We'll call the October 6th. Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission to order. May we please have the roll call? >> Under Spin Alley here, Jerry Gardner. Read Krishna here, Jim Winchester here, Scott Jeff Braun. Greg strike. Ran deeper here. You have a quorum. Thank you. >> Next item on the agenda. The minutes for Monday, September 8 and September. 15th, there a motion to approve the minutes? Moved by Commissioner Polis seconded Commissioner Ron. Are there any corrections to the minutes? Hearing? None. Minutes are approved. Next. Special order of business disclosures. Any commissioners commissioner Uber. >> He was absent from the September 8 and September 15th meetings and staying from voting on the consent agenda. >> Thank you. Any other disclosures. Commissioner thank you, Mr. in the case cases, 25 deaths years or 3, 0, 0, 0, 3, 4 regarding the staff memo dated October 6th. In that memo, there is inclusion by reference to and courage Daily news letters to the editor for the Record. My spouse did offer one of those letters the editor publicly available. I read it when it came out. I don't believe that that association rises to the level of conflict but and disclosing further can. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Ron >> I don't believe there's a conflict if any other commissioners. Disagree. Motion on the rise. I'll also disclose that I was absence from September. 15th meeting will stain from voting on resolution 2025. Dash 0, 2, 8, Next The agenda. Is the consent agenda mean we have a motion to approve the consent agenda. That is moved by Commissioner Chris Chris. Chris seconded by Commissioner Winchester. Anyone wishing to pull any items for discussion. Hearing none consent agenda is approved. Move on to the public meetings. But first will read the procedure by which public may speak to the commission. After staff presentation is completed on public hearing items. The chair will ask for public testimony on the issues. Persons who wish to testify will follow time limits established in the commission. Rules of procedure. Petitioners, including his or her representatives, will receive 10 minutes. Part of this time may be reserved for rebuttal representatives of groups, Community Council's PT is cetera. 5 minutes and individuals will receive 3 minutes when your testimony is complete. You may be asked questions by the commission. You may only testify once on any issue unless question by the commission. Commission recommendations to the Anchorage Assembly are not appealable. ♪ ♪ And the first item 20. Cases 2025. Dash 0, 0, 3, 0 2025. Dash 0, 0, 3, 4, These cases were combined at the July 14. And September 8 meetings and postpone to this evening. The public hearing is still open. And those who have testified previously may testify again, the time allotted for the testimony will continue to be doubled. We will go to staff presentation. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good evening. Members of commission members, the public monies Daniel kind of foster from long range planning. >> In the planning department, just give brief overview. Some of you have seen this before. We've been doing a lot going a lot of public meetings giving fairly similar presentations, but just little bit overview for the project, how we got where we are and where things stand. Currently. So the I just before you tonight, one item that creates a new overland. One item that updates the comprehensive plan. So really it comes down to comprehensive plan guidance. The comprehensive plan is to, of course, the sort of big-picture guidance of the priorities and long long-term movement of the municipality and the idea of a transit support of corridor are focusing development along where transit transportation is to get to he built or invested in overtime a pretty old idea. So it's been in our comprehensive plan sense 2001. That's when. One of the slides or not showing. So either shown great for me. I didn't Again. So Anchorage has a comprehensive plan. This kind of 2 parts the 2020 conference of plan in the 2040 land use plan. Both are the comprehensive plan. But this idea was really established in the 20 Conference of Plan. C on the left here and those lines on the map. That was the first idea of maybe we should think about focusing developing long-term in these areas that way you get the most out of road investment sidewalk investments maintenance operations, housing investments, Park investments, that sort of thing because, you know, Anchorage is always been a bit fiscally constrained. It's just kind of makes fiscal sense. If you're running a city concentrate stuff or makes a lot of sense. And then in 2017, the municipality adopted the 2040 land use plan, which was a more concrete. Look at how land you should look over time. And that really in trying the idea of that went the transport of developing overlay and it actually put it on the map. And so the the published map that's been available online for years was sort of the original basis for that and it laid out that these transport development corridors. It's only about transit, but it's also about walkability. It's about encouraging a mixture of uses and really sort of changing the shape of the city a little bit. So expecting that the city is going to change and it's probably going to change in these areas. So it in the slide. You see some of the pictures from the 2040 land use plan. How this change was imagined at the time. And these are all from the plan. And so this is a range of places but really thinking about this is what it could look like over time. And this is, you know, from 2017 and a lot of this you'll see is this development called 5 over one, which is 5 stories of wood over one story of concrete. was an innovation and building code 10, 15, maybe 20 years ago this point and when the plane came out, that was sort of a big deal. There's a lot of that going on across the country. was a really efficient way to both get housing built in an economical way. So you'll see here is a lot of that type of housing. So a lot of the plan really focus on this type of developments are sign for this time development. But the plan is from 2017. Things have changed a lot conditions of change. You know, economics of getting materials up here and what makes sense. And so a lot of this never really got realized in Anchorage, but it's been in the plan. So origins of this it actually originated with community members in 2024. And so those community members kind of put this present this together and they went But Lou, Huffman O'Malley's Benard Fairview Mountain View, Northeast Airport Heights cover community councils and they got sponsors to buy know. It's a really was a grass roots sort of project and and then the sponsors signed on. And then they came to the plan permit to talk. let's see if we can figure out how to do this. And we played a sort of advisory role and helping things along. Planning staff work. The original sponsors to draft the ordinance with a win of 2024. and then the sponsors changed in early 2025. So we've heard that, you know, concerned about this coming up in the summer. And that was never the intent. It was really just that. One of the original sponsors ready. Salt left the body, the assembly earlier this year. And so there needed to be a bit of transition to get somebody else on. And by the time that was done, we're already into the summer. But as you probably aware that the PCC process is a little bit longer. So even when we put something into basically the process to get it on agenda over the June or July, we have to several months in advance. So it's just the nature of the way the process There was nothing intentional. There was nothing sort subversive about trying to do. It was really just the time of working you know what, what the sponsors that heard and what we thought would work. And then getting the sponsors and everything lined up. And then we've had this plan zoning case. Actually 2 cases, 2025 years. 3, 0, 25 Sears or 3, 4, at meetings in July September. And now this one October. And we did have a work session before. Then so why this I think is a lot of reasons it's in the plan, but at least from the department's perspective, you know, a couple years ago, you might recall the home initiative, which is a pretty big zoning reform generate a lot of discussion in the community and it from our side. We heard a lot of feedback during that process. The people wanted more targeted reforms. I have to say throughout this whole process, many people said we recognize there's a housing issue. We recognize we need more housing. We just wanted to be targeted. We wanted to be kind of focus and that is really one of the starting point for transport development it is fundamentally about focus transit in certain areas. It's only a small portion of the ball. So yeah, as we'll see in a little bit the map as as as encompass different areas. But it's never been more than about 20% of the bowl, actually the whole Anchorage. pretty small. So it's no less than a 5th. So it is it's it's targeted development. But this these are the comments we heard and people said we want to be focused. We want you to use land plan Strategies for Reinvestment Focus area, strategic reasons. And Transportation Corps is one of those things. So a lot of this came directly out of what we heard in impasse projects of the past few years. So we're now version 6 version. 6 is in the packet. And just a quick overview. This will go a little bit more into the process, but it's just residential uses. So if you recall, when this first came out in July, it was much bigger ordinance had mixed uses, had certain limitations about one non-residential could connected to residential. And since then, we've heard a lot of feedback and we've really made a lot of changes based on that feedback. Now, some people said we want you to go further. I was reading a comment today and somebody said they wanted gas stations in that he's do and they wanted, you know, different types of you and other people say we don't want any non residential use. So we've got a lot of feedback and we really tried to. Taylor the ordinance to that and also thinking about the bigger picture achieving the goals of the plan because it's really it's really about as we have the plans to achieve the goals and and and get to those just residential uses. if there's a mixed ordinance will be a separate ordinance later, 40 foot height. So initially 75 feet and now down to 40. So that's just one story over existing allowances. The current height limit is 30 feet most of anchorage and in some of the zones down south, it's actually 35 feet. So 40's just a little bit higher more restrictive lot coverage from version, 5 down to 70% and a larger map area. So it did expand the map and setbacks. Okay. So Pixar's Erin, 5, 0 or 5 on the side and 0 10 in the back. So it did expand larger map area will go into some reason about that. Why but it also sort of Frank's, you know, the flexibility within that. And a lot of that was based on feedback and talk about what seems viable and what also seems to make be likely to make a difference, right? You'll you'll see in our staff report that looking at it, we really seem to have gotten to this You know, the proposal least 5 and some of its and is this seems to it would have a difference without getting so sort of complicated that it would be hard to really use are not just become a complexity that wasn't really at functional. So what does does not impact? And we've heard a lot of comments about these, a lot of concerns and a rational about concerns. And just there's something that is a can't do that zone and can't do. And this overlay specifically. So it doesn't change fire code or safety standards, Even if there was no zoning at all. We saw fire coach. You still have to build at least in the building services area. You have to build safe building. That's what building code. That's way that the building service department, which does a lot of great permitting and they don't do a lot of work to make sure their permitting is always, you know, they're catching things and so that was, of course, really important because the rationale zonings health safety, welfare. And so would want to do anything that really harms that before. So have building codes as well. So no change the building codes, safety standards of fire, code safety standards maintains environmental protections, natural resource protections, neighbor protections in in Chapter 7, including seismic requirements. Storm water run off train engine encroachments into waterways. So, you know, even if you had basically unlimited zoning in a seismic area that was on 5, which is really unstable area. You still couldn't build really crazy, right? Because the building part department is there to prevent that from happening or you just have to engineer it. So it's safe that you can also land engineering for that maintains existing protections for landscaping, screening for parking lots and waste receptacles. We heard a lot about that. Doesn't change that and it doesn't preclude covenants to A's or other private agreements zoning does actually so if you have a private agreement within your community, Bowden H.O.A., it doesn't really matter. zoning that's those are private agreements and the Sony doesn't interfere with that. So I will just have said zoning is one tool of many. There's a lot of things going on the meeting right now. And means trying to solve a lot of problems. And that means doing a lot of kind of cool stuff. I have to say some interesting stuff. A lot of departments work together and so one thing we've heard a lot of us people concerned about roads and right of way. And of course, we say will this is zoning is on the private property. You can't really do too much on the roads. Fortunately are doing a lot on the road. So some of the things we're working on downtown engineering study, which is looking at how designed the roads downtown, but that's informing other stuff elsewhere, right? That's where that's enabling us to pilot projects and we can what we learned their week might try another streets the right way. Management studying strategy. This is a huge one because a lot of people concerned about you. People storing private property, private vehicles on public streets. The best way to deal with that is you got to manage the street right? You can manage directly and then you can figure out if there really is a space allocation problem and you can do it fairly. You can do for way that benefits the neighborhood. And there's a number of ways to do that. Fortunately, the assembly set us up for success already several years ago by funding that study. That study will be done in the next few months. And that will give us basically a tool kit. So if somebody says we have an issue in our neighborhood with people storing their cars on the streets, public Street, we'll have the OK? Well, here here, maybe the 3 options that would resolve that most effectively and for China is very effective. Another sits on criteria. Manual update. That's sort of blueprint of how the streets are designed or how they are built. So that's also huge piece, right comes in the to wider. People are going too fast. Desire to update is a big piece of that and they have streets and highways plan kind of builds on that a little bit that sort of the you might call zoning of the streets of street in long term. Just plan to be a really big street and maybe maybe they but says we don't want to be a really big tree. Want to get smaller Those are all great ways to deal with that and we could deal with him directly where they occur rather than trying to do publicly zoning and then Vision, 0 the mean he's been doing a lot of vision, 0 work. We all know that pedestrian deaths in fatalities are big problem in Anchorage. And so there are resource go into that. And then beyond this, you know, some comments that Weld, this doesn't seem to get the kind of housing I'm thinking about. And on that, the answer is always that it's yes and right. It's a whole range of types of housing. So the Senate passed a multifamily tax abatement. That's generally a lot of interest renewed attention on vacant and abandoned properties, including think about how the Muni can leverage made public resources to move some of those things forward or provide assistance that can be paid back to get rid properties that might be contributing to problems. Piloting small forms of housing and shelter again, you know, housing. It's it's a spectrum, right? So everything every is moving up or down on the housing ladder. And it's really sort of an ecosystem. And so getting housing at any level really zoning formed again. Just one piece of that and a specific one. The archives property RFP in Midtown. That's where the meat is taking a more concrete approach to try to get actual housing built. So there are a lot of things going wants to do it. It will. You know, it's already seem to be contributing at least the interest. It's generating Israeli. Really remarkable, have to say. But there's a number of things to work on. And I think the Muni is working in a lot of different directions. think 2 is is the map. And because that's, you know, where does it apply? How did it? How did you come up with these? Where did this come from? And there have been a lot of discussions and a lot of analysis on the map. So you'll see here. And and I'm sorry, it's kind of hard to see on the screen. But on the left is the parcels in the original 2040 land use plan map. So that's the map that everybody's been looking at for about 10 years to think these are where the transport of development corridors are. Some observant. People have pointed out that some of those quarters don't actually a lineup with bus routes anymore. And that was actually true within a couple of years of the being adopted. Just cause some of the bus for change. But also encourage, you know, in not too long ago, rearrange their bus routes to focus more on on regular service. And that has also I think that's best practice, at least in planning for sure. And but so that's why looking at the original, there's some there's some good reasons to make some tweaks to that. So below that is the parcels the map for 2025. 35 S one. So the initial version of Tis, though, you may have seen in July was based on this one. This dark purple. And that was that the tax abatement bonus area for 8 or more units and the thinking there was, you know, these are areas that we some of were opportunity zones, federal opportunity zones. Some are areas where, you know, 70 members thought that really makes sense for my district. Others are like, oh, there actually is a bus line here. Others where maybe there's more vacant property there. And the thinking was kind of cast a wide net. And so the the first version that is aligned up with that map because the thinking was if you're going to give are sort of incentivize 8 or more units, if you have to have the land use regulation actually allow you to build more units. So then last week, part version 5 was this one in the top right corner. And you can see that's a little bit smaller. That was basically just let's take the 20 for the latest quarter. As you see in left. Let's just keep it north of international and then we'll do a quarter mile off of Muldoon a tutor. Just keep it kind of simple. And people pointed out on that that that one has some weird edges right on some streets you'll in. so you can see it on here because the resolution, but people did point out this boundaries kind of odd. You know, this house on my street is included in this house. Isn't. And then we have the 6th version down here in the lower right. And this is basically just a reversion back to the original for the tax abatement, but removing downtown just to keep it simple. There are a lot of lot of work went into this boundary to try to make it contiguous or where it makes sense or not. And so that's where we ended up there today. But, you know, these when the only mask we looked at, we looked at a lot of maps and another alternate. We looked at at one point was Tate doing a quarter mile off of the 2025 bus or the bus routes we have right now, which seem likely to continue with existing 15 minute service. So this kind of tough to read because the 2040 plant didn't identify this. But we know it is fundamentally about transit support of development. So and we also know that these are the routes that are probably most likely just a 15 minute or where people mover will keep investing. So this does make a lot of sense build up along these areas. And of course, you know, looking back, this is from actually the 2040 ladies plan back in 2017 is in zoning, Alice or the planning outlets. And they had mapped ridership potential back then and sort of looking at that. Keeping that in mind. So and there's another version of this, which is looking at ridership, potential future housing units. And you can see it is pretty scattered all over I first did overlay the new. new proposal on this. But it does seem like there there's a lot in some of these areas. And again, you'll note that half of the bottom of the city's not included to most of this. Most of Anchorage is not included in this proposal. We also, course, a look at seismic areas anchors joining doesn't generally lineup with seismic very much. I think in many cases, people and engineering to take care of that. But you can see anything that's green is seismic zone one. So that's the lowest ground failure set to build anything that's red sizing zone. 5. You know, lot downtown area. Some selfishness is on 5 and John for. But a lot of these areas are are not in there. And then finally flood ways. We heard some comments about that. So this is just mapping where the flood ways our and most most of Anchorage is developments outside the flood was because we do have those streams setbacks in the other protections and put when they put in this green belts. They sort of built that in. And then one final map we're looking just this week is. Thinking about the age of parcels. So Anchorage Azria really old housing stock. One rule of thumb is once a building. It's about 40 or 50 years old. There's probably enough to put a lot something into it, maybe up to replace the roof at that point, some major repairs. So on this map, everything older, the 1980, all the buildings with the principal structure is older than it is is some shade of red. Anything built 1981, or laters is just an grace. You can't really see it. So this is the current boundary. So you can see here, there are a lot of really old structures, lot of really old buildings. So just know, doesn't make anybody change anything. It doesn't force anybody doing with their property, but it does recognize that encourages a lot of pretty old building stock and people are looking to invest in their properties. Makes changes and it would kind of make sense to also align that with some of the infrastructure investments are other changes that are going on. And so there's just a lot of old buildings. So over time there will be change, right? Doesn't you have to do something to those buildings? Some people choose to just repaired as it is something want to try something new. So public outreach. We first started again. It went to planning zoning in July, but we started a bit before that setting out now to talk community council president. So, you know, we heard that people really value the community council system and we want to get plugged into that. So the first thing we did is we communicate with all the community council president. We wanted them to know from the very beginning. And we've sort of try to make sure that that was always a centerpiece. We said that any time anybody wants to presentation will will be glad to come. So and we've been to a lot of a lot of presentations. We went to the Committee Economic Development Committee in June. We had a special meeting in South addition in July, went to a Mets community advisory committee in July with the home builders in August, multiple collaborative conversations with the Rogers Park FCC local lands which still available any, but it can watch that. I think it's on YouTube. Downtown Community Council, September University Area Community Council September turned in Community Council September North star. Now with me out view, Leadership, Airport Heights Turning Council Land Use Committee went to the Golden Transit Center Open House and sat there and talked with some people, University area Community Council that's techno advisory committee just like last week and the Policy Committee upcoming. And I think we have one more potentially plan for Northeast Community Council. So. Are a lot of concerns. You know, a lot of people want more. Some people are concerned about one less so as I mentioned, private vehicle storage on public streets, heightened shadows uses. Some people say it's going decrease property nice and it was it's going to increase property values in those taxes, not enough change, too much change desire for, say safer streets and concerned about maintenance there's been a lot of discussion about this in the public sphere as well. All right. So it's great to see good to people that discussing it. Articles in the Daily News Alaska public opinions op-eds. So people have been discussing this for a couple of months. So you might think, okay? Well, we had version 5 y version 6. So we published version 5 last week and we maybe got a ton of feedback. There's a bunch of feedback just from publishing that and one of the most compelling was that, you know, over a we heard from different projects of over 100 units, unplanned project, some of original map. So just thinking about if we're trying to get 10,000 homes in 10 years and we have about 5 projects where they say we're we're trying to build 25 units. We want a 3, 6 plexus to 4 plex is I mean, right there. And they want to build because of that. He's do map. That's that's pretty compelling. And so certainly that that's what we thought. Maybe expand the map. But at the same time address some of the concerns we've heard throughout the process. So those with a compromise on to mention standard flexibility and also his relationship to larger infrastructure planning. So we we went to talk to the aim at sticking Pfizer Commission committee last week and they really emphasized that a lot of their plants depend on Anchorage implementing its own plan. So as they look at their climate action there, most your targets, they're they're there. Big transportation plan. A lot of it. They're counting on something to happen because it's in the plant. So they're expecting it will. And they're making decisions about which models to use or how to model future travel based on the idea that Anchorage, we'll do this kind of thing. So they were concerned. He said if there's going to be tended really liked him because we have to change everything are really maybe start moving in different direction for up go that way. Here's just some specifics. And this isn't the the the package as well. Just. What we heard last week is something I've got a 36 unit plans, south-central anchors to plex buildings. Weve got plans. 