Valdez Zoning Code

(TITLE 17) REVISION

December 2023 Update

Thank you for your input, Valdez — The Public Hearing Draft of the Revised Valdez Zoning Code (Title 17) is here!

 

CLICK BELOW TO ACCESS:

  1. The Revised Valdez Zoning Code (Title 17):
  2. An easy-to-read Guide for Reviewing the Revised Code – highlights examples of proposed changes to Title 17. 
  3. A detailed list of major changes that references specific code sections and describes each change. 

WHAT HAPPENS NOW:

  • The Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Revised Code and provide a recommendation to City Council. Check out the City calendar for more information and the meeting packet.
    Planning & Zoning Commission, Wednesday, January 10th, 2024, 7:00 PM
     
  • The City Council will hold an additional public hearing during their first reading of the ordinance. The anticipated date is January 23rd, 2024, at 7:00 PM during a special meeting, however this date is subject to change, based on the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting in January.
    City Council, Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024, 7:00 PM
     

The public is encouraged to attend the hearings to provide comments on the ordinance. If you are unable to attend, comments may be submitted in writing to the Planning Department at City Hall or by emailing zoning@valdezak.gov.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

  • Call, email, or submit a comment to the project team using information in the Contact Us section below.

Purpose

The City of Valdez is working to revise our community’s zoning code (Title 17). This project will align the City’s zoning and land use standards with the vision, goals and land use map in the recently adopted Comprehensive Plan (“Plan Valdez”).

Project Goals

Be consistent with
Plan Valdez

Address natural hazards

Plan for “winter city” conditions

Create land use/development flexibility

Allow more housing options

Accommodate mixed-use projects

Remove unnecessary regulations

Streamline review procedures

Community Engagement Update

Thank you to everyone who participated in our March 16 Open House and responded to our community survey!

Click the image at right to download the survey summary results.

If you missed the open house, download the presentation slides and display posters.

Sign Up for Project Updates

Join our mailing list to receive no more than six emails with important news about the zoning revision process, starting January 2023.

Get Involved

Share Your Comments

Have ideas about what Valdez’s new zoning code should look like? What challenges have you had using the current code, or an idea for a new development that isn’t possible right now? We want to hear your thoughts! Please use the box below to send our project team your comments.

Contact Us

Shelly Wade
Project Manager, Agnew::Beck Consulting
907.222.5424
shelly@agnewbeck.com

Kate Huber
Planning Director, City of Valdez Planning Department
907.834.3401
planningdept@valdezak.gov

Schedule

Project Schedule

September 29, 2022
STAFF LISTENING SESSION 1:
Planning Department 

October 12, 2022
JOINT WORK SESSION 1: 
City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission

October 25, 2022
STAFF LISTENING SESSION 2:
City Departments 

November 2022-Spring 2023
WORKING GROUP: 
Monthly meetings

Spring 2023
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
Public Open House: Thursday, March 16, 2023, Valdez Civic Center
Community Feedback Survey: March-April 2023

August-September 2023
PUBLIC HEARING DRAFT OF CODE: 
Public hearing draft of Title 17 ordinance will be published approximately 4 weeks (or more) before first public hearing at Planning & Zoning Commission. Public comment period begins.

August 2023
JOINT WORK SESSION 2: (Timing TBD, to be announced in August)
City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission

First public opportunity to review draft ordinance before official public hearing process, informational only.

Fall 2023
PUBLIC HEARING AND APPROVAL PROCESS: (Timing TBD, to be announced in August)

Planning & Zoning Commission: September (tentative)

City Council: TBD (following Planning & Zoning Commission vote)

Both bodies will each hold public hearings, discuss potential amendments. Ordinance requires approval vote by Council.

Working Group Meetings

Meetings are open to the public to attend and listen.

November 10, 2022 – Thursday
12:00- 1:30 p.m.

December 5, 2022 – Monday
12:00-1:30 p.m.

January 9, 2023 – Monday
12:00-1:30 p.m.

February 6, 2023 – Monday
12:00-1:30 p.m.

March 6, 2023 – Monday
12:00-1:30 p.m.

April 10, 2023 – Monday
12:00-1:30 p.m.

May 2, 2023 – Tuesday
12:00-1:30 p.m.

Project Team

Who is Leading the Process?

The City of Valdez is leading the process, in collaboration with a Working Group of community advisors. Technical assistance and code drafting is provided by a planning consultant team, Agnew::Beck and Stantec.

Working Group

The Working Group is comprised of representatives from City Council, Planning & Zoning Commission, Valdez Native Tribe, residents, development experts, businesses, and other community perspectives. It is the core recommendation body for code and map revisions. Working Group members include:

  • Dennis Fleming, City Council
  • James Devens, City Council
  • Steve Goudreau, Planning and Zoning Commission
  • Anna Bateman, Valdez Native Tribe
  • Priscilla Gregg, Bear Paw RV Park
  • Alice MacDonald, Retired Real Estate Agent
  • Dan Gilson, Resident
  • Ken Lares, Resident
  • Chris Watson, Planning and Zoning Commission (former member)
  • Planning Department Staff:
    • Kate Huber, Director
    • Bruce Wall, Senior Planner
    • Nicole LeRoy, Planner
  • Project Team:
    • Shelly Wade, Project Manager, Agnew::Beck Consulting
    • Erin Perdu, Lead Planner, Stantec
    • Ryan Givens, Senior Planner Stantec 
    • Anna Brawley, Agnew::Beck Consulting (former staff)

Consulting Team

Agnew::Beck serves as the project’s lead consultant, managing public engagement and revised code approval.

Stantec leads code review and development of code revisions, as well as producing maps and final code language for approval.

Project Resources

Download the Plan Valdez Comprehensive Plan, project documents, meeting materials, and other resources by clicking the links below.

Background Documents

Public Engagement Materials

Working Group Meeting Notes, Agendas, and Presentations

Photo credits (from top to bottom):

City of Valdez (banner photo)
Bruce Wall, Valdez Planning Department (Cottonwood subdivision, background photo)
Valdez Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (Growler Bay Brewing)
Valdez Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (boat harbor  in summer)
Valdez Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (Valdez Outfitters)
Valdez Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (North Harbor Drive, background photo)