Commission approves Girdwood parks master plan, asks for clarity on comp-plan consistency

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the Girdwood Parks Master Plan after staff recommended conditional approval to resolve inconsistencies with the Girdwood comprehensive plan. Planning staff said the draft plan needs two conditions of approval: specify whether it is a 10- or 15-year plan and resolve areas where the draft's recommendations appear inconsistent with the comprehensive plan.

Daniel of Long Range Planning explained that this type of parks plan is not an element of the comprehensive plan and therefore can create confusing or conflicting guidance if the two documents are not reconciled. "If you have the comprehensive plan that says land use in this area should be X and then a plan that came after that but isn't part of the comprehensive plan that says land use in this area should be Y, it puts anybody interpreting the plan ... in an odd position," Daniel said. Petitioned presenter Peyton Johnson said the parks plan still permits parks within mixed‑use designations and proposed edits to address staff comments on indoor recreation spaces and parking.

Several commissioners asked whether DOT and airport encroachment concerns should be added as a condition; staff said the commission may add such a condition. After discussion, Commissioner Jared Gardner moved to approve the plan subject to staff conditions; the motion passed.