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| Ruth Fahl | 8/13/2007 8:17:21 AM |
| To make this concise, please refer to the comments previously submitted by Bill Wielechowski. He did an excellent job of expressing my viewpoint. I too am concerned about each of the areas that he has presented. With the 20 20 plan, Anchorage made known that we wanted to be a progressive city with the will to guide the development of our city into a better future, balancing the needs of neighborhoods with that of development. Town Centers and public transit were seen as a key to a better quality of life. As our available land diminishes, it no longer makes sense to build wide expanses of parking lots or increase widening our streets to encourage cross town transit for shopping. As stated in the 20 20 plan, parking garages are needed instead of parking lots and smaller local neighborhood businesses rather than regional shopping centers. Walmarts current plan disrupts adjacent neighborhoods, endangers the large number of children in the area. It adds minimal value and maximum disruption to our quality of life in the neighborhood. They have also shown that they are not to be trusted since their new site plan shows multiple changes since receiving the zoning excemption. | |
| Charlie Fahl | 8/6/2007 6:29:47 AM |
| -Wal-Mart & Sam's are incompatible with/violate the 2020 Comprehensive Plan, especially as it relates to town centers (Anchorage 2020, p.53) -This site plan involves a significant increase in size; ~29,000 square feet in the case of the Super Center and ~17,000 in the case of Sam's compared to the plan presented when the Assembly approved the rezone last year. -There is too much area devoted to parking; it exceeds the MOA standards for parking. (cf before and after figures re; Big Boxes in Anchorage 2020, p.49.) -Inadequate buffer on west side. Site plan shows only a wooden fence with the buffer from the rezone plan moved to the store side of the access road (Patterson extended north from DeBarr). Furthermore, the "buffer" has openings for traffic movement which could channel noise to the community on the west. -Site plan shows Patterson extended to 10th, unlike rezone plan which had Patterson curved eastward between 12th and 11th. -Strongly recommend that Patterson be vacated north of 11th, with the space used instead for a 65' vegetative buffer with bike trail. Bike trail would provide safe passage from north and west for Begich Middle School students, whereas the site plan up for approval has no such safe passage and inadequate buffering. | |
| Charlie Fahl | 8/6/2007 6:25:09 AM |
| -Wal-Mart & Sam's are incompatible with/violate the 2020 Comprehensive Plan, especially as it relates to town centers (Anchorage 2020, p.53) -This site plan involves a significant increase in size; ~29,000 square feet in the case of the Super Center and ~17,000 in the case of Sam's compared to the plan presented when the Assembly approved the rezone last year. -There is too much area devoted to parking; it exceeds the MOA standards for parking. (cf before and after figures re; Big Boxes in Anchorage 2020, p.49.) -Inadequate buffer on west side. Site plan shows only a wooden fence with the buffer from the rezone plan moved to the store side of the access road (Patterson extended north from DeBarr). Furthermore, the "buffer" has openings for traffic movement which could channel noise to the community on the west. -Site plan shows Patterson extended to 10th, unlike rezone plan which had Patterson curved eastward between 12th and 11th. -Strongly recommend that Patterson be vacated north of 11th, with the space used instead for a 65' vegetative buffer with bike trail. Bike trail would provide safe passage from north and west for Begich Middle School students, whereas the site plan up for approval has no such safe passage and inadequate buffering. | |
| Bill Wielechowski | 8/3/2007 4:29:12 PM |
| August 7, 2007 To: Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission From: Senator Bill Wielechowski, Senate District J Re: Case No. 2007-120 (Wal-Mart Store’s Site Plan Review) Please accept my comments regarding Wal-Mart’s proposed site plan review for a large retail development. The Northeast Community Council (“NECC”) and this Commission have both previously rejected Wal-Mart’s request to rezone this property, finding that this development was not in conformance with the Town Center principals outlined in the Anchorage 2020 Comprehensive Plan and because this development would have significant detrimental impacts on the community. Despite these concerns, the Anchorage Assembly approved the rezone of this property. Under AMC 21.50.200, this site plan can only be approved if it will not have a permanent negative impact substantially greater than that anticipated from permitted development on (1) pedestrian and vehicular traffic circulation and safety, (2) the demand for and availability of public services and facilities, (3) noise, air, water