A. WMC 16.20.020 includes a use chart describing the type of permit needed before initiating a use of land. There are three types of permit: (1) administrative approval (“AA”); (2) use permit (“UP”); and (3) conditional use (“CU”). This chapter describes the procedures that apply to administrative approvals and use permits; WMC 16.16.010 through 16.16.040 describe the procedures that apply to the elevation of administrative approvals and use permit decisions to the commission, pursuant to WMC 16.12.040, and to conditional uses. Applications are also required for rezonings (WMC 16.16.070), for subdivisions (WMC 16.28.030), for signs (WMC 16.32.060) and for variances (WMC 16.28.110).

B. The planner may approve uses that are listed as administratively approved (“AA”) or as a use permit (“UP”) in the use chart of WMC 16.20.020. Approvals by the planner are intended to provide assistance to developers in locating and designing uses to be in conformance with the neighborhood character and city adopted policies and standards. The application and approval process is also intended to ensure that uses comply with other laws that may apply such as state fire codes and Matanuska-Susitna Borough programs including: coastal management, shoreline protection program and flood damage prevention. (Ord. 09-13 § 3, 2009; prior code § 16.43.400)