Michael and Lindsay Williams, property owners, have applied for a variance under MSB 17.65 for a parcel located on Shepards Island, Big Lake, Alaska (Tax ID# 6272000L007). The property currently contains a 320-square-foot cabin on 0.57 taxable acres. The proposed new structure will be situated as close as 52.5 feet from Big Lake, with a total of 1,176.5 square feet located within the 75-foot waterbody setback area. Per borough code, structures are required to maintain a minimum setback of 75 feet from a waterbody. Approval of this variance would allow the owners to construct the proposed residence within the required setback distance.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing concerning the application on Monday, September 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Borough Assembly Chambers located at 350 E. Dahlia Avenue in Palmer. Planning Commission members may not receive or engage in ex-parte contact with the applicant, other interested parties in the application, or members of the public concerning the application or issues presented in the application.
Application materials may be viewed online at www.matsugov.us by clicking on “All Public Notices & Announcements.” For additional information, you may contact Rebecca Skjothaug, Current Planner, by phone: 907-861-7862. Provide written comments by e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by mail to MSB Development Services Division, 350 E. Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, AK 99645.
The public may provide verbal testimony at the meeting or telephonically by calling 1-855-290-3803. To be eligible to file an appeal from a decision of the Planning Commission, a person must be designated an interested party. See MSB 15.39.010 for the definition of interested party. The procedures governing appeals to the Board of Adjustment and Appeals are contained in MSB 15.39.010-250, which is available on the Borough home page: www.matsugov.us, in the Borough Clerk’s office, and at various libraries within the borough.
Comments are due on or before August 8, 2025, and will be included in the Planning Commission packet. Please be advised that comments received from the public after that date will not be included in the staff report, but will be provided to the Commission at the meeting.
The Borough Assembly approved funds in the FY26 Capital Projects budget for distribution to eligible organizations, individuals, or businesses that can show they will provide winter trail grooming and trail maintenance for the public benefit in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The grant supports grooming efforts that deliver strong public benefit for dog mushers, Nordic skiers, snow machines, and other winter trail uses.
Eligible expenses include fuel, oil, equipment maintenance, trailhead plowing, grooming labor, and pre-season work (e.g., brush hog rental). All reimbursement requests – especially those for maintenance – must be clearly justified in the application.
This grant requires documented 50% match, which can include in-kind volunteer hours, value of snow machine rental, cost of maintenance items, etc. This grant also requires that the grantee have Commercial General Liability insurance and Auto Liability insurance (if applicable). The specific requirement is included on the grant website.
Prior grant compliance and utilization of past funding will be an important consideration during the evaluation process.
Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the Borough’s Grants Page and click on FY26 Winter Trail Care & Grooming Grant opportunity (https://transparency.matsugov.us/pages/grants#winter). Application requirements, Amplifund applicant training, and a link to apply are available on this site.
The application period opens at 8 a.m. on Monday, July 21, 2025, and closes at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, August 21, 2025.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough (Borough) Land & Resource Management Division has received an offer to purchase a portion of Borough-owned property for right-of-way and a request for a temporary construction permit from the State of Alaska, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF). The subject property is located at the corner of Bogard Road and Engstrom Road (tax account number 6718B14L014A) and is the location of the Maynard Public Safety Building, Fire Station 5-2. DOT & PF will be constructing a roundabout at the intersection and has requested 13,427 square feet, more or less of Borough property for right-of -way.
Supporting material is available for public inspection by appointment only during normal business hours on the 2nd floor of the Borough Building in the Land & Resource Management office or visit the Public Notice Section on the Borough’s web page, www.matsugov.us. Public comment is invited on this request. If you have any comments please mail or deliver them to the Borough offices at the address indicated above, no later than July 28, 2025. If you have questions about this request or would like to schedule an appointment to view supporting materials, call Lisa Gray at 907-861-7848 between 8 am - 5 pm or you can send an e-mail to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (please refer to MSB008104 DOT & PF Right-of-Way Take when submitting comments).
The Mat-Su Borough has received a request from a local resident to buy a Borough-owned lot in the Caswell Lakes Subdivision. This Borough-owned lot is located adjacent to the resident’s property.
What’s happening: The Borough-owned lot is smaller than standard size, and according to Borough Code MSB 23.10.230 (A)(1)(d), it can be sold to an interested adjacent land owner by application, as long as certain conditions are met and elected officials approve the sale. In this case, both the applicant’s property and the Borough lot meet the rules for this kind of sale.
We want to hear from you: If you own property in the Caswell Lakes subdivision, the Borough is inviting your input on this proposed sale. Your comments help guide the decision-making process.
How to comment: Please mail or bring your comments to the Borough offices at 350 E. Dahlia Ave., Palmer, Alaska or provide by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and reference MSB008127 in the subject line. Submit your comments by August 11, 2025.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough (Borough) Land & Resource Management Division has received a request from Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) for a 110’ X 20’ wide public utility easement on Borough-owned property (tax account 19N05W14D001). This property is the location of the Crystal Lake Public Safety Building 12-5. The proposed new underground powerline will serve a transformer / pedestal for a future gravel pad training area. This is a Borough project and the area for the gravel pad was cleared last year.
Supporting material is available for public inspection by appointment only during normal business hours on the 2nd floor of the Borough Building in the Land & Resource Management office or visit the Public Notice Section on the Borough’s web page, www.matsugov.us. Public comment is invited on this request. If you have any comments please mail or deliver them to the Borough offices at the address indicated above, no later than July 28, 2025. If you have questions about this request or would like to schedule an appointment to view supporting materials, call Lisa Gray at 907-861-7848 between 8 am - 5 pm or you can send an e-mail to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (please refer to MSB008230 MEA Utility Easement – Crystal Lake PSB when submitting comments).