or other forms of environmental pollution and (4) the maintenance of compatible and efficient development patterns and land use intensities. Since there will be permanent negative impacts within each of these categories and it will be difficult to simply correct these impacts “on the fly,” the Commission should reject the site plan in whole. In addition, the Commission should require a new plan that does not so negatively impact the surrounding neighborhoods. It is noteworthy that, as this Commission has previously found, the proposed plan is incompatible with a Town Center. For example, the 2020 Plan states: The configuration of the shops in the core area should seek a balance between pedestrian and auto comfort, visibility, and accessibility. Anchor stores and smaller shops should reflect the character of the area and be located closer to the street-side property line with most of the parking in the rear. (2020 Plan at p. 53). Here, the site plan provides no “balance between pedestrian and auto comfort, visibility, and accessibility,” and there is certainly no “enhanced pedestrian environment,” in violation of Policy # 24(e). There is a sea of parking and very little in the way of pedestrian comfort, especially in light of the fact that pedestrians will be forced to navigate 15,000 cars per day. Moreover, the design does not reflect the character of the area nor is located closer to the street-side property, and the parking is not in the rear, violating Policy # 24(b). There are no “distinctive public spaces and public art that create a sense of place” within the Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club areas, as required by the 2020 Plan. (Policy # 24(f)). No Town Center Plan nor District Plan has been created, in violation of Policy # 10, causing a hodge-podge of development to occur in our Town Center. It should be noted that Policy # 21, which requires all rezones of property to commercial property to be “only permitted when designated in an adopted plan,” has already been violated. Importantly, the sheer size and magnitude of the proposed buildings do not in any way comport with the concept of the Town Center. The petitioner, in any site plan approval, must be forced to scale down its buildings significantly. The incompatibility of the site plan with the Town Center concept now imperils the entire site plan. It is significant that, since the Assembly approved this rezone, Wal-Mart has greatly increased the sizes of its stores. It is questionable that the Assembly would have approved this rezone with this change, since it will undoubtedly lead to more traffic and congestion. This increased traffic, coupled with the addition of another tire and lube service center, a garden section and additional space for “bush” services, undoubtedly will lead to permanent, negative and substantially greater pedestrian and vehicular traffic, more noise and an inefficient development pattern. The tire and lube center was not part of the master site plan submitted to the Assembly during the rezone request and is entirely automobile dependent. It is reasonable to expect this will increase traffic, noise and pollution. These are also incompatible with the goals and strategies of the 2020 Plan as it pertains to Town Centers. Wal-Mart, apparently at the insistence of the MOA traffic department, made major changes to the southern entrance to the north-south service road and to the west buffers. These changes will negatively impact the surrounding neighborhood. In the master site plan that went before the Assembly, the Patterson right-of-way was to act as a buffer between the development and the Debarr Vista Subdivision; that is to extend from 10th heading south beyond the last residential property situated at the east end of 11th. A six foot sight-sound fence was to be erected at what is now the eastern edge of the right-of-way. At the very minimum, there should be a 45’ landscaped buffer to contain a pedestrian pathway/bike trail, landscaped for visual appeal. The road for service vehicles and tractor-trailers only was to be situated to the east of the fence situated on Wal-Mart property and now in or on the Patterson right-of-way. The change being recommended by MOA traffic department to create a collector-like road in the Patterson right-of-way also creates significant, permanent negative effects on the community. This proposed change would result in significant vehicle traffic, noise and pollution twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Moreover, any attempt to expand Patterson Road north to 6th is very strongly opposed by the community and would most certainly have permanent, negative impacts. The neighborhoods in these areas have many children who use the trail to safely walk and ride their bicycles to Chester Park Elementary School. Even more children will be using this pathway when the Begich Middle School opens in the fall. This pathway also serves the neighborhood in other