Departments
Planning Department 
Comprehensive Planning
The department is responsible for updating the borough’s comprehensive plan in coordination with communities, planning commission and the Mayor and Assembly. The department also supports and assists borough communities in updating village/community comprehensive plans including grants to village planning committees.
The borough planning commission acts as the platting authority and may adopt and publish rules and regulations regarding platting administration. The staff review requests for plats, subdivisions, and streets (except for the City of Kotzebue) according to title 8 of the borough code.
Permitting
The planning department implements land use regulation according to title 9 of borough code (except for the City of Kotzebue). See Zoning Map. Permits include commercial transporters (hunting, camping, rafting, etc), resource development (mining, natural gas, etc), community infrastructure (utilities, schools, public buildings, roads, multi-family housing units, etc), temporary use airstrips, and archaeological exploration/assessment. Click here for Permit information/forms.
Easements, Rights-of-Way and Historical Preservation
The planning department and commission review requests for easements and rights-of-way involving borough property according to title 2.48 of the borough code.
The planning commission serves as the borough’s historical preservation commission, for identification, protection, preservation, perpetuation and use of historical resources, districts and sites within the borough boundaries. The commission also encourages public knowledge, understanding, appreciation and use of the borough unique past and present culture. See Community Maps.
Global Warming/Climate Change
The department facilitates the exchange of information regarding climate change & erosion planning issues including participating with state and federal agencies in planning, community outreach and information sharing.
Land Coordination and Mapping
The department manages borough lands and works with federal and state agencies in their lands management and mapping. This includes input into resource management, inter-agency permitting and preparation/updating of plans and maps.
Coastal Management and Flood Prevention
The planning department participates in the Alaska Coastal Zone Management Program to maintain a coastal zone management plan for the region and review proposed developments to protect coastal and wetland areas. The department also implements flood prevention code in title 9, in order for borough communities to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program and protect land and property from flooding and flood areas.
PLANNING STAFF:
Tom Ukallaysaaq Okleasik
Planning Director
tokleasik @ nwabor.org
(907)442-2500 ex. 109
Grant Hildreth
Deputy Planning Director
ghildreth @ nwabor.org
(907)442-2500 ex. 120
Chad Nordlum
Village Planner
cnordlum @ nwabor.org
(907)442-2500 ex.118
Charlie Gregg
Land Specialist
cgregg @ nwabor.org
(907)442-2500 ex.154
John Chase
Coastal Area Specialist
jchase @ nwabor.org
(907)442-2500 ex.112