Wasilla council hears public testimony on 7.81-acre commercial rezone near Cottonwood Creek

The Wasilla City Council held its second public hearing Monday on a proposal to rezone nearly 8 acres of undeveloped land along Cottonwood Creek from Rural Residential to Commercial, a change that would open the parcels to retail and service development but requires resolving floodplain and utility constraints before any building could begin.

RFN Properties LLC owns both lots, totaling 7.81 acres at the corner of S. Fern Street and E. Hardrock Circle in Brookwood Commercial Park. The company is seeking the Commercial designation to market the land to buyers and investors. The parcels are currently undeveloped.

The Wasilla Planning Commission voted 4-1 in April to recommend approval of the ordinance, with Commissioner Simon Brown casting the lone dissent. The council must hold a third and final public hearing July 27 before it can act on the measure.

Floodplain and Utility Constraints

Two complications follow the proposal into the council chamber. Portions of both lots fall within the mapped 100-year floodplain along Cottonwood Creek, and public water and sewer lines do not reach the site. Serving the parcels would require an approximately 550-foot utility extension, including a bore beneath Knik-Goose Bay Road.

The rezone also conflicts with the city's Future Land Use Map, which designates the parcels as Generally Residential. Planning staff found the proposal consistent with broader Comprehensive Plan goals, citing policies that support Wasilla's role as a regional commercial center and encourage commercial development near existing commercial areas and transportation corridors. The commission found the request does not exhibit characteristics of unlawful spot zoning.

What Comes Next

If the council adopts the ordinance after the final public hearing, the zoning change would take effect upon adoption. If it does not, the lots remain Rural Residential. The third public hearing is scheduled for July 27 at Wasilla City Hall.