MSB planning board approves Wet Beaver Estates preliminary plat, adds driveway-permit condition

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Planning Board on Oct. 16 approved the preliminary plat for Wet Beaver Estates, a request to split a roughly 37.5-acre parcel near West Beaver Lake into two lots and to dedicate turnaround easements on South Rogers Road and West Wilma Street.

Staff said the proposal will create two lots with legal and physical access and that rights-of-way and a topographic narrative were provided. Chris Kerlin, planning staff, told the board that the preliminary plat is consistent with state statute and borough code and recommended approval with findings of fact and conditions of approval.

The plat drew one public comment from a nearby property owner, who raised concerns about wetlands and fish-spawning habitat on the parcel. "There's a creek going through the middle of this. Right? And that's spawning area for trout," said Dan Pyro, who identified himself as the owner of the adjacent lot. Pyro asked that language be added to the approval to make buyers aware of wetland protections, citing waterfowl, loons, sandhill cranes and other wildlife he said use the area.

The petitioner's representative said two small islands on Lot 2 meet the minimum buildable and septic-area requirements and said the owner intends to keep the creek-side portion wild and has no plans to develop it. The representative also said Lot 2 may be sold to an adjoining owner who has used the area as a four-wheeler access.

Kerlin summarized agency responses: the Alaska Department of Fish and Game submitted no objection but noted that any work near the stream may require a permit. Borough predesign and engineering staff had no comments. The MSB permit center indicated a separate driveway permit will be required; GCI, MTA and MEA did not respond to the referral. Staff also reported that 85 public notices were mailed on Sept. 24 and that no objections were received in response to the notice of public hearing.

During deliberations, Planning Member Leibing moved to approve the preliminary plat of Wet Beaver Estates "contingent on staff recommendations 1 through 6." The motion was seconded by Planning Member Gilson. Board discussion included adding a specific condition to require a borough driveway permit; Planning Member Leibing proposed the amendment and it was seconded and adopted. With no objections, the board returned to the main motion and approved the preliminary plat as amended.

The approval includes the staff-recommended findings and the conditions of approval, with an added Condition 7 requiring a borough driveway permit. The board did not record a numerical roll-call tally in the transcript; the clerk noted the motion passed after "seeing no objection." The petitioner's representative and neighbors may still need to obtain any state or borough permits referenced by agencies before on-the-ground work proceeds.

The board had no further business and adjourned shortly after the Wet Beaver Estates decision.