Area recreational organizations and community councils are reacting to a proposed ordinance change by the Mat-Su Borough Assembly. The change, if adopted, would allow earth extraction activities of up to 20,000 cubic yards annually without a permit.
On December 7th, the Mat-Su Borough Assembly referred IM 22-003 to the Planning Commission. Currently, any extraction activity over 2,000 cubic yards requires either a conditional use permit or an administrative permit.
Assembly member Mokie Tew thinks this threshold is too low. He is the sponsor of the legislation that aims to increase the limit by ten times. According to Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers Facebook page, a typical dump truck holds about 12-13 cubic yards. 20,000 cubic yards would equate to roughly 2,000 dump trucks a year.
This proposed increase comes on the heels of a controversy this summer in the Meadow Lakes area. Quality Asphalt Paving and Colaska Incorporated applied for a permit to develop a gravel pit off Sylvan Road. Numerous residents voiced opposition to the operation, citing concerns about health and property values. The Planning Commission ultimately rejected the permit.
The change to 20,000 cubic yards would limit efforts of property owners, like those in Meadow Lakes, to prevent commercial gravel operations in their neighborhoods.
The Talkeetna Community Council, still grappling with the effects of commercial earth extraction in the Christiansen Lake area, voted to voice their opposition to the change.
The Meadow Lakes Community Council, Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation and Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers are all urging residents to voice their opinions to the Planning Commission.
The Planning Commission will hold a meeting to discuss public sentiment regarding the ordinance change on February 28th at 6pm. Interested persons can comment in writing to msb.planning.commission@matsugov.us. They may also attend the meeting in person or telephonically, and voice their opinions at that time.
