PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF FILING A PETITION WITH THE LOCAL BOUNDARY COMMISSION (LBC) FOR THE
INCORPORATION OF THE CITY OF BIG LAKE AND
THE ANNEXATION OF TERRITORY TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON
Two petitions were filed with the LBC that will affect the same boundaries. In accordance with 3 AAC 110.430, the LBC chair has consolidated the two separate petitions and they will share the same schedule, informational sessions, reports, hearing, decisional meeting, and other procedures.
The first is a local option petition to incorporate as a second class city from the community of Big Lake. The Big Lake petitioner consists of qualified voters in the proposed territory who signed the petition in accordance with AS 29.05.060(12). The petitioner’s representative is Jim Faiks. The territory proposed for city incorporation consists of approximately 113.33 square miles, consisting of 100.26 square miles of land and 13.07 square miles of water. The territory considered for incorporation is generally described as territory located in the Matanuska Susitna Borough bordering the City of Houston, the Meadow Lakes Community Council, and the Pt. Mackenzie Community Council, this area is also defined by the borough as Big Lake Road Service Area (RSA 21).
Standards governing the city incorporation are established in AS 29.05.011 - 29.05.021, 3 AAC 110.005 – 3 AAC 110.042, and 3 AAC 110.900 – 3 AAC 110.990. Procedures governing boundary change petitions are set out in AS 29.06.040 and 3 AAC 110.400 – 3 AAC 110.700.
The Big Lake incorporation petition and related documents, including a map of the proposed incorporation, will be available for public review at the following locations: Big Lake Library, 3140 S Big Lake Rd, Big Lake, AK 99652, Mon- Fri 10 AM – 6 PM, Sat 11 AM- 6 PM; Willow Library, 23557 Willow Dr., Willow, AK 99688, Mon, Tues and Thurs noon – 8 PM, Weds and Fri 10 AM- 6 PM and Sat 10 AM – 3:30 PM; Houston City Hall, 13878 W Armstrong Rd., P.O. Box 940027, Houston, AK 99694, Mon- Fri 9 AM- 5 PM; Wasilla Library, 391 N Main St, Wasilla, AK 99654, Mon 2 PM- 6 PM, Tues and Thurs 10 AM – 8 PM, Weds and Fri 10 AM- 6 PM, and Sat 1 Pm – 5 PM; both petitions will be arranged to be uploaded and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the LBC website under:
http://commerce.alaska.gov/dnn/dcra/LocalBoundaryCommission/CurrentPetitions.aspx.
The Big Lake incorporation petition, if approved by the LBC, will be subject to a local election. A qualified voter is one who has been registered to vote within the proposed city at least 30 days before the date of the election order from the Division of Elections under AS 29.05.110(b).
The second petition filed with the LBC is a unanimous consent annexation petition from the City of Houston. The Houston petitioner is the City of Houston. The petitioner’s representative is Virgie Thompson the mayor of the City of Houston. The territory proposed for annexation consists of approximately 2.43 miles of land. The territory proposed for annexation is generally described as Township 17 North, Range 3 West, Section 5, Lot 8; Section 6, SE4NW4, SW4NE4, E2SW4, W2SE4; and Lots 1 to 10, Seward Meridian; and Township 18 North, Range 3 West, Section 31, SE4, E2SW4, Lots 3 and 4; and Section 32, W2, SE4 and S2NE4, Seward Meridian.
Standards governing a cities are established in AS 29.06.040 – 29.06.060; 3 AAC 110.257 – 3 AAC 110.265; and 3 AAC 110.900 – 3 AAC 110.990. Procedures governing boundary change petitions are set out in AS 29.06.040 and 3 AAC 110.400 – 3 AAC 110.700.
The Houston annexation petition and related documents, including a map of the proposed annexation, will be available for public review at the following locations: Houston City Hall, 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday – Friday; Houston Fire Department, 10 AM to 5 PM, Monday – Friday; Millers Market, 7AM to 7 PM, Sunday – Saturday; both petitions will be arranged to be uploaded and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the LBC website under:
http://commerce.alaska.gov/dnn/dcra/LocalBoundaryCommission/CurrentPetitions.aspx.
Interested persons or entities may file written comments regarding either petition. Additionally, a person with the capacity to sue and be sued may file a responsive brief supporting or opposing the petition. A person or entity who files a responsive brief gains certain procedural rights and duties during the petition proceedings. Responsive briefs and public comments must be filed and served in accordance with 3 AAC 110.480 and 3 AAC 110.700. Responsive briefs and written comments must be received by 4:30 pm, Friday, October 3, 2014 by the LBC and the petitioner’s representative at the addresses below:
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LBC Staff
550 W. 7th Ave., Ste 1640 • Anchorage, AK 99501-3510
Phone: 907-269-4559/4587 Fax: 907-269-4563
LBC@alaska.gov
and
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Big Lake Incorporation Petition
Jim Faiks, Petitioner’s Representative
19559 W. Bryant Road • Big Lake, AK 99652
alaskalpaca@mtaonline.net
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or
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Houston Annexation Petition
Mayor Virgie Thompson, Petitioner’s Representative
13878 W. Armstrong • Houston AK 99694
vthompson@houston-ak.gov
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Please notify LBC staff if the comment has been served on the appropriate petitioner’s representative.
Questions on the proposed incorporation may be directed to LBC staff at the contact information listed above.
Persons interested in receiving future LBC notices, updates, and materials by email may subscribe to the LBC notice list server by visiting http://list.state.ak.us/index.htm, selecting “DCED-Local Boundary Commission,” and following the instructions.