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.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
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.
5 Comments
I live in Anchorage, but since I received this article from the Watchman, I decided to take a look at the survey.
The story is correct. There is much fluffy generalized language with no supporting reference to the survey questions. Then I looked for supporting reference and context to the questions. The Borough’s website does have information posted on the comprehensive plan update, but it is more fluff and no substance. These proposals are an attempt at a massive overreach by a local government, presented in generalized speech. I said as much in the comment section at the end of the survey. Tax, control, and manipulate. That’s what it is all about.
Really sad to see what they put on that survey. They want to consolidate the Road Service areas and really bring big government to bear. It will dramatically increase the costs of road maintenance.
The Comprehensive Plan Update page makes reference to an “Advisory Committee ” . So far I have found no way to find out whom exactly is on that committee. The survey begins with the false claim that FNSB has an “energy security” problem. It then goes on to ask about increasing government control over land use, building standards, etc., imposing taxes. All of the questions frame these actions as reasonable and necessary. It’s blatantly obvious that the survey was written only by people who support imposing all of the measures mentioned in it.
Eliminate the Faibanks North Star Borough. They are setting up nothing but the structure for MORE money laundering. There is no such thing as the Green New Deal. Get over it!
And you don’t even have to live in Squarebanks to fill out the survey!!!!! How fun!!!! It only takes a minute to fill it out so do it right now! Be sure you tell them exactly how you feel about increasingly socialistic governance.