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Commission recommends updates to Design Criteria Manual chapters on landscaping, transit and plans/specs
Summary
The commission recommended the Anchorage Assembly approve updates to the Design Criteria Manual chapters 3 (landscape), 7 (public transportation) and 8 (plans and specifications), including removing an outdated appeals sentence in chapter 3 and clarifying pedestrian language tied to movement‑in‑place guidance.
The Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission voted Feb. 2 to recommend the Anchorage Assembly approve updates to the Municipality’s Design Criteria Manual (DCM), forwarding revised chapters 3 (landscaping), 7 (public transportation) and 8 (plans and specifications) with a staff‑recommended edit removing a cross‑referenced appeals sentence.
Brandon Telford, engineering manager for Project Management and Engineering (PM&E), explained the updates reflect industry guidance, a safe‑system approach and the “movement in place” framework, and described outreach that included community councils, the Urban Design Commission and the Anchorage Downtown Partnership. He said chapters were revised after a 45‑day comment period and additional stakeholder follow‑up.
Telford also recommended removing a sentence in chapter 3 that referenced an outdated policy and appeals procedure; staff said the referenced policy is not applicable and recommended deleting the sentence prior to sending the packet to the Assembly.
Commissioners asked about the movement‑in‑place framework and a sentence in the draft that stated roads categorized as high movement and low place “may prohibit pedestrians.” PM&E staff said that language reflects general guidance and that genuine access‑controlled interstates (which are DOT‑owned) may limit pedestrian access; staff said chapter 1 and the streets chapter will later refine local implementation.
Commissioners praised the stakeholder outreach and technical work. Commissioner Polis moved (seconded by Commissioner Ama Abaza) to recommend Assembly approval of the DCM updates, subject to the two staff conditions and removal of the appeals sentence; the motion passed. The commission recorded no public testimony on the item.
Next steps: the revised chapters will be forwarded to the Anchorage Assembly for consideration; if the Assembly approves, the chapters will be incorporated as regulation per the DCM adoption resolution.
