Anchorage Bowl Land Use Plan Released

Mayor's Corner

3/1/2016

ANCHORAGE – The Long Range Planning Division at the Municipality of Anchorage has released the Anchorage Bowl Land Use Plan Map Public Review Draft. The new Plan Map is based on the latest data and research on Anchorage’s land uses, land capacity, and forecast needs, information needed to build a more resilient community.

“A good map is essential for showing us where to go and how to grow - and this land use map gives Anchorage critical, accessible data to make the decisions today so we can build tomorrow,” said Mayor Berkowitz.

Based on the latest forecasts, the Anchorage Bowl population may grow by as much as 40,000 people by 2040. The Bowl will need to have 35,000-45,000 additional jobs and more housing to accommodate them.

To figure out where that growth could occur, Municipal Geographic Information System (GIS) experts created 8 new spatial databases, conducted 10 analyses of different land uses and community attributes, and prepared 30 new detailed maps. In addition, the Plan Map incorporates information from 8 adopted and 2 pending neighborhood or district plans, and potential changes to transportation facilities. The data used to create the new Anchorage Bowl Land Use Plan Map will be made available to the public.

Planners were guided by the community vision in Anchorage 2020: the Anchorage Bowl Comprehensive Plan as they integrated population growth estimates, housing, commercial and industrial land needs studies, with other data including watersheds, natural areas, and seismic zones.

“This map will shape the community for the next 25 years,” stated Project Manager Tom Davis. He encouraged the community to attend upcoming events to help answer the big questions.

“Is the next generation going to have places to start new businesses, own homes, and raise their families, or, will they leave Anchorage? How are we going to grow and find space for everything and still protect the open spaces that make Anchorage special?” Davis asked.

Two Open Houses and Regional Workshops will be held March 15th and 16th, at the UAA Consortium Library. The public will have 60 days to comment on the Public Review Draft, after which the Planning Department will prepare a Public Hearing Draft that addresses comments received during the Public Review. The Public Hearing Draft will go to the Planning and Zoning Commission in May 2016.

PUBLIC REVIEW TIMELINE

February 29 Release Public Review Draft (60 day public comment period)
March 15, 16 Open House and Regional workshops
Tentative April 12 Town Hall
April 29 End of 60 day public comment period on Public Review Draft
May 23 Release Public Hearing Draft
June 13 Tentative Planning and Zoning Public Hearing
August 23 Tentative Assembly introduction of the Land Use Plan Map.

The Anchorage Bowl Land Use Plan Map is online.

For more information, contact Jody Seitz at landuseplanmap@muni.org or

(907) 343-7940.

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