Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hamilton Acres Rezone topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Staff recommends rezone in Hamilton Acres, adds 25-foot waterway setback overlay
Summary
Community planning staff told the assembly an applicant-initiated rezone of roughly 5.4 acres in Hamilton Acres from two-family to multiple-family residential would add a 25-foot waterway setback overlay; the planning commission unanimously recommended approval, and staff reported two supporters and three opponents during public comment.
Community planning director Kellen Spielman presented an applicant-initiated rezone to the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly committee of the whole on Aug. 21 that would change 10 parcels in the Hamilton Acres neighborhood from two-family to multiple-family residential and apply a 25-foot waterway setback overlay to parcels abutting the Chena River.
Spielman said the rezone area totals about 5.4 acres, and the applicant owns four of the parcels (about 58% of the land area). The applicant's proposal would permit multi-family dwellings (triplexes, fourplexes, etc.) consistent with the multiple-family zone's lot-size and setback rules; Spielman noted that while code calculations might allow roughly 40 units by pure density math, practical constraints such as parking and setbacks would make development of more than about 12 units difficult on the site.
On the waterway setback overlay, Spielman explained it prohibits construction of permanent structures within the rear 25 feet of parcels along the river but is distinct from the waterway protection area (which restricts removal of natural vegetation). He told the assembly that docks, decks and boat launches are permitted uses within the setback and that the Chena Riverfront Commission heard the matter on June 10 and unanimously recommended approval of the rezone with the setback present.
Spielman said the planning department mailed 220 property-owner letters, received eight responses (two in opposition) and that the planning commission held a lengthy hearing on July 8 before unanimously recommending approval. Public testimony reported in the staff summary included two speakers in support and three in opposition, citing traffic, a desire to keep an area as open space or a park, and concerns about crime.
Assembly members asked clarifying questions about docks, unit counts, and private-property park requests. Spielman confirmed docks are permitted uses under the waterway setback overlay, explained the practical unit limit and reiterated that private-property owners are not compelled to create a park by the rezone process.
The item was a staff presentation to the committee; the assembly did not vote on the ordinance at this meeting.
