3/7/26: NLCC attended the 3/4/26 School Board Meeting and the 3/5/26 School Board Work Session.
There was extensive public comment in the Mar 3 Assembly Meeting and at the Mar 4 School Board meeting opposing any school closures and other reductions.
The Mar 5 work session was educational and got into a lot more detail on the proposed cuts, how they were analyzed, and how they would be implemented. Significant discussion occurred about exploring additional revenue from the Borough. This would increase property taxes for area residents and is not expected to be approved.
Another work session was scheduled for 6pm on Mar 16. Decisions will be made at the Mar 18 School Board meeting on what they will propose.
Budget decisions will then be finalized at a Joint Assembly & School Board meeting on Mar 24.
The NLCC has advised the Borough and the School District that, if Larson Elementary is closed, the building be used for Birchtree Charter School instead of constructing a new building next to Shaw Elementary.

3/2/26: Links to information:
Agenda for Mar 4 School Board meeting (CLICK HERE)
FY 2027 Superintendent’s Proposed Budget Adoption memo for March 4 Meeting (CLICK HERE)
Agenda for the Mar 5 School Board Work Session (CLICK HERE)

2/26/26: The MSBSD is proposing to close 3 elementary schools based on declining enrollment and budget pressures. One of those is Larson Elementary, located within the North Lakes Community Council.

Upcoming opportunities for public input are as follows:

1. March 2nd - “Save Larson Elementary” PTA community meeting at the school gym at 6:30 pm.

2. March 4th - School Board Meeting at 6pm

3. March 18th - School Board Meeting at 6pm

There is also a School Board Budget Work Session planned on March 5th. Public is welcome to attend, but there will be no opportunity for public comments.

Here is a link to the MSBSD website on this subject. (CLICK HERE).

Here is a link to an FAQ document on the proposed closures (CLICK HERE)

3/7/26: The NLCC has reached out to the Borough and the School District recommending that, if Larson Elementary is closed, the building be used for Birchtree Charter School instead of constructing a new school building next to Shaw Elementary.

2/19/26: The phase 1 is out to bid. The MSB is also working to potentially accelerate phase 2, which includes construction of the Roundabout at Wasilla Fishhook. The hope is to have that intersection functional before the new Birchtree Charter school starts up in the fall of 2027.

1/14/26: MSB announces public Open House to be held on 1/28/26 from 5pm - 7pm at Shaw Elementary. (CLICK HERE)

1/9/26: Met with MSBSD Assistant Superintendent and with Assemblyman Sumner (CLICK HERE). They will not be revisiting the Birchtree School Site location, or the goal of going operational in the fall of 2027. There are willing to consider traffic management and busing policies to reduce risks.

12/18/25: NLCC Meeting - DOT now on record objecting to use of Birchtree school traffic onto Wasilla Fishhook until after intersection is improved. This forces all traffic to the east on Foxtrot.

9/17/25: MSB provided copies of the detailed traffic studies that were the basis for off-street traffic flow around Shaw and Birchtree schools. We are satisfied that they are adequately addressing our concerns and that traffic should not back up onto Foxtrot.

9/4/25: Sent a letter to the MSB (CLICK HERE) updating our position and providing further recommendations.

9/2/25: Testified on this project at the Assembly Meeting (CLICK HERE)

8/4/25: The NLCC was asked to comment on a 35% design package. We reviewed our response at the July 31st NLCC Monthly Membership Meeting. We submitted a detailed response to the MSB on 8/4/25. (CLICK HERE).

May 29, 2025: Resolution 25-004 (CLICK HERE) was approved at the 5/29/25 NLCC meeting and then forwarded to the MSB and DOT.

May 22, 2025: The Borough is planning a project to improve access to Shaw Elementary. Project elements include extension of Foxtrot to the intersection of Wasilla Fishhook and Paradise Lane; major upgrades to that Foxtrot / Wasilla Fishhook / Paradise intersection; and an upgrade (including pedestrian path) of the existing Foxtrot Avenue from Charley Drive to the MSB school property boundary. The Borough presented information on the project at the April 24th NLCC Membership Meeting. The NLCC initially objected to the Foxtrot connection and provided testimony to the MSB Assembly on 5/20/25 (CLICK HERE).

