Alaska Section, American Water Resources Association

Scott Maclean, Alaska Section AWRA Northern-Region Director

I would like to invite you to the January 2002 Brown-Bag presentation by Bernardo Hernandez. Please note this meeting is the second Wednesday in February. We look forward to seeing you, please feel free to bring a colleague to the meeting.

February 13, 2002
Alaska Section AWRA, Northern-Region Brown-Bag Presentation
Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Large Conference Room
Noon to 1300

"The Fairbanks North Star Borough Is Restructuring Its Comprehensive Plan"
Bernardo Hernandez

Department of Community Planning
Fairbanks North Star Borough
P.O. Box 71267
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707-1267

Abstract

The Fairbanks North Star Borough is restructuring its comprehensive plan. The current plan was adopted in 1984, 18 years ago. Since 1980, the Borough’s population has grown dramatically by 53%. This growth in population has created many positive changes in our community. At the same time there have been conflicts in land use that have created concern for Borough decision makers and residents.

We live in a community that has long winters and harsh temperatures. Many of us live here out of choice, because we enjoy living here. The Fairbanks North Star Borough is a wonderful place to live. We have many amenities including a good economy, an excellent university, a fine school district, wonderful open spaces and wildlife, and a friendly community - not to mention the many other amenities.

By the year 2018, we are expected to have a population of about 99,000. With more growth will come more changes in our community, some good and perhaps some not so good.

As we grow into the future it is important for our community to think about how we want our community to be, socially, physically and economically. As part of the planning process it is important to know what we value about our community so that as we grow and change we can protect and enhance those things we value, and make this a great place to live.

During the first year of planning effort, we hope to accomplish three activities:

1. Develop a vision for the Borough. As we grow and change, we need to ensure that those alluring characteristics of the Borough that we highly value will continue to be here.

2. Develop long-range conceptual goals for the Borough as a regional area.

3. Develop an implementation plan to actually help us achieve our vision and our long-range conceptual goals.

Your help is vital in accomplishing these tasks.