CityView Portal
| We are sorry but no more comments are being taken for this case |
| Return to CityView Portal |
| Submitted comments will appear below after staff approval. | |
|---|---|
| Simone Sanders | 7/9/2018 6:59:30 PM |
| Dear Zoning Committee - I am writing today to urge you to reject The proposed development on the corner of Dimond Boulevard and Arlene Street. I am a lifelong Anchorage resident, and have lived in the area for more than 30 years. I believe the development does not match the spirit of the neighborhoods that surround it. The idea that this neighborhood with single-family homes and modest apartment complexes would now be dwarfed by several seven-story homes/businesses is troubling. I’m not for ditching the entire idea of the development but whatever is built there must be a development that is more with in touch with the buildings already in the area. I am also a parent of a student who attends Dimond High School. If you have ever been there between 7-7:30 AM or between 2-2:30 PM you would know that the traffic that goes down Arlene is steady and very heavy. To add in hundreds of new cars trying to maneuver through this one lane road seems shortsighted as I did not see any changes to the existing roadway in the plans. To me we are creating an unnecessary situation that is stressful for both parents and students attending the school not to mention the residents who will not be able to leave their homes during that period of time due to the traffic. I feel more public, transparent communication between the developer and the community needs to be a part of this development if it moves forward. I feel like I am fairly in tune with what’s going on around me in the city and I had absolutely no idea this was headed our way until the Mears middle school PTA put out information about it. I don’t want this to be another example of Anchorage developers putting business first and people second in order to make more money. Please feel free to contact me with any questions and/or concerns you may have. Thank you for taking the time to read my comments. Best Regards, Simone Sanders | |
| april eide | 7/9/2018 5:51:33 PM |
| I want to start off by saying I love the idea of this project, but not at this location. There are many other areas to build on and this is not one of them.When I moved to the Sand Lake area 4 years ago. SOmething that drew me to this area were all the green wooded parks.. which Makes ANchorage unique.THe wildlife that we have in the area will be pushed out of their homes. I live just a few blocks from DImond HIgh School and i will have a daughter that’ll be walking to school this coming year/ My biggest concern is the traffic that is already chaotic before and after school Aug-May. ANd it will only get worse with this project. Just driving from Opal to 88th during those hours I wait over 10 minutes. I could only imagine how much worse this will be. I hope to see this project take place in an area that is not already taken by trees and wildlife. | |
| Lisa DeSalvo | 7/9/2018 5:50:25 PM |
| The Proposed residential and commercial buildings that are being proposed to be built at the corner of Arlene & Dimond will be a community fail. The neighboring schools are already above capacity and the traffic is already at a high during the school year. Chester H Lloyd park is NEEDED for our community. If the said buildings were to go up, crime rate in the neighborhood would tdouble on top of our already high crime rate, along with homeless traffic, trash cluttering the Campbell creek & trail, our neighborhood park where hundreds of families go to sled down the hill during the winter, or take their kids fishing, or pick up their friends from rafting down the creek. The Emerald Hills Subdivision would be the worst decision made and I would hate to see so much money go to waste for a cluster of buildings that would take away the value of our community. Instead invest the money in updating our park for kids, sports, families, pets & fishermen. | |
| april eide | 7/9/2018 5:49:23 PM |
| I want to start off by saying I love the idea of this project, but not at this location. There are many other areas to build on and this is not one of them.When I moved to the Sand Lake area 4 years ago. SOmething that drew me to this area were all the green wooded parks.. which Makes ANchorage unique.THe wildlife that we have in the area will be pushed out of their homes. I live just a few blocks from DImond HIgh School and i will have a daughter that’ll be walking to school this coming year/ My biggest concern is the traffic that is already chaotic before and after school Aug-May. ANd it will only get worse with this project. Just driving from Opal to 88th during those hours I wait over 10 minutes. I could only imagine how much worse this will be. I hope to see this project take place in an area that is not already taken by trees and wildlife. | |
| April Eide | 7/9/2018 5:48:12 PM |
