The Fairbanks North Star Borough Planning Board on July 16 approved SD017‑25, Aspen Hillside Estates (first edition), a subdivision that splits roughly 75.7 acres into a 10‑acre lot and a 65.7‑acre remainder, and granted a variance to allow the existing Ski Boot Hill Road to serve as constructed access to the subdivision boundary. The motion passed 8–0.

Staff said the request relies on a provision that permits lots of 5 acres or larger (or creating five or fewer lots) to use Pioneer access‑road construction standards rather than the minor‑collector standard. Planning Officer David Ryzicka said the inspected stretch of Ski Boot Hill Road meets the Pioneer standard — it is at least 16 feet wide, adequately drained and of stable material — and that borough reviewers including the borough engineer and fire department did not object. "This is essentially a one‑time thing," Ryzicka said, explaining that further subdivision would require upgrading the road to minor‑collector standard.

The staff recommendation included six conditions to be carried to the final plat, including that several plat notes (notably parent‑plat note 6) be carried forward, a note warning of possible emergency access delays because the road does not meet minor‑collector standards, and a clarification that the deemed‑constructed status applies only to this subdivision and cannot be relied on for future subdivisions. Staff also noted the affected easements include a 60‑foot public easement and that part of the route crosses Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Section 17(b) lands administered by Cook Inlet Region, Inc., which affects how legal access is established.

Applicant representative Ryan Hunt of 3 Tier Alaska told the board the borough had reviewed the road and that the request follows conditions set by the prior owner; he said the application would create one 10‑acre lot and leave the remainder as a larger tract. Board members asked whether the road is currently maintained by a road service or the borough, and staff said maintenance was not shown as a borough or DOT responsibility and that working with rural road services would be the developer's obligation if maintenance inclusion were pursued.

Board member Ms. Petersen moved to approve the combined subdivision and variance with staff findings and conditions; Mr. Crook seconded. After discussion and clarification from staff, the board voted 8–0 to approve. The decision may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment by filing a written notice with the clerk's office within seven days.

The board record notes that if the variance were denied the subdivision could not be approved, and that any future subdividing of the tracts will require road upgrades to meet the minor‑collector standard before additional lots could be created.