A new survey by the Fairbanks North Star Borough is testing the waters to see how receptive local residents are to local government expanding its land use enforcement authority, increasing regulations and requirements for resource extraction, imposing greater control over private land use, expanding borough health and social service powers, leaving new building energy efficiency mandates, constructing high density and public housing and much more.

According to the borough’s website, the questionnaire is part of a plan to update the 2005 Regional Comprehensive Plan, which relies “heavily on public feedback to guide the planning process.”

The new Comprehensive Plan is a “big-picture guide for the Fairbanks North Star Borough for the next 20 years, covering things like housing, parks, land use, economic development, and transportation,” the website explains. “It helps guide local policies, housing and business development, public investments, and other planning efforts. It is built from our community’s shared vision of who we are and who we want to be, ensuring the Fairbanks North Star Borough continues to be a place we all want to live, work, and play.”

Already, environmental activist groups are calling on left-leaning allies to fill out the survey in order to advance many of the ideas it contains.

Notably, the survey is heavily weighted towards left-leaning initiatives when it comes to land-use regulations, government enforcement powers, building mandates and environmentalist goals. It contains no questions about reducing taxes, easing regulations or incentivizing resource development.

There is, however, a space at the end of the survey where residents have a 1,000-word limit to “provide additional information.”

“This survey asks for feedback on possible strategies and actions you would like to be considered in the A Greater Future in Greater Fairbanks – Fairbanks Regional Comprehensive Plan,” the survey states. “We would like to know how you feel about a few potential actions the FNSB and our community could take.

The survey, which can be done anonymously, takes about five minutes to complete. It will be available until February 28. 

TAKING ACTION

— Click here to take the survey.

— For more information about the Comprehensive Plan updates, click here.

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