useful and healthy ways, as children and adults routinely use the path for recreation and accessing the creek’s trail. Wal-Mart, apparently at the recommendation of the MOA, is considering placing a foot path to be placed at the base of the northern buffer on the south side, situated to run from a pocket park to the east and end at the Patterson right-of-way to the west. This will likely negatively impact the community by increasing property crimes and vandalism in their neighborhood and the neighborhoods to the west. The MOA is recommending a pedestrian path be designed into the pocket park which is now part of the Creekside right-of-way that begins at Old Harbor to the north and ends to the south at North Creekside Drive. There is a history of property crime and vandalism to the residential neighborhood in this area. Unless or until the MOA comes up with an effective way to deal with the criminal element associated with this area, I would urge against a pathway that is likely to increase crime. The site will generate significant noise from snow removal equipment, and it is recommended that the site plan include a time limitation for the storage of snow not to exceed 72 hours. Drainage issues should require the snow to be removed from the site plan area. From an aesthetic perspective, trailers and containers should not be stored anywhere within the site plan in excess of 24 hours. From a noise, pollution and aesthetic aspect, tractor-trailer traffic into and out of the site plan area should be limited. Tractor-trailer traffic should not be allowed from 12:01am Sunday morning to 10:00am Monday morning and one hour before or one hour after the starting times and ending times for classes at Begich Middle School. There should be no tractor-trailer traffic into and out of the site plan area after 6:00pm. During the summer months and holidays when school is out, tractor-trailer traffic between 7:00am to 6:00pm could be allowed unless summer school is being conducted at the middle school. The Sunday restriction should still apply in the summer. Every attempt should be made to shield the two churches, the residential neighborhoods and the middle school from the emissions, sights and sounds of tractor-trailer traffic. One of the core purposes of a town center is to encourage conservation and lessen consumption. To this end public transportation is encouraged in every aspect. The eastern district of our city relies heavily on public transportation, and it appears the site plan is deficient in supporting public transportation. The northern portion of Creekside Road in the site plan should mimic the southern portion in design. A screening wall should be in place to shield the loading docks of the Sam’s Club. The wall should be aesthetically designed, and wall designs that block light should be disfavored. Light pollution should also be addressed. For example, most of the lighting supporting the site could be shut off completely during the hours the stores are not open. Only enough lighting to ensure security and safety is required. Every attempt should be made to limit the impact of lighting on the surrounding neighborhoods. To preserve the integrity of the neighborhood, any access to the site plan area via 10th and 11th where they meet the Patterson right-of-way by either vehicles or pedestrians should be disallowed. The screening wall to the west should be continuous to discourage vehicles from attempting access to the site and having to turn around and thus becoming a neighborhood nuisance. Pedestrian traffic should not be allowed due to neighborhood security concerns. There is a concern that children from the Begich Middle School will attempt to cross Debarr Road between the two light-controlled intersections at Creekside and Patterson. In order to mitigate this serious hazard it is recommended that Wal-Mart build an attractive but effective barrier on their property that will discourage children from attempting to cross between the two lighted intersections. RV overnight parking should not be permitted anywhere within the site plan area. | |
| Rod McCoy | 8/1/2007 6:14:47 PM |
| No Bigger is not better, here. This plan exaserbates the problems of the original change. This plan to increase the size of the buildings comes too quick after the original rezone. It is a bait and switch tactic. It indicates they did not need the additional acreage of the rezone last fall. The trail to Debarr Road and Begich Middle School must be shown in this plan. Are all of the requirements of the big box ordinance written into this plan. | |
| Carolyn Graham | 7/31/2007 12:35:28 AM |
| I DO NOT understand why we need to have a Wal-Mart and Sam's Club built in Muldoon when we have Fred Meyer's & Carrs. I don't think it is fair to Fred's & Carrs. Too many box stores for the area with Target a mile to the north next year. I don't understand why this building permit has been approved if we want Muldoon to look nice and BE nice. Why not some "high end" stores instead of cheap Wal Mart. You get what you pay for. | |