24 unit in South Central Anchorage, 18 unit project in plant spin art said about small duplex. Lots 9 properties near town center. The could rezone or maybe not rezone just build. They were looking to build duplexes and the 24 unit project in spin art. Immediately outside of the new Tuesday, a boundary. So this is also on online. So and one more thing going back to. A massive infrastructure planning. So and it was really helpful to get this comment from a Mets, as they just said, look, we. When we start, our starting point is 2040. And I said in some of the climate action plan meetings and some other Tris fission planned meetings and they have to start someone. They say we assume that Anchorage will develop in these ways. We see that this has been in the plan for 20 years and it's adopted in the policy. And so that's where they start. And that's how they do their modeling. And if you want to change modeling how you design the roads, some of that depends on certain areas. It will have more dense to more housing than others. So that's been and complete streets is another one we've been hearing about a lot of interest, a complete streets for years, but complete streets are starting point well. Where would these make the most sense if we're gonna safer, calmer streets, we should put it where the most people are probably going to be walking around. So they need a starting point for that. And other pieces just looking at in 2025. The screenshot is not too early. I would look down here, but Anchorage so far seen 371 units in 2025. So something is working. It seems that in 2023 we have had around maybe 270 in 2024. We about 300 in. 25. We have 371 now. Right? So we permit syrup and as you'll see here in this pink line, that's that's 5 or more units. So a lot of the growth has been in multi-family development. So so many things going on. But again, that's only threaded 71 to get to 10,000 homes in 10 years. You need a bit more than that or another years but we did hear a lot about people concerned about addressing specific concerns are the unique aspects of their neighborhoods. And so we were looking for is there a tool in code that can meet this need? there is one so you'll see in our proposal is that. The code already allows for the creation of sort of neighborhood overlays and the twenty-twenty plan and 2040 plan call for it. The call for this as a strategy specifically in the areas for traditional labor development. And so we've heard a lot of people say, I want to look like this. I'd like to look like this. And as we're developing this proposal that covers, you know Certain Aaron Jones, a wide area, the city, but it covers a number of different parts of the city right? And everybody wants something different in terms of the dimensional standards. Now, that doesn't mean that that individual neighborhoods, you know, argue neither should be unique. But this tool, it's just not very well suited for meeting. Those needs. So that's why we're thinking about him. I think there's a way to do this and there's a way planning department can help with that. Is that any neighborhoods or areas if they want to come up with their own specific kind of tailored and calibrated rules, they can do it and we'd be glad to help them do that. It's based on local consensus. You have to get the feedback in the buy-in from 51%. Your neighbors to make this tool work. But it's fundamentally Democratic in that way. It's a priority stretch in 2020 2040 land use plan and you can this tool you can control uses structures require specific designs requests specific approval process, ease alter dimensional standards and create new specific requirements. I mean, those things in that last bullet. That's a lot of what we've heard from people is they are looking for a way to do that. And this is a tool it already exists and where interested in helping anybody who would like to pursue that. So that's the conclusion of my presentation. I will ask give a few moments to the mayor's office. If they had a few extra comments to make our yeah. Thank you to hi, everyone. I'm Graeme Downie. Am that deputy chief of staff to the mayor. Really appreciate everyone being here tonight to give us your thoughts about does do thank you to the planning and Zoning Commission for the 3rd hearing on this topic. Really appreciate you. All's engagement and patients and a huge thank you to staff who have put in so much time and effort reaching out to community members, providing updated information and really trying to be responsive to many designers here. I thought I would speak for just a minute about what we expect to happen next after tonight to give folks a sense of what's coming up after this would be very excited tonight to get a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission. We'd love your feedback on the technical aspects of this ordinance. You've heard a lot of community feedback. You synthesize lot of community feedback. We love your thoughts about that as well. >> How this tis do Cannon doesn't doesn't meet the community expectations. How it doesn't doesn't meet our goals reaching 10,000 homes in 10 years, how it might or might not harm communities. So we definitely very eager to get the community's input tonight during public testimony and at the conclusion of tonight to get the Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendations for how we move forward. Expect then that we will put the ordinance on pause. So that's direction that I've gotten from mayor and the sponsors is that after tonight we will be holding on to this ordinance in order to convene even more collaborative conversations with you all with the community about how we achieve 10,000 homes. I think we've heard a lot of feedback on this ordinance, both positive and negative. We've also heard a real shared desire to solve the problem of housing and encourage. And so we want to convene folks to get together to figure out how we get to that shared solution in a collaborative, transparent way. So expect after tonight that will put the ordinance on hold so we can can be in those conversations and figure out together how we get to 10,000 homes in 10 years. But it will be very important for having those conversations to get the Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendations. That will be very helpful for informing what that process looks like. >> The is that it. Thank you, Daniel and Graham. >> Are there questions first? No questions for staff. >> And we will. Open up for public testimony. So. Anyone wishing to speak. Please step forward. >> Well, first touched a button. And tell you see a red light. Should be down. But at the bottom. There'll be a red light like on your mind similar to these. Got it. Okay. Okay. Now, tell us your Cat. And if you're testifying on half of yourself. As an individual or the representative of the group. >> I'm president of the app and the Community Council, but I'm speaking on behalf because I haven't communicated with the counseling their approval on. and so it up you as an individual. You get 6 minutes. >> 6 minutes, OK? Thank you yeah, I'm state government. Okay. Let know president of the Outlook Community Council. I live in Independence Park on century independents actually. I want thank you for including us again on the plan. I was. I was really disappointed see left off where we we went in and voted to support this we're really concerned about what's going on with the Abbott, 10 center I want to particularly address the bus route. 55, which runs the university to to Diamond and that that is the. >> That is like really important South Anchorage bus route. >> comes down and serves the ABA town center if you drive by that bus drive, I want you pay attention to the number chainlink fences with razor wire or barbed wire on the top. This isn't a bus and notice what those are protecting from what I can tell. There are some backhoes and some cranes. There's also what appears to be junked vehicles and shipping containers that to me that does not seem to be the best use of that land. Surely we could put junk cars somewhere else. Now Abbott and the Abbott loop community within losing both housing and commercial. Buildings. The the Academy Scooter interchange is going to take out, I think take up 3 homes. Their trailers, and it's already they've already removed Cornerstone Clinic building to be able to chip make way for that interchange. The cornerstone moved on to the Abbott 10 center and then we rezoned the land across from from Fred Myers from it was a residential and we rezoned it To commercial. And Andrea, we work to doing that. Which I think was the right choice. But it's further reducing the amount of housing we have in there. What I would like to through the plan have right now is like all focused on residents. But we really need to focus more on what's going on with the commercial and the industrial land because a lot of with that. It's the sort of industrial zone land is creating a barrier to pedestrian and bus access for the the bus stop on 88th and and Abbott that is the major bust up. You could access from Creek, which is a fairly dense neighborhood. That's been on the access for that has been on the cip lists for years and we missed the opportunity to buy that right away so that people could walk to the bus stop. It is now has a chain link fence preventing people from walking in and out of the neighborhood. We also have the bus stop a Fred Myers. You can't take your shopping cart from the grocery store, which is reasonable to do and push it down to the bus. Stop without going in the middle of where. The traffic is moving lot of the stuff is is really simple in the river. Kwai are working with the businesses something that's as simple as how are you handling snow removal. I remember going out to winters ago trying to walk Starbucks and to walk Old Seward Diamond that intersection was horrendous because they had to dump all the snow in the pedestrian in a pedestrian access. I would like to see that that focus more on. On looking at the overall zoning, not just the housing and what's going on with commercial and the industrial. And I really would like to see more housing and more businesses in the ABA 10 Senate, particularly on 88. So thank you. I see no questions. Thank you for just a moment. >> And even then Jason or South Anchorage speaking for myself, asking you to please support first. Want to thank you and staff and the sponsors. I know been a lot of work for everyone. want to state that all along the way. When proponents have been before you are written and we brought solutions to the problems the opposition has raised. It's why assert the opposition is not serious about compromise. There have been no counter proposals. They're only cries for public time. They're only demand is less. Their only answer is no. And they're only concerns or I me and mine. They assert that somehow there will be lower property values, but I'm somehow also higher market prices and sorry, economists them will get on my high horse a bit here because never in the history of ever have there been capital inflows, signaling high demand and that leading to lower prices. That's not the way that supply and demand works. So while we're here, let's talk about parking preface this by saying, mean, he's already established parking policy by repealing Parking minimums because trust that the market's going to provide what's necessary, not shown to be effective in cities nationwide. But in addition to proven experience, it's academically sound. Former UCLA economist and professor of Urban planning Dr Donald Shoup wrote extensively about this topic. Managing parking in the Right of Way Works. You can even to the parking and improvement district that funds infrastructure lights, sidewalks that opponents say are necessary to do do properly. And I don't disagree with him on that point. The secret, of course, is that they're not actually interested in comprehensive solutions. The chicken and egg problem is a powerful tool for them because they can always point to something else and say you got to do that first. We can't have housing near transit because transit isn't robust enough. We can't have a bus transit because housing is intense enough. We can't have dense housing because sidewalks aren't where they need to be, but we don't need the sidewalks because we don't have the housing. It's not a good faith argument. It's a rhetorical sleight of hand. Point being is those who support his, though, have been reasonable this entire time when concerns were raised, we brought solutions such as the step-down method for addressing height disparities. You'll find in my comments starting on page. 64 of Attachment 3, those were more comprehensive answers to the question you posed to me. Last time I testified, I apologize that I wasn't prepared as I should have been to answer about at that point. But when dialogue has happened, we proponents have engaged in good faith. When testimony was heard, we showed up and provide sound fact and logic based support when the question was asked, where is this been done? We provided a list of cities with the maximum heisey instituted when people asserted were too far north. We talked about other northern communities that have been able to successfully embrace density. When people told us we don't want to be Minneapolis or Chicago. We said just want to be a better Anchorage. When issues of the city's future where raise? We pointed out that the University Utah showed walkable neighborhoods lead to decreases in obesity and diabetes. And Rice University showed kids raised in walkable neighborhoods make more as adults. Along the way. Proponents have embraced academic research, proven facts and advocated for the greater good. You'll see an ad in article today that says the seize on the precipice of a fiscal cliff. We need investment like this to bring up the tax base to help us close the gap. The mayor herself was quoted in that story supporting ways to address this fiscal calamity that is on our doorstep. And the staff has shown you that we have 100 units ready to be built. There's no there's no scientific study. There's no fact or logic based argument I can give to you more than the market coming to you saying we want to do this. If you pass this, I'm in. Here's my money. I'm putting it on the table. And if you don't, I'm not. That is the most compelling thing that could ever be said about any proposal. Big progress like the earlier version is great and we should have embrace it. Smaller progress like the current version is acceptable, but no progress. No progress is unacceptable. Do I do it middle? wish this was Boulder. I still support this and I'm surprised at this very late moment that the mayor is directing this to be paused after tonight. Sure, the Muni has already given up half the maximum height, 30% of coverage can pitch to Aden on setbacks and for now, at least given up on all mixed use. But of course, this still isn't enough to give. 10,000 homes. 10 years is now 9. With much more of a pause. It's going to be 8. Certainly not our future. Be certain. It's in service to our past. To still will not create parking It will not lower property values. There will be no seven-storey aquariums next to a log cabin. Police tell me these accusations sound is patently absurd to you as they do to me. So please reject baseless fear and testify. Zing and brace facts and a solid future for the city's fiscal health. Our most marginalized communities and the next generation. Please vote yes. Thank you. question about comments Question from commissioner on. Go Sir. Threw the chair. Thank you. Mrs for your continued engagement before this body and elsewhere. >> For those We're here tonight. You may not have made to pay 65 the stop act. Would you mind sharing little more information about your step down concept that was included in a certain comments? I'll be happy to thank you for the question chair a >> the ongoing. Hite disparity issue that opponents race and I don't disagree. We actually agree on this is that we don't want a 75 foot building next to a 30 foot building. And that's okay. So the step-down method would be. You have 75 up against the arterial as originally proposed. The lot behind that goes to 16 than 45. And then existing height that address is 2 things. First that addresses potential issue with a permanent height disparities, of course, in temporary influx. That's going to happen. But over the long run, it's going to equal us. That also addresses something that I've heard a few of you Commissioner, Chris, I think you brought it up a couple times as we don't want completely concentrate density on our busiest streets for for a lot of good reasons. And by instituting the step down, what you're doing is you're actually moving the centro of mass back away from that street, even though you are concentrating people toward that to take advantage of the transit opportunities that do exist or could exist in the future with the proper development. So it was just on a way to address to ongoing issues that would have also allowed for a little bit extra density. We did. I see no further questions. Thank you. Good evening. crush or live at 35. 