3/4/26: The NLCC submitted a letter (CLICK HERE) to Assembly members and Planning Commissioners in preparation for their March 10th Joint Meeting.

2/26/26: The NLCC learned that a presentation by Public Works was made to the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) on 2/13. The presentation (CLICK HERE) was of the DRAFT report and recommended the Northern Route. The TAB prepared a resolution (CLICK HERE) of support for the Northern Route selection. We are reaching out to see if they are open to reconsideration. We also informed the Assembly on 2/17 that we will be submitting a resolution in support of the Southern Route at their March 10th Joint Assembly / Planning Commission meeting. More info forthcoming.

1/21/26: Central Gravel Products sent an email (CLICK HERE) to the Borough indicating their willingness to provide ROW and build the road base.

1/20/26: The NLCC included this project in a Resolution 2026-001 (CLICK HERE) asking it to be included as a priority for federal funding through the MPO / MVP organization.

12/18/25: Update from MSB. They have our comments and are still reviewing. Expecting to update Route Selection Report in early 2026 and then to Assembly for decision. Report will likely still recommend a Northern Route.

11/30/25: After discussion and review of a draft letter at our 11/20/25 NLCC meeting, the NLCC Submitted this letter (CLICK HERE) in response to the draft route selection report.

10/30/25: The MSB Project Manager presented the current status of the Route Selection Report and provided an overview of the project at the October 30 NLCC meeting. NLCC membership agreed to have the Board prepare a letter regarding this project. The draft will be reviewed at the November 20 NLCC Meeting.

7/31/25: The NLCC met last week with the MSB Public Works and Planning Department Directors and the Project Manager. We continue to advocate for the Southern Route selection based on Bogard Road Safety and the ability to get the project completed sooner and at lower cost to taxpayers.

2017 - 2025 Background (CLICK HERE)

Update 3/7/26: The MSB is working through their nominations and is considering the input provided by NLCC. They will review that with the NLCC before submitting to the MVP / MPO organization.

Update 2/13/26: Sent letter (CLICK HERE) to MVP supporting full funding of Valley Transit with no funds transferred to Alaska Railroad.

Update: 1/20/26:

The NLCC sent the MPO / MVP office a Resolution 2026-01 outlining NLCC top priority MSB projects to be considered for Federal funding. (CLICK HERE)

Project nominations by the MSB / City of Wasilla / City of Palmer and the public start on 1/31/26 and end on 2/28/26. DOT projects are not requesting funding from the MPO organization.

Members of the MVP Technical Committee will conduct evaluations and prioritize in March. Recommendations will be reviewed at the April meeting.

2/25/26: Informed by MSB Planning Director that they will be working with the developer on the sidewalk concept and that it will likely come back in front of the Platting Board for approval again.

2/19/26: The NLCC is pushing for meaningful pedestrian improvements. We testified at the 2/17 Assembly Meeting (CLICK HERE) and at the 2/18 Platting Board (CLICK HERE)

2/8/26: Sent email (CLICK HERE) to Assembly Members and Administration regarding pedestrian code.

2/5/26: Public Hearing - NLCC provided testimony (CLICK HERE). The plat was approved. The Platting Officer added a Condition of Approval requiring the developer to follow MSB Code on pedestrian features for subdivisions near schools.

1/26/26: NLCC letter to Platting Officer for 2/5 Public Hearing (CLICK HERE)

1/20/26: Public hearing at the Platting Board is now set for 2/5/26. A whole new set of drawings (CLICK HERE) and updated traffic analysis from the developer has now been submitted for review. NLCC is preparing a response.

12/18/25: Public hearing postponed again to allow time for developer to adjust to new DOT requirements that no access will be allowed directly to Wasilla Fishhook. All access needs to be from Kilo and Foxtrot.

The NLCC received an RFC from the MSB in September for a proposed 50 acre / 43 lot large subdivision to be developed between the Shaw’s Tri Lakes subdivision and Wasilla Fishhook, just north of the Shaw / Birchtree school property. The preliminary plat shows connections to Wasilla Fishhook, E. Kilo Drive, and Foxtrot Avenue. At the September 25, 2025 NLCC Membership Meeting, this project was reviewed with membership and area residents. Numerous concerns were captured, mostly revolving around traffic impacts. A letter (CLICK HERE) was sent on October 3rd from the NLCC to the MSB Platting Office providing feedback on the proposed platting action. 

