Permit Required on Lower Housing Density

Two homes on 40,000 square feet (or a little less than an acre) are allowed without a multifamily development permit but not six homes. The change was adopted this week by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly after a proliferation of higher-density developments drew outcry last year from neighbors. 

The Fishhook Community Council adopted a similar resolution and the Borough Planning Commission. The adopted amendments seek to address residential developments that exceed a lot’s capacity for traffic and septic.  

Most residences in the Borough rely on onsite septage containment systems to handle wastewater. If the housing density is too high, there is potential for pollution of the groundwater, the legislation states. 

The adopted amendments also require in Borough code a wastewater systems plan for certain housing densities. 

The Borough originally adopted multifamily development standards in 2007. In 2014 the Assembly removed many of the standards on traffic and septic systems of the original ordinance including the requirement to have wastewater systems reviewed by the Alaska Dept. of Conservation.

Listen to the audio of the discussion and the vote here. Also posted is the legislation on pages 6-41.

For more information contact Development Services Manager Alex Strawn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Public Affairs Director Patty Sullivan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.