Planning board approves Mendon Subdivision second edition, vacates cul-de-sac

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Planning Board approved on March 19 both a vacation of part of a previously platted cul-de-sac (VA003-25) and final subdivision approval for Mendon Subdivision Second Edition (SD003-25), voting 5-0 on each action.

The board’s approvals allow 3 Tier Alaska, on behalf of the Interior Regional Housing Authority (IRHA), to subdivide approximately 30.87 acres into 19 lots ranging from about 40,650 to 53,190 square feet, plus one 9.41-acre remainder tract. The plan also removes a small portion of a cul-de-sac at the eastern terminus of Pleasure Drive and dedicates a new loop road (IRHA Loop) providing the primary access to the subdivision.

Staff said the proposed loop replaces the earlier cul-de-sac and provides two independent constructed road connections (Yucine Drive and Pleasure Drive), improving emergency access. The staff report noted floodplain issues along the Chena River corridor: roughly three-quarters of the site lies in Flood Zone X, about 25% in Flood Zone AE, and a narrow band adjacent to the river in the Chena River regulatory floodway; staff recommended that base flood elevation and benchmark requirements in Title 17 apply and that the base flood elevation be noted on the plan.

Key details and conditions

George Stephan, planning officer and staff contact, told the board the application includes conditions requiring that IRHA Loop be inspected and approved by the borough engineer, be centered in the right-of-way, and that appropriate road signage be installed in compliance with FNSBC 17.60.010D. The staff recommendation reflected those and other conditions; the approved motion referenced eight conditions and five findings of fact in the staff report.

IRHA testimony and lot management

Oliver Loftus, representing the applicant, said the proposal reflects prior approvals and that construction and road centering will conform to borough standards. Eugene Paul, identified as CEO of the Interior Regional Housing Authority, described the IRHA housing programs: an elder program (10-year turnover in some cases) and a family program (a 20-year homeownership pathway), and said IRHA will perform ongoing road maintenance and plowing for the development.

Public access, gravel pit and maintenance

Board members asked whether river access between lots 9 and 10 would be dedicated for public use; staff and the applicant said it is not proposed for public dedication and will instead identify who benefits on the plat. The large southern remainder contains a gravel pit; the applicant said some of that area could be further subdivided later depending on how construction and gravel extraction proceed. The applicant and staff said IRHA has handled prior road clearing and will maintain the road; the property is not being annexed into a road service area.

Board action and appeals

The board voted first to approve the cul-de-sac vacation (VA003-25) on a motion by Member Peterson, second by Member Perkins; roll call was 5-0 (Pitney, Perkins, Brooks, Peterson, Williams). The board then approved SD003-25 (Mendon Subdivision Second Edition) on a motion by Peterson, second by Perkins; roll call was 5-0. Staff noted that the assembly has 30 days to veto the planning board’s vacation decision under FNSB code 17.17.32.030F3 and that subdivision decisions may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment within seven days of the decision by filing a written notice with the clerk’s office.

Ending

The approvals allow IRHA to record the subdivision once road construction is complete and borough standards are met; staff and the applicant indicated they anticipate recording this summer pending completion of the required roadwork and engineer inspections.