Rezone plan needs public comment

WASILLA -- After reviewing possible rezoning options of a 40-acre piece of land near Mission Hills and Wintergreen Acres in Wasilla, the Wasilla City Council has decided to send the rezoning resolution back to the city of Wasilla Planning Commission in order to allow an adequate public comment period.

Kevin Baker, representing land owner Gary Lundgren, originally applied for the rezoning of the land from rural residential area to commercial in December. A public comment period in January brought forth concerns from nearby residents -- namely that changing the entire package to commercial would bring commercial property too close to current homes in the area -- and the planning commission originally voted not to approve the change.

In March, Baker submitted a letter with two alternative options to the original rezoning request for consideration by the council, one moving the commercial district boundary 660 feet from the existing residential subdivision, and one moving the commercial district boundary 330 feet from the residential subdivision.

"I was trying to create a commercial district next to the industrial subdivision but also leave a buffer for the residential subdivision," Baker said at Monday's council meeting.

The two options would rezone the portion of the property closest to the Parks Highway to commercial property, something that council member Ron Cox said he could approve.

"I don't think any person would buy or build a home on the Parks Highway," Cox said at the meeting.

Audience members also said they would be in favor of having a buffer, preferably the 660-foot one.

"I oppose rezoning the entire piece of property for industrial zoning, but I feel option one is an acceptable package," said Brad Remus of Mission Hills, who originally spoke in opposition to the entire rezoning in February.

While many of the council members said they could support the changes in the rezoning package, the consensus was to refer the new options back to the planning commission in order to let the public have time to review and comment on the new rezoning request. The original package has already gone through the public comment process, but council members said the new options should also be given a fair comment period.

"I could support any of these options, but I would like to go back through the public hearing process," said council member Diana Straub. "I think extending that to the public is the right thing to do."

Contact Jen Ransom at jen.ransom@frontiersman.com.