44 Durham Drive. I'm here to represent myself. Read this and try to get within time frame. I oppose this ordinance and offer an example why. >> The most current map includes portion of college village, southeast of Lake Otis Syria consists of properties along Duke for Sanford Circle. And section of Sanford. None of which have sidewalks. Within that area that he stop. Can land map highlights land donated to the city by a college resident for public packed Parkland. That land totals over in acre and the density proposed by the ordinance would allow off 54 units while the property backs onto 36 avenue, the property access is solely from Stanford Circle. A small that and cul-de-sac. The impact of the traffic safety impacts of such a large development on this small area would be terrible and forget walking or biking with the resultant on street parking. We're not talking storage problems, talking parking problems on these residential streets. I doubt any plan or has made a on site analysis of this location. And I suspect this example is one of many that could be kind of the community. Also say that the stated goal of developing significant nodes or community centers. Supporters expanded transit is on a changeable to the established development patterns. That will not be achieved by erratic density increases, venomous neighborhoods. What will change is that owners of vacant land. We'll be able to charge more for their land. In any event that will not be funds for expansion of Anchorage as pointed out by for The city cannot afford to pay for increased by service. The fact that this program is in its 5th or 6th iteration is proof that much more thought and cite specific analysis is necessary before uttering what is left of the Anchorage zoning ordinance. Please be for taking this major step. Take time to ensure the executives are achievable and put in the effort to ensure the steps are taken where and as appropriate quick and dirty, maybe abroad and fast approach, but thoughtful action based on fact and realistic assumptions will better results. I'd also like to add, I just heard of this undated a whole neighborhood overlay suggestion. I think that's a cop out by the planning department and is unlikely to work. See no questions next. Speaker. Please step forward. >> State your name and let us know if you Seth, for yourself or group. >> My name is Krystal biter. My apologies. I'm not accustomed to public speaking at all. I'm here on behalf of myself and Paul and we represent 24 units that will be built. Hopefully we just closed on a lot. That was just outside of version 5 and version 6 actually includes at which is wonderful. And I'm just here to talk about how difficult it is to provide more housing. I know we have 8 really significant affordable housing crunch and buying older buildings. A small business owner I own an income property independently and Paul owns a couple. He has owned in Anchorage before. This will be another build for him. But buying older buildings carries an inherent risk because insurance is no longer covering those buildings. obviously it's risky to Collier, finances into something that's no longer covered. So newer builds our the best option that has to be efficient if the banks are to land on it, then we need the ability to build on most of lot. We also need the ability to provide parking. Of course, using like 80% of the lot is more beneficial because we're able to provide those larger units and the ability to offer 2 parking spots per unit, which is obviously a lower burden on the residential areas and the public streets, which I hear is quite the issue in Anchorage. We this lot and I'm specifically talking about we are part of that 100 units you guys were discussing. This lot is 3, 3, 4, 1, Lake Shore Drive. It is oddly shaped lot and there's a little offshoot towards the back. That's only 40 feet across, which would be wonderful to build covered parking and to keep it well away from the street. But he's only usable if we can use something like 80% of the OT. As you guys know with space requirements. I'm very happy to see that this unit is now often this map. That was a surprise when I showed up today. But I do think that. The big point of this is we need more housing and the small businesses at like me and Paul trying to build new units that are 24 unit, 6 And that's things like that aren't. 100 unit apartment complex. Is everyone's really upset to see going, you know, the small family businesses, the only way that we can make this work and that the loans coming from the bank is if we have this margin to use the property that we bought efficiently to provide affordable housing for the people around us and I I live in the building that I bought. I'm a night shift. Nurse. I'm not a businessman by trade, by live in the building I bought. I do my very best to make it livable and comfortable. I mean, the you met districts a little bit different, but I can guarantee you that the small business owners of Anchorage that are trying to make this happened making builds things like that. They will benefit from being able to efficiently use the lots that they're buying and I really think that'll benefit. Anchorage is a whole because that builds community and that builds safe walkable neighborhoods. I can run alone as a woman in my neighborhood, which I really value. And I do think that that's what we're working towards I think that is everything. >> A question from Commissioner Christian. >> Thank you for sharing and attending today. Do have any opinions that you'd like to share about which >> pieces of this proposal you believe. >> Our. >> Most important to making a development such as yours work opinions about that. Setbacks or lot sizes are heights. I'd be curious to hear. >> Yeah, I think part of it is the use of the lot which I didn't already mention. I know you're aware of that really, really important, especially for strange. Lots like the one that I'm talking about. Just a very strange shape. I do also think the height matters. We do know that it's more economically efficient to build up them out. And and this unit at this lot that I'm talking about does have 4 plex in front of its on Lake Hood. I'm sure you guys are all pretty familiar. And and so to provide a nice unit that oversees that lot in front of it, you would need to go a little bit higher I do think the step down plan that was mentioned earlier, it would fit not type of concept because it set back behind another building. And I don't believe there's anything behind it that would be affected. So both the height and the efficiency of the actual law I think is mostly what I'm trying to talk about. Thank Chris. >> The more questions next speaker. Please step forward. State your name. Let us know if you're speaking on behalf yourself or group. >> my name is pauli slices and I'm speaking on behalf of myself. I am a 43 year. Alaska resident. I am a 22 year resident of Rogers Park. I did attend the Special Rogers Park Community Council meeting that happened on October. 25th I had only found out about the tea sto a couple days prior as did a lot. A lot of people in the Rogers Park area because when we had that special, I just Care Community Council meeting. There are about 104 people, their belief and the majority 96 people voted for a resolution to tell the Planning and Zoning Commission just slow the role. And so I'm not a big fan of the tea sto right now as it's written. I do. I'm not sure that I feel comfortable with the process. A lot of other people that live in Rogers Park feel. And I think my biggest message is just I don't support the process as is right now. I know the people who working on it have been aware of it since October, the fall of 2024, they feel like they put a lot of time and energy and discussion into it. There are people and I've been talking to people since I found out about it just a few days before October, 23rd August, 25th October August, 25th and even today I talked to my physical therapist who said I haven't heard about it. She lives in an area that affected. Her parents live in an area that would be affected. So I think that the big message for me today is just that just slow down. And I'm glad to hear that ordinance is actually can be put on hold and there's going to be more room. For discussion. That brings up another question. How long is it going to be put on hold and how much longer until, you know, people are going to need to know about it. I think that that's one of My concerns is that Everything I've learned about it so far has generated more questions. Then answers and, you know, we do have concerns no onsite parking restrictions in Rogers Park. A lot of people do park on the street. And I can tell you that every year during snow removal efforts, it's a problem. There's low berms around lots of cards that are left in the streets. The 40 height, 40 foot height I can understand from builders. Perspectives how that might be good. The projects park is an established neighborhood with a lot of homes that have even though they're older have been really well maintained, including my own over many, many years do have concerns about the setbacks and what that would do to the community as a whole. And I Saudi opinion pieces in the newspaper yesterday. And I just want to point out North Pole comment opinion piece that he did about short-term rentals. And I was one of the questions that I had on our tober 25th meaningless. How to short-term rentals really affect the Anchorage area and available housing because of somebody took Property that was being rented long term. And now it's only being run short term to make more money. That's going to affect, you know, up is people can't afford to live live in short-term rentals long term. So I'm I'm a social worker by training. Social work is based in system. Surrey and we take very systematic approach. Looking at the person is a system moving out from there and what I would respectfully request is that they're be given not only a pause, but a legitimate pass so that you can generate more overall community support for that he sto and how encourage is going to work? My one of my biggest concerns is there's never been anchor just never been good at making a long-term plan, having a vision for what we want town to look like. Sure. in the 2020 and the 2040 plants. I so struggling to see where common fruition granite. I'm not somebody plant watches. You know what that everybody's doing as first the planning and Zoning Commission builders do I see like a lot of other people do when they're driving around town. That's in a building ice in building by going there anyways. You know, and I would just like to see that there be a good, solid plan that the majority think that you can get behind and that we start planning some aesthetics and charm and and her community too many times. I've had friends or relatives to visit from the 48. They want to know why we have built such ugly city in such a beautiful state. That's all I have. Thank you. Good evening. I'm Jon Isaac. Some of the turning town subordinate be speaking for turning in Community Council. >> So let's change since we submitted our testimony on Friday. I could almost just about through this up in the air and start speaking from scratch or I really want to say that. I appreciate the decision by the mayor to pause this after you provide some guidance because I think think we made a proposal for workshops like site access. We bring together people from different stakeholders, but they can sit down, talk, share ideas as compared to point fingers each other pass blame. So I think there's great opportunities here to do that. We have always been supportive of committing his donor. Recognize that it's been in the plans. It's just kind of a matter of how you do it and how you try to take into account with a different neighborhoods. Both potential and some concerns. We appreciate some of the changes have been made in versions 4, 5, 6, because I think a lot of those have been made in terms of responses to public comments. But still have a lot of questions and rather than going to those tonight, we'll take that as an opportunity when there's a pause in the sit down with the workshops I will say that we did some. We did support the stepback and heights and we're actually kind of surprised that was taken away because the U.S. and the perfect sense hire sites along the arterials and drop it back into established our winds are to see makes perfect sense. I think the same thing should be applied, potentially that some of the financial standards like lot coverage like setbacks like a minimum lot size. If you currently have 40 foot lot coverage in our when our twos, you've gone from 100 to The 70 maybe go back to those neighborhoods and have something somewhere between 17, 40. I think that's a way to look at solutions. Same thing with minimum lot size. You know, we are concerned how the concept of no minimum lot size will be managed and help people find out about But again, I think we're gonna have some opportunities to talk about that. A bit more detail. One of our concerns and you've heard this and I think the mayor will be doing a better job with this. Is still so few people know that there are affected by this. You know, even if you look at the articles in the paper, there are no maps. If you're smart enough to find that his toe website, you can look at a map. It may not be covered, but you can find a map. And so getting the word out. So at least people know about this know that they're on to this know what it means, what it doesn't mean and allay some of the fears because you are hearing a lot of fears. It's going to be really important as we move forward. Back to the collaborative workshop should have done a lot work. Tyler Robinson of Cook Inlet Housing. Very, very responsible developer who's done a lot of great work in town. And he himself had concerns and submitted some comments about some of the dimensional standards some of the dimensional standards. So he has had some concerns about that in some of comments by getting folks like Tyler and others to the table even some of the builders that we see no here and other places. I think come up with some good solutions. There's going to be an area we're going. We're going to have a difference of opinion. But there's an opportunity and that's on site parking requirements. We know the Assembly, limited on-site parking requirements, part to avoid requiring excess of unused parking. But that did cause adverse effects. And that's one of the reasons I started the right away. And the snow management study. I was going to be on a task force to be part of that. And they put it on hold. I think we have an opportunity here that if the draft report on right away management is out 3 months, it's an opportunity to see what's in it. How does that fit with his though? What might work with my Good to be tuned. You know, the marketplace does not always work. You know, 2 examples. If anyone who listened into the airport Heights Community Council meeting, people are really pretty incensed about some of the problems that have been caused by Fire Island bakery with on-street parking driveway blockage. Pedestrian seeks safety people near nearly being hit. The speeding traffic. Activity. A great development in the neighborhood. Great idea to try to get them in with no on-site parking. But they unanticipated adverse consequences. We want to try to avoid those same thing happened with the rest, the coach turning support a that the team in the concept was everyone was going to walk. Surprise, not everybody walked. Traffic was so significant in the dangers are so great that they had to provide another. Now, the concept parking improvement district or something that might come out of this right of way. Management plan. Maybe that's a solution by being able to see some of those. As we talk about really help. Gill was real solutions and try to deal with some of the fears. You know, I still think the fees and targeted development should be considered in some of the recent ordinances. The assembly's passed required an annual review to see if the ordinance is has the desired effect for us. There's adverse consequences. Same thing here. Maybe pick some areas. We start see what happens and learn from his experiences and keep moving and keep improving. I think that's one way to look at this. So I think finally. Some of the things that really think about here in this is where you're hearing some fear. Homeownership is likely the biggest investment people will make in their lives. They factor regulatory predictability and the characteristics of the neighborhoods they bought into these places knowing that was its own going. What was the setbacks knowing where the height limits? change some of these things, particularly change without them knowing you are going to have a reaction. You have to find a way to notify them, bring them on board educate them and get some support of U.S. awful approach application of science standards, looking at how we use a permit review process which could be used by right, which would be site review, which means Major site Plan Review, which be conditional use you some of those things that may be addressed. Some of the concerns you particularly if you're looking putting higher density residential in a single family, 2 family neighborhood. Putting in 4 plex is 3 plexus conversion of existing single-family homes into those not so much impact. 0 lot lines larger use. People are going to be more concerned. So how do you how do you do that? I also think this concept of the neighborhood, if you think and all your rights concept here about the neighborhood specific consensus basis. Zoning Overlays has great opportunity. That's something we can talk about as a group. How that apply and get that going. But you don't want to do is pass this and then find out that it takes 2 or 3 years for a neighborhood. They get together, get it approved it in the past. Does it have to go before you guys to have to go before the assembly? We don't know. Good thing to talk about. So again, I think we have a law degree perspectives here. I think we're headed in the right direction. I think if we have that. Inclusive community engagement with some really great perspectives, different ideas, different expertise, bring people together. Discuss alternative solutions. We can do this. We can do community consensus. So, you know, I hope they do support that going forward. And again, thank you for your time patience on >> I see no questions. Next. Speaker. Please step forward. Good evening, everyone. >> I her to be yet another person in the queue. My name is Janet Zeid Ike. And I you sorry. Can you spell your last name? >> Z. >> W E. Strange but true. I am a 12 year resident Rogers Park and I had to smile about the old House. My 1970, house is this second newest I've ever lived in. I have really had to store properties ranging from 18, 60 to 1900 lived in many of them. I have some idea of what it takes to rehab. I've also been part of infill development in another city. So my view on this and I'm really thankful grant that there is going to be a chance for collaborative conversation. Polly's that many of the things I came became aware of this ordinance on this thing. Timeline as she did. In order to inform the community in Rogers part. Before the 25th meeting. I spoke to 20 people myself. 18 of them had no light here of what this was. I think that there's a problem with having the information out. And I think that there hasn't been a context for collaborative conversation since in the past 8 weeks. Anyway, that I've been aware of this. So I really want to support that. And I hear Mister Norris's complain perhaps it's just stalling. So I don't know how you balance those 2 things because it's not stalling for me. I've known about it for 8 weeks now. And in view having participated in this city that increase density a lot along with my own contribution. I can say that units don't necessarily make a neighborhood. And that when I was reviewing the 2040 plan. There's it seems like there's this dynamic tension between the need for more homes, more community. And also preservation of the character of the neighborhood. Because those 2 things there mentioned repeatedly in the 2040 plants. So I think we need an eye to that. In terms of both density. And the commercial and we're not talking about the commercial now. But I am hoping that that will even much longer process. But if it's a steam process is taking part with the density, very open to participating in that the city I was living in. When they increased their density did not include commercial. Extent that the mixed use high-density mixed used appears to be. Successfully master-planned communities. I haven't seen many examples. I haven't seen any examples that I had a friend of mine who is architect. Mister North snag me on the way out. If you thought examples of high density in mixed use, our conversion change. Where commercial can appear. So okay, if you connect with me. And even with that. Not inclusion of commercial and inclusion of one parking space per new built unit. The parking in the neighborhoods. I live became so difficult. People didn't come to my house anymore. with previous of 8 blocks 10 blocks, people could not get to my house. I really resonate with. There are tradeoffs, their balances, but people. Lived in some of our neighborhoods who love them to invested time and heart and gardens. Then improvements. And I'm one of the ones with the 1970, house who's replaced everything. So I hope we can find a middle way. Through this. All. So it's not about stalling. >> Thank you. I have a question from Commissioner Gardner. thank Thank you for testing. Just real quick question. curious what city you're referencing that you said you lived and experienced changes. Portland. >> I moved to Portland in 1983 when it was a quirky town. There was no traffic jam ever. You could go to one of the 2 restaurants that were nice to see that. Any time go to the movie park downtown. And it went from that to a very dynamic urban area. I live close to him to the city there thank you. >> See no more questions. Thank you for your time. Testimony. ♪ >> are many is Jake Paul. remember, I'm a resident her star, but I'm here speaking on behalf of myself. I I'm. First for like to establish a little bit about me. I drove here, but I particularly typically prefer to bike. I ride the bus to the airport fairly regularly for work travel. >> I'm 28 years old and I'm fortunate enough that own a home. One of the few people my age does due family circumstances on the member of the Midtown and district plan committee and the president of my Community Council. Since we're on the subject is also worth noting on a car enthusiast and no one point in the last year on 4 cars, some rich history part. That's just the reality of it. But I as a reasonable person was using the spaces that were available to me and avoiding issues with my neighbors. You may recognize my name for an op-ed, Amber Frey, D and if you haven't read it, I'd encourage you to do so because it speaks more about this process, though. It's fairly similar with what I'm here to say today. The many things I want to get across our one housing and transportation and Kurds are both in crisis and urgent need of policy change. And 2 transit supported development is not an extreme policy and it is not new and has been legislated already has a city. Before get my testimony, I really want to say I'm disappointed to hear that the administration is putting this policy pause, but I hope that when and if it is revisit, it is it is at least as forward looking if not more so than the current draft. And I urge this commission to push for the most forward looking aspects of proposal. And I have trust that the administration will continue to carry this issue forward and we'll see it again. But the clock is ticking. It's ticking because we're an affordability crisis. That is a serious threat to the future of our city and is actively contributing to the main complaints people have about living here and transportation housing, our core of the core of that. Or if you headlines from Indiana for you that I hope speak for themselves. October 2024, neglected multifamily housing is posing a risk to residents safety, Anchorage fire officials warn October 2024 housing shortage keeps raising home prices and encourages average price jumps to more than 500,000 January 2025. Data shows homelessness rising dramatically and in Alaska. And finally, just 3 days ago with the tight 2026 budget anticipated LaFrance warns encourage faces fiscal cliff. A large portion of that fiscal cliff. Does the reality that we have a massive, sprawling road network, the cost of maintenance and this of this road network is extremely high. And that's just for starters, core level of service. If encourage, does not add more housing within this existing network, we will see more people commuting into the city, adding to the burden of that transportation system without adequately contributing to its maintenance. I hope you path towards encourages affordable future relies on more people having a access to fish and transit because people will have to will not have to own a car to thrive, as many starts so many feel like they have to and people that cannot afford a car will be on live lives of dignity, which frankly I don't think they can right now. And of complaints about parking is constant. This is specifically a solution to that issue. Just like with homelessness, housing is the solution just in the same way that more dense housing is a solution to transportation concerns. I think even them in the U.S. of a NIMBY with much rather see an apartment building built downtown a new homeless shelter. But the reality is because we are not adequately adding housing units. We are doing. We're putting Band-Aids on the solution. Arriving or highways were bowling, homeless shelters, that sort of thing. On my second point. This idea is not new and it is not extreme. As you've heard from the staff transit support development are really has been our plans for literally 25 years. 