Mat-Su removes gravel permit barrier in Knik-Fairview

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly voted Tuesday to let gravel extraction permits move forward in Knik-Fairview, where a 21-year-old comprehensive plan has blocked new pits.

Planning Director Alex Strawn said the Knik-Fairview comprehensive plan restricts gravel extraction to two small industrial parcels. No new pits have opened there in 21 years. Residents now haul gravel from farther away, raising costs and road wear.

"The problem that I have seen with this particular provision is that it makes comprehensive plans self implementing," Strawn said.

The borough has approved 11 of 12 gravel permit applications in the past six years. But the Knik-Fairview restriction has kept new operations out of that area.

Assembly Member Maxwell Sumner added an amendment requiring planners to review comprehensive plans without treating them as regulatory barriers. Strawn said the change forces staff to address plans in permit reviews while recognizing some plans are decades old or contain conflicting provisions.

"Comp plans also get very old and stale if you have a 30 or 40 year old comprehensive plan," Strawn said.

Jade Laughlin, owner of Central Gravel Products in Palmer, testified in support. He said his permit took two years and $300,000 to secure. He said hauling gravel into Knik-Fairview from distant pits costs customers $400 more per delivery than local service would.

"We're talking about public safety, we're talking about wear and tear," Laughlin said. He said gravel operators pay a 12% federal excise tax on truck-related purchases and property taxes exceeding $40,000 annually.

According to Assembly Member Stephanie Nowers, 25 residents testified against the ordinance. Nowers cast the lone dissenting vote.

Future gravel permit applications in Knik-Fairview will go through staff reports and Planning Commission review under the new standard.