Wasilla planning commission approves minutes; planner reports surge in permits, staffing steps and animal-control questions

The Wasilla Planning Commission approved its consent agenda and heard a department update on March 11, 2025, at the regular 6 p.m. meeting in the Wasilla City Council chambers.

City Planner Wellman told commissioners the planning office is preparing for a marked increase in permit applications and is introducing internal tools and procedures to handle the load, including a Teams channel for interdepartmental coordination, expanded pre-application meetings and additional staff training. "We are just cranking them out right now, fast and furious," Wellman said.

The report outlined several specific operational efforts: verifying addressing and unit designations, a preliminary review process for proposed street-name changes that would go to council and the commission, closer coordination between business licensing and code compliance, and development of a routing flowchart for interdepartmental sign-offs. Wellman said the department is following up on outstanding items tied to Conditional Use 2403 and has held a follow-up meeting with Basil Ginger to review permitting concerns.

Commissioners discussed animal-control coverage inside city limits after Commissioner Landgill said the city has no dedicated animal-control facility and that the Mat Su Borough currently responds inside the city. Landgill noted the commission previously passed a resolution recommending additional code-compliance support; Brown and others asked staff to check whether council had acted on that recommendation and whether the upcoming budget cycle could include funding for added staff.

Wellman described ongoing recruitment for a part-time administrative assistant to free up the planning clerk for permit work and to help with file retrieval and records preparation; she said the position posting would close within a day or two. When asked about staffing levels, Wellman said "Just myself and Julia," indicating two staff in the planning department.

Other items in the planner's report included work on a comprehensive-plan survey, collaboration with IT to set up a Teams channel for shared agendas and documents with other departments such as the fire marshal and public works, and routine business-license consultations to ensure applicants submit required land-use permits before final licensing.

On the consent agenda, Commissioner Stafford moved to approve the minutes (regular meeting minutes for Feb. 11, 2025, and Feb. 25, 2025); Commissioner Landgill seconded the motion. With no discussion, the motion was approved.

Chair Seals noted there were no scheduled public-hearing items and no speakers signed up for public comment. The meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m.

What happens next: Wellman said the commission will hold a training session with the city attorney and city clerk at a future meeting (she described it as "on the 20 fifth of this month") and encouraged commissioners to be prepared for a heavier permit docket at the next regular meeting.