVCC has requested a $20,000 grant, from the state, to have a comprehensive plan for Portage Valley drafted. The legislature approved the grant. It is not yet known if this grant will survive the governor's veto pen.
“If we get the grant we will need community meetings to find out what the community wants,” Mendive said.
Jo Blackburn agreed, saying, “Access to money for planning and development requires that Portage Valley is organized and has a plan.”
Since most of the land in the area is in the Chugach National Forest, the Forest Service has a major impact on Portage Valley landowners. Recent personnel changes may affect what happens from now on. There was concern about what will happen because the area Ranger Kate Walker left her position for another job out of state, after serving in the Seward Ranger District for one year.
There are still undecided issues regarding the Trail of Blue Ice and its extension or tying into other proposed trails, including the proposed 20 Mile River Trail.
“The location currently being considered for the 20 Mile River Trail does not look good for a public trail because it is steep, brushy and difficult to walk on,” said Jo Blackburn, who has walked the proposed route.
“There may also be some problems with the locating the trailhead,” said Mitch Blackburn.
PVCC faces some unique challenges, as an organization. The area it encompasses is large, but the population is small, around 30 landowners.
The April meeting was held at Portage Lodge so landowners could attend without having to drive into Anchorage. The time and location of the meeting meant that municipal staff and Assembly members were unable to attend. The Council decided to alternate monthly meeting locations and time so municipal officials can more easily attend to at least every other month.
Portage Lodge owner Marilyn Williams emphasized that Portage landowners need to know where and when meetings will be held. She would like to see meeting agendas emailed to all members.
Mendive said they are trying to get more information out to members and advised that, currently, owners can check the Community Councils Center web page for meeting announcements and agendas.
The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area (KM-TA NHA), was introduced with a presentation by Kaylene Johnson. KM-TA NHA is the 49th NHA in the United States and the first in Alaska. The purpose of NHA's is to preserve and present local heritage to the public.
Johnson explained that The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm Corridor Communities Association (KM-TA CCA) will develop a management plan and manage federal grant funding for projects such as restoring historic structures and interpretive signs and displays.
It was pointed out that the federal government does not take control of any land in this program. Control remains with local government and land owners; private property rights are not affected.
“I would like to see signs for the Portage Community that was destroyed by the earthquake,” said Mitch Blackburn. People drive by there now and have no idea what those old collapsing building are.”
“The Iditarod Trail was where the railroad right of way is now, not up in the mountains” added Jo Blackburn.
The PVCC agreed to be a contact for the KM-TA-CCA.
The next PVCC meeting is May at 5:00 p.m. in Anchorage at the Community Council Center on 1057 West Fireweed Lane.
