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Moose run fall colors - Troy Swanson 2008 

Planning Division

The Planning Division's mission is to guide Anchorage land use development and community resources to meet the quality of life, economic, social, environmental, and physical needs of present and future residents.

Good planning makes for livable neighborhoods, a safe and healthy community, and a sustainable economy. How land use fits in with housing, transportation, community and economic development gives Anchorage its character.

The Planning Division has a staff of 25 in three sections that are responsible for a wide range of planning, zoning, and development activities.

Current News

May 22, 2013:

UMED District Plan

Please join us in the continuing planning process for the UMED District Plan Update.  Findings from the March Public Open House will be presented at a second Open House on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. in the Wendler Middle School Cafeteria, 2905 Lake Otis Parkway, Anchorage.

Contact:  343-7993 or BunnellKR@muni.org

April 10, 2013:   

Title 21 Rewrite  

As the chapters of the adopted Title 21 (AO No. 2012-124(S), February 26, 2013) are completed with the Assembly's amendments, they are being made available on the Title 21 Rewrite project page.  

Contact:  343-7921 or title21@muni.org

2012 Anchorage Indicators

An updated 2012 Anchorage Indicators is now available as a follow-up to the Municipality’s set of indicators compiled in 2000. The report was researched and produced by the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC).  The 2012 changes in the update are detailed in the Appendix.  In all, 242 elements have been updated and 86 are newly added. The document can be downloaded below.

2012 Anchorage Indicators     

Historic Preservation Plan

The Historic Preservation Plan for Anchorage’s Original Four Neighborhoods (HPP) is a community-based plan initiated by the Municipality of Anchorage as a National Historic Preservation Act-Section 106 mitigation effort. The planning area includes Government Hill, Downtown, South Addition, and Fairview community council areas.  Ship Creek is also included because so much of Anchorage’s early documented development started there, and it lies within three of the four original neighborhoods. The HPP will be the foundation for future historic preservation planning efforts in the Anchorage Bowl by the Municipality with support from the Anchorage Historic Preservation Commission.  Community outreach efforts have included target mailings to the four neighborhoods, Alaska Native Peoples and Tribes, government agencies and other interested parties.  

The Plan was approved on February 12, 2013 (AO No. 2013-12).

Contact:  Kristine Bunnell at 343-7993 or bunnellkr@muni.org

March 12, 2012:  Anchorage Housing Market Analysis   

The Planning Division has recently completed the Anchorage Housing Market Analysis.  This is a technical report that includes a projection of housing demand, an analysis of residential land supply, and an estimate of financial feasibility of compact housing types.   This technical report is intended to inform those involved in the Municipality’s ongoing planning and policy-making processes. 

The Municipality contracted with McDowell Group and ECONorthwest to prepare a technical report regarding the Anchorage Housing Market.  The purpose of this technical report is to (a) project future demand for various housing types; (b) determine the housing capacity of residential lands; and (c) determine the financial feasibility of compact housing types.  The report concludes with the identification of key housing issues and a discussion of policy options for the Municipality to consider.   

Anchorage Housing Market Analysis Summary Report 

Appendix A: Housing Demand Preliminary Research Memorandum 

Appendix B: Household Telephone and Online Survey Results 

Appendix C: Anchorage Forecast for Housing Demand 2010-2030 

Appendix D: Pro Forma Feasibility Analysis 

Appendix E: Compact Housing Case Studies 

Appendix F: Buildable Lands Inventory and Housing Capacity Analysis 

    • Planning Division
    • Director: Jerry T. Weaver, Jr.
    • 4700 Elmore Road, Anchorage, AK 99507
    • 907-343-7909