As a resident of the Hillside, it’s been disappointing to see some of my neighbors come out in such strong opposition to zoning changes that might bring a little more density to our neighborhoods. Because of our well and septic needs, it’s nearly impossible to build apartments on the Hillside, so what we are really looking at is a few more duplexes (and maybe triplexes and four-plexes) and some smaller lots, scattered here and there in the few places left that have room for them. A lot of large family homes in Anchorage could easily be converted to duplexes without any major impacts on their neighbors.
Adding a little more density to neighborhoods that currently only allow single-family homes is as much about allowing people to stay in their current homes as it is about bringing new people in. Many of us in Anchorage are fortunate to live in our neighborhood of choice that fits our lifestyle. But what if you are aging and no longer have the energy to maintain a big house? Or what if your kids have moved out and you are tired of keeping three bathrooms clean? Or what if you have a change in financial situation and need to downsize?
For the majority of us, those scenarios mean that we’d have to pack up and move to a different part of town that we might not like as much as our current neighborhood. For instance, I live on the hillside because I want to live within walking distance of a trailhead.
To live near a trailhead in Anchorage pretty much means that you can afford and desire a large home of $500,000 or more. Why should people be blocked from the opportunity to live near trails simply because they can’t afford it, or want to rent, or want to live in a smaller house?
There are many in Anchorage, especially on the Hillside, who wish to downsize from their big family homes now that the kids are grown, but they don’t want to leave their neighborhood, so they stay.
This locks up housing that is badly needed by families and is a burden on people who are aging and can no longer maintain a large home.
Even if all zoning rules on the Hillside were eliminated, utilities, building codes and geography will prevent any drastic changes to neighborhood composition, so I don’t think calls about overcrowding are warranted. However, by adding a few more housing types to single family neighborhoods, we can create more options for people to live in the neighborhoods of their preference without having to break the bank.
— Clare Ross
Anchorage
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