Butte Area Land Use Plan

Project Date: 2003-2004
Lead: Chris Beck
Client: Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Location: The Butte

The Butte is a community of 3,000 people at the southern edge of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, at the confluence of the Knik and Matanuska rivers. Recreation along the area's extensive trail system, canoeing among prime waterfowl habitat and exploring the wild margins of the Knik River and glacier, along with stunning views of Pioneer Peak, have attracted increasing crowds of visitors over the past ten years. While the community enjoys and has tolerated a high level of recreational use, reckless and criminal behavior has increased, giving the community a reputation of disorder and lawlessness.

In 2003, the Borough began work on a new area plan for the Butte to decide what to do with Matanuska Susitna Borough-owned land in the area. Agnew::Beck worked with Land Design North and the Borough to develop a land use plan that focuses on how best to increase public safety and provide other services to residents without detracting from what Butte residents treasure about their home: its rural flavor, access to outdoor recreation, and the privacy it offers.

Agnew::Beck's work on the project included:

• Conducting a series of public workshops in the Butte to form consensus on a vision for the community and gain detailed input on the current and future use of Borough-owned parcels.
• Devising specific strategies for the use and disposal of public land, including trails, public facilities, and enforcement.

This plan was adopted by the Matanuska Susitna Borough Assembly on May 15, 2007.