Easement request decision delayed

Borough, state say traffic study needed for site of proposed Palmer Wal-Mart

January 13, 2006

DARRELL L. BREESE\Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - Mat-Su Borough officials on Monday postponed making a decision on Wal-Mart's request for extension of an easement that would help people access its proposed new superstore, as both the borough and the Alaska Department of Transporta-tion and Public Safety wanted further study of the traffic in the area.

The postponement came about because a recent state study found that major issues remain unaddressed in a traffic analysis for the proposed Wal-Mart site.

&#8220Chief among the concerns is the addition of a busy road near homes and a popular exercise path,” said Ron Swanson, the borough's director of community development.

The easement would help extend Felton Street from W. Arctic Avenue to the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, and the extension will provide alternate access between the Palmer-Wasilla Highway and West Arctic Avenue in accordance with a June 2003 traffic study completed by the city of Palmer.

An application has also been made to the city of Palmer for a large retail establishment permit to locate a Wal-Mart Superstore along the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. The new Felton Street would serve the proposed store.

As a part of the city's permit process, a traffic-impact analysis has been completed by Lounsbury and Associates. Both the city and the state of Alaska DOT must approve the TIA.

Wal-Mart will construct the road, which is proposed to have two lanes, a continuous turn lane, a sidewalk and a bicycle lane. Wal-Mart is considering locating its store on land directly south of Palmer High School.

Lounsbury and Asso-ciates, on behalf of Wal-Mart Inc., applied to the borough's land and resource management division for the easement, which would combine with existing footage to build the

extension.

Over the next several weeks, it is expected the state, city, and Louns-bury/Wal-Mart will work to develop a suitable traffic plan for the site. Once that plan is developed, the borough will schedule a public hearing, probably in early spring.

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or at darrell.breese@ frontiersman.com.