The Haines Borough Planning Commission voted 5-1 on June 19 to recommend approval of an easement request by the Takshanuk Watershed Council, a nonprofit, that would allow the nonprofit to use a portion of the Jones Point Cemetery property — the only cemetery in Haines — for access to and fencing associated with a commercial composting facility.
The meeting drew strong opposition from the public, with dozens of residents filling the room and spilling into the entryway. Many residents voiced concerns about the impact of the project on the cemetery, while acknowledging support for composting in general. The primary concern centered on the use of cemetery land, which is protected by a 1922 deed restricting it to cemetery-related purposes.
The proposed easement includes construction of a 7-foot electrified wildlife barrier that would encroach on the cemetery parcel. Takshanuk Watershed Council, which owns approximately 50 acres of land nearby, including an old mill site, has been criticized for not locating the facility entirely on its own property.
Public testimony during the June 19 meeting lasted approximately 90 minutes. Residents expressed frustration that the nonprofit had already built an industrial structure before obtaining the required land use permit. TWC applied for an after-the-fact permit on Oct. 31, 2023, months after the structure was erected.
Some residents also raised concerns that the project, which involves composting organic waste, could attract wildlife and negatively impact the solemn and sacred character of the cemetery. Others argued that the project’s placement violates zoning regulations and deed restrictions.
Former Haines Mayor Jan Hill, speaking during public comment, cited the property’s historical significance and called on TWC to relocate the project to their own land. “Takshanuk has almost 50 acres,” Hill said. “We just want them to use their own property and leave our cemetery alone.”
During the meeting, Planning Commissioner Derek Poinsette recused himself from voting and presented the project as executive director of TWC. Poinsette told the commission that TWC had contacted the borough years earlier about the possibility of using the area, but admitted the organization was unsure of the exact location of the property line at the time of construction. He stated the project was built based on their understanding of historical use of the area.
Longtime resident Don Turner Jr. pushed back on that claim, referencing deed documents and maps that showed clear boundary lines. He pointed out that the structure was built close to the cemetery despite alternative options on the existing pad, and that the nonprofit failed to obtain a building permit beforehand. “They could have built 11 feet farther away,” Turner said during his testimony.
Zoning concerns were also highlighted, as the composting facility lies in a light industrial zone while the cemetery is located in a rural mixed-use zone. Borough code requires projects that span zoning districts to meet the requirements of the more restrictive zone, which would necessitate a conditional use permit process with public input — a step not yet completed.
Planning commissioners questioned TWC’s planning process, especially its failure to accurately determine property boundaries before beginning construction. When asked about possible errors in planning, Poinsette stated, “There were no errors, or anything made other than, like we said, we didn’t know exactly where that line was.”
Despite the range of concerns, the commission voted 5-1 in favor of recommending the easement to the Haines Borough Assembly.
The final decision will rest with the Assembly at its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 8. The public may submit written comments to the borough clerk at [email protected] until 5 pm on Monday. Public testimony will also be accepted in person and via Zoom. Details are available on the borough’s website under the July 8 Assembly meeting agenda.
“………There were no errors, or anything made other than, like we said, we didn’t know exactly where that line was………”
‘Planning Commissioner’? AND executive director of TWC? That right there is the problem. Mr. Poinsette should be the subject of a criminal investigation.
Wonder how many of those clowns came from Juneau?
Haines. A growing wasteland of liberal ideology. They recently rejected permits for 5G cell towers because, and officials claimed, the towers were used for mind control and cause cancer.
Well, this article seems very unclear. A satellite image of the existing used cemetery, the cemetery survey lines, Takshanuk survey property boundaries, and the proposed right of way. Perhaps a land trade would be agreeable? The article makes it sound like they are planning to bulldoze right over graves. Stirring the pot.