Platting Board approves Connelly Homestead preliminary plat near Butterfly Lake

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Platting Board approved a preliminary plat to subdivide a parcel identified as partial U0463800 L06 into seven tracts (Connelly Homestead), totaling about 144.29 acres, with conditions recommended by planning staff.

Platting staff Cayman Reynolds told the board a topographic narrative and exhibits were submitted, that no lots exceed required slopes except for a 20% slope in the northeast corner of proposed Tract A, and that Tract A contains a well and existing structures while remaining tracts are mostly undeveloped timber. Staff reported proposed tracts exceed 400,000 square feet and are exempt from certain soils and engineering data requirements; staff also noted two late public comments objecting to potential overburdened overland access, parking and canoe/boat storage and raised concerns about access points crossing drainage streams. Staff recommended approval with six findings of fact and six conditions of approval.

Tim Carman of Bulmoose Surveying, representing petitioner Bob Hoffman and Mr. Connelly, described the large tracts and said much of the area is undeveloped; he told board members some lots are float‑plane or lake accessible and said a historic seismic trail across the property is overgrown and not used. Board members asked questions about access to Tract B, topographic boundary choices, and lake labeling on the plat; petitioner representatives cited topography and hillshade as reasons for the proposed boundaries.

A board member moved to approve the preliminary plat contingent on staff recommendations; the motion was seconded and passed with no objections recorded in the transcript. The staff file includes proof of navigability and the handouts with the two public comments.