Assembly defeats proposal to require public notice and hearing for multifamily permits

An ordinance that would have required public notice and a public hearing for borough multifamily development permits failed after debate at the Jan. 21 Matanuska‑Susitna Borough Assembly meeting.

The proposal, brought by Assemblymember Tim Hale, would have changed the planning rules so that once planning staff declared a multifamily development application complete, the planning director would notify property owners within 600 feet, advertise the application in the newspaper and hold a public hearing at which the director would sit at the dais to hear testimony and then issue a decision appealable to the Boroughs Board of Adjustment and Appeals.

Planning director Alex Strawn told the assembly the change would substantially increase staff time and slow permit turnaround. "Right now, it's 10 days from the time that you have a complete application. This would turn it into a 2 to 3 month process," Strawn said during his staff report.

Supporters of the change, including representatives of the North Lakes Community Council, told the assembly they wanted the public to have a predictable way to learn of nearby multifamily developments and to raise mitigation ideas such as screening or access changes. Rod Hansen, speaking for the North Lakes council, said public notice often leads to modest mitigation rather than outright denials.

Builders and trade groups opposed the ordinance, saying added public hearings and notice would increase cost and delay for housing projects already in short supply. Steve Pinone, representing the Mat‑Su Home Builders, said the ordinance "would create additional cost and increase barriers to affordable housing and development" and urged the assembly to reject it.

The planning commission had considered the same change and failed to adopt a supporting resolution unanimously; commissioners said the change would add staff workload and time without a clear benefit.

Outcome: Assemblymember Hale moved to adopt the ordinance. The motion failed; the clerk recorded that only Assemblymember Hale and Assemblymember Dee McKee voted in support while the remaining members opposed the change.

Ending: With the motion defeated, multifamily development permits remain subject to the existing administrative approval process, which the planning director has said typically issues decisions within 10 days after a complete application unless additional review is required.