Borough Discusses Modification of Land Use Permit

Modification of Borough land use permits is scheduled for a public hearing on November 22. Originally adopted in 2007, the permit once required any planned structure of more than 480 square feet, to go through the permitting process. In 2011, the permit was revised to only include buildings proposed within 75 feet of a watercourse or waterbody. The cost for permits was $25 for residential buildings and $150 for commercial structures.

The newest proposed modification will again include planned structures of more than 480 square feet, but the cost is $50 for both residential and commercial buildings. The biggest hurdle in the previous iteration was the site plan requirements. The proposed modified ordinance will not require a to-scale drawing, but will need some detail. 

Borough Planning and Land Use Director, Alex Strawn, provides some specifics about the requirements.

“You don’t have to have it to scale. You really just need to show what your setbacks are going to be, which will give us an idea generally where on the property it’s going to be. And if we need further, like say there’s a flood zone on a part of the property….then we may require further information just to really determine if they are going to be in the flood zone or not. Generally, we’re not requiring the site plans to be drawn to scale.”

Strawn indicates that the permit is a tool to assist landowners. Lot lines, setback requirements, flood hazard areas, and other issues may come to light when landowners submit their permit application. Strawn says the Borough regularly deals with setback issues and unpermitted development in the flood zone, but that the issues often don’t come to light until the building is being sold or is flooded.

“We did feel this does need to be mandatory, but we tried to make it as easy as possible. If somebody builds and they don’t get this permit, then they’re putting themselves at risk. This is a cheap and easy way to have some peace of mind that what you’re doing is in conformance with our rules. The way we tried to address that is just to make it as easy as possible.”

If the permit modification is approved, it would go into effect in January 2023. Strawn indicates that there will be community outreach to ensure that residents and business owners understand the permit process and to answer questions.

The Mat-Su Borough Assembly will take public comment about the permit modification at the November 22 hearing. Alternatively, residents and business owners may submit comments by emailing before or calling in during the meeting.