| John Rathert | 7/30/2007 2:43:28 PM |
| WalMart is a fact of life. No amount of badgering/harassing is going to stop them. They also provide consumer products for all of us at a very good price and by doing so keeps their competition in line. I firmly beleive that all of this negativity is rooted in the fact that they are a non union store. Those jobs are not rocket science positions and you can not pay union wages to minimal learners and compete at the level that they do. I think they have bent over backwards to comply with the reasdonable requests and I think they should be given the ok to proceed. Thanks for your time. | |
| Jane DiCosimo | 7/29/2007 6:08:32 PM |
| My duplex property is one block away and in sight and sound of the Walmart site at the corner of 11th and Ermine streets. I support Section 4(3) E. Design Guide Lines 4.a., which reads ". . . Along the west boundary of both Tract B & C, there shall be buffer landscaping with an average width of 25'. . . Unused areas of the Patterson Street right of away may be used for temporary buffer landscape purposes." I am opposed to proposed changes to the Wal-Mart site. 1. The 25 ft buffer between the site and private properties in the DeBarr Vista neighborhood should be maintained. 2. Access via 10th and 11th Avenues(either by vehicles or pedestrians)should be prohibited to retain the integrity of the neighborhood. 3. Delivery truck traffic to the site from Patterson St should be limited to business hours. 4. No public access should occur from the Patterson St right-of-way. 5. The size of the Wal-mart Store should not be allowed to increase. Thank you. | |
| ricky & tae bo reinhart | 7/27/2007 10:32:45 AM |
| We have lived on Debarr for 11 years and already have a problem with the trafic on Debarr rd being to heavy and wild. If you alow a Supper Wallmart and a Sams Club which we already have in the north east in the northway mall area to the trafic on this road it will be unmanagable with the trafic from the new school. We think that someone should investagate the city council because they ignored the people of the north east and the zoning and platting commission. This is not a good decision and needs to be reversed. Let The Super Wallmart and Samms club move into the new mall going in on the north side of the Glen HWY. at Muldoon. There will be 1,000,000 SQ. Ft. of retail space for them to choose from in the mall. Please reverse the decision to let these two stores build in this area. Thanks Rick & Tae Bo Reinhart | |
| Brian Whittle | 7/26/2007 12:38:11 PM |
| Anything that can be done to preserve the neighborhood's integrity should be top priority. Also the continued concept of a town center and visually pleasing facilities should be carried through. Thank You. Brian Whittle | |
| Tena Pintar | 7/25/2007 4:51:06 PM |
| I think the city of Anchorage should keep to their agreements. It's not right to the people in the community to hear one thing and then the city goes ahead and does another. | |
| Leigh Ann Page | 7/25/2007 10:59:05 AM |
| As a fairly new resident to Anchorage, I'm very displeased to read that this city doesn't hold true to it's agreements for site development. As someone looking to soon buy a home here, it certainly makes me weary of purchasing in the city limits. Marty should not have to worry about traffic so close to his home. Noone should lose that kind of privacy. The MOA needs to stick to the original agreement. | |
| Everett Wilson | 7/25/2007 10:06:45 AM |
| I do relize that my comments will go into the trash with out any reguard becase of my living in the valley,but you should know that I live out there because this city rarley lives up to it's promises.If the city is not going to live up to its commitments on this matter then you should have to buy this homeowner and voter out at 5 times market value or more. The home owner has spent countless hours locating and buying his property and making it a home and in one strike of a pen you folks plan on destroying his whole investment in the name of progress. Anchorage needs another wal-mart like it needs another "Street Gang"This issue is not even limited to just one homeowner it will effect the whole erea.The only way you should go forward with this is if you can get a erea wide 100% ok from the neighborhoods it will effect.Anchorage has got to stop stepping on the little guys and start standing up for them. The government was devised to serve the pepole not its self. Do Not Go Back On Your Commitments!!!!!!! | |
| Jim Hohman | 7/25/2007 9:30:12 AM |
| Good morning, When the municipality makes an agreement they need to honor it. Remember who you are working for! Thank you. Sincerely, Jim Hohman | |
| Nina Prockish | 7/24/2007 5:57:55 PM |
