Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Subdivision topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning board approves Karnet Subdivision and two access variances for Old Valdez Trail
Summary
The Fairbanks North Star Borough Planning Board approved SD 004-26 (Karnet Subdivision), dividing about 11.68 acres into three lots and granting two variances (VR00826, VR00926) for direct lot access onto Old Valdez Trail, by a 9-0 roll-call vote after staff and applicant testimony on road access and historical land division.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough Planning Board on Dec. 17 approved SD 004-26, known as the Karnet Subdivision, and granted two variances (VR00826 and VR00926) that allow direct lot access onto Old Valdez Trail.
George Stephan, a planning officer with the Department of Community Planning, told the board the proposal would divide approximately 11.68 acres into three lots of roughly 3.32 to 3.44 acres each and includes dedication of 50 feet of right-of-way that will abut an existing 50-foot dedication to create a 100-foot right-of-way. "The annual average daily traffic count or AADT is 130 for this area," Stephan said in the staff presentation, and he noted the posted speed limit is 30 miles per hour.
Stephan described two variances from Fairbanks North Star Borough code 17.56.010F for direct lot access onto a major collector: one for an existing driveway serving proposed Lot 1 and a second for a proposed common driveway easement to serve Lots 2 and 3. Staff recommended approval, citing sight distance, the roadway conditions and an engineering inspection that deemed the road adequately drained and of stable material. Stephan also said the subdivision resulted from an unauthorized division of land created in 1978 and that conditions would limit further subdivision until legal, constructed road access meeting borough standards is provided.
Applicant Karen Tilton said the Karnet parcel is the only piece in the roughly 80-acre area that had not gone through the borough subdivision or waiver process and described local access patterns. "So all of [the other parcels] were either platted or part of plat waivers," Tilton said, adding that buses continue to use the turnaround near the proposed Lot 1 and that, informally, the road gets maintained even though neither DOT nor the road service area officially claims that segment.
Board members questioned staff and the applicant about why Old Valdez Trail is classified as a major collector despite sections that are gravel and not formally maintained, and about who maintains the unclaimed portion in winter. Stephan explained the classification reflects the road's function as the main through corridor feeding to the Richardson Highway and said there are plans tied to service-area changes that could lead to formal maintenance of the short unmaintained section.
Ms. Peterson moved to approve the subdivision with the staff report, 11 conditions and 12 findings of fact, and to adopt findings supporting both variances; Mr. Pitney seconded. The motion passed by roll call 9-0. The chair noted the decision may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment within seven days by filing a written notice with the clerk's office.
Votes at a glance: agenda and consent (motion to approve agenda and consent agenda as read) — moved by Ms. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Pitney; approved by roll call 9-0. Karnet Subdivision SD 004-26 with variances VR00826 and VR00926 — moved by Ms. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Pitney; approved by roll call 9-0.
The board closed the hearing and proceeded to brief board comments and holiday acknowledgements before adjourning at 6:43 p.m. The next regular planning board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 21, 2026.
