Anchorage zoning board approves set of variances, citing reliance on prior municipal determinations

The Municipality of Anchorage Zoning Board of Examiners and Appeals on Feb. 12 voted to grant dimensional variances in four separate property cases, approving two variances for a Canyon Road homestead, a minor lot‑size/width relief that allowed a three‑lot subdivision in Chugiak‑Eagle River, and two residential setback variances that board members said were justified by site constraints and prior municipal determinations.

The board granted the first set of variances for Rob and Gina Bridal’s property at 13688 Canyon Road after applicants and their representative argued they had relied for years on a recorded 2013 nonconforming determination (NCD). Rob Brown told the board, “We relied on that official determination for more than a decade,” and said the owners paid for design, surveys and permits in reliance on that written municipal determination. Staff had recommended denial for the proposed shop/ADU and identified errors in the 2013 NCD; the board approved the variance recognizing reliance and site history. Vote: existing‑structure variance granted (6–0); proposed shop/ADU variance granted (5–1). Both approvals were made subject to standard conditions, including recording a notice of zoning action and filing a final as‑built within one year with the State of Alaska Recorder’s Office.

In Chugiak‑Eagle River, the board voted to…