Assembly refers proposed changes to water-body setbacks and land-use rules to multiple advisory boards and commissions

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly on May 20 referred a broad package of land-use code changes — filed as Ordinance 25-073 — for concurrent review by multiple advisory boards and commissions.

Ordinance 25-073 proposes amendments to several borough code sections, including mandatory land-use permits (MSP 17.02), setback and screening rules for water bodies (MSP 17.55), variances (MSP 17.65), nonconforming structures (MSP 17.80) and definitions (MSP 17.125). Given the ordinance’s scope, the assembly voted to send the draft to the Planning Commission and the Fish and Wildlife Commission, and also to solicit input from the Parks, Recreation and Trails Advisory Board, the Transportation Advisory Board, the Agricultural Advisory Board, and the Waste and Water Body Advisory Board; the assembly approved having the reviews run concurrently.

Assemblymembers debated how much external review to require and how long to allow for comment. Some members wanted a shorter process or simultaneous review; others argued the ordinance affects a wide set of stakeholders — property owners, lakeshore residents, agricultural users, recreationists, infrastructure planners — and should be vetted by multiple expert groups before coming back for public hearing. Assemblymember Maxwell Sumner and others emphasized the ordinance’s nuanced effects, and some members said they were especially concerned about homeowners who lack “grandfather” protections and are trying to sell property.

The final motion, as adopted, sends the ordinance concurrently to the listed advisory boards and commissions for a 120-day review period; staff and boards will gather feedback and return recommendations to the Planning Commission and ultimately to the assembly for public hearings and further action. Several assembly members asked staff to solicit input from community councils as well.

Ending: The referral starts the formal review process. Boards and commissions will schedule comment periods and may hold special meetings if necessary; the Planning Commission will receive the collected comments and forward its recommendation to the assembly for a future public hearing and vote.