02/11/2024
Land Use
February 13th 2024 Assembly Regular Meeting:
NEW: Reducing private open space requirements for multifamily development: Introduction of AO 2024-16. This type of reform is usually based on the idea that open space requirements complicate development without producing functional open space, and that open space can be a shared responsibility for everyone through well-designed streetscapes, public parks, and trails. Item 10.G.3.
NEW: Accessory Dwelling Unit Report. A year after passing a package of ADU reforms, the Planning Department was required to report back on results of the changes. Overall not a large number of ADUs constructed, but apparently considerable interest. (For context, permit activity reports indicate that 2023 was a very slow production year for new housing units overall). Item 10.F.2.
NEW: Rezone with Special Limitations: AO 2024-1 proposes to change the Land Use Plan Map and AO 2024-2 proposes to change the zoning from R-5 to B-3 with special limitations for a few lots along Abbott Road. The Planning department seems adamantly opposed to the change, despite apparent support from the community council and a vote to recommend approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission. From the department’s uncharacteristically strident staff report:
”Anchorage 2040’s land use designations are not an error. They are purposeful because greater housing density at this location is a high community need.”
“Even the rezone of one residential lot to B-3 is dangerous.”
“But, while the B-3 district allows residential development, that is extremely rare. The B-3 district is typically developed with straight commercial, and almost never for housing.”
In contrast with the staff report, the on-the-ground reality of Anchorage suggests that B-3 is actually a fairly popular zoning designation for building multifamily housing. For example, Cook Inlet’s brand new Ch’bala corners and the new ThirteenTen West 32nd, both multi-unit residential developments, were built in B-3 districts. Items 14.H and 14.I.
ONGOING: No Right Turn On Red AO 2024-14 would prohibit right turns on red in Downtown Anchorage. Per the Federal Highway Administration: “Prohibiting right turns on red will significantly improve pedestrian safety”. Item 14.B.
Transportation
NEW: AKDOT has released concepts for the Seward/Glenn Highway Connector project: In general, it’s still not clear what problem AKDOT is trying to solve with this project, what the tradeoffs might actually be, or how/when they are going to do it since they didn’t haven’t included budgeting for the project in their funding plan. The long-term solutions they’ve presented generally negatively impact either Fairview, Airport Heights, or the Chester Creek Trail, but the interim solution seems like a positive implementation (see the interim solution on page 26/40 of this large pdf). Find all the open house materials here. News item here. Still relevant, the Reconnecting Fairview project can be found here.
NEW: Municipality of Anchorage Transportation Priorities Survey: Share your perspective on the future of transportation infrastructure investments in Anchorage. “The Planning Department is seeking the public’s input in ranking priorities for each of the goal areas. Individual projects to support these goals and objectives will be identified in a future planning process”. Project page here.
NEW: Ted Stevens International Airport Master Plan Update online open house for the biggest airport in the state and one of the busiest cargo airports in the world. Note the plans only seem to facilitate future visitor traffic primarily via private vehicle--who’s gonna tell them that geometrically speaking, this rarely works out? Recall that last year the airport had some parking utilization issues, yet no reports of people missing flights as they presumably made different travel choices (“The best advice we have is to try and get dropped off,” Peters said. “Whether it be by a friend, a rideshare, getting a taxi, whatever taxi service people like to use.”). Another method of getting dropped off has traditionally been called “transit”. There also doesn’t seem to be a single mention of accessing the airport by train, despite there being a functional train station at the airport.
NEW: AMATS Policy Committee Meeting February 15th, 2024.
Events
NEW: Anchorage Design Week is February 21-25. There will be a wide range of events, including another visit by Chuck Marohn of Strong Towns on 2/21 for a workshop on Reconnecting Fairview.
ONGOING: Parks & Rec Event Family Skate on Saturdays at the Westchester Lagoon. The lagoon, full of people having fun on a winter’s day, is a celebration of life in a northern city. Now if we could just get a few more food and drink vendors…