Council delays major Title 16 land-development rewrite; schedules special meeting July 7

The Wasilla City Council postponed action on Ordinance Serial Number 2514 — a comprehensive rewrite of Title 16 (the city’s land-development code) — and scheduled a special meeting for July 7 to continue deliberations and accept written amendments.

Acting planner Crystal Mygard and the city attorney outlined a phased approach: Phase 1 tightens permitting language, reduces subjective administrative approvals and clarifies conditional-use and short-term rental rules; Phase 2 would address broader legislative changes such as rezones and a downtown overlay after the comprehensive plan process finishes.

Mygard told the council the rewrite addresses operational problems: the city’s administrative permit load increased from 88 approvals to 179 and the current code’s ambiguity makes some routine approvals time-consuming. The proposed Phase 1 code is intended to reduce processing time by converting certain subjective administrative reviews into clearer checklists and permitting pathways.

Council members said they support continued work but asked for time to prepare and circulate written amendments. Several council members said they still had unanswered technical questions and wanted a full packet of proposed amendments ahead of another meeting.

The council voted to postpone Ordinance 2514 to a special meeting at 6 p.m. on July 7. Staff said that if the council passes a Title 16 ordinance, there will be the standard 30‑day posting before it becomes effective, and that implementation will include iterative amendments as officials gain experience with the new rules.