| On October 17, 2006, the Assembly passed Ordinance # AO 2006-104S as amended. Now, the various municipal departments are suggesting changes for the Wal-Mart site review that I am opposed to. 1. I am opposed to a pedestrian pathway of any type to be designed into the pocket park. I believe this was a suggestion of the traffic department. 2. I am opposed to a pedestrian path of any type along the base of the northern buffer. This was proposed by the "trails" division. 3.I am in favor of reduced tractor trailor delivery truck traffic to the site. The traffic would not be allowed from 12:01 Sunday morning to 10:00 AM Monday morning. There should be no tractor-trailer traffic into and out of the site after 6 PM. 4.I am opposed to the Patterson Street changes. As a property owner in Muldoon for 42 years, I am puzzled by the various options being proposed to the Planning and Zoning commission by various municipal departments that do not agree with the Assembly Ordinance or the information that NECC and Wal Mart agreed to in 2006. It is also disconcerting that the Staff Report is not posted as of 7/24 and that community comments were due today according to an e-mail from the town center committee meeting of NECC. | |
| Linda Chamberlain | 7/24/2007 11:42:31 AM |
| The MOA needs to honor its agreements and commitments to the residents of the NE community. I am totally opposed to the changes being recommended by the MOA in creating a collector-like road in the Patterson right-of-way. Also, I am totally opposed to access to the WM site via 10th and 11th Avenues(either by vehicles or pedestrians). Please preserve the integrity of our neighborhoods and honor your agreements. | |
| Mike Shaw | 7/24/2007 8:04:16 AM |
| Is the one home owner insignificant in this process, or are commitments/agreements kept. Simple question, easy answer. Please reference Case 2007-120. I believe there has been agreements with Marty Bowden and the community on whether the Patterson Road Right of Way would be protected, and also a 25' buffer would sheild his house from the WalMart project. Please keep agreements intact. Thanks | |
| Douglas Cobb | 7/24/2007 8:01:58 AM |
| The Municipality needs to honor their committment to the community regarding the Patterson Right of Way and a 25' buffer that would shield homes from Wal-Mart. I used to live in the Muldoon area, specifically Chugach Foothills, Kushtaka Street. We enjoyed this neighborhood and reluctantly moved as Muldoon has become more and more commercial while the residential areas do not receive the attention (and respect) they deserve... box stores, unpaved streets, the military fence, and the high density housing (site condos) at 36th and Muldoon were all factors in our decision to move. | |
| David Kolesky | 7/23/2007 10:51:49 PM |
| I do not agree with the proposed changes to the agreed upon ordiance that was apporoved on 10-17-2007 AO2006-104(S)that states,in this document, Section 4(3) E. Design Guide Lines 4.a. "......Along the west boundary of both Tract B & C, there shall be buffer landscaping with an average width of 25'. ....... Unused areas of the Patterson Street right of away may be used for temporary buffer landscape purposes." . We do not need any more foot or vehicular trafffic on E 10th, 11th or 12th AVE. Keep it where it was orinally planned , DeBarr Road. | |
| sandra bartorillo | 7/23/2007 8:01:07 PM |
| please do not publish my email as entered in my previous comment. Thanks. | |
| Sandra Bartorillo | 7/23/2007 7:57:46 PM |
| The MOA should honor their ordinance and committment to protect Marty Bowden's and his neighbors' property. The community is against this city enforced site plan and the approved plan needs to be resubmitted and approved. The landscaping buffer in the original design should go back in the project as promised. The city should not go back on its word. | |
| Marty Bowden | 7/23/2007 6:57:45 PM |
| All the residents of 10th ave are against the access to the Walmart property either vehicular or pedestrian and agree that the fence needs to be placed on Walmart property and the unused Patterson ROW with no access points. The originally designed site plan must be adhered to and traffic needs to get out of this community developed plan. They had their opportunity to be involved last year with us. No Paterson Street No Access A fence and bermed buffer to restrict view of Walmart | |
| Jennifer Blackwood | 7/23/2007 1:26:09 PM |
| I feel that the city Planning and Zoning department should honor it's agreements and keep the 25' buffer between Patterson and the residential properties. I find it hard to believe that anyone on the planning and zoning committee would want to live that close to a big box store like this and have all of that noise right outside their living room windows so why would you not honor the original agreement to the 25' buffer for all of these property owners? And I definitely do not like the idea of putting in a walkway on the Northern Berm from Walmart to come out right at the side of our duplex. We already have enough foot traffic around here, that would just make it even worse especially if the store would be open late hours. | |
