Borough planning commission approves new businesses

PALMER — The Mat-Su Borough Planning Commission approved a number of new businesses during the month of June including a marijuana retail and cultivation facility in the Butte, a new liquor store and a full bar service to a restaurant in Big Lake.

The Mat-Su Borough Assembly also heard discussion on a road bond to be put before the voters in October worth nearly $60 million.

The assembly discussed a road bond totaling $54.85 million and then voted to add projects from the second tier. Assemblyman Matthew Beck opposed every motion to add projects to the bond citing overspending.

Tier 1 projects include Hemmer Road, Hermon Road, Mat-Su Borough School District pedestrian projects, Aspen Road, Cheri Lake Drive, Karen Drive, King Arthur Drive, Trunk Road extension south phase three, Tex-Al upgrade and extension, Fern Street upgrade, Seldon Road, Trunk Road and Lakes Boulevard.

Aardvark Catering and Pizza Company received a permit to operate a full bar after remodeling the east end of the South Port Marina Building. Claude Sherman Weinberger-Caruthers moved to Big Lake nine years ago and is a third generation restaurant owner.

“We will not be a bar ladies and gentlemen we will be a restaurant,” Weinberger-Caruthers said.

Weinberger-Caruthers moved to his wife’s family home and made it their family home nine years ago, bringing their catering company to Big Lake. Weinberger-Caruthers joked that in his long history in Alaskan restaurants he learned to dodge waitresses at a very young age. Weinberger-Caruthers noted the tragic boating accident in Big Lake last weekend.

“Big Lake has a lot of problems. This would be the next and final step for us to achieve this, it would put us in a place where we could support our family the way we want to. That mall is a difficult place to do business. With addition of this license it would help ensure our success in the family. I Intend on taking that success and pouring it back into the community,” Weinberger-Caruthers said.

The rest of the building will continue to operate as Big Lake Power Sports.

Weinberger-Caruthers added a stipulation to stay open until 2 a.m., on the New Years Eve holiday.

The MSB Planning Commission also approved construction of a 4,800-square-foot Valley Country Store which will operate a gas station and liquor store at the intersection of Trunk Road and Palmer Fishhook. Thirteen of the fifteen public comments received were in opposition.

“My concern is what went out to the public for comment is not what is actually happening. That’s a concern to me. I’m almost of the feeling that it needs to be resubmitted out to the public. If they thought it was only going to be open 8 a.m., till midnight, they based their comments on that. Now it’s substantially different because 24-7, 365 is a totally different animal,” Planning Commission Vice Chair Mary Anderson said.

Mat Su Cannabis Company will open July 7 across from The Green Store in the Butte, just past the intersection at the Old Glenn Highway and Bodenburg Loop.

Elizabeth Truett, owner of the Green Store, voiced her support of the business.

“What my customers are saying in my store on a daily basis is that they’re excited about it. They can’t wait until it opens,” Truett said.

Chad Ragsdale runs the store with his wife Dara and Patrick McKay, and have received nothing but positive feedback since purchasing the property last July They have offered walkthroughs to members of the community and feature a window that looks into the grow room from their retail facility. With retail experience at large corporations, Ragsdale has put in place a professional dress standard for his employees.

“We want to stay away from the ‘Cheech and Chong’ type stoner. It will be more like a brew pub or coffee shop. You walk in, it feels professional, everybody's smiling. We will offer good service and a good time… I think what the community wants. We have an older clientele... from my feeling that’s kind of what they want and what they’re looking for,” Ragsdale said.

The Mat-Su Cannabis Company will be open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., a time that was amended by the planning commission from midnight.

“I was pretty impressed with the clothing, that people had to dress professionally I thought that was really good,” Planning Commissioner Patricia Chesbro said.

The MSB Planning Commission also approved a hazard mitigation plan from the city of Houston. No one was available to present from the city of Houston, and the board deliberated over whether it was appropriate to vote.

“If the applicant is not expecting to be here and expects huge one inch thick thing to speak for them,” Planning Commissioner Chris Elder questioned.

The motion to vote on resolution 18-43 passed with only commissioners Anderson and Colleen Vague opposed, and later passed without opposition.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Tim Rockey at tim.rockey@frontiersman.com.