Neighbors press Wasilla parks commission on Peck Street right‑of‑way, ask city to clarify lake access

Residents of Lakeside Terrace pressed the Wasilla Parks and Recreation Commission to press the City Council and planning department to clarify ownership and preserve pedestrian lake access at the end of Peck Street. The issue matters because neighbors say the city‑owned right‑of‑way at Peck Street has been informally occupied by a neighboring owner, limiting historical access to Lake Lucille for multiple townhouse units and prompting concerns about potential sale or subdivision of the small parcel. Rory Grant, a Lakeshore Avenue resident, told the commission he had obtained a “section line easement assessment” from the Alaska Department of Natural Resources showing the city owns the land and that neighboring owners who live in the Mat‑Su Borough have begun to “plant trees, use it as access for themselves” and deny public access. He said the parcel has been plotted as an easement since 1960 and that successive owners have treated the strip as part of their private yards. Michael Fugere, a Lakeside Terrace resident, said his townhome buyers were told 20 years ago they would have lake access from Peck Street but that he lacks direct access now. He described hauling a motorized kayak to a nearby public launch because the Peck Street end is obstructed. Public works director Eric Traum said Peck Street and parts of Lakeshore Avenue include city right‑of‑way and that the city typically treats such strips for transportation use. He told the commission the parcel is city right‑of‑way, that neighboring property owners have encroached with sheds and fencing and that Mat‑Su Borough enforcement and code compliance separately affect the adjoining borough right‑of‑way. Traum cautioned that making Peck Street a major lake access could create parking, traffic and crowding impacts and recommended a balanced neighborhood approach. Commissioners and staff suggested next steps: residents should contact the city planning department and the commission can weigh in to the council by preparing a recommendation that the council formally recognize the strip as pedestrian access or pursue a survey and park designation. Traum said the commission’s project support and a council direction would be the right mechanism to move toward an improvement that the city would invest in and maintain. No formal legal action or transfer of property occurred at the meeting. Staff advised residents to pursue code‑compliance and planning review and said the commission could bring a resolution or recommendation to the council if it chooses to support formal neighborhood access and any improvements. Details: residents reported the homeowners’ association has 76 units and estimated at least 10 units would use a neighborhood pedestrian access; the commission referenced prior survey and mapping work and said a resurvey could be done at city cost if council supports it.