The Mat-Su Borough Planning Commission held a special meeting to learn the details of how conditional use permits are processed. Conditional use permits cover many areas including race tracks, cell towers, gravel pits, marijuana facilities and other projects. Some Special Use Districts, or SPUDs, require conditional use permits for certain operations.
Borough Development Services Manager Jason Ortiz showed a marijuana permit application that had been granted as an example. Ortiz began with how an applicant files the permit paperwork. A planner reviews the application to determine if there are missing items. If the application is acceptable, the applicant must pay a $1,500 permit fee. Planners then begin a case file and input everything into a database.
There are more than 30 steps for an application to move through the process. Ortiz notes that there are two planners on staff who handle the permit processing, as well as site visits, public notices, and leading it through the Commission process.
Planners review permit applications to be sure the new application will identify potential conflicts, foresee problems, and ensure the Borough standards are met. Ortiz says the team is now using drones for some of the review process.
The process from application to approval takes about eight to ten weeks and sometimes longer before reaching the Planning Commission. Staffing and the approval process can extend that timeframe, as well as requests for information from the applicant. Ortiz says there are about 50 to 60 conditional use permits in process at this time.
