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Board approves vacation of 66‑foot section‑line easement corridor on Salcha Drive (VA005‑26)
Summary
After staff said the 66‑foot section‑line corridor had not been used for access or utilities and that Salter Drive provides state‑maintained access, the planning board approved VA005‑26 with eight conditions (including flood‑zone language and base flood elevation) by a 7‑0 vote.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough Planning Board voted unanimously on Jan. 21 to approve VA005‑26, vacating a 66‑foot section‑line easement corridor within Lot 6 (US Survey 3208) near the northwest side of Harding Lake. Staff recommended approval with eight conditions and three findings of fact, noting the corridor was discontinuous, had never been used for access to Lot 6 or adjacent lots, and that Salter Drive — a state‑maintained road — provides legal access to the parcel.
Staff member (identified in the record as Dave Rizicka / Mr. Resica) told the board the corridor "has never been used for access to either Lot 6 or any other lot in this area" and that similar section‑line vacations occurred on adjacent lots in 1970 and 2022. The staff report recommended amended flood‑zone language and showing a base flood elevation of 720 feet on the final plat as part of the eight conditions.
Board members asked technical questions about whether Salter Drive ties northward into other section‑line easements or state land and whether vacating the corridor would impede potential future roads or utilities (including natural gas). Staff said the corridor continues into state land in places but is not continuous for recreation access and that the Salter Drive right‑of‑way provides a practical access alternative.
Mr. Brooks raised concerns about a Golden Valley power line mentioned in the agency utility review and whether a centered power‑line easement (rather than a lot‑line easement) should be recorded. Staff explained code requires lot‑line easements when needed for planned facilities but does not mandate interior easements to document existing facilities; the utility may pursue owner‑to‑owner easements outside plat conditions.
The board moved and seconded approval of VA005‑26 with eight conditions and adopted the three findings of fact. The motion passed 7‑0. The clerk reminded the board that the Assembly has 30 days to veto vacation decisions and provided contact information for the clerk's office.
The applicant did not present additional documents and no members of the public signed up to speak. The planning board’s approval is subject to the stated conditions and the standard Assembly veto period.
