Planning commission postpones Denali State Park RV campground hearing after staff flags notice errors

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Planning Commission on Dec. 16, 2024 postponed consideration of Resolution 24-33, a conditional-use permit application for the construction and operation of an RV campground resort at Milepost 135.7 in Denali State Park, after staff said the project's public noticing did not meet the requirements of MSB 17.17.

Peggy Horton, a planner in the borough’s development services division, told the commission staff had identified a problem with the mailed notices and recommended delaying the hearing so the borough could re-mail notices to a larger set of property owners. “We are prepared to send out these updated notices this week,” Horton said, describing an expanded mailing that would cover private inholdings within about 3.5 miles of the subject parcel and e-mail several community councils outside their formal boundaries.

Horton said the code for the Denali State Park Special Land Use District (MSB 17.17) requires mailed notice to property owners within 600 feet of the subject parcel or to the owners of the five closest tax parcels, whichever yields more recipients. Staff found that the original mailings reached only two properties (two parcels owned by the same owner) plus the subject-property owner — a distribution staff considered insufficient under the borough’s operations policy.

Jason Ortiz, deputy director of planning and land use, warned commissioners that opening the hearing would change procedural timing: “The moment you open a hearing, you’re gonna have 30 days to make a decision,” he said, suggesting commissioners consider the procedural consequences of proceeding without corrected notice.

Assistant borough attorney Shannon Beaudellet told the commission it was appropriate to hear staff on the limited question of whether to continue the hearing without opening the full public hearing on the permit. “I do believe it would be appropriate for them to hear from staff on the limited issue on whether or not they oppose the continuance, without opening the public hearing,” Beaudellet said.

Several commissioners supported postponement. “If all we’re asking for is a relatively short delay till after the holidays, I think it’s a reasonable request that we should grant it,” Commissioner Allen said.

Commissioner Glenn moved to postpone Resolution 24-33 to Jan. 6; Commissioner McCabe seconded. There was no recorded objection, and the chair declared the resolution postponed to Jan. 6 by voice consensus. Horton told the commission the applicant had agreed to the delay by phone.

Next steps are procedural: staff will send the expanded notice described at the meeting and share information by e-mail with community councils the staff believes should be informed. The commission will take up Resolution 24-33 at its Jan. 6 meeting.