24. I appreciate the comment that encourages not for good implementing our long-term plans for previous testify or but unfortunately, this is a point in favor of that is dope and not against it. She mentioned having something, something about the majority of our Anchorage can get behind that. We need to have a process to decide what sort of policies we want to shape our future. But that process has already happened twice. The Anchorage Twenty-twenty Ramey's plan which I have a paper copy. If you're with me reads Transit, supported development quarters. Time major elements of the plant land use out together. The overall intent is to create a city in which there will be more opportunities to live in. Ross Automobile dependent lifestyle. If one chooses one could live in a town center and meet most needs by walking to near right community and Rita facilities during the work week, residents of town centers could use a high-frequency bus service provided along transit support, development quarters to reach their job sites and major employment centers. Once that work bus driver riders could walk to nearby retail establishments launch or conduct noontime errands without having to rely on a car. This has been discussed. This policy is a good solution to part of the issues that we have as a city. And like I said, it's bigger than just the bus or or housing. all of the issues that people complain about most today, particularly homelessness policies like this are part of that solution. And this is how Representative Democracy works. We went through this planning process. We talked about the specific policies when I was just 5 years old, this public with this policy was published. And I'm 28 now I own a home and we haven't done anything to implement transit's port development corridors. I also really appreciate it. Something that a previous test fire said about the fact that the opposition to policies like this have not presented any alternative solutions. Every single housing policy we've seen and the last few years proposed by the assembly has had the same complaints of our process and the same folks opposing it. But those folks have not made any effort to provide real solutions. And frankly, frustrating to see this idea we just need to slow this down. But I've been hearing that for literally years since first moved here and with the of our time, I want to say I live in North star rocks. It's one of the best neighborhoods in town. So it's off edition. What do starts off addition have in common. They have a lot more density than the average neighborhood. Their multi-family units. There's a 4 plex right down the street from me. There's a parked on the street from me. We have access to those things that the city has to offer because we have density. Thank you. >> Next, that's you know, Commissioner Chris, that come on back. >> Since you identified as someone who lives in north starting bikes frequently. Wonder if you have opinions about the Ted still boundaries in the North Starr area because one thing I've been wondering is how we think about. The trail network and likability and walkability as connecting to what we consider Transit's Port of Cork are some curious if you have any opinions about the Northstar boundaries. >> Yet here appreciate asking the question. I thought, wow, 6 minutes is a long time. You see the assembly, but it goes by fast. Yeah, I I've had the fortune working downtown or work in Midtown. Now, when I was living in downtown, I require both road on the trails, as you mentioned, took the bus free frequently to work. Now that I live in Midtown, I right along fiery Lamb the map is actually one of the things that I think is most important about this proposal. And one of the things that I think deserves the most. Forward looking and progressive. And frankly, I'm brave choices from the commission the more you limit the map of the last opportunity there is for for for growth and density for Whelan is a beautiful, perfect example right in front and fire. We have a lot of relatively low density housing along a pretty big thoroughfare and has a lot of businesses. A lot of a lot of traffic it's really underutilized space. I think is city is recent investment and it is an example of that. And trail system. It's great. I like using the trails there. Nice to bike on, but they're not really a transportation solution. It takes so long for me to get down to the trail and back up on to fire it for work that I just go on fire it's kind of dangerous. My girlfriend, its heart out. I got hot that it's not really that safe. if there is more frequent bus routes along fire at our take the bus. But I don't because there's not an option for me to take the routes like a 20 minute walk a 500 record anything that we can do to increase ridership. Other people mover is going to help me as a resident minister answer your question. Yes, thank you. Thank you. Any other questions. I don't see something. >> Hi, my name is Jody Olsen, and I'm a resident of Rogers Park. I'm representing myself. Like my other neighbors that have spoken before me tonight. I do. I have not been aware of this for very long. And so I don't have real coherent set of arguments or discussion tonight. A plan putting something together in writing and submitting it. I am against the things that I've heard so far about that he SCO and I'm someone encourage that. It sounds like you are trying to work with the concerns and continuing to take the feedback. And so I appreciate that. I did want to just mention a few things about my background things I've see about this I I've lived in Rogers Park since 2016. Before that I lived in Spain yard move to Alaska in 2008 before that I lived in California for about 20 years. I lived Santa Barbara, California, and Bakersfield, California. And before that, I lived in Colorado. Before that grew up in Texas. And I want to say that Rogers Park is an absolute gem. It is the most wonderful neighborhood I have ever lived in everybody knows everyone. It's it's just it's a remarkable place that we have. I loved my I love living in Spain artists. Well. I lived in Santa Barbara, California, and so I understand housing density and shortage issues. And I also understand a community that really works and they're planning and I lived in. I was not a lot of my neighbors for various posts. The atu ordinance changing. I was not necessarily opposed to that. I lived in a to use it. And we're Santa Barbara at you. You're pretty much either living in an ad you or you own an ad you where you are renting out a portion of it because that's what the housing situation is. There. And I can tell you that the parking concerns that people talk about are 100% real. They accept words that my second landlord told me when I moved into that place was well, actually, we have a parking car port in the back and I'm we give it to you we me and my wife have to part have to fight for parking on the street and it's that way every night. There is not a place to park on the street and how you deal with that. when a winner Coop climate where you have to plow snow. It doesn't work. They they have to clear they have signs that say that one day a week, one morning a week you have to move your car so that they can do their street maintenance to clear gutters and whatnot. Here would absolutely not work. But I slow down there with the parking situation. So so those are very real concerns. The other thing that I guess really understand about this is is I see things I guess the some of my other comment, sir, I did want to mention one thing I've heard Mayor LaFrance say online and one of the things on Case K a that she recognized that we had some great neighborhoods and her comment. I believe she said, and we we recognize that we want to keep some of the things about the neighborhood. Well, the neighborhoods are thus to our the hole is the sum of the parts. >> You don't keep the neighborhoods the way they are by keeping some of the good things. So we need to keep all of the good things and then and communities that I've seen dealing with these these housing crises and housing issues is not by encroaching and not by by effectively destroying or ruining are changing that character of the really nice neighborhoods. They find a way to build this high density housing in places where you're not diving into those established areas. And so, yes, I'm all for the the high density. The the structures, the multi-use 3 have that the business is on the bottom and some some more apartment units on the top. I'm wondering why in the world over at the city market where you have this wonderful market in Midtown and this big empty lot where I used to get my tires change. That looks like a wonderful place to build multi-unit housing. You've got one of the best park. It's in town right next door. Why are we building in areas like that? That's a very centralized corridor. Why are we building new offices downtown when we have this huge office writing your corridor that's empty. The BP building. Why if we want to be like Boston, which I heard an online as well. They're converting a lot of their empty offices into housing. Why do we have this huge empty building right in this corridor? And we're not using it. I'm all for the court. I'm all for best as I took the bus when I s**** and lived in spin art and I took the bus to the airport just about every day. But I so darn close, I could I could also walk. But there are just not that many places where buses work in this town. I'm all for buses. I don't believe in my heart that we will be a community that lives through the bus system. People are always going to drive cars here were not. We don't have a subway system. We don't have that kind of built in transportation that they have back east and other places. So it looks about out of time and then thought out of things to say that's all I have. >> We got a question for commissioner on. Thank Chairman Paulson, thank you for your testimony. >> I have a. >> The great opportunity to walk to Russian part quite quite often. I live nearby Mason, White streets of a few sidewalks. >> And when my recent Walk-thru Rogers Park, I intended take note of boarded up and abandoned structures. Do you know how many there are in Rogers Park currently? There's a few. I don't know. I don't know the number right now, OK? I count 2 on that. one on pastor and fire. do a lot large properties been part of up for quite some time. I just raise that point to note that even in Rogers Park Chan of the neighborhood, there are underutilized properties that are not providing housing stock for Anchorage right now. >> Hello, my name is Kathleen we're kind of in the North Star neighborhood north of Fireweed and have been in the community a very long time. I have heard in clings of all this for a while, but no real information has been readily available. so many people like me in the community are not going to go. Prospecting in some website to find out what's really up in reading that, you know, the rather dense staff. I think that you should slow down a little bit and get more information out there in common ways. I I know you got representative simple community councils and so on, but quite frankly, that still use the minimum of a neighborhood. Area. I live was mostly built in the 40's in the 50's with some newer additions in the last few decades. And but they were tastefully done like the condos and so on. There are a few mistakes in the mid a bird and we all know where they are and they seem to owned by Slumlords to which makes other issues and proper maintenance problems. But I came here mostly to get information. I appreciate the people who have offered some, but I'd also like to know how many people appear on the podium live in the areas on the map that are going to be affected. How many of you live in those areas? Hands? Anybody? Okay. So I want you to contemplate what that would be like to have a 40 foot building. Go up next in the lot next door to you. I'm watching one go up. That's not as tall as that next you know. 40's 50's house and the building is 5 feet from their bedroom window. The and, you know. Just think about living in those kind of conditions, kind of rat hole conditions. You know, especially if you're not providing for services like parking, so exact. I've heard this talk about setbacks. Exactly. What is the setback? It doesn't seem to be much more than 5 feet right now. So what's that? What's the setback going to be now? With this plan? The current plan has 5 foot setback, just similar to what setbacks. >> Making them the same. And That would be at least a 4 story building if not 5, right? No, you be. Working really hard to get 4 stories under 40 feet. Be the border like three-story building. Okay. And I I just I don't see the reason behind the lack of parking, you know, you know, this town. You've lived here. >> And the biggest Christmas, right? People are not going to primarily rely on walking in buses and I live in that area. I do because I do have that kind of access. message has been transcribed. >> One moment, why notify the collar? >> Excuse We don't know what that is to please continue. So 6 months of the year, your plan is not going to be feasible. I live on a block that has 3 public parking places on the whole block. >> Because of the way, the lots in the streets and the right away gone through. Do you think a three-story building with? 10 tenants is going to you make good use of those? I mean, what are we going to do with all those extra people and cars? I just I just think you haven't really thought about what that day did they moment to moment experience of living in that kind of a situation? Is now on the corner of Fireweed and Spenard Road. There you know, of a tall building there and it was well done and well sited and doesn't infringe on the neighborhood and has parking and so on. I think that's priory does an excellent place for to build those multi units. And there are a number of lots that would be good choices there. But taking them to my street or that my neighbor street. I just think that is sheer folly. with the parameters I'm hearing about so. So I hope you keep working on it. And that time. Realistically, don't expect people to ride their bikes to work in winter in Anchorage. So make it livable. Make it a place where you would choose to live. Good evening boson. I live in South Edition. I'm >> commenting as a member of myself, not even though I'm a executive member of our community Council. I'm not representing South Edition. I came in and testified before in one of the previous iterations. I don't have anything prepared, but a lot of the comments that I've heard tonight spurred me to common speak again. 30% of our population doesn't drive. >> So >> that includes children. That includes elderly that includes disabled. That includes people who can't afford or don't choose not to drive. On my way over to the to this meeting, I visited a friend. They bought about another new car. They have a and a single-family house. And in Rogers Park, they now have 4 cars. Plus the trailer. So just because we're going to keep trying keep single-family does not mean we are going to solve the that the current parking situation is somehow perfect. Parking and right-of-way management is a totally separate thing. There are many tools in the tool box to handle it. Parking permits fees, moving parking on one day a week for plowing. We're talking about private investments. Like putting a couch on the side of the street. This is a personal piece of property that we are all concerned about. that is holding us hostage for real change for the city. We need housing in crucial areas that have good infrastructure already South Edition. I would love to have a 40 foot structure right across the street from because right now I look at a parking lot and you know what happens in that parking lot? People do donuts all night long in there drag stripping through the whole neighborhood. So I would welcome a 40 foot structure there or hire. would you know it. There are houses in south addition that are massive single-family houses. There are massive trees that are higher than 40 feet. So the idea that somehow height is going to detract from the neighborhood. It's already happening. Depends on who buys the property and what they decide to do with it. You explain perfectly that there's already stepback limitations and stuff are ready. And so. Meanwhile, if we keep delaying this, which I'm disappointed that this is not moving forward, we are going to continue to see car infrastructure Bill Moore, drive-thru car washes, more drive thru, you know, quickie Mart soft and more coffee huts and more auto centric development. While we pass this and wait for, you know, the word happy to be glad in there or for people to be, you know, finally acquiesced enough and that it's so watered down that it passes and we see no change at all because that is where we're going with iterative, iterative and pausing and delaying and and I'm just really disappointed to see that. We're back here after the previous. Testifiers talked so eloquently about how this has already been in the plan for 20 years and did go through a robust public process that so I'm you know, I'm just kind of just disappointed at people saying, oh, we need to think about this more and this and that developments that are large don't happen overnight. It's going to take a decade. You know, so it's not going to it's not going to terrorize the neighborhoods at all. And meanwhile, people just keep buying more and more cars. So, you know, parking is still going to be an issue no matter what happens in your neighborhood and needs to be handled by the city. I'm totally excited that they have a right of way management plan and are underway. I hope that continues to go and doesn't get paused we need to keep making forward progress. Cities that stagnate die. We're losing people to the valley. you know, that's that's the real truth of it. We're consolidating schools. You know, the whole thing that was in the newspaper today about school consolidation. That's gonna actually drive a lot of traffic into neighborhoods. So we're going to have more people shuttling their children's to school because we are not investing in housing in neighborhoods that would support those local schools. You know, I could go on and on a leave it there. I guess my last point I would say is to people who say they have just heard about it or, you know, this is going too fast. How have I not heard about this? How is AI not contacted personally? I mean, you have to be kind of aware and engaged in your community and some things are just not going to rise to level of getting a babysitter. And coming here to testify for everybody. It did for me because I passionate about this. It's not going to be that for everybody. And that's okay. You know, we have everybody has lots of things going on in their in their nights. But, you know, I also didn't get a freezer full of fish this year. But you know what? I didn't go fishing so, you know, that's okay. I'm gonna make other plans. But I guess I would just say keep it going we can address all of these other little things through through management of the right of way through. You know, addressing things as they come up, but causing it is a big problem because we will not actually make progress. So I'm hoping that we see this thing ramped back up. Let's get something going here implement the plan that was adopted 20 years ago. >> Thank you. >> As a sort way and you might say, yeah, let's say your name. Let us know if you're representing yourself or a group. >> And then you go. >> my name David Wigglesworth. I'm representing myself. >> I also live in the North star areas. Well, and appreciate. We're going to have a conversation about all this and this week as well, notwithstanding the fact that I do have some concerns about his, though this process is certainly elevating discussion and really healthy dialogue about housing needs zoning as well as the foundational issues that really or issues that don't really have real solutions right now in our community, such as parking such as snow, plowing such as transit. So I really do hope the pause can begin to allow us to bring all of these elements together in a way. And I really appreciative of the pause because I do think there are a lot of concerns that you've heard not to go in the details. And like one of the speakers, you kind of threw me with my testimony because you put a pause. And so that's okay. But at boundaries in or that we do need to discuss in some ways. I'm not sure why we have a boundary. We want to create housing opportunities all over the community. So and there are other grow supporting strategies within the comprehensive plan that I'm just curious about, whether some of those elements and those growth supporting strategies might also be helpful to our cause parking and sidewalks. I live on a road west. 21st that has no sidewalks design and dimensional standards. I'm particularly concerned about high transitions into the community. We've invested a lot in solar access and capturing what's an we do get in the little hole that we live in down in that area. And so having a very tall building on the west side of me would basically block most of our son access. And that concerns me so I do think there's ways around that if we bring in dimensional and said I transition standards and kind of look at playspace situations and things like that. A question or issue around the pause to is really talking about the goal. I hear affordability, but we're not really about affordable housing. What's more about attainable housing? I'm really actually unclear about what kind of house and you're really trying to achieve here and whether the 10,000 units is rentals or is it owner occupied or or what I'm here. I'm very curious about that and would love to know more. So given all these things, you know, the staff recommendation gave you 2 options whether to approve the thing as is we're in lieu of that sort put it back to the department and entertain a process, worry, engage more people in the conversation, I guess right now, I don't really see how you can improve the ordinance as is at all, given some of the unanswered questions and issues that have been brought up today as well as previously. But it. That being said, if you do move it forward, I did want to speak to a couple of ideas. and notwithstanding the staff talking about how hazard maps and other things really are part of the ordinance. I will say in our area were area we live in the north or it's a zone. 5, 4, ground failure and susceptibility Brown failure. It really does concern me when you think about taller heavier buildings that it could amplify soil instability. And when a failure occurs, create problems only for the people living in that building. But for the next neighbors, if indeed setbacks and 100% or 80% or 70% lot coverage is used. So that does concern me. They certainly engineering site plan reviews. But as you all know, that doesn't not only reduces risk, that doesn't eliminate risk and past events, one in 20 to let their villas apartments where a landslide saturation by heavy rains and it impacted about 13 units. There are no one was killed, but it certainly scared. A lot of people and also it required a lot extra cost and repairs and whatnot. so I guess I sorry. You know, the hazard map clearly shows these wrists before any foundation's even been poured and what climate change directing 3rd kind changed data. Real data showing increase rainfall in this area. Risk are only going to grow. And so I really do think it's own 5 in particular, but certainly zone for Israeli incompatible for higher densities. And it's common sense to exclude them now. And it's 100% consistent with Zonings core purpose and the legal basis for zoning because it's a clear relationship. The health safety and welfare of the community. This is one area where zoning does make sense try to has before they happen. There's numerous examples in other parts of the country where people responded, these issues after the fact and we have a chance to actually do it right. The first time. The other more exciting opportunity and people mention Fireweed is if you through this or inside courage, you'd actually approve