Already know why you’re here? Dive into the public comment map!
In coordination with the results of the 2020 Census, FAST Planning has developed a new Draft Metropolitan Planning Area Boundary for public review and comment. Areas of Boundary expansion for transportation planning purposes include Farmer’s Loop, Chena Ridge, Chena Pump, Moose Creek, and Eielson Air Force Base. The public comment period extends from October 12th – November 12th, 2023.
KEY FACTS
The Draft Minimum MPA Boundary Update presented here was determined by the following factors:
- 2020 Census Urban Area Designations
- This area is required to be a part of our MPA
- Houses Per Square Mile projections out to 2040, based on 2020 population distribution across Census Block Groups by Census Block and Alaska Department of Labor’s Population Projections
- Existing Metropolitan Planning Area Boundary
- Pros and Cons of larger/smaller Metropolitan Planning Area boundaries
Would you like more in depth information beyond the Process highlighted below? Please call or text Olivia Lunsford, Transportation Planner (GIS & Outreach) with FAST Planning at (907) 25one – seven24eight.
HERE TO MAKE A COMMENT?
Please comment anywhere on the map that you would like to highlight existing conditions, future development potential, additional considerations for the boundary update, etc. You can drop a pin or draw a shape around an area!
Alternatively, please take a look at this PDF Map and Fact Sheet and leave descriptive, location specific comments and general comments here:
PROCESS
Every 10 years, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) around the United States are required to update their Metropolitan Planning Areas (MPA) to be consistent with, at a minimum, the Census Designated Urban Areas.
FAST Planning began the 2023 Draft Metropolitan Planning Area Update process in early 2023 with the release of the 2020 Census Data.
FAST Planning assembled a Boundary Update Steering Committee to work through the early stages of data acquistion, data/information processing, and stakeholder involvement. This steering committee met for a total of 5 2-hour meetings prior to the development of the Draft Miniumum MPA Boundary Update in Fall 2023.
After determining the Draft Minimum MPA Boundary Update, FAST Planning staff presented the findings to the Technical Committee on 10/4/2023. The Technical Committee unanimously approved a recommendation to the Policy Board to approve the release of the Draft Minimum MPA Boundary Update for a 30-Day Public Comment Period.
[view Technical Committee Meeting presentation and discussion]
To remain on track for submittal of the updated MPA Boundary to the Governor for approval before January 2024, FAST Planning called a Special Policy Board Meeting on 10/10/2023 and presented the Draft Minimum MPA Boundary Update to the Policy Board. 6 out of 7 Policy Board Members were present for this meeting and they voted 6-0 in favor of releasing the Draft Minimum MPA Boundary Update for a 30-Day Public Comment Period.
[view Special Policy Board Meeting presentation and discussion]
The 30-Day Public Comment Period extends from 10/12/2023 to 11/12/2023.