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Assembly approves sale of borough agricultural parcels to Mark and Sandra Stahl under Title 23 covenants
Summary
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly on March 6 approved Ordinance 25-018 to convey remaining borough interest in two agricultural parcels to Mark and Sandra Stahl, converting the properties to fee-simple title while preserving agricultural covenants under MSB Title 23.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly voted to adopt Ordinance 25-018 on March 6, conveying the borough’s remaining interest in specified agricultural parcels to Mark and Sandra Stahl and implementing agricultural covenants and restrictions under Borough Title 23.
The staff presentation said the ordinance is part of an ongoing ag-land conversion program approved by the Assembly in 2022. "This conversion program allows the ag rights holder to obtain fee simple title, but the property must continue to be used for agricultural purpose in perpetuity," staff said during the hearing.
Why it matters: The change replaces an older system under former Title 13, which previously split agricultural rights and retained development rights with the borough. Under Title 23, buyers receive fee-simple title while covenants that require continued agricultural use remain attached to the land. Borough staff and several assembly members said the change reduces red tape for landowners and makes financing simpler for farmers.
Staff explained the difference to the Assembly, noting that Title 13 required property owners to return to the borough for many changes on their property, including building structures. Susie, a borough land-management staff member, told the Assembly the Title 23 process "conveys fee simple rights" while keeping the agricultural covenants in place so parcels remain dedicated to farming and cannot be developed for housing.
Assembly members asked about enforcement and subdivisions. The borough attorney explained that covenants include a reverter clause and that, if a buyer violated the covenants, the borough could seek to enforce the covenant or pursue reversion through legal action. Assemblymember Tim Hale noted one covenant limits subdivision to a single subdivision up to four parcels and requires each parcel be at least 40 acres; staff confirmed that the planning board would not approve subdivisions that violate those covenants.
The ordinance drew no public opposition at the hearing. Deputy Mayor moved adoption; the Assembly took no recorded roll-call objections and the ordinance was passed.
Clarifying details and next steps: Staff said public comments raised a separate trail-access concern crossing the property; that access issue was distinct from the conveyance decision and will be handled separately. The purchased parcels will remain subject to the Title 23 agricultural covenants "in perpetuity," according to the staff presentation.
Notes: The ordinance was introduced with a staff report, followed by a public hearing with no sign-ups, a motion to adopt by the Deputy Mayor, and passage on the floor. The land-sale and conversion process is the same program the Assembly approved in 2022 to reduce constraints on farmers and to facilitate financing while preserving agricultural use.
