Matanuska-Susitna Borough planning commission hears public concerns about Safe Streets plan; staff says core area boundary won't change

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Planning Commission on March 3, 2025 heard public concerns about the borough's proposed Safe Streets for All Comprehensive Safety Action Plan and approved its consent agenda, which introduced two quasi-judicial conditional-use permit items and one legislative resolution for later action.

Resident Esther Huddleston addressed the commission during audience participation about Resolution 25-03, the Safe Streets plan. "I have questions and concerns in regards to the plan," Huddleston said. She asked, "Is that comprehensive safety plan going to expand the core area?" and raised concerns about a referenced $160,000 expenditure for an all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) campaign and additional non-motorized signage she fears could be framed as anti-ATV messaging.

Staff member Alex Strahan responded during directors' comments that the Safe Streets plan would not change the borough's core area boundary. "One thing I can say for certain is that the Safe Streets for All plan will not change the core area boundary. The core area boundary is established by code," Strahan said. He also said staff would provide details about the $160,000 question at the next meeting.

The meeting's consent agenda, approved without objection, included introductions for three items that will return for public hearing or later action: Resolution 25-01, a conditional-use permit under MSB 17.67 to construct a 55-foot lattice telecommunications tower at 4075 South Lindsay Circle (applicant Sierra Larson for New Horizons Telecom Incorporated; staff: Rick Benedict, current planner); Resolution 25-02, a conditional-use permit under MSB 17.3 to extract approximately 1,028,000 cubic yards of gravel over 10 years at two addresses in the Harold Gershmehl subdivision (applicant Paul Minnick for Big Dipper Construction; staff: Rick Benedict); and Resolution 25-03, a legislative resolution supporting assembly adoption of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Safe Streets for All Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (staff: Jamie Taylor, civil engineer). The commission approved the consent agenda as written after no objections were raised.

Strahan also updated the commission on a separate matter involving a previously considered conditional-use permit for a business identified as Shoreline Cannabis. He said the Board of Adjustments and Appeals reversed the planning commission's decision with conditions, and that the borough's legal department filed an appeal to superior court in December 2024. Strahan advised commissioners to refrain from discussing the matter because the court could remand the case back to the commission.

Staff announced personnel changes: the commission was told a development services manager candidate, Wade Long, has been selected and a planning support specialist, Rebecca Scottog, has been promoted to current planner. The precise start date for the development services manager was not specified during the meeting.

The commission convened at 6 p.m., handled a short agenda that included the consent items and public comment, and adjourned at about 6:11 p.m. Staff said they will provide additional detail about the proposed $160,000 outreach item tied to the Safe Streets plan at the commission's next meeting.

Votes at a glance: the commission approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda without recorded objections; no formal votes on the introduced conditional-use permits or Resolution 25-03 were taken at this meeting (each item was only introduced for future hearing or action).