it for a narrower scope of of art areas. And why I say that if I read is an arterial, certainly it's a busy road. We can test the policy before expanded further. We can't allow time to address parking in transitions and mental standards that in the neighborhoods that I just previously mentioned, weaken foes, focus, redevelopment, in a really logical area. It's near transit there in numerous vacant or underutilized parcels. And it would allow thoughtful time to work on the second part of this ordinance, which is the community nonresidential uses. So I think some targeted examples of Tuesday when action might be really actually beneficial to the community we can get a lot done and hopefully build more community around some of the needs going forward with housing and figure out how to do it in neighborhoods. So thank you. Anyway. And I also bike a lot. That's good. Thank you. So if you year, but not getting from. >> Work Other questions that I see. No question. Okay. Great. Good evening, everybody. My name is Martin. Beth came from Rogers Park. So in need represent yourself don't individual. Just look quick brief My dad came to Alaska and in the 40's. And then but I Rogers Park and the 50's so that around for a long time. I can remember growing up. Traveling down Fireweed Lane just small two-lane road. My mom actually write my liking car on the way home from work. It was nice. Cool, calm, collective. I remember riding my bike. Gamble just before fireweed and probably all 50 yards south. There's a big sign that said welcome to Anchorage. So I got goes back a ways. But, you know, coming from. Since then. You know, my folks passed away. I raised a family in that House. While the sun raised a family. And now my youngest daughter is raising a family. We live on dead-end street. What these really nice white streetside number Summey said that they're walking down Rodgers part of her and so amazed by how white the streets are. Come February car down. We have these we can use to access our garages in the back. So there is ample room for parking. You know, I'm one believer of get your cars off the streets. S not where they belong. They belong on your property. So I didn't come here planning to speak a whole bunch, but I was amazed when I first found out about it. couple weeks back. The requirements, the lessening of restrictions our one neighborhood. That's been our one neighborhood. As long as it's been people go our one neighborhood for one reason. Deliver residential single family dwelling house and have neighbors that have that same goal. We don't want to go to a neighborhood. And now with the lifting of restrictions. I laughed at my neighbors. I said you don't want to do guys. I'm going bulldoze down the House. I'm going straight up. 3 stories. I'm gonna rack and stack put 8 to 10 people in this puppy. I'm going to be a multimillionaire. ago next door buy that one. Go to the same d*** thing that one levee. It go up. 3 stories reckons to only have to have parking on the property anymore. I can park all those cars on the street. I'm not going to be living there. I don't care what they do. And we all chuckled. It was a good laugh. But realistically. You can't go into a neighborhood that's been that extent. Wish that long. And done such great things for the community. And then try to erase all about. And allow somebody else to come and and a level. A house build something that or do any level outdoor dining construction go old construction say, hey. I'll just put a couple rooms, my garage in the back yard. can get I get 3 families and their. So what's going to happen is you're going create a lot of slumlords. People are going find a good guy on the big house. But I do any improvements. They're going rack and stack build a cabin in the backyard. Now I got money coming So you know where that don't want to go with. This on the straight to Mountain view. I want people here in the 60's Mountain beautiful new neighborhood residential. lot of people live there. lot old-timers will start of their lives. There on houses. Had families grow up. Drive to mountain view today. What do you see? It's a slum Rental projects and what the outcome low-income comes. Crime comes everything else. I think a lot of times we look and we want to. Go as fast as we can to promote the future for Anchorage. You guys have got a hard thing to accomplish here. We could do theme parks almost for residential neighborhoods. But we don't have no property for that. So we're trying to find property within 6 tab neighborhoods ago. condense it. That's not with those neighborhoods. Want. If you want that go out someplace, we can find density so he can rack and stack. You can put like lanes in but a parking lot for your bike, whatever it might be. But to be a calming for those people who wish to live there. It works out of state. You go dry body, sir. Like in Kentucky and Ohio where I've been traveling as of late. >> There's huge, huge, huge. >> 124. Plex is going up everywhere. Multi buildings here. They're just going. I don't It's coming from. But I don't think run that problem quite yet. I want to go to Arizona. I'm gonna kick the bucket. I don't want to hear anymore. All my friends are leaving the crime. It's it's off the charts for cities dirty. Our roads are falling apart. Rot this trail long. >> You speak smooth water smooth now got cracks and divots and chips city doesn't feel we got to do a better plan keeping what we have original. And if you want to go an extended wish high-density living where there's a corridor accessible for means of getting to and from wherever they want to go to a downtown or whatnot, make that your plan make that your goal. And then along with that, if once you start making the city clean again and we bring back industry and jobs. The builders we'll build for what's allowable. People will be asking them to buildings. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> no questions. My name is Joana Rock letter. I'm here representing myself, slash my wife. But not a committee counsel. So I live in North star. Sounds like many of us actually here tonight, Lou know starts. That's kind of fun. I didn't come here really much plan say because I'm a busy professional. I worked full time job. I'm working on getting my masters. Hear I've lived here for 11 years. I'm invested in this community. My wife and I have rented here in Anchorage we would have been fortunate enough to purchase a home of our own. I've heard a lot of people tonight mentioned how they haven't heard that as do and that it was maybe the rollout of informing everyone was poor mismanaged. There's a lot of things that are now I'm busy all the time. I don't read a lot. I really actually I take that back. I read a lot and I still don't know. Are my home is in. can tell there's a lot of other things I don't know. I have to pay people to do things. I don't know how to do my right Lexical on saying is. Maybe that's not always the best thing say is that I didn't know about it. I also heard to about how we're putting a lot of money into car centric infrastructure. And I want to comment on that. One of the things I've been reading about because ione ice onto cars now down to one car by one cars. The 2008, it's getting old. I don't make a lot of money so I can't necessarily afford a brand new car. But I've been reading about new cars. New cars are now the average cost to purchase a new car isn't over $40,000. It's not going down there getting more expensive to maintain. Its pricing. Many of us out the answer is not going to be electric cars. The answer is starting to move towards electric bikes for $1000. We can go 20 miles an hour over 20 miles an hour and get places on trails and roads with a lot less infrastructure. And we need to start really thinking about how do we keep us people safe on these roads? I think also that is those very important for us as younger people because it will hopefully allow for these construction companies to build apartment complexes, allowing young people to buy property, getting slices, stabilizing our price. How much we pay every year because when I lived in an apartment, the only thing I can count on was that each year I signed a lease. It went up. Has it happened quite as often as with my house. So I think that's a very important thing to see. I I'm still saddened by that. It is no separation of mixed use. I do think that that was a very important aspect of the original tis. Do I think? We saw coming out of COVID that one of the most important things for having successful vibrant comeback was that they were mixed use that people live where they worked and that they were able to just come down from their apartments, move over a couple blocks and meet up with her friends. Hang out at night unwind. And I think that's really what many of my generation are searching for. It's just this way of connecting with each other. And I think that's more important than ever after coming out of COVID. Like I said and really come here with written out preplanning. I just want to emphasize that young professional here in Anchorage. I live here. I work here. And I think about space. Use a lot for unprofessional com way. And I think is a great way for us to really pushing toward or away from suburb in h*** that America is going down and we need to embrace that. You know, not every neighborhood is going end up seeing these giant multiplexes, although I would like to comment that whoever had the idea of a seven-storey aquarium is a genius and I would love to see that and I will pay for membership immediately. At the end of the day, I would love to see that get the mixed use back. I understand it won't. But I'm here as a young professional here supporting do in order to see more of the future generations behind me, fight a slice of life here in Anchorage. And thank you. Thank you. I see no questions. >> Names, Alexa Dobson, I'm a homeowner in Fairview just representing myself tonight. Thank you. So I was kind of on the fence about even coming tonight, but ultimately decided that, you know, come and continue to show up. I have been showing up for to. since it first up to >> the planning and Zoning Commission and the reason that I was so excited about being an advocate for it is because of the vision of the original to proposal that we would have mixed use, that we would have more social interactions with our neighbors that we would have more housing options for more people ands thereby, you know, support the vibrancy of our community. And with every successive revision to the ordinance we've just seen pieces getting chopped off. And what we're left with right now with version 6 is such a sad little shell of the original idea. Its diet Tis do its tis do light. It's. >> Homeopathic do at this point. It's really disappointing and it's not at all the vision that, you know, I was so excited about when I first learned about this. So I do want to make that very clear that as an advocate, this is something that at this point, it's hard for me to continue showing up and advocating for it because what are we talking about now? Three-story buildings or the end of the world? I this is this is something that honestly, I think a lot of people probably already thought was already allowed. >> We're fighting over such small potatoes here. With that all being said. Been thinking about why I was so hesitant to show up and I realized it was because these conversations just kind of make me really sad. Because of the the world view and the values that we've heard from so many people testifying tonight. You know, like if we're listening to these people who are opposed to to stow in the things that they say like they love and courage. Does it sound like they think this is a great place to live and they want to continue living here? It's there's so much negativity. There's so much discussed for this place that we call home. And it just makes me really sad to hear people get halfway through this thought. You know, we don't our roads are safe right now. And so therefore, we shouldn't build housing. Well, we haven't built out our sidewalks and so therefore, we should not too bad and also not build housing. Our city is dirty. And so therefore, we should not build housing. It's depressing. So. That's where my head is at right now. I think that this ordinance as it is right now is not going to go very far toward serving the needs of our community. But I do think that it's better than nothing in the same way that doing 5 spots today is better than doing 0 squats a day. It's it's really not by much. And I would just ask commissioners, the mayor's office are planning department as you're listening to this feedback. Think about who sounds like they actually want to be invested in this community long term. Think about who is espousing values of me and my car. Versus values of having affordable housing and having walkable neighborhoods and being able to interact with our neighbors and think about which one feels like the city that you want to live in. I think all my comments there. Thank you. Hi, my name is not the if they're you spell the end as of November. I t H and last name is there is he h I are you. >> And I am testifying today on behalf of the Alaska Public Interest Research Group or Act hurt. Africa is a 501, C 3 nonprofit and the only non governmental organization in Alaska. We worked to ensure Iran D*** accountable and accessible government, inclusive public services and a sustainable and just and people centered economy. As part of our mission to ensure a just economy we are working to support policies that will help increase access to housing for all residents in Anchorage. Encourage is currently facing a housing shortage in a regulatory landscape. That favors development of an affordable single-family homes and car dependent. Sprawl. The transit supportive development overlay ordinance would create more flexible design standards that enable development of more housing options, including multifamily units and smaller single-family homes. Building housing near transit corridors will increase access to public transit. More riders and pedestrian traffic will help improve existing transit lines. Previous versions of this ordinance included provisions to allow for mixed use development in areas covered by the overlay map. These are provisions that act heard. We'll continue to support when brought forward as a separate ordinance or incorporated back into this one. Allowing for mixed use development will increase access to needed goods and services. Poor public transportation and limited housing options disproportionately impact historically marginalized communities without access to single family homes or personal vehicles. To do can help ensure that these communities have access to the housing and transit. They need to thrive. Tuesday will also help strengthen communities by combating the isolation that comes with sprawling single-family home neighborhoods. I recently attended a conference in my role act heard and heard from a housing organizer in New York. About a housing co-op that was formed in the South Bronx. Health specialists had intended to engage in health interventions to address maternal and infant mortality rates in this community. But found that when community members came together to form the co-op, they also formed networks of support between young mothers and elders who provided support that made this health interventions no longer necessary. The increase density and pedestrian traffic. That is do we create could similarly strengthen community relationships, which would likely have a ripple of positive effects. Other states and cities are leading the way. With this type of development just last month, California passed SB 79 legislation that allows for transit oriented development statewide. Anchorage has an opportunity to join cities across the country and prioritizing community needs over fear of change. Akbar. It stands in from supportive do. And we look forward to continuing conversations on how we can expand the impact of this current ordinance. Thank you. >> I think you see no questions. >> Hello, I'm Mary males. And speaking as individual. I do support the pause and thank you for the pause. I also support. Well, let me go back. living in Spain are right on the border between spin art and turn again. >> And Arwa neighborhood. So I'm kind of nervous about the proposed changes that there proposing. And I appreciate the chance to have more time to look at it. I had trouble finding a map when I went to look for one, I still haven't seen a good map. I'd like to see a map. That's easy to read. That's not really, really small. I do support public transportation. I like the fact that it supports. I worked with teens. I like the fact that public transportation support our teens helps them get around to what they need to do. Help send. Have face-to-face interactions with other teens versus always being what so often that they have to do is just interact via telephone Ce. >> The I also do a one just one of the through and I do a lot biking and walking in Anchorage. I can do a lot of walking in my neighborhood, which >> it's only rated like 3 on a walkability scale. If you've seen those scales, but I can walk from 2. Numerous restaurants from from where I live. It's not always the most pleasant walk, but I can do it and do do it. And I also walk to the airport from where I live, which works out pretty well and tell you to get right to the airport in last bits kind of if so anyway, thank you holding this meeting today and giving me the chance to make a few comments. Anybody else which support. As the fight police apart. My name is Kevin you. Bring that make up a bit. I can thank you. We go. Hi. name is Kevin Frank and I live in University Park and own a home there that was said today that either I wanted to say or is or I wish I known to say it. at the beginning of the process and a couple of things my initial response was heck, no. It just seemed like too much too fast. It's still kind of feels like that. But I do appreciate the pause and I do appreciate the updates. But number 6 just became into my awareness. The today. Today is the 6th yes. So. It's kind of late breaking news, but it's moving in a direction that I'm becoming more comfortable with. But I'm not ready to say, yeah, I want to do this Pretty happy in neighborhood. We're in and we when we moved here in 1990, looking for nor want. To establish our family to have a home and the initial plan was have garage of Lee Parker Carson. Now we park a car and we pile junk on the other side. This is what we're comfortable with. I understand with the media what I'm really concerned about is the process. And I've heard folks say that it doesn't seem like it's coming up too fast or it's been going on since whenever the timeline started, it but it came in real quietly over the summer. And that might just been the way it work. But I like a lot of Alaskans were out there doing things that we can only do in the summer in Alaska. And one thing a lot of those things require vehicle. It's pretty hard to go down Kenai and Fish ergo hike up in Hatcher pass without a vehicle. It's very difficult to do that. There's a lot of issues that are here I'm trying to learn more more about what exactly is this going mean to everybody that's here I started with. What does it mean to me? But I don't really feel comfortable with having a neighborhood carved up in that transition because some folks think that transactions going to happen very quickly. I don't think so. It's going to take a generation for the house is to go away, plowed down three-story buildings being built. That transition will be a painful transition. I think at that what keeps me tilted toward know? But having said that, I'd like to know that there's a lot of thought community involvement when I see list of some of the meetings of people go to. And thank you for being here. But I think saw one hand that is actually in the overlay today, correct? So one hand and that doesn't make you bad people. But it makes it easier to say not so bad going, do it. I'm on edge of being in the overlay. And I don't even know today and from then or I'm out of it. It's hard to know. But I do know that we purchased an AR one Plan to live in it like we are now now retired and all these issues and who makes money? Who loses money? Where's value? Go? Wait until the day that you don't have a paycheck coming anymore comes to you. It's a great thing to be retired. Not having that income isn't so great. So that causes me to worry. Like I said most everything's been said. And I guess I'm at the point where I sir Paul support the pause I would like to have notification given to all homeowners, all property owners. That are inside the inlay. Their addresses are available at the same one of the tax bill comes to. Have that sent out with the information. And if they're like me, they want to know more. And if they're like me, they will try to learn to move that will cause them to move one way or the other to give a definitive answer. Just in closing its a little bit of on stuff here. But the parking in my neighborhood, it used to be most people use their driveway, used their garages. Well, don't use a garage for vehicles at anymore. Some of converted into Airbnbs or VRBO I don't have a problem with that part of Commerce. Parking. However, if impact sauce, I'd say any given day there's a good chance some of these parking from the fire hydrant that's in front of our house. Okay. A pardon from the mailbox. The postal come by the next day and drop off mail. But it has an impact. And I think it needs to be addressed to make people more comfortable to saying, yes, we should do this more concentrated form of living. So again, thank you for your time hopefully we can get too comfortable place. >> Hello, upper had no makeup. Our 41 year. Anchorage resident living in single-family home. Thank you for letting me come back again. Snow parking sunlight. Lot coverage. I think that's the Big Keep hearing. Appreciate all the work that grandma listen, Daniel and air and it put into this. I know it's been a nightmare for them and it is almost Halloween. So I'm not sure of the pause is gonna make to not wear. Go away. It's just going to extend the nightmare for you. Just know someone after animal. Ram a little bit here. Have we look at rezoning business lots to residential. We just seem like we have an awful lot of businesses in this town. Some of my really that. Profitable. >> sorry >> here. The I just saw this Version today. Version 6. It was a shock that came out. It so quickly. was mentioned these these 100 units that are going to be built. Hopefully. But what's not stated is what's the lot coverage of those? That those those those guys are doing and what's the high? That's a lot coverage. How does tis do really improve those? Are those guys going for the tax benefit? If maybe that's what they're getting? I've been driving around town a lot lately. Just trying to look and see what's new and, you know, especially multi-family. and every time I drive by water, lot coverage of that. What's the? It is a lot of new building and multi-family condos and apartments out there. But I couldn't tell you if would have made a difference to that build or not. I don't even know what a builder cares about. Now, some of the meetings as it was mentioned that like just right over here, we've got this archives land just over here. Huge lot. The meeting, I guess, owns that now or something. And they said they couldn't even her to give it away to a builder build on. Well, if the land is free and a builder doesn't want to build on it, what is I mean, there's something strange going on there. Builders economics just. Right now, just expensive single family is that is that where we are at now? And that only the native corporations can afford to build a more affordable, big projects. So what's going on there? It's not clear so many hotels have been built in Midtown. You know, obviously that must be the moneymaker if we're going to be building in this, let's build more hotels. Yea. >> It be nice if some of those were multifamily apartments. But I guess it's just more profitable to build nice hotels. I've never seen so many hotels. Go up in the last 10 years. Someone mentioned about schools, you know, today just to set the Guinness close to more schools here in town. And I'm wondering, is that because there's not affordable housing around those schools for family single, you know, new families with small children to move into. So what's the connection between the school district and housing in this town and maybe what he's do might be able to do there. Have a look at the map little bit in. The Muni owns a lot of land. In this town. And I'm not sure a lot of it's just bacon just sitting there. And one example is the park's trip. And about the only time the park's trip is uses. When me run snow, we run sled dogs around it during Ferrante or on the 4th of July. We set up a big tent city for the day and then the park's trip to assist there. What about a vision of the park's trip in like Central Park in New York City with big. Multi-story buildings around it that nobody's going to care because they're just going to put a shadow on the park in the wintertime. But imagine that. And you could have the the shopping. And you know that that seems to me like a very underutilized area, the city right there one thing is just get this right. I know the pause hopefully is going to help you do that. But again, getting back to the 100 units it you said we're going to be built if this goes through. What's a lot of coverage of those? I'm just very curious because what are you doing to incentivize those people? 