Thank you, Ketchikan, for helping to shape the 2035 Ketchikan Comprehensive Plan.

The Public Review Draft is ready, and we need your feedback!

The deadline for comments is August 27, 2025. 

How to access the Public Review Draft 

How to comment on the Public Review Draft 

  • Use the Comment Box in the “Share Your Feedback” section at the bottom of this website. 
  • Download, complete, and email or mail this Fillable Comment Form. NOTE: You can also pick up a comment form, fill it out, and drop it off at the Borough’s Planning Department.  
  • Contact the Project Team:
  • Attend an upcoming public meeting on the comprehensive plan – details to come.

Comment on specific Land Use topics

To provide comments on specific Land Use topics, please visit the Interactive Comment Map.

Below is a short instructional video about how to navigate and use the Comment Map.

DON’T FORGET – Submit your comments by Wednesday, August 27, 2025.   

What comes next

July 11, 2025 – August 27, 2025 (Public Comment Period) – During the public comment period, the project team will accept comments on the public review draft. 

After the comment period closes on August 27, 2025, the project team will compile all public comments and share them with Ketchikan Gateway Borough staff and Planning Commission to review and make recommendations for the final plan. 

September and October 2025 – The final plan will go before the Planning Commission and Borough Assembly as part of the adoption process, during which there will be additional opportunities for community input before it is adopted.

Project Resources and Documentation

In this section the project team will share research, meeting notes, and outreach materials throughout the comprehensive plan process. If you have any questions about these materials, please reach out to the project team members listed below.

Relevant Documents

Ketchikan Community Snapshot – This is a snapshot of data, background research, and interview results about emerging topics and priorities in the early part of the Comprehensive Plan Update Process.

Literature and Plan Review – This is a review of past and existing planning efforts and documents from Ketchikan Gateway Borough and other local, regional, and state partners.

Background Research and Data Analysis – This is a reference that draws from a variety of data sources to analyze demographic, economic, housing, and workforce trends.

Survey and Comment Map Results – Results from the Community Survey, Youth Survey, and Comment Map.

Purpose

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough is updating the 2020 Comprehensive Plan (last updated in 2009) to recognize and celebrate what we have accomplished, to address new challenges and opportunities for our community, and to articulate a community vision for the next 20 years. The goals, policies, and actions that will be included in the plan will help us achieve that vision.

The Comprehensive Plan will be a combination of long-term vision, goals, and practical strategies that will guide decisions about:

Land Use and Environment

Housing

Transportation

Public Utilities and Facilities

Economic Development

Culture, Wellness, and Education

Fiscal Considerations

And More

View the current Ketchikan Gateway Borough Comprehensive Plan here: www.kgbak.us

Project Schedule

Discover, Learn, and Listen

Oct. 2024- Jan. 2025

  • Compile and analyze data
  • Review previous and ongoing planning efforts
  • Provide orientation to the borough assembly and planning commission

Community Engagement

Dec. 2024 – April 2025 (and ongoing)

  • Community Open House
  • Community survey and Comment Map
  • Interview, small group discussion, youth engagement
  • Provide regular updates to the community

Analysis and Plan Development

April 2025 – June 2025

  • Community Survey and Comment Map results
  • Community meetings
  • Develop overall vision, goals, priorities, and strategies – drafting the comprehensive plan

Finalization and Adoption

June 2025 – Fall 2025

  • Public review draft plan released
  • Public comment period (30-days minimum)
  • Plan revisions, review by planning commission, adopted by assembly

Open House Gratitude!

Thank you to everyone who came out to the February 18 Open House at Kayhi Commons! View the notes from the Open House here.

Working Group

The Working Group is the community advisory group for the comprehensive plan project. The group is made up of volunteers from the borough, city, local Tribal organizations, and community members. Working Group details, agendas, and meeting notes are posted below under Project Resources and Documentation.

Project Team

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough is leading this project with assistance from the Alaska-based teams at Agnew::Beck Consulting and Northern Economics.