| Rodney Christianson | 7/23/2007 8:29:17 AM |
| We and the neighborhood are totally against: 1. Extending Patterson St. straight in ending in bollards (spelling). It was agreed previously to turn Patterson St in toward WM at about 12th St which would not adversely affect the neighborhood as much by leavinf a green belt buffer. Traffic and Zoning must change this back to what was orignally agreed to. In addition Patterson must never be extended through to 6th St which I know must be in Traffics mind somewhere. An extension would result in doublefronting of many homes reducing property values, etc..... 2. There must not be an access from about 10th St for people to walk along the Northern Berm to WM. This would funnel countless people right along side a neighbors home. 3. WM facility size must be changed back to what was agreed to. 4. Delivery vehicles must make deliveries only during normal work hours so as to minimize noise levels in the neighborhood. THANKS FOR ACCEPTING OUR COMMENTS AS YOU DID AT A PREVIOUS P&Z BY VOTING TO NOT ALLOW THE WM REZONE REQUEST. | |
| Barbara Marson | 7/20/2007 8:15:36 PM |
| The Anchorage Assembly approved AO2006-104(S) on 10-17-06. In this document, Section 4(3) E. Design Guide Lines 4.a. "......Along the west boundary of both Tract B & C, there shall be buffer landscaping with an average width of 25'. ....... Unused areas of the Patterson Street right of away may be used for temporary buffer landscape purposes." How can Planning and Zoning deviate from this? it is unconscionable and smacks of payoffs. A low class store can ask to build whatever they want wherever they buy. However, our city officials and comissions need to consider the people of our community who elect and pay them and consider our community needs not to mention the beauty of our state. The city has a plan and it should stay that way. Walmart bought the property and they can work with what they have. It is my understanding that Walmart will no longer build "ugly" stores. However, that is only if the cities refuse to allow them to do it and that includes not using any simple fences but large and sufficient landscaping and buffers to protect the residents COMPLETELY. We have enough of these ugly buildings from this company in town and do NOT need anymore. | |
| Kristin Bowden | 7/20/2007 4:56:42 PM |
| The city planning and zoning department is required to honor their ordinance and commitment to provide a 25' buffer from the neighborhood from these big box stores development. How does planning and zoning have the authority to change the original agreement when it effects tax payers property, neighbors, and the community so significately? Extending Patterson Road will remove this buffer that was originally agreed to and put the road within 10 feet of my livingroom window. The city needs to return to the original agreement of having the 25' buffer. Zoning and planning needs to protect homeowners and not use the businesses deep pockets to get a new road out of the project. | |
| jesse martin | 7/20/2007 3:18:58 PM |
| I would appreciate you honoring the 25' set back that is currently being observed, rather the proposed 10' set back you are now considering. Thanks. | |
| Barbara Wagner | 7/20/2007 2:57:35 PM |
| The city needs to honor their agreements with community residents to protect residential properties from less than desirable development with buffer zones. The neighbors and community are against putting in Patterson Road. The city enforced site plan needs to be resubmitted and reapproved. No one wants a road 10' from thier living room window. | |
| Luke Dedych | 7/20/2007 2:37:55 PM |
| The city needs to honor its commitment to leave the Patterson right of way as a buffer between homeowners and the new Wal-Mart complex. This change in stance runs roughshod over the rights of individual citizens. | |
| Catherine Christianson | 7/20/2007 7:47:11 AM |
| I did not want a Wal-Mart never will want a wal-mart and think that as a neighbort I should have a voice in the matter not the people who work in a Wal-mart store.What happen to the town square that was suppose to have been put in. We are still fighting this matter and the Assembly and Mayor what don't you get. Traffic did not want this to go though what next will the wonderful bike path be opened up for a road, so traffic will have a place to go? We want answers not just comments from you people who are in charge so Mayor no promises I see already those promises are being broken. What is it the City wants more stores more traffic we are Alaskans and want decent neighborhoods and safety above all for our Children going to and from school, having big box stores certainly isn't my idea of safety so close to homes and Schools. The meetings I went to I thought was totally out of content when Wal-Mart people stood up and was all for a wal-mart that is totally wrong only those who live in the area have a right to stand up and be against and I am totally against having a big box store as everyone in my area are. Recent changes by traffic are totally unexceptible by extending patterson, and installation of a path by the Northern berm. | |
