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. | |
|---|---|
| Daniel Hertrich | 9/12/2005 3:19:03 PM |
| The Anchorage Sand and Gravel fill operation on Sand Lake Road is a significant industrial type activity in the middle of a residential area. On the northern boundary there currently isn’t a buffer of any kind between this activity and the residences. A 10+ year extension of this operation should be carefully considered and seek as much input from the surrounding neighborhood as possible. I’ve talked to several adjacent property owners and they were unaware of the conditional use hearings. The City of Anchorage needs to do a better job of informing the public and looking out for the public interest. As a resident on Sand Lake Road for a number of years I have witnessed the impacts of the Anchorage Sand and Gravel (ASG) fill operation first hand on a daily basis and can conclusively state that ASG has failed to control the deposition of soil offsite. Their efforts have been limited to allowing soil to deposit on the road and then wash it to the shoulders where it accumulates on driveways, drainage ditches, and the newly constructed bike path. The City of Anchorage has been aware of this problem and has failed to enforce its laws and policies with regard to this operation. The local residents endure significant daily impacts (severely increased traffic, noise, and pollution) as a result of this conditional operation. ASG has not offered the local residents any benefits to offset this negative impact. The fact that the land will become a park can’t be counted as a benefit because the City of Anchorage is already giving ASG a significant property tax break because the land is going to be non-developable public property. An equitable solution for the negative impacts to the local residents would be to have ASG invest some its profits into the development of the land into a useful park after its operations are complete. In order to alleviate ASG’s negative impacts and to equitably compensate the local community I suggest the following conditions be placed on the conditional use permits for the Sand Lake fill properties. 1. Not allow the dumping of trees and brush. 2. Have a qualified professional prepare an approved storm water plan and obtain a permit meeting the MOA and ADEC requirements for a large parcel construction with adequate BMP’s. The plan is required to address how site materials and runoff is to be handled. The plan could incorporate some of the following specifics: a. A paved or concrete driving and dumping pad so that trucks entering the site and maneuvering do not pick up soil. This pad will also cut down on dust. b. An exit wash to remove any loose dirt that has been picked up by the trucks. c. Maintain as much vegetated area as possible to eliminate large amounts of exposed soil that tend to erode and create dust on windy days. 3. Perform a soil settlement analysis by a professional engineer for all existing strata with a report outlining expected settlement given the final fill amounts. The settlement report will be used to define an immediate grading plan so that after work is completed final grades meet a long term grading plan. 4. Hire a professional consultant to evaluate noise pollution levels and prepare a report for appropriate mitigation measures if warranted and adopt such measures. 5. Have a professional consultant update the post filling site development plan based on local residents input. The plan would include the cost to implement the recommended developments. 6. Require a $500,000 construction bond to cover post construction deficiencies or unanticipated costs. The bond should be kept for a period of 5 years after site work is completed. 7. Establish a 3.5% tax on gross sales that would go towards development of the site after the fill operation is complete | |
| Kirsten Ballard | 8/25/2005 9:13:15 AM |
| I am concerned as to how this will affect groundwater resources (wells) and traffic in the area. Not to mention dust, drainage and road-grime. A considerable amount of material accumulates from the "fill" operation on Sand Lake Road, which could use improved washing/sweeping. How much material is going to be extracted? For how long? What is the restoration plan for the site? More details need to be disclosed, especially to avoid another "Sand Lake Gravel Pit" political & legal battle. Please post details on web and notify when done. Thank you. | |