Mendenhall Valley residents file appeal of high-density farm permit

Published 5:30 am Tuesday, October 20, 2026

A group of Juneau residents have filed an appeal against a high-density farm permit over procedural and safety concerns.

Twenty-two Mendenhall Valley residents formally filed an appeal with the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) to overturn the Planning Commission’s approval of a conditional use permit authorizing a high-density animal operation within an Urban Low-Density Residential district. The permit would authorize a high-density animal operation on 2.2 acres of property at 10226 and 10228 Silver Street, which would allow up to 100 chickens and ducks, as well as 15 other farm animals.

The notice of appeal cites procedural errors, unmitigated bear attractants, wetland runoff risks, and a loophole allowing hundreds of slaughtered birds annually on a single residential lot.

“The Planning Commission approved a ‘farm’ in a residential neighborhood without complete site plans or basic operational details for manure and drainage,” said Maureen Hansen, lead appellant and Mendenhall Valley resident. “We are appealing to the Assembly to ensure fair zoning standards are upheld, and to protect our neighborhood from preventable predator attractants and wetland contamination.”

The formal appeal outlines multiple areas of concern, including specific issues that would affect the community, such as: setting a precedent for future approval requests in other Juneau neighborhoods; weighing the needs of the applicant over the existing neighborhood; a denial of procedural due process as public notice mailers did not include animal quantities; the 200 to 400 animal slaughter loophole, which would allow the owner to cycle multiple batches, resulting in an annual headcount of 200 to 400 slaughtered birds; creating an active bear and predator attractant for seven months straight; and unresolved wetland and groundwater risks, as the permit was approved without finalized plans for animal pen drainage or manure containment.

“The appellants are requesting that the CBJ Assembly reverse the Planning Commission’s approval to enforce residential zoning protections, preserve property values, and safeguard neighborhood health and safety,” the appeal stated.

The appeal is expected to be considered by the CBJ Assembly on Oct. 26.