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Board grants variance for Star Lake 2, allowing 11-lot subdivision despite non-dedicated access
Summary
The planning board approved a variance from MSB 432120 and the preliminary plat for Star Lake 2 (11 lots), after staff recommended conditions; petitioner clarified historical master-plan context and right-of-way widths, and US Army Corps flagged potential aquatic resources requiring permitting if work is needed.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Planning Board approved a variance request and preliminary plat for Star Lake 2 on May 7, allowing the creation of 11 lots and accepting a variance from MSB 432120 regarding legal access where a dedicated right-of-way or easement does not exist.
Planning staff Chris Kerlin corrected a staff-report date and explained the variance application responds to a location where the existing access is not dedicated as a right-of-way. Kerlin said soil testing (nine test holes by Holler Engineering) shows each proposed lot meets borough requirements for usable building and septic area, and staff recommended approval with five findings and six conditions. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commented that aquatic resources may exist on the property and a permit would be required if dredging or filling is necessary.
Petitioner representative Gary LaRusso of Keystone Surveying told the board the property had been part of a 1978 master plan and that historical expectations for a right-of-way support the variance request; he also corrected a map typo about a 50-foot versus 30-foot right-of-way elsewhere on the plat. LaRusso confirmed internal roads are planned to be 60 feet wide once constructed.
Board members asked clarifying questions about the variance, confirmation of right-of-way widths and whether water service in nearby Sherwood Estates would be used; Kerlin said there were no department objections in the staff report at the time it was written. A board member moved to approve the variance and the preliminary plat contingent on staff recommendations; a second was recorded and the motion passed on a voice vote with no objections.
Kerlin noted there were no objections from borough departments or outside agencies at the time the staff report was prepared, though MEA did not respond and the Army Corps raised the aquatic-resources note. The record shows 72 public notices were mailed on 04/14/2026.
