HomeMy WebLinkAbout09072021 Planning & Zoning LAYDOWN - Steve LeirerComments to the City of Seward P & Z Commission on Resolution 2021-014
September 7, 2021
210907 P&Z LAYDOWN
From Steve Leirer
1415 Chamberlin Road
Seward AK
DOT has before you, a plat, shown as parcel 4, 1.986 AC, for the purpose of a right of way for the
proposed new airport runway. This proposed taking of a portion, Parcel 4, of Leirer's parcel
which totals 19 acres, is not acceptable to us.
If DOT needs right of way, we will provide the entire 19 acres for that purpose and will
negotiate with them to acquire it.
The Leirer's about 1953, provided the land for the OLD runway then constructed, at no cost to
the Airport. Since that time, the Airport several times, has acquired additional land for right of
way at the end of both existing runways, and at no cost to the Airport.
Currently, the Airport, other government agencies, and the city own most of the land at the
beach area surrounding the Airport. If the Airport is to consume more land for right of way, they
need to have it all, which includes the Leirer's total of the 19-acre parcel and NOT just the
portion. It would be beneficial for the DOT to own this 19 acres now, and not later have to deal
with some outside the state, environmental or conservation entity.
The Leirer's have no interest in keeping the remainder of its property when it is surrounded by
government land, where nothing can be done with it, being surrounded by Airport right of way.
I need to make comment about the AiMort:
It is a grave mistake for the DOT to promote and construct a new airport where they have it
proposed. The runway is too short and more in the shipping lanes and harbor traffic and will still
be subject to the Resurrection River flooding.
The Resurrection River flood problem will not go away.
The OLD long runway should have been the solution; raising, rebuilding, and riprapping it, to
hold the river to the East and providing a longer better situated Airport. However, this is a
Corps of Engineers problem, and not a DOT problem.
The DOT builds airports, not flood control projects. So, they chose not to deal with the river, and
went ahead with the new airport, which was their mission. The Corps has to deal with the flood
issue. Two separate missions, each needing separate direction. Could you combine both missions
and have them be accomplish in the same project?
The first priority should be the Resurrection River problem and not the creating a new airport.
The Airport should be delayed until the river is moved.