URGENT REQUEST – PLEASE INFORM YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS
Mat-Su Residents!! Please write to the Assembly members and voice your opinion concerning this attack on our waterbodies. Written comments must be received by noon on Friday, July 14, 2023. Please also come to the “only” public hearing before the Assembly on Tuesday, July 18th at 6:00 pm at the MSB Building regarding Ordinance 23-049. The Assembly can vote on July 18th to pass this Ordinance
The Mat-Su Borough Assembly (MSB) is proposing to re-write the only regulations for waterbody setbacks. Ordinance 17.55 was established 50 years ago. The 75-foot setback was to protect all waterbodies in the borough.
Here we are again 37 years later – the Mat-Su residents are continuing yet again the need to defend the setback. This time they are proposing to reduce the setback from 75 feet to 25 feet.
The current 75-foot setback was originally established in 1973. In 1986, there was a 6-month temporary window when the setback was 45 feet. The vote of the people was 2-1 to put the setback back to 75 feet.
The MSB Assembly established the MSB Fish and Wildlife Commission (MFW) to advise and make recommendations to the assembly, borough manager, and/or any state or federal agencies, departments, commissions, or boards possessing jurisdiction for fish, wildlife, and habitat.
The MSB Assembly has totally ignored the MFW Resolution and MSB Planning Commission Resolution OPPOSING the reduction of the setback.
The MSB has spent millions of dollars on habitat restoration over the years. Is it worth losing all habitat improvements made to make life easier for residents with construction violations?
The MFW and the MSB Planning Commission have suggested that a team be set up to review and establish new parameters for waterbody setbacks.
It is suggested that MSB bring back a Land Use Permit Application to be used for new construction.
This Ordinance 23-049 gives the building construction industry the green light to now build homes essentially on the shoreline of our lakes and rivers.
Mayor Edna DeVries should recuse and reject any vote by Yundt and Tew. In addition, any Assembly person working in the construction business should be excused and not allowed to vote on this Ordinance (23-049) or any other ordinance that might come before the Assembly involving a conflict of interest.
Below are the email addresses and business interests for the Assembly and the email address for the Mayor as listed on the MSB website:
Tim Hale – Dist. 1 - (Construction projects) - TimHaleDistrict1@gmail.com
Stephanie Nowers – Dist. 2 - (Business owner) - StephanieNowersDistrict2@gmail.com
Dee McKee – Dist. 3 – (Education) - dee.mckee@matsugov.us
Robert Yundt – Dist. 4 – (Constr. Home Builder/R. Yundt Homes) - robyundtmsb@gmail.com
Mokie Tew – Dist. 5 – (Construction – Tews Excavation Inc.) - mokietew@gmail.com
Dmitri Fonov – Dist. 6 – (Construction Contractor) - fonov@matsugov.us
Ron Bernier – Dist. 7 – (Construction – J.P. Construction) - ron.bernier@matsugov.us
Edna DeVries – Mayor – edna.devries@matsugov.us
AGAIN, PLEASE WRITE COMMENTS AS THEY MUST BE RECEIVED BY NOON ON FRIDAY, JULY 14TH, 2023 AND ATTEND THE MEETING PLANNED FOR TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2023, AT 6:00 PM AT THE MSB BUILDING IN PALMER.
Questions? Please call Jean Holt – (907) 232-7522