Planning Commission Delays Permit Discussion

A new RV park, campground, and helipad is in the planning stages within Denali State Park. The proposed park is on private land, but would operate within the Park’s boundaries. The Mat-Su Borough Planning Commission was slated to vote on the Conditional Use Permit for the RV park at its meeting this week.

An insufficient number of neighbors were notified so Borough Planner Peggy Horton requested more time to ensure the notifications were done correctly. 

“The notices went out to two property owners. They happen to be the same owner. Two properties, but the same owner. And then one of the other notices went to the owner of the subject property. So that means one less went to another property owner. In our eyes, we did not meet the requirements in our operations policies. We have not met that requirement of noticing enough property owners.” 

With the additional time, the notices will go out to landowners within 3.5 miles of the proposed project. Horton says that several Community Councils also reached out and they will be included in the notices as well. Though she notes that the park is not within any of the nearby Community Council boundaries. 

Horton went on to say that moving forward without adequately notifying neighbors makes the decision appealable, which would cause further delays. 

Located at Mile 135.7 on the Parks Highway, the new campground would have 40 RV sites, 14 duplex cabins, tent sites, a convenience store, and a helipad. A third-party helicopter tour company is expected to use the helipad and will operate mid-May through the end of September with about one flight per hour during operating hours.

The Planning Commission voted to delay their decision until their next meeting on January 6th.