| I want to start off by saying I love the idea of this project, but not at this location. There are many other areas to build on and this is not one of them.When I moved to the Sand Lake area 4 years ago. SOmething that drew me to this area were all the green wooded parks.. which Makes ANchorage unique.THe wildlife that we have in the area will be pushed out of their homes. I live just a few blocks from DImond HIgh School and i will have a daughter that’ll be walking to school this coming year/ My biggest concern is the traffic that is already chaotic before and after school Aug-May. ANd it will only get worse with this project. Just driving from Opal to 88th during those hours I wait over 10 minutes. I could only imagine how much worse this will be. I hope to see this project take place in an area that is not already taken by trees and wildlife. | |
| John Huebner | 7/9/2018 4:27:26 PM |
| Please accept the follow comments for public record: As a 29 year resident of Juliana Street, I am adamantly against this attempt to rezone this property for a second time. To place this proposed seven story high rise development directly adjacent to a small, well-established neighborhood of single family homes, would be devastating to these Anchorage residents. It would be particularly devasting to the residents of Juliana Street, as the re-zoning would make Juliana a through street from 88th to Arlene. Juliana Street is currently a short, dead end street that consists of single family homes and a specialized health care/assisted living facility ran by Hope Cottages. The increase of traffic from the residents and patrons of this proposed development, and also from the “cut through” traffic that would occur to avoid the Arlene and 88th four way, stop would be disturbing and overwhelming to this small residential street. This added traffic would result in vehicles being backed up on Juliana trying to exit on 88th. Given the fact that Juliana is only 280 feet from the 4 way stop at Arlene and 88th and Flamingo Street on the north side of 88th is 150 feet from the 4 way stop, this situation would make it even harder for Juliana and Flamingo residents to enter and exit 88th. I have witnessed many near vehicle and pedestrian near misses at both of these intersections. It is already difficult to exit Juliana. This property was previously rezoned in 2016 to allow high density housing. That re-zoning called for lower buildings and the development to be fenced off. Fencing could still allow pedestrian traffic and wildlife to pass through. Rezoning for the purpose of connecting it to Juliana Street for vehicle traffic and taller buildings is unfair to this community. In summary, this established neighborhood is not the proper place for this proposed development. This request to once again rezone should be denied. | |
| Matt Norman | 7/9/2018 1:10:20 PM |
| Case No. 2018-0066: As a longtime Anchorage resident of the Dimond area for the last 30 years, I oppose the rezoning request due to many issues for such a high capacity, high volume addition of traffic to the Dimond & Arlene area. The proposed design raises the following questions and concerns. Does the proposed design show an entrance off Arlene and Dimond? Having the traffic flow out onto Dimond, into a preexisting turn lane is a recipe for disaster. One example would be the blind spot from Arlene bound traffic, stopping allowing proposed residents to exit, out into oncoming traffic, most likely having to cut across all lanes of Dimond to commit to the turn lane to uturn back East bound down Dimond. Another example would be the risk of rear end collisions due to traffic entering Dimond/Arlene northbound turn lane slowing down to turn into a high-grade turn, and or proposed residents sliding out into turning traffic. Adding 2 entry/exits into Arlene where the current home owners across the street, already have problems entering and exiting, would result in extreme bottleneck and a heightened risk of accidents. Extending Juliana thru would be a nightmare. Personally, having experience living and house sitting on the corner of 88th and Juliana, with the high amount of traffic from current residents, I have seen many near misses from pedestrians and bicyclists being hit by people turning in and out. Have witnessed multiple accidents in the winter due to the slope caused by vehicles spinning out to obtain traction into 88th Ave, from Juliana, due to the low priority of Juliana’s road winter maintance schedule, resulting in vehicles crashing and or slamming into snowbanks to avoid accidents. In the case of this rezoning being approved, I would highly suggest a Emergency Entrance/Exit only Gate, such as located on Raspberry Rd & Chad Street, Raspberry Rd & Cheryl Street and Raspberry Rd & Rovenna Street to be placed at the end of Juliana. When school is in session I see traffic backed up as is on Dimond, Arlene and 88th. With family in the Chinook and Dimond schools, the classes are already at capacity. I would like to raise the concern the for potential Juliana speed thru shortcut to 88th Ave, increase the risk to neighbors and congest an already difficult neighborhood to depart. A quiet neighborhood with many children, and a special needs housing care unit does not need this sort of risk impact. As a witness to people drag racing past traffic across Dimond, racing up and into Washburn St, to avoid the Arlene traffic jam, I fear this would be the case for Juliana. In addition, this proposal would increase that thru traffic hazard for Washburn St. This is a great idea to develop but the wrong area. A 7-story complex would over look on all surrounding housing, removing the privacy of any backyard, while blocking and or minimizing sunlight/views previously loved. Removing the neighbor feel that this proposed area was originally zoned for, to coexist with preexisting buildings. As a resident of Anchorage, I understand the need to maximize on property potential as Anchorage fills up. I also value and understand the safety of my fellow neighbors, kids and drivers. Thank you for your time. | |