3/7/26: This topic was on the agenda at the 2/23/265 meeting of the Parks, Recreation & Trails Advisory Board (PRTAB). The NLCC discussed our proposal based on the 11/24/25 letter. There was general support for our proposal. The Advisory Board recommended that North Lakes work with the Borough Planning staff to have this project advanced under the next cycle of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). They offered to prepare a resolution of support, once a nomination is completed.

11/24/25: As discussed at November NLCC Meeting, the NLCC sent a letter to MSB Parks, Recreation & Trails Advisory Board. (CLICK HERE) The letter outlines community concerns with this park area and made several recommendations. The PRTAB has put this on their next public meeting.

1/6/26: Spoke with MSB (Jillian Morrisey, Community Development) and there has been no update yet from the State.

10/30/25: The MSB Parks, Recreation, & Trails Advisory Board approved and issued a resolution of support earlier this week. (CLICK HERE)

9/27/25: Informed by the MSB that the State is still in deliberation.

8/19/25: The MSB Administration presented a feasibility study (CLICK HERE) to the Assembly recommending continued negotiations with the State and outlining an initial cost estimate for the park. The Assembly indicated support.

7/31/25: The MSB continues to have discussions with the State of Alaska about transfer of property to the MSB for public use. The MSB administration supports the concept. The Fishhook Community Council membership approved a “letter of support” and sent it to the Borough.July 19, 2025.

6/24/25: The NLCC presented our concept for a well-managed day-use community park to the MSB Parks, Recreation & Trails Advisory Board yesterday. They were quite supportive and will be preparing a resolution to that effect. For our summary document (CLICK HERE) and for the concept sketch (CLICK HERE).

6/6/25: At our March NLCC Meeting, the State of Alaska DNR reviewed a plan (CLICK HERE) for subdivision and sale of residential lots on a parcel that was historically park and public access land at Wolf Lake. There were 62 guest and area residents at the meeting. The vast majority were in strong opposition of the proposed development and favor a Borough owned and well-managed park and better controlled lake access. A significant concern was the potential safety impacts to summer and winter aviation operations on the lake and conformance with the Wolf Lake Management Plan.

• At the Jan 20th Assembly Meeting, the Borough Assessor’s office gave a presentation (CLICK HERE). Key takeaways are: Assessments went up an average of 7.4% as of January 1st.  Forms going out to the public on 1/28.  Appeal period is 1/29 through 2/27.  Appeals will be heard in April. Significant growth continues with 526 new parcels in 2025 and 1003 new parcels in 2025.  Assessments on real properties are running about 50% of the market and will be adjusted upward over the next 6 years, beginning with a 15% across the board increase on raw land in 2026.  The goal will be for assessments to equal 94% of market value. Note: A percentage increase in assessed value does not equate to the same percentage increase in taxes.

1/25/26: The MSB Assembly held a special meeting on 1/20/26 to discuss waterbody setback requirements and see if there was alignment on the path forward. There does not yet appear to be. There may be another work session and/or the Administration will come back with proposed legislation. It appears there may be alignment on: keeping a 75-ft setback; providing a way for existing property owners (about 760 Borough wide) who are not in compliance to obtain a one-time opportunity to be deemed “grandfathered” by providing specific information to the MSB; continuing the “mandatory” land use permit going forward for lakefront properties; additional environmental measures to protect the environment; and a much stronger approach to compliance going forward. Here is a link (CLICK HERE) to the 1.5 hour long discussion. Although there was opportunity for public testimony at the beginning of the meeting, no one stepped forward. The NLCC will stay engaged and consider more formal input again.

12/18/25: Assembly work session scheduled for January 20th at 4pm.

9/16/25. The MSB Assembly rejected the proposed ordinance. They also chose NOT to go forward as recommended by the Planning Commission. Some of the Assembly members seemed interested in proposing a new ordinance, but they plan to discuss first. We may see something else come forward by year end. This issue has been under review now for about two years. The NLCC provided significant feedback during the process. Our files have been archived and will be re-visited if the Borough decides to advance an ordinance in the future. If you have questions about our prior work, please contact a Board Member and we can provide or review archived material with you.