2? Putin denser, you know, if you're if you're a builder and you come in, you build a project. You're putting in 30 and it's it doesn't cost much more one or 2 more on the end. I would think if you're already doing that. So what what's the what's the design there that maybe you could be tweaked to increase the lot coverage of any new building that's going on to help these builders maximize what they're doing for us. See, I think the other thing is just we keep losing residences and buildings to fires in this town. We're near Dimond High. We just lost a condo complex settlement. There was like 30 families, but on the street or whatever. But seem like we need to spend a little energy and 2 going out and look at these multi-family places and try to prevent these fires that are happening that are displacing families, something that's that's a tragedy. And that just just takes a deficit against whatever you're trying to create here. Adding news. So again, thank you for your time and all the hard work that the city is putting into this. And like I last time, buckle up because your paws is just going to be a pause and have to re buckle after the pause. There is a lot of emotion around this. And which I guess is probably good. That means people are engaged what's going on. The one thing that did disturb me was some of the meetings they we could afford to mail some out to all the people. Well, guess what? I got in the mail like that. Matt Flyer asking me how I drive and everything and >> What cars I own and all the survey information. If they can do it, you all can do Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is where Walker for a spin art speak on behalf of myself. I think we all can agree ever heard anything tonight. Otherwise we have a need for housing, I believe a housing crisis. And to me, the question is, how do we address that? You know, the mayor has 10,000 homes and 10 year plan. The question is how do we achieve that for me? I think it's yes and proposition. I don't think anyone ordinance one policy is going to solve how saying or any other problem this is in particular about zoning. I don't think the zoning code is meant to solve all of our problems. And I think that's one of issues with our current Conto 20 want to try to do too much. It gets away from kind of focusing on health, safety and welfare, which is was owning a supposed to do and tries to solve a bunch of other issues. And so I think that, you know, I hear a lot of comments about, you know, parking. And short-term rentals and other things. And I'm happy to discuss. How do we resolve some of these issues and our community? These are important, but we don't have to tackle that with this ordinance with this policy we can address things as they come I've also, you know, I understand from various community members kind of it seems like a fear of Fear, too. The neighborhood character, which is understand what people might buy into a particular situation. But in my view, change is inevitable. And one way or another. And, you know, I think we see stagnation in our city in our community over the last 10, 20 years and part in my view, due to the zoning code that's kind stagnated, development stagnated, the ability for our community to respond and what we see as a result, we see people will be bankers for the valley. We see people leaving Anchorage in Alaska for the lower 48, we see people who grew up in Anchorage who she's not to stay. We see young professionals who might not be able to stay because it's hard to afford a new place and to own for people in my generation. I professional. I currently rant have not heard much tonight from renters are mostly heard from property owners, which is, of course, an important voice. But I urge you to remember that, which is that we're not hearing tonight, the our members, our neighbors, who, you know, might not be able to attend meeting on Monday night, though, and especially future generations. Those who might want to live here in the future. Current children growing up who in this town you might want to stay, but who might if things stay, how they are be locked out of kind joining in and staying in this community you know, we could let this kind of change continue as it has in the stagnation. That's the type of change we can see as enter port. I believe today, entry schools, more schools closing seem like part of issue there is that there's half the students as the schools are planned for. You know, one of those is in Rogers Park, which is not my neighborhood. But, you know, seems like could be some of additions. And so you could be useful for the op as speak to some of the changes I support, you know, as expansive policy is possible to really address our needs, especially with respect to the map. I support the Icahn step down and high proposal that has been mentioned, I think having expansive map is important also related to the change that this year. I don't think that the reality is in my view is that it's not going we're not going to see, you know, towers popping up everywhere. The reality is, you know, it's because money, if especially if there's already an existing structure there to, you know, all those anything. And if it's already use in the house of the some property, I don't expect that to happen. What this is about was along for infill development when there are vacant lots where there are opportunities to increase density softly throughout the municipality in the more that's possible, rather than trying to concentrate certain communities like many policies in many of zoning has done traditionally, whether that's kind of mountain view in kind of those areas that have been historically just invested our community. This could allow for greater investment and, you know, the slight development throughout the municipality so that we're all kind of every neighborhood doing their part. I don't expect it to change anything overnight. But I think over time as we saw, there are developers who want to bill developments in overlay districts. And I would expect that we would continue to see more. But over time and that that gradual and for development would be very helpful towards getting to our goals as the community 10,000 homes in 10 years. And bill in the House saying that in my view, could be a big part rating are big homelessness problem. You know? People we'll speak about homelessness in the city, but we need to act to change And I think another as Mike about timing, a very disappointed that there's a delay here because timing matters. You know, we have a short building season and it takes time beforehand for of the permits to go through for the planning and everything. And so if we keep moving building seasons back, it's going to be more difficult and more difficult to address our housing I urge your support for for this policy and thank you for your time. Hello. My name is Greg Shoemaker. I live in Rogers Park. >> Speaking on behalf myself. I came and spoke on September 8, gentlemen and ladies regarding this issue and also to Mr. Downey, you presented at the Rogers Park. Community Council meeting Most Park Elementary. I want to say that first Janet, who spoke earlier today, she was walking in my neighborhood, a walk, as I mentioned last time, 4 to 5 times. To my neighborhood down Chester Creek Trail and on the trail system. She stopped me on. The Watkins said, did I know about his do? And I said, what are you talking about? I never heard about it. I was kind of shocked. I said no way. I get every Raj Kaur Committee counsel email every notice and there is nothing. And so appreciate the ponds because I think. There are some individuals who may have been more in touch with this over the years, but I've been attending or listening to Rush Park, many council meetings for years, going back to the cell phone tower issue with Gci dealing with some of the homeless issues in our community. And I'm pretty tight in it. So when this came up, it was something like, wow, this is pretty drastic of a change. For us not to be aware of especially affecting the neighborhood. I love our neighborhood. I love Anchorage. I think it's. Kind of inappropriate for someone to say that if you can. Say love your neighbor and the wait is that you? Are negative. I don't really understand that. I've lived there for 25 years. I first came to Anchorage, Alaska, 1992 and I didn't have a car. I road 3 months for from downtown to Midtown for my job. And I realized pretty quickly you had to be pretty aggressive by crater because cars, very aggressive. And they want a lot of sidewalks, war bike trails besides taking the major bike trails to get work. And that's way before any of these type of devices were out. And there's no way that I would ride my bike on a city street today with people driving and being distracted. And so I'm a little bit confused to I get frustrated because I think that there are certain individuals who feel like this is some sort potential utopia. What he's And I understand the concept and agree that but I don't really see a lot of the I think think there's a lot of assumptions around the goals that are set with just about affordable housing. And walkability. And as I mentioned last time, the increase in the public transportation. As a gentleman mentioned before, I'm a little bit confused on what affordable housing means. The goal is 10,000 homes in 10 years. He's at 10,000 affordable homes is at 10,000 rental units. Is multifamily units? What does that mean? And there's nothing really describing that it's kind of just a scattershot approach in the proposal. Regarding walkability. I brought this up last time. As I said, I walked 4 to 5 times a week and encourages a walkable city in the summer. But it's not that walkable in the winter. I did a Google search yesterday to see is a great pedestrian friendly and they came back and said it. Anchorage is disproportionately per capita for capita. The dangerous city due to the number of fatalities. most recent years compared to other major U.S. cities. I don't see that changing because there's nothing built into the infrastructure that his do. To say that they're increasing the sidewalks or the other factors that that help make it a safe place to walk. I've already mentioned regarding biking. I would love to see your people biking or walking, but I don't really see that unless there's actually infrastructure that's built and actually make this. We're accessible. I would like to see public more public transportation. But as I mentioned last time, a knife. Kind of seeing currently is that there's nothing in the regarding that the public transportation is going to be more appealing. Are people going to be able to get to the bus stops? Are the bus stops going to be plowed and regular basis. The sidewalks going to be plowed so that people can get there safely are returned with the groceries. I don't see any of that built into the proposal. I think it's assumed that this will happen and that's kind of I feel like when I think about this, I think it's like the field dreams. movie that if you build it, they will come. If you built his do all these things will build into it. But I will see that built into purports to the proposal. And unless those are there and those goals are met, this overall utopia will not be met. So I think that it's pause. It's good to more discussion. It's better to have a kind of a comprehensive plan that actually meets. The needs of everyone so he can go forward. Thank you for your time. Anyone wishing testify, please step forward. >> Getting ready to close the public meeting. I will close this thing down. Happily. >> All right. Sara Gomer. Making sure at the and Esther from speaking on behalf of myself also from star just more representation under sir. So I've just been taking notes in my mostly be like my takeaways of where there is agreement. So hopefully he'll also have the same notes that I One is fireweed. We want fair way to go up. I think that's pretty uniform dress. group here tonight. So 40 probably for fireweed set down. Sounds like a pretty good idea. But keep that like one buck, not the whole quarter. I'll talk about Arterials versus residential because I think there's pretty big distinctions between thoughts on those 2 arterials, assuming I'm not really sure what they are from everything I was looking at. But assuming that that includes for weeds Benard Arctic. But those are aerials me. That's a question. If those arterials, that's where all the room driving around there. So many boarded up buildings on all those space is all those roads. They are commercial. They probably could be residential. Multi use and commercial as well. So love to see that those places. That being said, the setbacks really matter, even on those streets. So green if you do residential multi-use on this base is green spaces, setbacks and sidewalks, even in those places matter a lot. And that's where there's room for cafes room for green spaces they shouldn't be built right up to the edge and okay. Also, green spaces in this place is are really important because parks green spaces are the lungs of city says owning does matter for those okay, hearing. Lots of fear and pretty valid fear. So we do like sidewalks would be like setbacks. And we do like some light. Those are all. Things that people are or so would actually really recommend just dropping the residential part of this where it is on residential streets, not arterials. Probably controversial, but I do think that splitting those 2 areas gives you plenty of opportunity. So fireweed and to real zones have lots and lots of space and that's where you can pick the dense multi-use housing. So go up to 70 feet there and put in much, much, much later. Units but not in the neighborhoods themselves. And what splitting zones in the residential? I lived in Seattle for a long time born and raised in our star, but living in Seattle for 10 years and and got to see what. I would say thought listening, looks like and it looks like blanket blanket zoning basically where you say can take a lot? And I'm gonna subdivided into 8 units, but that actually does is let a very, very, very dense townhomes, which therefore and removes the opportunity for a multi-day use condos in the future. So it actually hurts your future development processes and opportunity. So to be very, very careful about that splitting zones, especially in residential areas. what else there is some opportunity in the residential zones, though. And I do think the ad is our a good opportunity and incentivizing make king those easier. Is making it easier to build those and also making it easier to add legal duplexes both valuable things to do. And that should give you some opportunity in the residential still focusing within tis do on their Cerio. So in conclusion, I do think that there's some potential in the undeveloped residential and but actually the large bulk of it lies in the arterial undeveloped, underdeveloped land that can be better for multi-use. else are lots of people saying that they're driving around, looking at those lots now. So hopefully you people are going to be very, very involved in this pause. I sure would like to be a dream of that redeveloping fireweed in my sleep. But at me and where you can. All right. Thanks. >> good evening, Bobbie. Tara. And I'm speaking for myself. And I just want to let you know that the changes. Her posing this ordinance are not trivial. And they would greatly affect a lot of residents. as you heard tonight, most of these affected people do not know that this is happening ordinance is difficult to understand and it's changing constantly as recently as 6 hours ago or 8 hours ago, whatever it wants. So I'm really thankful. So the administration for putting this on pause and a green to bring a stakeholders group together. 2 tip. Hopefully make some changes to this because I really agree with the goals of this walkability bike ability housing. Those are all really good things. But I absolutely do not agree where where this ordinance is at this moment. But with some changes, perhaps it could be good. It's not right say this. But in my mind. Goal of increasing density. 2. Make transit work. Is almost a subsidiary goal to the goal of housing. What if we could craft ordinance here? That wasn't about transit, but was about housing and wind didn't apply it to it. He's those zone. All over town. Except for the rural areas where they've got. Septic systems that window. Keep that from happening. Why are we focusing on it? His do area. Why don't we go broader than that and come up with something that's acceptable. All these residences in those areas. And that's what I'm hoping comes out of this. And I had one thought here tonight. Is that first we should. He need to get this right because once we open this Pandora's box of allowing pretty much anything to happen. It's very hard and difficult to real. Those changes back. So we need to get it right. So I'm really thankful we're going to try to get it right up. But I also thought maybe we could crack open. This little pander is box a little bit. Well, I was sitting here version 6 of today's memo. Talked about how there are the 6 known plan projects that would yield 100. Units of housing. I wonder and I looked at them and I said wealth, 4 of them in our in southcentral Anchorage. What sounds like sort of the same place I don't really know or was. And 2 of them are and spin art. Well, this almost sounds like the perfect opportunity for a test case. Maybe you dry your tears. Do boundary around these. Places and say go for it. Let's see what happens. Because we as residents want to know what this is going to result And right now, we don't know. And that's what creates fair. Maybe this result in great things World War behind it. But right now, this is the total black box. And it's really hard to get behind, even though it has good goals. Thank you. Thank you. Hello, my name's now, Alan Rosenthal and I'm here speaking for myself. >> Among worst, our resident and more specifically when the park on Hillcrest Drive I think that the administration pausing its a great idea. I think that public process is really important here. This is serious business that you guys are endeavoring and it's got to be taken seriously. And everyone, all stakeholders, all people affected areas need to be aware of this and people aren't. People are not aware of this. And it's very important that they are the last 2 speakers. I agree with directly. I believe. I think that also esta permit had a great presentation in terms of maybe this should be a step plan for do where the main arterials like Spin Art Road Fireweed 36th Avenue. Maybe those the areas where you do your test and you see what happens along maybe far weed and spin art. See what happens. But to go into residential neighborhoods to go into single family. Residential neighborhoods. They are one district's. I don't think it's a good idea right away. I've lived in Anchorage for over 50 years. I think that it's important that we preserve the fabric of the single family and all residential neighborhoods. And I do believe that one thing that I've seen with zoning in this town is that there are tons of our lots all over Spain. Ard Fairview Mountain View all the way dune. If we're talking about needing housing, there's a lot of residential. Lots that are Chris presently zoned correctly that are not being used to their highest ability. They've got small single-family homes, very old units. One of the problems I see is that those houses are they have a value. You know, I was a builder. I'm a retired builder and you're going to try to take up a building off of property in as a builder. You have problem with the cost of that land being transitioned into a another building because he's paid so much for the existing A lot. And if we're talking about low income housing that is desirable, I don't see how that even happens at all in this town without any kind of government subsidy. It just doesn't happen. It's not a reality. So anyone thinking that just building housing, it's going to be affordable. I don't think that's true. In our day and age. So I think that a lot of what you guys trying to in Denver right now does need to be paused. I'm glad the administration is doing that. And I think that a lot more public input. This is serious business and it affects a lot of people. And it's very important get paused and you have a good public process behind it. And I for one didn't know about this a month ago. Nothing. I knew nothing about it and still don't know that much about it. So I plan on getting more involved in it and and just educated on it. so thank you for your time. I appreciate it. Thank you. One question, the Juno that you can build a duplex in our one. >> To build a duplex our one's own. You cannot. I mean, you couldn't. Now you can do that. You know, you have the atu all of that stuff. Are you talking about really building a duplex in our ones? Don't back like 10 years ago? No, no, no. That as of one Oh, yes. One year ago, yes. But that's recent history, you know, to use. I agree with the Atu. I agree with the potential of building duplexes in neighborhoods. But we've got to be careful even with that. And I think with the president zoning with years owning that times of a new czar lots plenty of it. That could be with incentives, develop. Correct? Okay. Thank you take. Anybody else wishing testify. We will move to the phones. >> Your call cannot be completed its kind. Please consult your directory and colleague N or after operator for assistance. This is a recording. ♪ ♪ >> This is Diane. Please leave a message. >> The next. Lowe's, this round not sir. Yes, speaking. This is the planning Zoning