| Brian Miller | 7/6/2018 10:44:50 AM |
| I live on Forest Village Drive, just around the corner from the proposed development, and I support the project. I agree with others that the future of housing in Anchorage is to build up not out, and this project is a good start in that direction. As a resident of the neighborhood, I look forward to the diversity of shops/restaurants in the retail section. Like several other commenters, I also recognize that traffic at the intersection of 88th Ave. and Arlene St. will be a problem during rush hours, and it's kind of baffling to me that the TIA does not reflect this. Just before school begins at Dimond High, the intersection of 88th & Arlene becomes very chaotic. Cars traveling east on 88th will frequently form into two lanes at the four-way stop, where only one is indicated by the street markings. Since it isn't marked, there is always mass confusion about what cars in each "lane" are going to do, and people tend to go straight through the intersection from both "lanes". I can't tell you how many times I have seen near-miss accidents because of this. The situation at the 88th & Arlene intersection is already in need of improvement, and I'm sure the new development will only exacerbate the problem. I think that traffic improvements at 88th & Arlene should be considered as part of the big picture plan for this development. | |
| Dave and Karolynn Cechowski | 7/1/2018 9:38:19 AM |
| Re Case No. 2018-0066: Our family has lived on Tasha Drive for 40 years. We are in the area off of Arlene and Northwood Drive. This is a quiet neighborhood, except when Dimond High School is having outdoor activities. Both neighborhood schools - Dimond High and Chugach Elementary - are already full and overflowing, having to use supplemental unconnected buildings to help with the overflow. Traffic on Arlene Street is backed up by cars and school buses at times of school start and when it lets out. Also during times when people are coming and going from work. Traffic on Arlene will be a nightmare. In order for any development on this corner to work, there would need to be other access from Dimond Boulevard. We object to any business development and especially to tall buildings. This area of Anchorage already has plenty of businesses. We do not need more. We can understand a housing development, but not 260 units on this small piece of property. This area of town has always been “green” and quiet. It is near bike paths, Campbell Creek and Campbell Lake. We wish to keep a lot of our area undeveloped - or developed very thoughtfully adding nice homes. This is not a business district. There are plenty of businesses to the east and west of us, some of which have vacancies. | |
| Bradley D Ramsay | 6/29/2018 1:57:07 PM |
| Why does it seem like all our green spaces are disappearing? The best part of living in Anchorage is how much undeveloped green space there is. Everywhere I look another lot is being cleared and more buildings going up. Let's not lose sight of what makes Anchorage great. Keep the area at Dimond and Arlene like it is. There's no need for more stores and apartments in that area...unless it's the developer's intent to prey on high school kids looking to spend a dollar after school. Please consider my opposition to re-zoning at Dimond and Arlene in case 2018-0066. | |
| Jennie Wilde | 6/28/2018 9:12:06 PM |
| I am very against building the Emerald Hills development or any similar development at that location. That area is often congested as it is and putting so many apartments on one corner will only make it worse. Additionally, our schools are packed, is the developer offering to build another one or two to accommodate the swelling numbers these homes would create? So many people in this neighborhood bought their homes for the quality of life. Building a several story big city style apartment complex here is a betrayal of that in many ways. You want to put in some local restaurants and shops? Great! A few single family homes? Lovely! But not this traffic monster creating sardine can. No thanks! | |
| Todd A Shipley | 6/28/2018 6:59:58 PM |
| I am in favor of re-zoning the 6.2 acre lot from "mixed residential" to "residential mixed use". I think that would be a good use for the property. There is an office building and a store at that intersection already. Dimond Blvd is a good place for commercial enterprise. | |
| Peter Johnson | 6/28/2018 1:42:50 PM |
