Mayor Berkowitz To Submit Title 21 Ordinance Tonight

Title 21 subcommittee members Demboski, Evans, Hall, and Johnston to sign on as co-sponsors

Mayor's Corner

9/15/2015

ANCHORAGE – At tonight’s Anchorage Assembly meeting, the Berkowitz Administration will introduce an ordinance combining elements of two similar ordinances – AO 2015-059 and AO 2015-076 – both of which had been reviewed by the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Title 21 subcommittee of the Anchorage Assembly.

“The proposed ordinance provides clarity and certainty for builders, while maintaining the standards that make our neighborhoods great places to live,” said Mayor Ethan Berkowitz.

Elements of the previous ordinances that have been combined into the new ordinance include:

  • Increases in allowable building height for the R-4 and R-4A zoning districts. These zoning districts are designed for medium to high-density multifamily residential development in areas well served by transit and/or arterial streets, and by supportive commercial services near the major commercial and employment centers in downtown and midtown.
  • Increases in both the by-right and maximum FAR (floor area ratio) through bonus amenities that help mitigate the impact of higher density development.
  • Additional flexibility through increased discretion by department directors where special circumstances make compliance with the code difficult related to on-site parking and maneuvering, private open space, and building and site orientation.

Assembly members Demboski, Evans, Hall, and Johnston have worked on the multi-family design standards addressed in these ordinances for the past year. Additionally, both ordinances have passed through the Planning & Zoning Commission and have been discussed in the Title 21 Committee – also known as the “Community & Economic Development” Committee – of the Anchorage Assembly.

For more information, contact Myer Hutchinson at (907) 343-7133.

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