For nearly six hours, the Mat-Su Assembly heard public testimony and introduced more than a few amendments to the Conditional Use Permit for Earth Materials Extraction ordinance. The latest meeting marks the third time the so-called Gravel ordinance has been discussed and postponed.
Nearing midnight, the Assembly pushed the Gravel vote until June 6th.
Randall Sparks, Chair of the Susitna Community Council, called into the meeting on behalf of the Council. He reiterated many of the issues that other community council representatives and the public expressed. The lack of community input was a common thread.
QUOTE “The latest version of the ordinance will leave the public input out. They want to leave us out of a fairly large operation.” UNQUOTE
Sparks notes that another issue that might impact the upper Susitna Valley more than other areas is the lack of enforcement. Properties in the upper Valley are more remote, making it difficult to enforce extraction operations.
In addition to the other proposed amendments, Assembly member Yundt proposed changing the name of the legislation from “Earth Materials Extraction” to “Grade and Fill” or something similar. Several Assembly members continued to comment that the changes were not for gravel extraction activities, but instead for filling in holes and making properties more attractive for development.
The latest version of the ordinance continues to refer to gravel, materials, and extraction activities. Only the last paragraph of the latest version mentions flattening topographical features to a usable surface, leaving no holes or depressions in a manner that limits development potential.
The proposed changes ultimately are to increase the threshold of the Conditional Use Permit portion of the ordinance from extracting 2,000 to 10,000 cubic yards of material annually. Administrative permits would be required for extraction of 2,001 to 10,000 cubic yards annually. There are other proposed additions regarding noise, dust, and hours of operation.
There continues to be overwhelming public opposition to the Gravel ordinance changes. The four members of the Assembly linked to the construction industry are pushing for the changes. They claim to not benefit directly from the changes in the legislation and did not recuse themselves.
