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Planning Commission removes notification and fee for pre-existing nonconforming determinations
Summary
On April 6 the Planning Commission passed Resolution 26-03, recommending repeal of the notification and fee requirement in MSB 17.80; staff said the determination is ministerial, mailings take a few staff hours, and the minimum response window after notices is 15 days.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Planning Commission on April 6, 2026 adopted Resolution 26-03 by unanimous consent, recommending an ordinance to amend MSB 17.80 (non-conforming structures) to repeal the notification process and associated fee for determinations of pre-existing legal nonconforming status.
Planning Director Alex Strand told commissioners the determination of pre-existing legal nonconforming status is largely ministerial: staff reviews aerial imagery, assessment records and old documentation to determine whether a structure predates the current setback regime. "If you do meet the criteria, then you are issued the determination. If you don't, then you are not," Strand said. He said notification mailings and follow-up calls consume staff time and that removing the requirement would free staff to work on other permits.
Commissioners asked how much time the change would save; staff estimated the mailing and related work take "probably about a few hours" per application and noted the minimum response period after mailing is 15 days. The transcript did not specify the fee amount; staff described it only as a "small fee."
Commissioner McCabe moved to adopt Resolution 26-03 and Commissioner Glenn seconded. With no objections from commissioners present the resolution passed by unanimous consent; no public testimony was offered on the item.
Staff also announced an April 13 training on permitting and development topics for contractors and prospective developers.
