Spectrum

Respect the will of voters

I recently announced my candidacy to represent District 6 on the Mat-Su Borough Assembly, which consists of the Schrock, Bogard, Hatcher Pass and Wasilla Fishhook precincts.

The recent advisory votes on the use of Permanent Fund earnings and consideration of zoning precincts in the Valley are rare examples of true democracy. If elected I will uphold the will of the voters: in precincts that have voted in favor I will support them, in precincts that have voted against I will abide by their preference.

During my six years on the Borough Planning Commission I gained much insight into the type of land-use conflicts that occur in the Valley for instance, proposals of halfway houses, adult bookstores, 600-foot antenna towers and race tracks, just to name a few.

In response to public concern to protect neighborhoods, solutions often required amendments to existing land-use plans, and special ordinances needed to be adopted for every specific problem. Such a reactionary approach is costly, time consuming and hasnt worked very well in the rapidly developing areas of the Valley.

The result is that there is no assurance or predictability of future land use, nor protection of hard-earned investments be they commercial or residential.

In my opinion, for those areas favoring additional land-use regulation, we should respect the will of the voters.

For instance, in the core area the following principles should apply

proceed slowly and incrementally with extensive public input,

allow landowners to designate classification and intended use of their land,

implement with minimal bureaucracy and regulation, and

allow home-based businesses in residential areas.

Many landowners have paid taxes for years with plans to develop their property, and they should rightfully be able to do so. If done right some form of land-use planning will strengthen the property rights of commercial and residential land owners, protect their investments, increase property values and enhance the quality of life in the Valley.

One recent example of doing it right was the Sutton Comprehensive Land Use Plan where the community reached a consensus on their own vision of land use.

The bottom line is that elected public officials should follow the will of the voters. Solving land-use problems in the borough is not a one-size-fits-all solution each community must have their say.

Jim Colver is a local surveyor, small-business owner, former Borough Planning Commissioner, former Borough Road Service Advisory Board chairman, lifetime Alaskan and 16-year resident of Assembly District 6.