Borough Lands and Resources (Chapter 17.10)

Summary of Land Classification Standards

 

 

·        Current policy is to manage all borough owned and municipal entitlement lands and resources to provide for:

 

1. Efficient acquisition, management, classification and disposal of Borough lands;
2. Promotion of orderly development;
3. Protection and management of Borough natural resources;
4. Preservation of lands and resources for wildlife habitat, scenic value, recreation needs, and historic needs;
5. Health, safety and education needs.

 

 

·        The Borough Land Management Division is responsible for managing Borough land in accordance with Chapter 17.10.

 

·        Classification is used for review, plan implementation, and management purposes.  The classification designates the most appropriate uses for land, and thereby guides borough land management and implementation actions.

 

·        Borough code requires that all lands or interests in lands -- where the borough has received state patent or title conveyance -- be classified or reclassified in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and policies of Chapter 17.10.

 

·        Classification is based on a need identified in the Borough Comprehensive Plan or upon recommendations from the mayor, the planning commission, and advisory planning commission, the public, or a local, state, or federal governmental agency.

 

·        The planning commission makes recommendations to the assembly on the classification or reclassification of lands.  Recommendations are based on findings of fact which may include: the location of the lands, surrounding uses and ownership, existing and future access, property characteristics including topography, soils and availability of utilities, etc.

 

·        The recommended classification shall be compatible with any land use plan adopted under the borough comprehensive plan or another plan approved by the assembly.  If the proposed classification is not compatible, a plan revision is necessary before the classification can be adopted.

 

·        Lands that are not classified are called “undesignated lands.”

 

·        Adoption of proposed classifications are by assembly resolution.

 

·        All Borough lands shall be classified as one of the following:

 

1. Agriculture – lands suited for raising and harvesting crops; feeding, breeding and management of livestock; dairying; or, other farm use or any combination of these.

 

2. Residential – lands suitable for development for single or multi-family settlement of a permanent nature.  Residential parcels may be located adjacent to existing communities or are determined to be necessary for future community development.  Lands must be able to support on-site water and sewer systems or be capable of receiving water and/or sewer service, have legal access and feasible physical access, suitable terrain and appropriate with the given surrounding uses.

 

3. Commercial – lands suitable for development or location of service oriented facilities such as stores, offices, medical clinics, restaurants, lodges, vehicular service stations, hotels, and camper parks.  Lands must be able to support on-site water and sewer systems, or be capable of receiving water and/or sewer service, near public utilities and be in proximity to residential areas.

 

4. Heavy Industrial – lands suitable for processing chemicals or manufacturing from, or extraction of, raw materials, stockyards, fish processing plants, distilleries, or uses that may discharge water, create hydrocarbons, excessive noise, odors, danger of explosions, or waste material, making them incompatible with most other land uses.  Lands should not be located in or immediately adjacent to residential development; parcels should be of sizes reasonably appropriate to accommodate the activities together with sufficient buffer zones.  Access shall be available without going through residential areas.

 

5. Light Industrial – lands suitable for industrial uses that generally do not have offensive characteristics and can be conducted primarily inside closed buildings.  Such uses may include warehousing, storage inside enclosed area, and light manufacturing not inside buildings.

 

6. Recreation – lands located in an area where the potential for recreational use exists.  This may include both indoor and outdoor uses such as gun and archery ranges, camping, golf courses, snow machine and ski trails, boating, and fishing, or which may provide access to those activities. 

 

7. Preservation – lands needed for stabilization or maintenance of natural features, historic value, known nesting areas of migratory birds or required to maintain the integrity of certain types of easements or as buffers, green belts, watersheds or other reservation to preserve natural resources and aesthetic qualities. 

  

8. Government – lands that may be or are required for use by a federal, state, or local governmental entity.  Such uses include existing and future school sites; sites for service area facilities; or, any governmental use determined to be beneficial to the public.

 

9. Resource Development – lands containing resources of sufficient volume and quality and located so that on-going development or production of those resources would yield an overall net economic return.

 

10. Resource Management – lands having resources which may be extracted as an interim use in a manner which will not create a negative impact on the most appropriate use of the land.  This classification is not exclusive and may overlap any other classification thereby allowing other non-conflicting uses. 

 

11. Institutional – lands which may be of value for the location of churches, private schools, clubs, associations, nonprofit organizations, cemeteries.

 

12. Utility/Transportation – (not including oil and gas and electricity generation or production facilities) lands which may be of value for airports, port and harbor facilities, power lines, pipelines, utility services, rights-of-way, easements and related activities but does not include general and production facilities for oil, gas and electricity.

 

13. Waste Handling – land with suitable characteristics and location for the express purpose of providing facilities to handle solid waste, recyclable materials, transfer stations, junked or wrecked vehicles, demolition refuse, septic and sewage waste and industrial waste. 

 

14. Rural – lands which are located in a remote area.  This classification will have no restrictions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Czarnezki

April 8, 1999