Platting board approves vacation of platted easement in Jordall (Gor Dole) Estates

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Platting Board approved a petition to vacate a 50-foot platted (section-line labeled) easement along the western boundary of Lot 6, Block 6, Jordall (Gor Dole) Estates (plat 77-179).

Platting staff said the recorded easement originated on historic plats but does not provide legal access to adjacent parcel A5 because it touches A5 only at a corner and the terrain is steep. Staff recommended approval with conditions and noted that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers identified a stream on the property; any work in the stream could require a permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344).

Wayne Wal North, representing the owners and the petitioner, explained that earlier plats sometimes labeled section-line easements that were not tied to surveyed section monuments and that the mapped easement here does not yield practical driveway access to A5 due to steep grade and drainage features. Members of the public raised concerns that vacating would remove access for A5; staff and the petitioner’s surveyor countered that the easement never provided usable access and that alternatives would be required to create legal access if A5 is sold in the future.

After discussion a board member moved to approve the vacation with the stipulated conditions; the motion was seconded, no objections were recorded, and the board approved the vacation.

The staff packet records agency responses (including Army Corps and Department of Farming authorization notes) and explains that if applicants plan any work in waterways, appropriate federal permits will be required before on-the-ground work proceeds.