Southern Peninsula Plan

Trends, Goals, Visions

 

1.      Key Trends of the Southern Peninsula and APC areas:

 

• Shift in age distribution of population – the population is aging
• The Southern Peninsula area is growing
• The population is growing at a fast rate
• The labor force is growing
• Seasonal economy
• Large swings in employment/unemployment occur due to seasonality of economy
• Growing demand for “view” property
• Development is occurring both outside  and inside of “cities”
• The need for clean water sources and reliable private septic systems
• Continued attraction of areas “quality of life” and place to “raise families”
• Increase in the service and retail economies
• There’s community interest in, and awareness of, land use and development issues and protecting the visual/scenic resources of the area
• Loss of trails and trail access through vacations and posting of private lands
• Mistrust of Borough government to plan for and manage Borough lands
• Real and perceived impacts of gravel resource development to water quality
• Loss of wildlife habitat to new construction and development
• Interest in pursuing education as an economic development strategy
• Decline of commercial fisheries
• More seasonal homes and cabins
• Expansion of tourist industry

 

 

2.      Purpose of the planning process:

 

• To recommend land classifications for borough owned and selected lands.

 

 

3.      Common Interests:

 

• To maintain the quality of life that attracted us to this area.  To maintain a healthy environment, and to create a thriving sustainable economy.

 

 

4.      Vision:

 

• The Southern Peninsula will contain diversified communities that respect their past, plan for the future, protect their environment, and that provide for sustainable local economies.  Communities will accept their responsibilities while respecting the freedom of their citizens and the needs of the community.

 

5.      Goals:

 

• Water Quality – Provide for the protection and enhancement of the area’s water quality.
• Community & Economic Development – Promote planned community and economic development projects that are compatible with the area’s natural environment.
• Education – Provide quality educational opportunities.
• Recreation – Provide for recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
• Lifestyle – Maintain & improve quality of life in the Southern Peninsula while planning for reasonable population growth.
• Environment – Provide for wildlife habitat and development-free (green) zones for people and wildlife. 
• Maintain and improve the unique character of the community(ies).

 

 

6.      Physical Needs of Community & Borough:

 

• Trail heads and parking areas; access to recreational opportunities
• Place for satellite fire and emergency equipment
• Community center for large- and small-scale activities and functions.
• School sites (elementary, continuing education, vocational-technical, etc.)
• Habitat preservation
• Public transportation
• Source of clean water and safe septic systems (Safe Water and Sewer)
• Good roads, pedestrian-ways, and bike paths
• Lands for economic development ventures/opportunities

 

 

7.      Objectives:

 

Land Use Planning

¨ Encourage growth in an organized manner.  Avoid strip development.

¨ Coordinate the development of resources

¨ Utilize lot sizes, setbacks, minimum separation distances of septics from wells, 

    and other development standards to encourage appropriate development.

¨ Develop land based on existing development patterns

¨ Plan should be realistic, economically feasible, and respectful of personal

    freedoms

¨ Consider the implications of scattered development

¨ Consider the development of community sewer and water

¨ Set aside areas for commercial, industrial, etc. uses with current uses

    grandfathered

¨ Establish green zones (areas to be set aside and not developed)

 

 

            Natural Resources

¨ Promote reforestation and healthy forests

¨ Maintain water and air quality

¨ Protect river flow patterns and natural courses

¨ Protect Cook Inlet shoreline and water quality

¨ Identify, evaluate and protect important wetlands

¨ Protect wildlife and healthy wild fish populations

¨ Coordinate with others to identify good, clean sources of water for the Southern 

    Peninsula.

¨ Ensure the long-term availability and wise use of natural resources (timber, 

    gravel, beach coal, natural gas, oil, wildlife, precious metals, water, aesthetics,

    and kelp) for economic benefit through sound management practices.

 

 

            Economics

¨ Encourage a business incubator for a diversified economy

¨ Increase job opportunities

¨ Encourage product development and value added manufacturing

¨ Promote agriculture

¨ Consider impacts and cumulative effects of industrial development

¨ Explore harbor development options

 

 

            Recreation/Aesthetics

¨ Promote the development of a bike path and trail to Anchor River

¨ Develop an integrated network of multi-use trails

¨ Provide access to water resources

¨ Preserve recreational opportunities for residents and visitors

¨ Protect anadromous streams

¨ Preserve and recapture the aesthetic beauty of rivers and creeks

¨ Provide incentives for landscaping and beautification work

¨ Create community gardens

¨ Encourage and support creation of scenic preservation areas along rivers and

    streams

            ¨ Plan for pedestrian access on new roads

 

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