Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Borough approves rezoning of about 2,200 acres near Salcha after planning backing
Loading...
Summary
The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly on Jan. 15 adopted an ordinance to rezone roughly 2,192 acres north of Johansen Road and east of the Richardson Highway from general-use to rural and agricultural, following staff and Planning Commission recommendation; vote was 9-0.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly unanimously adopted an ordinance Jan. 15 to rezone about 2,192 acres in the Salcha area from General Use (GU-1) to Rural and Agricultural (RA-10).
Sarah Bingham, a planner with the borough, said the request was evaluated against Title 18 rezone approval criteria and that "we found that this rezone request does meet the title 18 rezone approval criteria." Kevin McKinley, chair of the Planning Commission, told the Assembly the commission recommended approval on a 7-1 vote following staff reports and testimony from the Department of Natural Resources.
Colin Craven, representing the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, described the state's role and sale process for the subdivided parcels, saying the first phase would be sold by the department's standard auction procedures and that "the first phase looks like 17 lots" in the initial subdivision, which will inform future phases. Craven added that most parcels would be sold without agricultural covenants but that some later parcels could include agricultural restrictions consistent with state land-use designations.
Assemblymembers asked about access and roads, buildable sites and community input. Bingham said the development-capability analysis shows a range of buildable areas inside the black outline of the rezone map but noted that many parcels have good development potential. Craven said an existing dirt roadway (Sullywood Road) exists within a dedicated right-of-way and that the proposal would realign and require constructing roughly 1,000 feet of new road to a pioneer standard as part of platting.
During Q&A, staff reiterated that preliminary plat approval is required before final platting and sale and that a realistic timeline would likely put initial sales a couple of years after final approvals, depending on required construction and appraisal timelines. The ordinance was moved by Assemblymember Guttenberg and seconded by Assemblymember Wilson; the roll-call vote was recorded as 9-0 in favor.
The Assembly record shows the Planning Commission heard the request Oct. 28 and that staff had engaged with nearby property owners. Supporters and staff emphasized large lot sizes and maintaining rural character in the RA-10 district; assembly members pressed for attention to legal access and trail preservation during the platting process.
The ordinance sponsor was Mayor Grier Hopkins. Next steps include planning-board hearings on the preliminary plat and required platting, appraisal for auction, and subsequent state sale procedures if plats and approvals are successful.
