Platting Board approves Bartlett Hills subdivision with road waiver

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Platting Board approved a four-lot subdivision near Montana Creek on May 22, 2026. The board granted a variance that exempts the developer from building an improved access road.

The plat divides 257.7 acres into four lots. A narrow pioneer road and trail remain as the only route to the parcels.

Planning staff opposed the variance. Staff said the lack of physical access could burden adjacent property owners or future developers.

"Physical access to the site should not be the burden of subsequent developers," a planning staff member said.

Surveyor Dan Bush represented the petitioner. Bush said the existing pioneer road is adequate and that state agricultural restrictions prevent further subdivision of the four lots.

"The petitioner and his partner are going to end up with the four lots," Bush said. "They're happy with the way the road access is currently, and because of the agricultural restrictions, you're not able to subdivide it any farther than the four lots."

The property borders the Middle Fork and North Fork of Montana Creek. Alaska Department of Fish and Game noted that both are anadromous fish streams that provide habitat for Chinook, Coho, and chum salmon.

Legal access to all lots is through a 100-foot-wide section line easement on the western boundary. The variance affects only the requirement to construct a physical road, not the legal right to access the parcels.

The property is encumbered by state agricultural restrictions. Final approval from the Department of Natural Resources Division of Agriculture is required.