Commission calling for public testimony in cases 2025 years or 3, 0. And 25 0, 0, 3, 4, Are you testifying as an individual are representing a group? >> I am testifying as an our great view of the 6 families. I'm representing hits. >> You 6 minutes to testify. Please state your full name for the record and begin your testimony. >> my name is Ramzan us are I live in that bag? Double circle. And college Village and I'm testifying regarding Castillo. Proposals and I'm testifying for the of Zoning Commission. I have several concerns ATF field program. The revisions are actually kind of welcome that the newest version, however, I still do have concerns about the size of the new structures that would be that could potentially come up. the way they're laid out on the plot of land that they're supposed to come apart. I do think that the they're too close to the boundaries. And they're too high because they don't conform to the other structures in the neighborhood. The I think that that would be a >> they could cut off light. They could a cut they would diminish property value. >> For the existing properties. the other issue I have with that they're proposing multiple dwellings. >> Onto streets that are already I think in the winter fairly stressed on a street where it's extremely and snow clearance is very important. We had fire trucks get stuck our street. We've trash doesn't come and pick up the trash. After a snow. The ice is pretty bad. And I think that having not having more dwellings and >> and excessive parking on the street potentially be a hazard for. Pedestrians and 4 other vehicles during the Winter Times. other issue I have with this week, with this new proposal is they're giving a tax break to these new dwellings that are supposed to come up my taxes that consistently gone up like everybody else's taxes. And I think that that would be next. A suburban on my taxes. last issue I have about this whole tsvo proposal is vision is that there's going to be people walking rather than driving access to. Public transit you know it. But as Raven flies pretty close to a bus stop, but actually to get to it, you have to go every lead. >> Some of the streets don't have sidewalks. Intersection that I happened to be closest. Who 36 in Lea CODIS? That is an important under section 4 and Lewis is going to hospitals. There are 2 schools right in that area. There's a university in that area and just down the street is a surge. University AP, you highways very close. This is the high traffic area and having more pedestrians. I think it's going to be hazard walking through the neighborhood in the winter time without sidewalks. I think it's going to be a hazard both to the people driving as well as to the people who are walking. The so that that's my of those are my issues. I think bottom line for me as homeowner and multi several generations have lived in this I think it's going to diminish property value for me, particularly if there's a large structure that obstructs, struck some light and essentially is going to be cowering over my property. Most of the property line where people can be glaring and get out their windows too. My property. I think that that is a going to diminish the property value I have in the equity that many of myself and my neighbors have put into this neighborhood. I really don't have any anything else to add. I have a feeling a lot of people have voiced the least very similar concerns. And I would like to thank the members of the Commission hearing me out and thank you for calling me and allowing me to testify. If there's nothing else, I can hang up. >> Thank you. I see no questions. Thank you for your testimony. >> Okay. Thank you so much for hearing me out. Have a good night. Everybody. Thank you. Hello. This is Nancy >> I love this is the planning zoning Commission calling for to public testimony in cases 2025, 0, 0, 3, 0 25, 0, 0, 3, 4, Are you testifying as an individual representing a group? >> On my own behalf. >> Did you say myself? >> I'm sorry. I am for myself. And before I guy and dropped her phone when you called her. And so she hopes you'll try calling her again. >> You 6 minutes testify. Please state your full name for the record and begin your testimony. >> I'm Nancy tease resident of South Anchorage. I strongly agree that we need more housing and advocated for walkability and active transportation and transit for decades. I supported transit corridors that participated in the 2020 2040 plants and the failure of the 2 still concept to take hold or Ghana after being adopted decades ago. That hurt me personally. I don't left Anchorage for Seattle primarily because of the poor transit and walkability here. But I am fully committed Anchorage and I want go to 16. But unfortunately, this proposal still half bait. Let me list 5 deficiencies. was no data to indicate the possible rate infill to achieve the threshold 36. Do and transition time is critical. Second, this just do it and determine ever shifting boundaries. 3rd lax policies on commercial uses. For ignoring the municipality financial. A political ability to maintain or expand transit. If the design dimensional standards, a flip-flop without adequate analysis. I support the mayor's so he can look a little further erosion at a cushy which I'll touch on here. First missing data. We know neighborhood transition involved, economic and social disruption. So its important to know how quickly do can achieve the target residential density. The public is asked for data numerous times, but it is a sponsor still haven't revealed basic facts such as what are existing residential densities various parts of that. His do. There any neighborhoods close to 36 with current population and economic trends. How many years will it take for various parts Jews do to reach 30, 60 and what transit subsidy and pedestrian upgrades do we need to fund? If can't get to 36 in the near reading the midterm under economic trends. We can't shift funding roads to track Then let me work. This idea. breeds success. So maybe need a new knee should promote model infill and redevelopment projects in more targeted opportunity areas. There's a 9 acre many partial on Denali Street. That would be a prime location. And we've heard that part art fireweed are your to go first. Regarding public process. The ground in recent presentation doesn't compensate for the lack of data and the lack of early scoping with community councils, the Planning Department staff loses its credibility when one day request the commission's approval at isn't warns that any changes will make this just go ordinance significantly less effective in achieving housing and then boom, sponsors presented you today with a new version. The public to try to engage like myself have wasted hours of time and energy and a draft that subtly not perfect and inviolable that instantly obsolete. The public disrespected and disenfranchised. But this lack fair process. Regarding whether public outrage has been timely and robust. The answer is a clear no. In my career as a land use plan or very early that planners bear the responsibility for finding and engaging all stakeholders really on particularly the naysayers. We call those folks that are pino's and a primary mission through outreach was to convert the torpedoes, buying, engaging with them early on and bringing them toward consent. Meaningful participation maps and details and the full proposal rather than piecemeal and showing funding realities and allowing time for the public. understand it means work. Sessions not just testimony at public hearings, which neither informed or to a normal to party. Regarding dimensional design standards. We need further analysis. The couple of specifics. No minimum setbacks in the buildings can forgo. We're placement of dumpsters and instead place in the side setback what it may create a health and the steady conditions for neighboring properties. That is no minimum lot dimensions. mean, more pie shape with wasted corner space. Or will it result in Super Skinny lodge? What owners must commit a large percentage of their building footage, just their cases and women don't mobility impaired residents. Our actively excluded. Regarding design standards. We need those 2. The multifamily housing from the boom years still haunts S. The status or shunned. The developers will voluntarily provide health and safety and the static amenities that goes against our experience. I've seen apartment developers not to build sidewalks, for example. Regarding a broader discussion for current adopted plans still have good bones. As we've noted, the transit support of quarters have been our maps for 20 plus years. Regrettably, the marketplace hasn't delivered. Joining in design standards are not the scapegoat. Northey the cure. All that will tear the housing crisis for help people shift toward transit. We need a comprehensive approach. I'd like to see it. His do developed type of community wide process and the careful professional analysis that produced the 2020 2040 plans. I urge that you consider the current just go to the incomplete and defer action until you have the needed data. >> The public. thank you. I do have a question from Commissioner Christian. >> Would you mind repeating item 3 on your list that you started your testimony with? I couldn't quite hear it. >> tried lax policies on commercial uses. >> Got it. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you for your time. I know you put in a lot of time as Thank you. We need to take a recess. 5 minutes that work. 2 minutes. 3 minutes. We're going 3 minutes. Back to the phones. I Tim Alderson. This is the planning Zoning Commission calling for public testimony cases 2025, 0, 0, 3, 0. 22 in 5 0 0 3 4 >> Testifying as individual representing a group. >> I'm representing the Rabbit Creek Council. >> You'll have 10 minutes testify. Please state your full name for the record and begin your testimony. >> Thank you very much. Thank you, I think you ever want check it out to start night of this through. And I appreciate you guys all hanging in there with I think we're getting somewhere and it's getting better. timetable or sit on the chair of the Rabbit Creek Community Council. I want to speak to the transit ordered development overlay for let me start by highlighting how events of the last 24 hours illustrate the frustration, our community council experience it, trying to stay on top of the ever shifting focus and scope of this initiative just this morning hours before this public hearing receive notice of burgers and of the 2 do ordinance in the planning Department news weather. This is not a minor revision and make substantial changes to the overlay boundaries and development standards. Neither public nor community councils or even members of this have that our capacity to properly review Analyzer, respond to it. This is not what participatory planning looks like. It is a reactive process that undermines transparency, public trust and meaningful dialogue. It means residents scrambling and severely limits the ability of the public to engage constructively. Even more troubling. The rationale for version 6 as stated in the email this morning was to reflect paid back. Including information about several projects in the planning stage. That could add over 100 new residential units in quote, this is not planning. That is not policymaking Got his policy making driven by developer timeline. It's speculative projects in the pipeline can trigger immediate changes to citywide land use policy and we are no longer shaping the city for the public. Good. We are allowing private actors to rewrite the rules meant process. It is quite frankly, a dangerous inversion of the planning framework. This is the tail wagging the dog. The problem with kids, though, ordinance go well beyond process. The overlay a sprawling blanketing midtown downtown and east Anchorage. lacks any data or implementation framework to support its own objective. It is built on the promise of compact walkable transit, supported neighborhood. But with no transit investment facing no infrastructure analysis and no modeling to show how reach even the lower density threshold of 25 dwelling units per acre allowing the 36 throwing units for April benchmark recognized by recognized by the Federal Transit Administration. What is the current density in the overlay? How many units are needed to meet the target? How long it take giving Anchorage stagnant population, economic growth, the organ, ordinance doesn't say because no analysis has been shared. The kids go propose a proposal dramatically regulation allowing greater lot coverage, eliminating high transitions and removing private open space and basic residential design standard. Yet there is I look at impact storm water systems traffic volumes parking and for the live ability of adjacent neighborhoods. There is no financial plan fund the needed infrastructure upgrades know projected cost for new drainage curbs gutters. Sidewalks or transit. It's a policy built on assumptions and analysis. The overlay strips away. Key design standards that ensure new development. It's human scaled contacts, sensitive, unsafe. It removes court permits for building articulation windows, facing the street and buffers between all tall buildings and existing home. It's open the door opens the door for disjointed investor driven development that may increase square footage be great walkability street safety, solar access and quality of life for current residents. Acres and have land use policies supported compact walkable development since 2000. That number 20 years, we have not produced a single functional urban neighborhood. transit amenities and density. In fact, sailors to be studied swept aside instead of learning from that that history, this ordinance to repeat the same mistake that a larger scale with fewer. guard rail. In light of the pause that has been proposed tonight. But the are recommendations for more responsible, phased approach, identified one or 2 model areas were contacted and Phil Transit access and redevelopment, potential ally, establish a current verify identities and model. What would it take to reach? 25 to 36 dwelling units per acre within 5 to 10 years developing infrastructure investment plan, including drainage sidewalks and a transit recommit to a process committed to following existing land use plan. And that follows a trans parent inclusive public process, including direct Napolitano defecation to affected property owners and robust engagement with Community Council. Because say not opposed to high-density transit-oriented development. In fact, we supported strongly when a distant data inform fans and professionally managed process and aligns with the and planned to use with infrastructure, protect existing neighborhoods and builds real public trust just over land. current form does not meet the standard. Please slow down to the technical work, engaged to public meaningfully and deliver a policy that encouraged can support. Not just in but in practice. That concludes my prepared remarks. I'd like to just add that for the people that are disappointed tonight. I'd like to say that we have been a committee counsel and the FCC. I've been on these meetings all summer long and on the e-mail chains and then the meetings. There are a lot of people that are pro. High-density development and transit corridors and a lot of those people participated in the land use planning process resulted in increased 2020 all those years ago. But it's being presented like an either or proposition. And so I take exception to the idea that nuanced and detailed criticism up to do is being equated to and NIMBYism. And I just don't think that's fair. There's a lot of stuff. And here we agree with. And the second thing I'd like to say is does not mean a break. So I think it's good that we're taking a pause. I think it's good to kind of realigned the process, but that doesn't mean have to put it on a shelf for months for the time. I think we can roll up our sleeves. We can focus in on the things that we agree on. Get a lot more people to the table and come up with something that works for everybody and get this process rolling and we don't just throw the baby out with the bath water far as design zoning and guardrails that we need in the city. Thank you very much and again, appreciate all your efforts and your willingness to sit through lengthy meeting. This is how the sausage is made. So have a good night. >> Thank you. Lowe's is staying homes. Does the planning zoning commission calling for public testimony cases 2025, 0, 0, 3, 0, and 2025, 0, 0, 3, 4, Are you testifying as an individual representing a group? >> Testifying for myself and thanks calling me that. >> You'll have 6 minutes to testify. Please state your full name for the Begin your testimony. >> I'm going to be much less than 6 minutes, which I know you'll appreciate. I'm Diane Homes. And this ordinance is not about needing housing. We all know that we need more. But how do we accomplish it and still strive for of the goal for a city where people want work and play. Some of you may know that after 66 years splitting my time between here and a large eastern city where there are sections of town West 3,000 square-foot lot on steep slopes. But you know, off-street parking and no sidewalks. So none is absent with liquor stores next to homes. Daniel Foote, I we strip mall parking lots to reach my destinations. safe and unpleasant and always. There is little landscaping. Eat either. Yet recent study show that. There's a direct correlation between improve mental and physical health. When there is greenery or waters teachers to route. >> Deuce the stresses of life. I'm pleased to be back month some sidewalks and landscaping. fortunate for these amenities. is before you not continue that pattern ICE year. Well, these ordinances resulting places where you personally watch the live in 20 years. Do we really need to impact established neighborhoods, too, produce denser housing or can we have density scaled to the adjacent neighborhoods without reducing property values? Some say is too costly, but why can't then unity offer bonds? To pay for certain amenities that accompany conditions for good development. >> That developers say won't pencil out otherwise. The shoulder access issues being dismissed. And then Jordan mentions with staff statements such as there's no code for solar. Yes, the downtown plan that you passed not long ago. Clearly emphasized solar. Other northern cities have figured out ways to protect solar. Why do we give lip service to owns only to then ignore them. Regarding parking. Don't kick the can down the road. For part for that parking study to deal with this. There's been some public processes for the jails, but version sections totally know. This is a complex far-reaching ordinance. I would like to believe the public process has been inclusive and with a neutral staff. However, I've learned otherwise. When you close hearing, there's no way for the public to counter any mis information. Why when so much is at stake. Do it right? First time that you can or years amendments will follow. Can you say title? 21? How about trying table top exercises like the oil companies to to work out the bugs. It's not been an MBA to want to have well designed neighborhoods. 2 can be asked to convene meetings with all stakeholders to establish density that shift the adjacent neighborhoods. Thanks a lot. >> Thank you. Seeing no questions. Any. I think we're done. I am going to close. Hearing or does staff haven't rebuttal first? All right. We're closing >> Public hearing is closed. We've heard from. Staff in the mayor's office. There's going to be a pause, but they would like to hear. Our recommendations. So we can do it. A couple different ways. We could start with the motion. And then consider amendments one by one or somebody could be brave enough to just. Throw some kind of and go from there. Commissioner Gardner. >> guess maybe a question for for staff from Graham from the mayor's office. pause that you have in mind, I guess and what is most? What's the process you see moving forward from here and the role of PCC in that process, if at all. And what would be most kind of effective way for us as a body to kind of communicate. >> Thoughts or comments or input and into that process. And I don't know to the chair's comments if if a motion various amendments or just we just have a have a motion. And then just each to provide individual findings are how do you see that going? >> Yeah, I a statement from the body in terms of support or not support as like to sort of baseline is useful to think as a general rule, is it a good idea is not a good idea. That's extremely helpful. What aspects of it you think our most important or most impactful as technical experts and his folks have heard a lot of community feedback would be really helpful if there are aspects that you think you know, we've gone through several rounds of drafts now see seen several permutations of ideas. If you think an idea from a previous draft is better than an ad and the current draft that would be helpful to know. I think a sense from you all, I guess in general also to say sort of tier procedural question, like how would we use PC moving forward? I think that the goal of this feel to make a recommendation. We do some additional public process and then it goes into the assembly public process. So I think this would be serve your chances, a body to speak as a whole and to make specific technical recommendations to summarize the public feedback. You've heard and to give guidance to that inform the shape of that public process between now and when the assembly would pick it up. If that helps answer your question. Commissioner Winchester. Would you like to state your motion? I'm moving case 2025, 0, 0, 3, 0, to recommend to the Anchorage Assembly. Approval of the proposed amendment to title. 21. >> With the original map boundaries as they aligned with the map adopted in 2025. 