Resort plan moves ahead

Assembly OKs Hatcher Pass negotiations

October 21, 2005

DARRELL L. BREESE\Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - The Mat-Su Borough Assembly on Tuesday approved plans to move forward in the negotiation process between JL Properties and the borough for development of a ski resort at Hatcher Pass, despite objections from most of the people who spoke during the public-hearing period.

The assembly voted unanimously to authorize Borough Manager John Duffy to begin the negotiations.

One by one, people offered their views in the public-testimony period and, for the most part, supported the planned development as a whole. But they also voiced objections to certain points of the plan, including concerns about the area's watershed, well and septic issues, the borough's investment of $10 million, having an exit plan if things fall through and the proposal to give JL Properties 20 acres of borough land for a commercial village center.

Assembly member Betty Vehrs offered assurances that the assembly heard all the concerns of those who testified.

&#8220The community should not feel we are ignoring them on this issue,” Vehrs said. &#8220I heard all their comments tonight and will make sure they will be addressed as we move through the process.”

Vehrs said that while the assembly will not be directly involved in the negotiations, Duffy will give its members regular updates and ensure the issues raised by the people who spoke out Tuesday will be considered.

&#8220John (Duffy) was present and heard all the testimony, he knows the concerns that the people have about this development,” Vehrs said. &#8220He figures that it will take three-four months to complete the negotiations and committed to give the assembly updates throughout the process.”

Palmer High cross-country ski coach Darin Markwardt was one of the few people who said he opposed the whole idea of developing the ski area.

&#8220I examined this issue based on former governor Jay Hammond's model for development,” he said, &#8220and it doesn't meet that standard.”

Hammond's three-part evaluation asks three questions: Is the project environmentally sound; do the people want the project, and does the project pay for itself.

&#8220The plan falls short on two of the three questions,” Markwardt said. &#8220There are serious concerns about the impact the project will have on the Little Su and the surrounding wildlife habitat, and looking at similar projects around the nation shows that ski resorts don't pay for themselves. Hilltop Ski area in Anchorage was just bailed out by the city and Alyeska survives thanks to the Princess Lodge.”

Will Peabody called the plan's idea of giving 20 acres to JL Properties a sweetheart deal for the developer. He jokingly asked for his share in return.

&#8220If I put up a zip line on my property in the area, will you give me one or two parcels of land?” Peabody said. &#8220I don't need 20 acres, maybe just an acre or two.”

Gabriel Scott, who filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Oregon-based Cascadia Wildlands project in 2002, is concerned that the plan may violate a settlement that allowed for the transfer of 3,000 acres of land from the state of Alaska to the borough - land that is at the center of the planned ski area.

The settlement requires the borough to comply with the Hatcher Pass Management Plan, which places strict guidelines on development in Hatcher Pass.

Scott pointed out that the plan does not allow residential or commercial development in the area, both of which are part of JL Properties' plans.

&#8220The borough has been good about complying with the Hatcher Pass Management Plan over the years,” Scott said. &#8220That indicates to me that they are aware of the plan and will be careful to comply as they move forward with negotiations. If they don't comply, we'll have to examine the possibility of challenging the decision in the courts.”

Jim Turner pointed out that beginning the process is not approving the final development plan.

&#8220Approving the action just allows for the process of negotiation to begin,” Turner said. &#8220JL Properties will have to do environmental and hydrology studies and a lot of engineering before beginning to build.

&#8220All those plans will have to come back to the assembly for approval [before] an agreement can be reached through the negotiations.”

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

frontiersman.com.