The Mat-Su Borough will soon have a new way for the public to track permits on their website.
According to Borough Deputy Director of Planning and Land Use Jason Ortiz, the tool will be a portal access enabling users to search public records, apply for permits, request inspections, and pay invoices.
Ortiz says there also will be a mapping tool that shows where there are active permit applications. It is unclear at this time how much data will be available to the general public. However, applicants will be able to access their own information and show the progress on their own permit application.
“So they would see a meter go through as all the different steps proceed. So you can look at any process and see exactly where it’s at. And know whether it’s on the Borough where the holdup is or we’re waiting on the applicant.”
And the portal will be available for all permit applications.
“As far as I know it’s going to be for all permits. So, whether it’s a mandatory land use permit, a variance, driveway permit, any sort of conditional use permit, construction permit, utility permit. All of the above can be applied for.”
Ortiz says this will help streamline the Borough’s operations and make them more transparent for the public.
“I think the public is going to like it. I think they’re going to like the ability, even to be able to search just on a map. Like a GIS-style map and see open-dot permits and then click and see what’s going on within their own community.”
With the increase in permit requests in the State’s fastest growing region, Ortiz says the portal will bring the Mat-Su Borough into the 21st century. The portal is expected to be live at the end of March or early April.
