By Gretchen Wehmhoff

The assembly adopted another resolution regulating the placement of recreational vehicles as housing on properties. The resolution, 24-22R, replaces previous versions of the RV habitation resolution.

The resolution goes into effect immediately for new permits, with current RV habitation permits not impacted until property owners or users apply for a new 2025 permit.

Assemblymember Deb Potter sponsored the motion to extend to 2026.

“There’s a significant financial investment involved in putting in proper water and sewer lines, so there needs to be a little incentive for folks to do that. So just to say, spend $5,000 to install water and sewer for one year of hosting an RV on your property doesn’t make a lot of sense,” Potter said.

Other changes include declaring modifications on any RV which has been changed from its origins, manufactured condition and that a structure is not permitted within six feet of the RV. This includes, docks, fences, fuel tanks and more regarding fire safety.

Assemblymember Orion Hanson voted to approve the resolution, but with a note of frustration.

“We’re kicking this can down indefinitely every time we vote for this. This has gone on and on, and it’s really the only option that we have. We’ve disallowed Garden City for seasonal housing, We’ve yet to build another campground. You know, where Skagway was 12 years ago was really set up for seasonal people, with all the different RV parks and Campgrounds we have, and all those have gone away, and now the solution is in our backyards and residential areas,” Hanson said.

The assembly also adopted a conceptual plan and budget to begin work on the future of Garden City as newly zoned housing. 

It is unclear as to when the Garden City RV park will close, when a replacement RV park will be developed or when groundbreaking will begin. 

Discussions continue on the pros and cons of the conceptual design and the budgeting process as any movement will require the assembly to approve the funding.

Conceptual plan: https://www.skagway.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/borough_assembly/meeting/packets/48177/10c.2_mos_-_gardenparkconceptual_24y07m01d.pdf

Preliminary Cost estimate for development: https://www.skagway.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/borough_assembly/meeting/packets/48177/10c.1_mos_garden_city_rv_park_12_lot_residential_20_lot_mobile_home_development_preliminary_cost_estimate_7-3-24.pdf