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Commission backs AFLAP grant letter for Chena Lake trail; Plaque Road design advanced but a formal approval vote was delayed
Summary
Staff sought the commission's recommendation for a borough letter supporting an AFLAP grant to tie a new Plaque Road entrance into a circumnavigational trail at Chena Lake. The commission approved a letter of support; an earlier attempt to formally urge the Planning Commission to approve Plaque Road was deferred because the agenda did not advertise an actionable vote.
Borough staff and consultants described a Plaque Road project to add a second entrance to Chena Lake, build a lake-facing parking lot (about 30 spaces) and a roughly 4,000-foot paved path to the day-use area. The project was developed after the 2023 project nomination and leverages FAST Planning funds (including CMAC and Carbon Reduction Program elements).
Consultant Trish Shlavasser and staff said the parking layout was moved east to provide a greater buffer from adjacent houses and to reduce vegetation clearing. The design includes a 10-foot paved asphalt path and aims to orient the first view for visitors toward the lake. "We settled on 30 spaces," the design team said, describing the tradeoff between more parking and limiting clearing near residences.
Procedural note and motion: Commissioner David Mongold moved that the Parks & Rec Commission support increased access at Plaque Road and encourage the Planning Commission to approve the project. Staff and the clerk raised procedural concerns that a recommendation to approve had not been advertised as a potential actionable item on the agenda; after a brief recess the chair concluded the commission could not take that action without proper notice, so the specific approval motion could not be carried that evening.
AFLAP letter of support: staff then asked for a letter recommending the borough mayor or Parks & Rec director submit a grant application to the Alaska Federal Lands Access Program (AFLAP) to support the trail tying into the Plaque Road entrance and to pursue a longer-term circumnavigational trail around Chena Lake. The commission moved and approved that recommendation by roll call (all commissioners voting in favor).
Why it matters: AFLAP funds transportation improvements that provide access to federal lands; staff noted the borough has had success with AFLAP in the past (e.g., road and campground improvements). The current AFLAP notice of funding opportunity has a statewide allocation (staff referenced a $7.5 million statewide allotment in discussion) and the application deadline is Oct. 31; staff requested a supportive commission letter so the borough can pursue the grant in time.
Clarifying details and next steps: staff explained that some elements remain contingent on funding (for example, restrooms) and that the project will come before the Planning Commission for local review (staff said Oct. 14 was the planning commission meeting date for local planning approval). Borough staff will incorporate commission comments, respond to public input and submit applications and environmental documentation as needed.
Ending: the commission recorded its support for a letter recommending borough grant application to AFLAP; the Plaque Road project remains in design and will return for Planning Commission review.
