City of Soldotna

The application is subject to final approval by the city council.

Council members weighed community opposition against the developer’s interest in expanding the city’s housing inventory.

Council members last week voted to award the groups $1,000 each for this year’s second cycle of the city’s mini grant program.

City Manager Janette Bower says the city’s not sure it actually needs all of the remaining $5 million to cover project costs.

The city council vote came amid a petition opposing the permit from the development’s neighboring property owners.

Even though the projects were included in the bills voted out of committee, it’s not guaranteed that they’ll be funded.

The city estimated the exemption would have saved the average resident $25 per year and cost the city about $15,000 in lost tax revenue.

That study, conducted by Volaire Aviation, found nearly all people flying from Kenai to Anchorage travel to a second destination. For most travelers, that destination is Seattle.

The city uses a budget structure that covers two fiscal years instead of one.

The division currently operates a base in Soldotna off the Sterling Highway near Birch Ridge Golf Course that includes a helicopter pad.