Borough assembly to review new land-use permit for larger buildings Dec. 8; new local roads, gas improvement districts okayed

The Matanuska Sustina Borough Assembly will take up a proposal to expand the borough’s authority to issue building permits at its Dec. 8 meeting.

The plan was discussed at the assembly’s Nov. 22 meeting but assembly members asked that action be delayed until the next meeting to allow further work.

The new plan, if adopted, would require new buildings of 480 square feet or more to secure a land-use permit. It would also apply to additions to existing buildings of 480 square feet.

However, it would not require a permit if the use of a building I changed, according to the proposal.

The borough has required land-use permits for buildings since 2007 but in 2011 the rule was changed to apply only to buildings within 75 feet of a water body.

The new proposal would apply to all structures.

In separate actions, the assembly approved two new road paving districts, The East Forest Grove Circle Local Improvement District and the Ridgefield and Drinkhouse road paving district, as well as a new natural gas distribution district along South Francine Street. Borough Manager Mike Brown is authorized to initiate work on the new districts and top set out assessment mechanisms for local property owners to share costs.

In another development Brown said a meeting has been set with Mat-Su legislators on Jan. 5 so the assembly can discuss regional priorities with the delegation. The meeting will be held at the Legislative Information Office.