Changes to Essential Services Utilities Ordinance Proposed

Proposed changes to the Mat-Su Borough’s Essential Service Utilities ordinance would modify the intent, public notification, and appeals process. The ordinance covers large utilities like gas lines, pipelines, and electric lines. However, the changes would not actually provide an avenue for the public to appeal the projects on the merits. The appeal process would only apply if the utility fails to meet the new public notification requirements.

Borough Planning and Land Use Director Alex Strawn says the updated language makes clear that the utilities must provide adequate public notice, including an additional required public meeting. The utilities would also need to propose a process to address public concerns during future phases of the project. 

“I think that it is useful in that they do hear from people and may make modifications based on what they hear, but they don’t have to.”

New language also suggests that there should be reasonable and feasible mitigation measures. However, the proposed ordinance clarifies that those measures will be considered after costs, logistics, environmental impacts and other issues are taken into account.

The Planning Commission will hear the proposed changes to the ordinance at their May 19th meeting. 

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