| I really like the concept for this development (Case# 2018-0066) for a number of reasons. The community has finite land, and projects such as this have been successful in other large communities in the lower 48. I believe that neighborhood considerations such as bike paths, sidewalks, cross walks should be considered to encourage use by residents. Traffic congestion is a valid concern, but this style of development, with built in shops, and close proximity to a park, schools, and Fred Meyer, are designed to reduce car dependency. If that holds true, this project may not increase traffic flow as much as some predict. This type of development has the added benefit of creating a greater sense of community by creating more opportunities for the same people to interact with each other in the shops, parks, or resident common spaces. I hope that not only does this development get approved, but that mixed-use high-density developments like this become a priority throughout the city. | |
| deborah holland | 6/28/2018 1:39:37 PM |
| Rezoning for higher density housing in an already high density housing area is counter to why I moved to this neighborhood. Traffic in this area is already bad at peak hours. Increasing the population to grease a real estate developer's pocket is not good for me. Thoughtful, well planned housing based on something other than the liberal agenda 21 is why most of us moved to Alaska. If we want high density housing it is available in the lower 48. For me it is a NO. | |
| Susan Sherman | 6/28/2018 11:29:04 AM |
| I support this type of development in principle as I believe housing density along with local accessibility to shopping and services creates a more sustainable and livable city. However, I think this plan needs to be considered along with the surrounding neighborhood and likely impacts. In addition to mitigating traffic, a development such as this will be more successful if it includes non-motorized (pedestrian and bike) infrastructure as well. If new residents are able to easily and safely walk to Fred Meyer and surrounding businesses, parks and schools, the traffic increase will not be as great and surrounding property values sustained. | |
| Daniel F Murakami | 6/10/2018 4:45:45 AM |
| Case Number 2018-0066 No- This is not a good idea for the area or the community. Too much impact on the neighbors to this property. Need to tone down the plan to a smaller impact. Rezoning for a higher density is a mistake.Road traffic, foot traffic, school would all be subject to over congestion. Project is overreaching for this property. Dan | |
| Frank Rast | 5/30/2018 2:30:26 PM |
| Please accept the following comments to the rezone request Summary of Community Meeting I attended the SLCC meetings on February 5th, 2018, and July 11th 2016. In the 2016 meeting the developer committed to maintaining the sledding hill which was one of the reasons the SLCC approved the original proposal. In the current proposal the developer is no longer maintaining the sledding hill for public use. This along with significant traffic impacts to the neighborhood is partially why the SLCC opposed the rezone in the February 2018 meeting. This rezone will have significant traffic and financial impacts to the surrounding area. In short the rezone will result in a significant increase in value to the Owners while lowering surrounding property values. There is no economic justice to adjacent property owners, particularly along Julianna Street, without financial compensation. I believe any licensed property appraiser could assess economic impacts and reasonable compensation to impacted properties. Proposal Item 4 Compatibility with surrounding development Arlene, Dimond and Julianna were constructed based on the current zoning which would allow approximately 93 new dwelling units. A more than threefold increase in traffic will have a significant impact without additional improvements on these three streets. The developer is not proposing any offsite traffic mitigation, other than upgrading Julianna Street. I have driven on Dimond Boulevard daily for the last twenty years and believe a significant increase in the amount of rear-end collisions will occur with a new high use driveway access off of and onto Dimond Boulevard, particularly in winter due to the Campbell Creek Bridge and gradient to the east of the proposed driveway. The current zoning density would not require a new driveway on Dimond. The developer stated in the February 2018 SLCC meeting the Traffic Impact Analysis had been approved without providing any documentation. It is my understanding that Alaska DOT&PF does not approve TIA’s, but reviews them when a driveway application for access is submitted. The TIA did not identify peak hour turning movements into the proposed Dimond driveway, but there will be a substantial increase in rear end collisions. Any new driveway should require a que lane as far east as practical (Campbell Creek Bridge). Item 7 Significant adverse impacts on adjacent land uses The development will have a significant impact on the adjacent park as there will no longer be a sledding hill. This could be remedied with a public use easement which to date the developer has not proposed. Project Overview The architect indicates that the neighborhood will have benefit of access through the site, but no public use easements have been provided. | |