No one disputes that we need more housing. How we achieve it is a question that is being asked across the U.S. Some cities have tried this ‘up-zoning’ method where zoning is essentially eliminated.
Does that produce more housing? Is it affordable?
Does it result in desirable neighborhoods? The data are not available yet to know if it really works.
What is known, however, is that new housing is rarely more affordable.
Thoughtful zoning — with lots of public input — is what makes neighborhoods good places to live. Millions of dollars (with massive public input) have been spent on Anchorage’s neighborhood plans, which will all be overridden should Ordinance 202387(S) be passed without significant changes.
Our land-use plans designate many areas for higher density where infrastructure can support it. Why aren’t these locations being utilized?
What barriers keep developers from building there?
Should those questions be answered before passing this monumental zoning change that is not backed up by an analysis of what really works to increase housing?
The ADN article stated that the sponsors of the ordinance are doing public outreach, but their efforts do not include changing their basic plan for only five residential zoning districts.
Don’t kid yourself; we will not have input — to do so requires more time to educate the public.
How about providing various scenarios that show alternatives to the proposed massive Bowl-wide rezoning — with changes that could never be undone? Some changes can be made, but let us have meaningful input.
The expedited time frame is not conducive to public input. Even most community councils do not know about this rezoning effort, and many do not meet over the summer because their meeting places are closed (schools). Ask the sponsors why they are in such a hurry.
Residents quoted in the article want this ordinance to pass quickly in the mistaken belief it will produce more housing, fast. More housing will not happen this summer, so there is time to slow down and let the public digest other avenues to achieve housing without completely redoing our zoning.
— Dianne Holmes
Anchorage
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