3.0 Affected Environment - Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority

Knik Arm Crossing DraftFinal EIS
Affected Environment
3.1.2.1.4 Knik-Fairview Comprehensive Plan
This plan (MSB 1997a) is an outline to ensure that residents’ lives and natural and other
environmental resources are not negatively affected by future growth. The plan encourages a
minimum lot size of 1 acre for new development and infill of areas with vacant lots and roads
and utilities. The overall goal is to maintain the existing pattern of low-density, rural
residential settlement. The plan promotes commercial development around existing
commercial uses, with conditional permitting on a limited basis outside these areas. It also
notes that buffering should be used to minimize land use conflicts between incompatible
uses. The plan calls for light industrial uses to be permitted within established industrial use
areas and to be considered for conditional permits in other areas. Heavy industrial uses would
be conditionally permitted within industrial use areas and would not be allowed in any other
areas. Hazardous waste sites are prohibited from the entire area. The Palmer Hay Flats State
Game Refuge is the main focus of the plan. The plan encourages a variety of recreational,
educational, and scientific uses of the area, while protecting, preserving, and enhancing its
habitat, fish, and wildlife populations. The plan also considers education, public safety,
cultural and recreational facilities, water and sewer services, and transportation networks.
The plan points out that the Knik-Fairview area functions as a residential suburb of Wasilla
and Anchorage and is heavily dependent on those areas for employment, goods, and services.
3.1.2.1.5 Big Lake Comprehensive Plan
This plan (MSB 1995b) outlines a vision to maintain the residential and recreational
character of the Big Lake area. Any development within the community should be
compatible with maintaining and conserving the natural environment. The plan encourages
developers of residential uses to apply for designation as residential land use districts and
encourages the location of commercial development within an appropriate community core,
where commercial activity will not interfere with other uses and will be supported by existing
infrastructure. The plan supports regional industrial development within appropriate areas,
but prohibits heavy industrial activity. The railroad corridor would make industrial
development more viable. The plan recognizes Big Lake as a hub of recreational activities
for the area and recommends that an additional plan be written that specifically addresses the
parks and recreational activities. Water and sewer, electric power, telephone, solid waste
disposal, natural gas, postal service, transportation networks, and timber resources on public
lands are addressed.
3.1.2.1.6 City of Palmer Comprehensive Plan
This plan (City of Palmer 1993) concentrates on providing direction over a 5-year period,
from 1993 to 1998 and provides general guidance beyond that time period. Palmer has
continued to secure its position as the center for government in the Mat-Su. Both Palmer and
the surrounding area have experienced continued growth in the commuting population that
has coincided with decreasing state and borough support for civic services. The City has
taken on increased responsibilities and is attempting to fill the gap left by the downsizing of
other government agencies. Recommendations in the plan include increased economic
development, tourism, continued high quality of life, continued growth of the city,
transportation, and improved government services.
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