The Fairbanks North Star Borough Planning Board on June 18 approved SD15-25, the West Chatonica River Recreational Subdivision, a 54‑lot proposal covering about 459 acres zoned Remote Recreation Site, and granted two variances that waive borough standards for constructed access in favor of cleared and brushed trail rights-of-way.

Kellen Spielman, director of community planning, said the project is one of the largest subdivisions the borough has considered recently and emphasized it ties to the borough’s comprehensive plan and a recent rezone to the new Remote Recreation Site district. Spielman said the smallest proposed lot is about 5 acres and the largest about 19 acres. The proposal includes dedication of Pete Simpson Memorial Road and four additional interior rights-of-way.

Daniel Welch, manager of Natural Resource Development, told the board the borough intends to dispose of the properties for recreational use and that cooperation with state forestry helped shape the access approach. He said the borough and the state agreed the corridor would be useful for forestry and public access, and that forestry would fund significant survey and construction work where it elects to build a forestry road.

Staff recommended approval of two variances: VR012-25 to waive constructed access to the subdivision boundary and VR013-25 to waive borough-standard constructed access for internal rights-of-way, provided the rights-of-way are cleared and brushed to an 8-foot width and signed as trails to ensure legal and emergency access. The board approved the subdivision with five conditions and four findings of fact and adopted the variances with the conditions; the motion carried 7–0.

Staff noted one recorded dependency: the previously approved right-of-way dedication (the item heard earlier in the meeting) must be recorded before SD15-25 can be recorded. The board’s decision is subject to the standard seven-day appeal period to the Board of Adjustment.