Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning Board Approves Removal of Two Plat Notes for Lake Otis Parcel; Safety Concerns Raised by Neighbor
Summary
The Anchorage Planning Board voted to remove plat notes 2 and 7 from plat 2017-1, clearing a procedural barrier that would allow consideration of a driveway on Lake Otis Parkway for a proposed Touchmark Senior Living development; staff recommended approval and a nearby resident warned the change could create traffic and pedestrian safety conflicts.
The Anchorage Planning Board on Feb. 4 approved a request to remove plat notes 2 and 7 from plat 2017-1, a step petitioners say is needed to facilitate development of a parcel at the northwest corner of Lake Otis Parkway and O'Malley Road.
Planning staff told the board the two notes — plat note 2, which prohibits vehicular access to Lake Otis Parkway, and plat note 7, a five-foot development setback in addition to required side yards — can be removed because changes in roadway design and traffic operations have negated the original reasons for those restrictions. Staff cited the O'Malley Road reconstruction completed in 2018 and the project acceptance in 2019 and said municipal traffic, right-of-way departments and the Alaska Department of Transportation raised no objections. Staff recommended approval subject to the condition in the staff report.
Petitioner representative Carly Lamothe said the request is on behalf of Touchmark Senior Living and described the 8,400-square-foot development area and grade differences across the site (about 15–30 feet). Lamothe emphasized that removing the plat notes would not automatically authorize a driveway on Lake Otis: "This removal of this plat note does not inherently approve a driveway on the Lake Otis," she said, adding that any driveway proposal would undergo MOA traffic and right-of-way review and must meet grading and sight-distance requirements. Lamothe said primary access is expected from O'Malley and Independence drives, and any Lake Otis access would be limited to right-in/right-out if proposed.
A nearby resident, Jason Norris, testified in opposition to removing the vehicular-access restriction on Lake Otis Parkway. "It's a high speed channelized road on an incline," Norris said, arguing a new curb cut would introduce conflicts, encourage risky passing maneuvers and increase pedestrian danger. Norris noted recent pedestrian fatalities in the city and said the change "would introduce another conflict point on a high speed roadway."
Board member Kevin Cross, who moved approval, acknowledged Norris's concerns as "valid" but said the request meets the three criteria in Anchorage Municipal Code section 21.03.200. Cross stressed that the removal only opens the option of a driveway subject to later traffic study and approvals: "This just removes the plat note, which means don't even consider it. This opens it up for them to consider it, come up with...traffic planning." Patrick Jones seconded the motion and voiced support for staff's findings.
The chair called the vote; Commissioner Brenda Mails was recorded voting "Yes," and the chair declared the motion passed. The motion approved removal of plat notes 2 and 7 from plat 2017-1, subject to recording a resolution with the State of Alaska Recorder's Office and providing proof to the planning department, as stated in the motion.
Next steps: Recording the required resolution with the State of Alaska Recorder's Office and providing proof of recording to the planning department, after which any future driveway proposal would require separate, substantive review by MOA traffic and right-of-way staff.
