Waterbody Setback Resolution Failed by Planning Commission

In a unanimous decision, the Mat-Su Borough Planning Commission failed the resolution supporting the Waterbody Setback Advisory Board’s recommendations. The Board’s recommendations include specific distances from the waterbody that structures might be built, how and where fuel can be stored, setbacks for animal enclosures, and other issues.

Borough Planning and Land Use Director Alex Strawn says the proposed updates to the Waterbody Setback ordinance are complex and wide-reaching. However, the Commission indicates at their meeting that there are some industries and actions that are not considered in the new proposed language, such as mining.

The Commission instead introduced a resolution recommending a task force be formed to wade through the proposed updates made by the Advisory Board and determine what, if anything, still needs to be included. According to the new resolution drafted by Commission Member Linn McCabe, the task force would evaluate the Setback Advisory Board’s work.

The new resolution recommending the task force will go to public hearing at the next Planning Commission meeting on August 18th. If passed, it will then go to the Assembly for introduction on September 2nd, followed by another public hearing.

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