The Homer City Council confirmed the appointments of two new members to the Homer Planning Commission on June 23 at their last regular meeting. Franco Venuti, who has served on the commission for the past 15 years, was re-appointed for another term expiring on July 1, 2028.
Venuti was also re-appointed to the Homer City Seat on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission for another term expiring on July 1, 2028.
Sam Walker, one of the new appointees, is a contractor specializing in timber frame construction and has been a resident of the southern Kenai Peninsula for more than 20 years. He’s listed as a non-city resident member of the commission as he claims residency outside of Homer city limits. His past experience serving on similar advisory bodies includes a year on the Kachemak Bay Advisory Planning Commission.
In his statement explaining his interest in serving on the Planning Commission, Walker wrote that the advisory body “has a big impact on our community and what our town looks and feels like.
“I want to steer Homer in a sustainable direction that would benefit affordable housing for locals, a healthy environment down the road, and thoughtful development.”
City resident Dotti Harness has resided in the southern peninsula for about 30 years. She previously served as the Kachemak Heritage Land Trust Board President from 2005-2015 and is currently the vice president for the South Peninsula Hospital Foundation.
Harness also brings 10 years of experience as a planning technician, working in zoning code enforcement, and previously served as assistant to the Homer city manager and a certified floodplain manager for the City of Homer.
She noted in her application that she’s interested in working on city projects including the comprehensive plan update and the Title 21 rewrite. She also looks forward to seeking solutions for diverse housing, balancing land use with environment impacts, encouraging various transportation modes “so residents feel safe to walk and bike,” and taking “proactive measures” to protect the City’s vulnerability to stormwater, (erosion) and mudslides.
Former commissioner Mike Stark, whose term expired this year, also reapplied to the body. Stark had served on the Planning Commission for three years.
Find Memorandums CC-25-171 and CC-25-172 in full at www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/citycouncil/city-council-regular-meeting-331.
