Mat-Su platting board sets legal training after scheduling confusion

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Platting Board is working to schedule mandatory legal training on board procedures and ex parte communications after initial polling of members yielded few responses and the borough attorney's office ruled out one proposed date.

The board reviews preliminary plats, variances, public use easements, plat note amendments, and vacations across the Mat-Su Borough. Recent cases have included approvals for developments ranging from Bartlett Hills to Settler's Bay and decisions on road waivers and access standards.

Planning office staff member Tyler Young told the board Thursday that the training will cover platting board process, ex parte communications, and allow direct questions to the borough attorney's office. The session will be publicly noticed and streamed despite being separate from a regular meeting. Board members will also be able to contact the borough attorney's office afterward with additional questions.

Young said the borough attorney's office initially offered two dates: 1 p.m. Thursday, June 25 or 3 p.m. Friday, June 26. Legal staff then ruled out one of those options. The attorney's office also indicated willingness to hold the training during off-hours such as 5 or 6 p.m. if that worked better for the board. After polling board members present, the board tentatively targeted Thursday, June 25 at 5 p.m. in the assembly chambers.

Young said he still needs to confirm the time works for the borough attorney's office. The board will receive a final poll before the session is publicly noticed. Staff expects to need at least an hour for the session.