| Karen Herzenberg | 7/19/2007 4:53:57 PM |
| I am not sure I understand how Planning and Zoning can unanimously decline the zoning change from Residential to Commerical and then have their decison reveresed by the Assembly. If this is the case, what is the point on having a Planning and Zoning Committee? Was the Assembly bought out by Walmart? Are dirty politics enering now the Municipal Level? I certainly hope not. | |
| Terry Cummings | 7/17/2007 11:57:07 AM |
| The original site plan for the WalMart development has recently been changed. The buffer on the West side of the site was supposed to be on the West side of the new Patterson extension but is now on the East side, which isn't a buffer at all. The traffic and delivery trucks will now be right up against the neighborhood. The bike path will also be right against the street, endangering the children walking to the elementary school and middle school, as well as the handicapped people in wheelchairs who use the existing trail already. The original plan has been changed and is not acceptable. It is poor planning and does not conform to the 2020 Comp. Plan. For 2 decades the people in this area have been against opening up E. 10th, 11th and 12th. We have fought over the connection of E. 6th through to DeBarr for many years. Putting in this Patterson extension for a private enterprise is unacceptable. Many hugh delivery trucks will be coming up and down this street day and night. There was supposed to be a sight and sound barrier on the West side also. Now they are saying they will put up a 6 foot wooden fence (a backyard fence) on each persons property bordering the new street. This does not constitute a sight and sound barrier. There will be noise pollution, light pollution and major exhaust fumes. Children with asthma or lung problems will suffer greatly, as well as adults. The air in this area gets trapped in the winter and the fumes will pollute the neighborhood. The city is having the taxpayers pay for a street for a commercial establishment. This should not be allowed. The site plans are poor planning and need to be changed before this development can proceed. Mr. Weaver states this neighborhood wants the all the WalMart traffic to go up and down their streets. This is untrue. | |
| Marty Bowden | 7/16/2007 11:35:25 AM |
| This is not the site plan approved by the assembly. The Assembly promised that my property would be protected by a 30' buffer and the unused Patterson ROW. They did this as The property outside my fron window was supposed to be R2 and some protection to my property was the consetion made to rezone. This totally new site plan provides no protection to my home that was previously agreed to by the Assmbly The Anchorage Assembly approved AO2006-104(S) on 10-17-06. In this document, Section 4(3) E. Design Guide Lines 4.a. "......Along the west boundary of both Tract B & C, there shall be buffer landscaping with an average width of 25'. ....... Unused areas of the Patterson Street right of away may be used for temporary buffer landscape purposes." The intent and ordance is clear to proect my house and they have submitted a site plan that does not follow this ordinance. The original plan presented showed the road away from the east of Patterson ROW along the power plant and my property. We all know what was agreed to by all parties. All concerned must protect my property with this buffer and not opening Patterson and moving Walmarts access on to their property was part of this agreement regardless of any other laws,ordinances or regulations. This is now the time to stand up for what is right and fair. It is not right to open Patterson just to give Walmart a driveway. The driveway must be put on their property as shown in the approved prior site plan. | |
| Clinton R Hodges II | 6/24/2007 12:02:13 PM |
| I don't know what to say except that the heavily revamped site plan that was revealed to the NECC compares nothing to the original concept that met approval. I think the MOA needs to send a copy of the 2020 Comprehensive Plan to Lounsbury with a note that says this is Anchorage and we do things differently on this side of the inlet. Furthermore, Sawhill's comment that he met several times with the MOA traffic department and the Muldoon Community Assembly doesn't constitute community involvement. I'll fight for my rights under the 2020 Plan and I'll let you know in advance that my support can't be bought for the promise of two drivesways. My formal comments regarding this junk site plan will be sent to each member of the commission. | |
| Clinton R Hodges II | 6/17/2007 8:11:55 AM |
| The Northeast Anchorage CC doesn't meet in July and the agenda for June is already set. Is it possible to consider postponing until Aug/Sept? | |