35 S one with downtown removed. Create a transit support of development overlay. >> Thank you. And then a second by Commissioner Gardner Commissioner Winchester. Would you like to speak to your motion? I suppose. This is my last meeting after 6 years on the commission. So I leave tonight that I support. >> Everything that makes Anchorage a great town was on display here tonight. And the most important thing was to give everybody. And place to speak out without this stop on the planning process. You lose that opportunity. But it's a mix fear and frustration. That I hear and Fear and madgen thing. And I believe frustration is current real thing. So I way a little bit more to the voices that are expressing frustration, frustration over losing. Young people, frustration over homelessness, although I'm not sure this is exactly part of that. But I do believe. That I can support the current motion in front of me. It's just changed too much. It seems too rushed. But this process is what makes. It's going to be successful going forward. We have a committed department committed administration. We have committed citizens. We have 5. Older folks with the experience of going through some stuff. This town is gone up and down over the years. We have exciting young folks who are the next generation of leaders. And I'm here for all except I'm leaving. Anyway. I wish everyone luck. I love this town. I want to retire here can use a young person. I have my bona fides and that I thought tonight was one of the greatest things I've ever done on this commission to steer. This is the 3rd time for But just being my last meeting, I got caught up in the passion. The love all you, folks. thank you. Can I just clarify, did you say you cannot support the motion? >> Correct, OK? Just want to get that on out there. Commissioner on. >> Thank you, chair to the prior commissioner. Thank you for your service and thank you leading things off in the way that you I looked all the commissioners for insights puts on a technical and emotional level. And I think we all bring something to commission the commission and Commissioner Winchester, you have totally done that in many regards. Not just tonight but throughout. Thank you. I'm going to start with a point of agreement with the per commissioner and say that I can't support version 6 that his do in its current form. Let me quickly backed that up by saying that. To respond to Graham's first question. Is this a good idea or not? Yes, this is a good idea. It has been a good idea in Anchorage for over 20 years. How do we put that good idea into reality sooner rather than later? Commissioners, I'm happy to go through line by line. The table that starts on Page 6. That dramatic areas and talk through cherry I think the first version had some great concepts that I don't want to see left behind. That's that's my fear. But if we go with version 6, the community takes. This is a signal the administration takes as a signal like, okay, this is the starting point. >> But we are tonight that perhaps this shouldn't be the starting point. There are some things in version, one that are still perhaps valuable and should be considered and include. So if commission, we want to try and get their happy to be part of that process. If not, it's all vote no. On version 6 but want the opportunity to provide some of that. Focused feedback and input that can then move Commissioner Christian. >> Thank you. I. I have quite a few thoughts. So bear with me. Is this a good idea? We'll start with that question. my answer is I'm not sure. We've talked about transit support of corridors for a long time. But I need to transit study. I need to talk to people mover. I I don't feel like I've seen the data to show that this. Is the thing that supports transit in Anchorage. I don't. Maybe it is right. But I just don't feel that I've seen the information. I would like to see profitability by route. Are there actual areas that are lower hanging fruit? To me, this feels like a big paintbrush to solve the problem. I'm not even quite sure what exactly the problem is. So I fully support transit. I want walkable neighborhoods. I want denser neighborhoods. I would be happy if my street was in this overlay. If we eventually agreed upon one. But don't believe that I've seen the data that shows that does what the first line of that resolution says, which is to eventually get to a level of density where transit system is profitable or make sense or it's stronger than it is right now. So I if this conversation moves forward, I would like a lot more information on the transit side of this. Not just the land use side. You know, I think that. I guess will make 2 more points. One is that. I it almost seems to me as if what this map where this project means an infill strategy, not a transit strategy. really looking at existing older, encourage neighborhoods as where this kind of falls anyway, then. I really want to have the conversation about what makes in full fees. Well, if really looking at. Single-family homes or areas with duplexes that are by and large, don't buy it. Owner with one property where their primary residence is falling within this overlay or maybe owner with small landlords or something like that. I just don't understand whether these are the folks we're going to be doing this development why this this would be something that. Results in a lot of new and fell so I think that the question of where this is happening. What's the real outcome in-goal here and some projections, I think just a lot more information on what we foresee. This is doing would be helpful. And then I think my real. Worry, I think we get to the emotional heart of why this worries me a little bit. I think it's because I wrote the Mountain View neighborhood plan. And at that point, we had really decided that mountain view. Our 3, our 4 right would benefit from being slightly less dense. And I see this is maybe just. Taking that going back to the development pattern of Redbox, 6 plexus with no windows facing the street that take up 80 or 90% of the lot coverage. I could maybe the convinced that there's some middle ground between that and what is proposed here. But I think I need to see some examples showing me why this will result in housing that's safer and better for families. And don't just repeat. The existing development patterns that haven't been so healthy and Mountain Dew in Fairview in our North Anchorage neighborhoods, so really just I I think I need some more data to be convinced that this is the right thing and won't cause in more arms. >> Commissioner Gardner. I think that's a tough one to follow up I think, you know, my my my thoughts are over the place. One of the things I think that maybe follows up from Commissioner Christmas comments. That is a point that I wanted to make kind of about the process, which is that I can I can appreciate and recognize the frustration that I think we heard from a lot of community members tonight about having a hard time wrapping their hands what it is we're actually been talking about because it's because it's changing. It feels like it's changing dramatically. And even just today, you know what, what what is the actual map that we're talking about is a is is a big shift that affects a lot of people in and the implications of what this might potentially mean if it's put into place. And I think to some degree. As I envision kind of process that. There is a lot. And I think to commissioner Christos points kind of some of that data analysis thinking through takes place more on the front. And so it feels we're not as reactive to kind of comments and are either kind of have the strength conviction supporting whatever decision is being is being promoted to stand by it and justify explain in light of concerns that the community might have. You're always going to have that >> but if you're if you're, >> you know, hearing comments seeing big swings, I think that it. Cuts against coming to the credibility about where you are and what you have putting forward. That all said, I do really, you know, I would like to see something like go forward. I'm really. And from that perspective, I'm I'm okay myself voting for this to kind of push it forward and and recognizing that there is more kind of process considered because I don't I also don't want kind of the perfect to be the enemy of the good and I am willing to recognize that it's just it's not going to be perfect. There will be things that will need to be worked through both of entitled. 21 and other elements that are going to be affected through other parts of the code and other processes that need to take place to account for that. I just speaking for myself, you know, my I raise my hand earlier, but where I live is in a spot that would be affected by the current map that we saw today. >> And I. You know, I grew up in that area and I can identify to with concerns about, you know, an area that, you know, >> and have kind of fun memories of how it was or whatever. But I moved back into that same area partly because I want to be in the core in the city. And I recognize that. >> These are dynamic things that we're talking about, a city it changes. And that's that's part of it. And I want to be a part of giving it an opportunity to change to grow and and reflect the vision that is in think. And 24 respect to increase density and housing. So that's that's why stand. And I guess just on some specific elements of it. I do like thought of having kind of increased height options along arterial some connectors and stepping down from there. I think that's a really good concept. I saw some comments in that in the written comments more so than in the spoken comments tonight about France sent sect setbacks. Excuse me, which I'd be curious to understand how those are explored more. And then as part of this, I would like to see thing could be valuable to have been on commercial uses kind of part of the conversation in general to the sad to see that law center. >> Thank you. Commissioner neighbor. >> It's just want to start by saying that I pretty much agree with everything that Commissioner Ron and Christian said it's kind of hard to. 3 summarize that. So I'm not really going to that being said, I do have my own thoughts. Of course. I think everything sounds good. In theory, I think it sounds like a good process. I love the idea of it. I love what it does for Anchorage. I think the reality of it and putting into play is obviously very frightening for some people in can be frustrating for other reasons. Especially since we've gone back and forth on a lot of What's in there? What's not in there? What's changing today? What's not changing? So I appreciate the moving forward. There's going to be sometime between before get sent to the assembly. I think that's a good that was helpful to know up prior and had a time. As for specific things, the only real thing that I have, I mean, map lines. I think it's kind one of those things that should be given more consideration to cause. If you drive around and you look at the map wines, what if the lot across the street might be just as good in there, but it's just a little bit off from that quarter of a mile or so. I think I think that's kind of where I get hung up on a lot of the specific things on it. That being said as is I don't really support it. I mean, as Reagan, I guess >> Commissioner police are not in the queue. You're the only one hasn't weighed in yet, but all this say that I was fully ready. Hot. You're ready speak. I was fully ready to support it. Similar Commissioner Gardner. >> I I heard loud and clear that this isn't what's left. I was ready to. So I'm still actually ready to support the motion with the findings that or at least the comments on record that I I the it was very clear that they're not planning to pass this, that there's more work to be done there's been talk of convening group similar to cite access. I think that's a good idea. There was talk about. the adding the addition of a >> site plan reviews for certain areas. I like the idea of having taller heights on arterial. I think mixed use needs to be considered that I had the 2040 plan. The twenty-twenty plan and talking about town centers and mixed use on these corridors like I Very young. Writing skate boards to meetings so so, yeah, I I heard loud and clear from the administration and the planning Department, and I from that the Response Assembly sponsors are planning to to make these changes. So fully prepared to vote yes, with the idea that they will. Our recommendations will go forward and there'll be still more work to be done. Commissioner on. Thank you for those wise words and maybe before he started speaking at least halfway through. I thought I should jump in and >> perhaps a restate my position on the matter and What I'm trying to say is that I think if I were to vote no, that would send the wrong signal. That's that's not the signal that I want to send to the administration, to the department, to the community on this matter at this time. So if this moves forward, current form without amendment. I do intend to support but do want to get on the record. What I think would be some beneficial ads or re ads. First, I do support the boundaries has included in version 6, which are come back to version. One I do support the reference to design standards being completely removed. As well as the driveways element as it currently stands. What I'm not in current support of is the 40 foot throughout the overlay I think this step down concept could have merits that could be work shot with stakeholders in a collaborative fashion. I would like to see that happen. I am not in full support of the reduced lot. Coverage is to 70%. I would like to see the impact of reducing lot coverage is to achieving the objectives of density and use a data-driven decision to help 70 versus 80 versus one percent. Lot coverage throughout the to stop. And it could very perhaps throughout that just do not be uniform as a better solution. I am in support of no minimum lot size. I think that was a good ad and change between personal one and later versions. I also along with the commissioners have commented on this fact strongly supports the re inclusion of non-residential in moving this forward and parallel. I think the administration is taking a position that more conversation and collaboration needed you're inviting people that the table who likely have a vested interest and thoughts on both the take advantage of the opportunity and pushed both are pushed both of those conversations forward at the same time. And that speaks to a combination of the one other item. Version 6 does more explicitly state that unit blowing units per acre 36, which I'm supportive of. Those are the specific comments I wanted get across. Thank you. Those done some great. Commissioner Polis. I think keep it short. And just second, you know, the commissioners opinions on this. I think this thing. >> Could be headed in the right direction. I like what I'm hearing. I do agree that releasing versions the day of to the public that we're going to debate is kind of crazy. We need to slow down that a little bit but things that I would also like to support seeing comeback supporting the bill night Sept down. I think I think that is a great plan. I think tall buildings should be in the dense corridors where things are at and it's steps down from there that make sense to me the mixed use support I think should come back. We should really look at that. And I think probably about an 80 per cent coverage probably a pretty good numbers. So it's not there. I mean, hopes that we will slow down a little bit, give the public a lot more opportunity to weigh in. But but I am pretty supportive of it. >> I see no one else in the queue. I will just add that. I think the step down and the higher densities all of adjacent arterials make a lot of sense. But we still need to acknowledge worst. There might not make sense everywhere. And so hopefully the workshops are community meetings are whatever goes forward would kind of be able to look at these lots on a smaller scale individually say, you know what happens on the side of Lake Otis might be different than what happens. You know, on the side of some other road that just has a bunch of R one single-family homes on it. And I think that somewhere where the public is. See, you're getting a lot of fear for hearing fear from the public. So I think there's things we can do to make that better. Commissioner Christian. >> Yeah, I appreciate Commissioner Previous and influenced my thinking. I think. I do generally want my vote to. Say, I guess that I support the concept of examining how we can get smarter targeted density that makes our community. >> More walkable, more livable. >> With more services near to more residents us in a way that leads to a better community. And so. Think I will. Do believe that I vote. To support it in that spirit, knowing that these recommendations are going to be incorporated into the rest, the process, I will say that I would also like to see the map boundaries looked at a little bit further. It is a little bit funny to me that half of some neighborhoods, but not the rest of them are included. would really encourage you to think about like there are some very curvy streets and some of these neighborhoods like aside, I live in Valley, some thinking about that where? Might not actually be that much faster than I can go for my street straight onto Boniface and straight on to the bar. Right? So the idea of what a quarter of a quarter mile perfectly just, you know, like us drawing a quarter mile line perfectly mapping onto. You know, that walkability at I I am having a little bit of trouble with same with some of that trail access, which I think also does create a little bit more accessibility site. Encourage you to look at both that rail corridors that are near residences and whether it's better to have a single. You know, code regime for an entire residential neighborhood rather than having pockets of that, which have different densities. But wrap-up now. But I I do have one final thought, which is that? If we don't already, I would really like to see a interactive map where anyone in the community can click on the parcel and understand what they can do on it. I think with the number changes we've had recently, I think it's getting very hard to follow to understand. You know what, size 80 you can I build? How many units can I build? And so I think we've got a little bit of work to do to make sure the public can catch up and feel knowledgeable about what exactly all of these changes have meant they can do with their properties at this point. >> I see no one in the queue. >> Pvc guest, one. What would you like to Zohreen if I jump in? Yeah, no to that. Let's. >> Yeah. I guess maybe that to. Yeah. It is that to the Crushers point is I think a no vote would be interpreted as we do not think you should keep moving forward with this project. And so I think that's how that vote would be interpreted. >> I do think you could capture motion to be very general, like we support the concept of tis. Do. I think that would not be as useful as a comment that says we support the concept of it is. Do we think? You should make the map more inclusive rather than less inclusive when you have conflicts and streets are like whatever principles you want us to use. I think thing I'm thinking about is the 2040 plan. Vagueness about what that does do is going to include where it's going to be, what heights it's going to allow as or to put us in this position of having redo the planning process and in order decide what that is, don't look like I think your center says thoughts about. Guiding principles for us in this upcoming public process would be very helpful. For example. To say, we think when. One parcel on a cul-de-sac is not included, another parcel is you should be over inclusive or do you think we should be under inclusive when a cul-de-sac is partially included? You should cut the whole thing out. Things like principles for that for how we would draw the map would be helpful and then. I think specific, yes, you should increase heights. Yes, you should increase density to 36. And the more specific you all can be in those findings and recommendations, the more helpful little before that community conversation, I think because year technical expertise and the amount of feedback you've gotten, it would just be very helpful to have some specifics there. >> Commissioner Uber. >> This is the same. Document are gathering of thoughts that we have have to put together tonight. Where do we have time to actually put something together that? Allows us to. >> We? >> I believe. I mean, we don't have to do it tonight. We could do whatever the heck we want. We could postpone what we can't do is pass e-mails back and forth offline. So whatever we do has to be. In. Public view. So, but we could come back and continue the conversation. If we want to do. Hearing is now closed, though. So. It would just delay the pause. Push or pull would like a committee of the hall right now be something that we could build a bullet point list of what we think we need to put in this thing. >> Me get one way. You just figure out guy was good with commissioner aunts list. If we just right. However, that on as an amendment on the cool with we'll be sure on. >> Thank you. Yeah. Fight probably wouldn't be in anybody's best interest for me to rehash all of that hopefully was recorded and I can incorporate by reference to the administration's to 2 grams last request about, you Im put around boundaries. If I could just point back to 2040 and what it says exact boundaries will be determined through quarter studies and coordination with residents, businesses and property owners. That's the work ahead of you. I think we've, you know, all provided some general input. Fanatically speaking for me as commissioner. I would like to see more inclusive, more permissive more forward looking. But you know, the work needs to be done. I think on the administration's department. Thanks. I see nobody when the call for a vote. But we got hold on. You've got staff in the I just want to note that I have commissioners Ron's points written out. If you'd like me to repeat them or not, doesn't matter. As long as we know. They're in the record. I feel safe. I mean, also, I also feel safe because working groups I've heard rehash. I think the thing got a lot more public meetings ahead of it. So >> I feel comfortable voting. Commissioner Christian, do have something that before we vote? >> No, I I I think that if the commission could reach consensus on those items tonight, we could maybe get version that would pass and we could send it to the assembly. But I don't at all think that we're there. heard multiple opinions on each of those items from each of commission. I don't I don't believe that we're ready to provide a recommendation that I think withstands the scrutiny of the public at working groups. I would encourage you to take some of our many thoughts that we've shared tonight take them forward and your process. >> We're voting. >> Mr. Strike vote. >> Motion >> passes ♪ title. 21 discussion. Sorry, there's another. There's another motion to be made. Now we have the motion on. Case 2025. Dash 0, 0, 3, 4, Motion by Commissioner Ron seconded by Commissioner Christian a commissioner on would you like speak your motion. >> Thank you, Mr. A move in case 2025 years or 3 for to recommend to the Anchorage Assembly. Approval of the proposed changes to the Twenty-twenty comprehensive plan and the 2040 land use plan has provided in the staff report. Would you like to speak your motion? >> Just briefly for the record, all incorporate some findings item one, the 2040 ladies plan has not been significantly updated since it was adopted in 2017 item to some of original language in the 24 a land use plan precludes functional implementation of. Transit, support of corridors or does not provide for the dense density needed to help transit be successful. Item 3, the plane department has conducted outreach on this proposed ordinance along with case 2025 0, 0, 3, 0, to all known parties that requested a meeting or dialogue. >> Anybody else wishing to speak to the motion. Hearing, seeing none. call for the vote. >> Mr. Strike people. The motion passes. >> All right. Anybody wishing to talk about title. 21. Hearing seeing none any commissioner comments. Before we adjourn. I think we need to say thank you to Commissioner Winchester. And Commissioner Strike. Commissioner strength. He's been up. This is the second time around. So. Thank you, Greg. If you can still hear us. >> I can. It actually makes for 12 years. Actually. I think I think I've been 4 times around. >> Okay. I mean, we appreciate your service. Great that we're ready go home. So the letter May 2 >> all right. Anything else? to speak yes, chair. >> I just also wanted to say thank with my heart to commissioners to all of you for sticking around as long as he did tonight. And for all of here thoughtful feedback on on this project. And also thank you to commissioners Winchester in strike for the time that you have spent on this commission truly appreciated. >> And with that will have a motion to adjourn. Moved by Commissioner Winchester. Seconded by Commissioner We are adjourned. Thank >> Thank you. Great can now save your name plate. ♪