Planning board continues review of Smith's Subdivision after residents raise safety, water and wetlands concerns

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Planning Board on July 3 continued consideration of the preliminary plat for Smith's Subdivision, a proposal to divide one parcel of about 474.893 acres into 57 lots, to its August 7 meeting at the petitioner’s request and per staff recommendation.

Planning technician Matthew Goddard told the board the petitioner requested a continuance to allow time to address comments from the borough Department of Public Works, pre-design and engineering division and to provide a revised drainage plan. Goddard said a revised plat and plan/profile were submitted too late to include in the July packet and planning staff therefore recommended the hearing be moved to August 7. Staff also reported that 85 public notices were mailed regarding the case on June 10, 2025.

The board opened the item for public testimony and heard more than a dozen residents and trail users who described concerns about traffic and parking near trailheads, seasonal drainage and wetlands, septic systems and groundwater, and potential flood risk.

Bill Collins, a neighbor, said the proposal to allow parking alongside an extension of East Smith Road would “create a dangerous situation,” arguing that trail users often park near the trailhead, unload equipment in the roadway and allow children and pets to run free. Collins estimated weekend parking sometimes “regularly exceeds 35 to 40 vehicles” and said the proposed locations would force vehicles to back into traffic.

Lisonbee Collins, who identified herself as having grown up at the end of Kennedy Circle, raised wetland concerns and said the intermittent stream on the north side of the subdivision “flows 6 weeks or more each year depending on snowmelt and rainfall” and that grading, road cuts and septic installations could redirect or disrupt that flow. She urged that the stream “should not be redirected or manipulated in any way either above or below ground.”

Other residents raised related concerns. Newt Bingham described uncertainty in grading and said the planned 40-foot road template plus ditches could require greater cuts into adjoining property and questioned the absence of a proposed utility easement for underground power. Larry White and Bill Wythe told the board they feared additional wells would deplete local aquifers and that the area has a history of seasonal flooding; Wythe cited prior events when surface water ran for weeks across properties. Diane Wilson and other homeowners described low-yield or poor-quality private wells and periodic septic flooding, saying more homes could worsen those problems.

Some speakers also objected to changes to existing trail access. Michelle Lehi and others opposed a proposed reroute of the Morgan Horse Trail, saying current use patterns and trail counters show heavy use and that certain reroutes would place trails closer to private residences.

Craig Bennett, representing the petitioner (S4 Group), told the board the petitioner agreed with staff that a continuance was appropriate to resolve outstanding comments.

After public testimony, a planning board member moved to continue the preliminary plat consideration to August 7, 2025; another member seconded the motion. The chair called for objections and none were raised, and the continuance was recorded.

Planning staff said updated materials would be posted about two weeks before the August 7 hearing and encouraged interested parties to contact the planning office for interim information.

Why it matters: The subdivision would introduce dozens of new homes, driveways, septic systems and potential parking demand adjacent to popular trails and through an area several residents described as hydrologically sensitive. The board’s decision to continue the item gives staff and the petitioner additional time to supply drainage plans and to address public works comments before the board makes a decision on the preliminary plat.

Next steps: The planning board will take up Smith's Subdivision again at the August 7, 2025 meeting; planning staff will include the revised drainage plan and updated plat materials in the packet posted prior to that hearing.