Longtime Valley resident discusses zoning

A Spectrum, by Natalie T. Vroman

Our family homesteaded and have lived in this area since 1953, 10 years or so longer than the Mat-Su Borough has been in existence.

All residents should be aware of the following information. The borough encompasses approximately 26,000 square miles. The following five New England states and their square mile areas are: Connecticut (5,009), Delaware (2,057) Massachusetts (8,257), New Hampshire (9,304) and Rhode Island (1,214), which together (25,841) approximate our area. Within these states reside nearly 13 million people.

Should the country of Switzerland (15,941 square miles) be somehow implanted upon our borough, it would leave a border of nearly 15 miles within our boundaries. It has well over 7 million inhabitants.

If we comprehend the populations of the above, we agree it is important to have land-use regulations, but, if we regard the population of our borough (in the neighborhood of 45,000-50,000) we must wonder if there are enough of us to be told what, when and how to regulate the use, type and number of persons to put on the land. This "crowding" that seems to excite some people is the result of a land scarcity brought about by a lack of land sales by the borough.

There was a time when three or four land auctions were being held which brought nearly $2 million per auction and the price of land was a couple of hundred dollars per acre. These revenues were dedicated to paying off construction bonds for schools and purchasing recreation sites from private owners as well as making improvements to public land sites.

Land sales now appear to be special negotiated deals. We spend a good amount of money merely accounting the inventory of land that was selected back in 1966. If these lands were placed upon the market one wonders what price they would generate before they were zoned and what price after?

We pay the taxes, the mortgages, the insurance and keep up the maintenance of land and property. With zoning we end up with "silent partners" with as much say or more about the use than we. Most of us neither want nor do we need micro-management of our lives.

If the administration, planning department and mayor's office feel the overwhelming desire of the people is to have zoning, does that mean that personal or written contact by a great many people requested it? If the planners are relying upon the advisory vote, a small percentage of people was represented out of our 45,000-50,000 constituents.

Has the assembly and public been informed as to the size of the enforcement squad and budget that will be required? If it grows like the other functions of the borough, we'll be giving our kids a Third-World education so we can afford zoning. I don't feel it is right for every property owner in the borough to pay for some misguided soul found in violation of a regulation to be prosecuted.

The borough and its planners would be much more helpful if they would finally address the protection of our aquifer for the "core area." Planning is supposed to be out in front on matters that affect our health instead of reacting to a supposed neighborhood conflict with zoning laws. The concern for the water quality coming into the area from the mountains and flowing to the inlet was raised by my own concern at a public hearing on zoning in 1983. Nothing appears to have been done nor does it appear to be a current concern. To me that is a very serious lack of planning.

We seemed to have forgotten that this borough ranges from Lake Louise to Rainy Pass and from Summit on the railroad to Cook Inlet. It is a result of some forward thinking individuals who back in 1963 fought for its establishment and foresaw a viable community evolving. The "core area" is not the borough. It is time for the planners to make some field trips and envision the needs of a far greater population.

While on our homestead and up to the present time I have reared children, made property decisions, selected positions of livelihood and generally lived life without interfering in the lives of others and their choice of home, business or lifestyle. Now, if I could just persuade the professional planners that I feel adequate, not helpless or incapable of managing without their assistance, life would be a lot less frustrating.

Natalie T. Vroman is a Palmer resident.