Talkeetna Council discusses changes to Title 27

The Talkeetna Community Council spent over a half an hour at their regular monthly meeting discussing proposed Mat Su Borough code changes.

John Strausenberg spoke to the changes that he said were concerning.  Two ordinances have been proposed that would eliminate Title 27 and bring back a revised Title 16 in its place.  Discussion among attendees, and the council board of directors, centered on some of the proposed changes that might be detrimental to rural residents.  There was admission that parts of Title 27 needed revision but going back to the much looser subdivision code would not be the answer.

Strausenberg sits on the Road Service Area board and said he worries if the code is relaxed it actually means roads that aren’t constructed properly, which in the end are a higher cost to maintain.

The board voted unanimously to send a letter to the planning commission stating concerns, including the pace at which the proposal is moving,  the shortened comment period that would result if the code would change, the end cost to tax payers and the idea that the change would actually end up subsidizing developers.

There was some discussion on how to get members to the upcoming planning commission meetings and the August Assembly meetings where discussion on the proposals will take place.

Other discussions Monday evening included the Talkeetna Sewer and water utility rate hike, an update on road service area improvements, Airport Improvements and the library’s recent pre-development program with Foraker Group.

Newcomer Chris Owens introduced himself and his wife and said they had purchased the old horse tour business-site at the end of Main Street.  He said they love Talkeetna were looking into different business possibilities that would work at the location, including a food service type business.