Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Subdivision topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning Board approves Toccoa subdivision and grants grade‑variance for existing road
Summary
The board approved SD018-23 to divide roughly five acres into two 2.23‑acre lots, approved a variance (VR01123) to exceed the 6% through‑road grade limit at an intersection and attached standard conditions and inspection requirements; vote was 7‑0.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough Planning Board voted unanimously Wednesday to approve SD018-23, the Toccoa Subdivision, which divides roughly five acres into two lots of approximately 2.23 acres and dedicates a 35‑foot road right‑of‑way.
Staff recommended approval with conditions and also recommended a variance (VR01123) to exceed the borough code’s 6% through‑road grade allowance at a road intersection. The board adopted the findings and the variance, and required that Strack Lane be improved to Pioneer Road standards and inspected by the borough engineer prior to final plat approval.
"The code citation is 17.56.100C7A," planning staff said during the presentation and explained that the existing grade south of the intersection exceeds the 6% standard within the 75‑foot zone required by the code. Staff said the borough engineer had accepted a "best fit" design from the applicant’s registered professional to match the existing grade beyond the required 75 feet and that meeting the strict code requirement would necessitate large fills and adversely affect adjacent driveways.
Applicant F. Lawrence Bennett, the project engineer, and property owner Martin Klein were sworn and described the access and design. Bennett said the road design can avoid an on‑site utility pole and that if the road is later upgraded to full local‑2 standards the pole would need to be moved at the developer’s expense.
Board member Leah Berman Williams moved approval; Mr. Cardente seconded. The roll call vote was recorded as yes from Ms. Williams, Mr. Perkins, Mr. LaVaughn, Mr. Pitney, Mr. Brooks, Mr. Cardente and Ms. Peterson (7‑0). The board also included standard plat notes and conditions related to the unauthorized division of land and inspection requirements.
The board’s decision spells out appeal rights: the decision may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment by filing a written notice with the clerk’s office within seven days of the decision.
