Mat-Su assembly delays contentious proposals on lakefront building, electric transmission lines restrictions

The Matanuska Borough Assembly ticked through a lengthy agenda Tuesday night, Sept. 26, approving a new non-motorized transportation plan that will increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists and a revised plan for community transportation to help seniors and disabled persons get to medical and other appointments.

Two controversial items were delayed, one a “setback” requirement for property owners along lakes and streams who are planning to build and a second proposal to establish requirements for electric transmission lines built in residential areas.

The electric transmission line ordinance was debated but delayed until January to allow more work to be done on it. The setback proposal, which would eliminate an existing restriction of building within 75 feet of a lake shore, was put off until September, 2024. An advisory committee was also formed to work on a new version of the proposal. Assemblyman Rob Yundt, who is a contractor, said the existing rule makes it difficult for property owners to get financing to sell or remodel structures built within the restricted area, a problem for owners of an estimated 700 buildings who are in violation.

In other announcements at the meeting, borough manager Mike Brown said the borough’s junk-vehicle removal program is now in effect. Up to three derelict vehicles can be removed per property parcel with up to $200 per vehicle paid under the program.

Brown also said the borough has been notified of a $1 million award of federal funds to help pay for a 75-ton cargo crane at Mat-Su’s Port MacKenzie. The funds came through a competitive grant process and the borough was one of eight proposals awarded nationwide, he said.

In another development, reconstruction and repairs of a rock revetment providing flood control and stream bank protection at Talkeetna are now under way, Brown said. The project involves placement of 3,000 tons of rip-rap, or heavy blocks of rock, to repair damage from floods. Western Construction Co. has been contracted to do the work.

Brown also said the ground-breaking for the new Mat-Su Central School is planned for Oct. 3. A building for the school has long been a priority for the school district and the borough.

Amy Spargo, president of the Arctic Winter Games 2024 Host Society, told the assembly her group is nearing its fund-raising goal for the event now 170 days out. Fund-raising continues, however, because $400,000 must still be raised to meet the total budget. The budget is $7.4 million and the games organizers expect to keep to that, Spargo said.

Among cash contributions the state Legislature has made one $2 million contribution and another last spring for $1.5 million. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough contributed $475,000 and the Rasmuson Foundation another $475,000. Another contribution is expected to be announced soon by the Mat-Su Health Foundation.

Another $750,000 will coming through various in-kind contributions including from the borough, which will include the use of facilities.

Also important, Spargo said, is that 900 people have signed up so far to serve as volunteers. However, 2,000 volunteers are needed by December, she said. Training of volunteers will begin in January, she said.

The ordinance on electric transmission lines, action on which has been delayed, prompted a lengthy discussion at the meeting. Matanuska Electric Association has criticized the proposed requirements as vague and too focused on visual impacts.

Jon Sinclair, MEA’s director of engineering, said the utility’s priorities are on reliability and costs to its ratepayers and that the proposed ordinance would lead to higher costs. The directive is to reduce visual impacts of transmission lines but there is no guidance as to how that is to be accomplished.

Julie Estey, MEA’s communications director, told the assembly that MEA’s certificate requires it to extend service when new buildings are constructed. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough is continuing to grow and with it, demand for energy, she said.

“No one wants a transmission line built through their back yard, but we are still a growing community. This legislation (the proposed ordinance) will not solve the issue. It’s not clear what we (MEA) are to do,” Estey said.

Residents near where MEA is planning new lines supported the measure, however. They praised MEA for listening to their complaints but also said the cooperative appeared to take no action in response.

The assembly decided to put off a vote until January so that an amended version of the ordinance can be developed that adds clarity. The project involves a 20-mile new transmission line from Fishhook Road near Hatcher Pass to the Meadow Lakes area, which is one of Mat-Su’s fastest-growing residential areas. Meadow Lakes needs more electrical transmission infrastructure, Estey said. The project is currently in the design and right-of-way acquisition phase and construction could begin this summer.

As the transmission ordinance is reworked other things may develop, both which could involve the borough. One is for the borough to establish known utility “corridors” which are designated in advance and known to the public and which could include underground gas transmission lines and fiber optic cables as well as above-ground electrical transmission.

The second is a new appeal process for utilities which could involve the borough and not just MEA. Residents might feel more comfortable with an appeal to a government entity seen as more neutral than in an appeal through MEA, even though the utility is a member-owned cooperative.