Welcome to issue XIV of the Girdwood Inc Newsletter! Read on to learn more about the following topics: Alyeska Resort Development, Short Term Rental Regulation, Project Anchorage, Girdwood Area Plan public hearing, Girdwood Community Land Trust’s Request for Information on South Townsite, potential RV Park parcel and newest funding secured for Girdwood Inc/Little Bears Playhouse joint project.
Alyeska Resort Development:
In April, Alyeska Resort formally submitted their development plans to the Anchorage Planning Department.
In May, a Resolution of Support for modification to the Alyeska Resort Master Plan and Development plan was discussed and presented at Girdwood Land Use and Girdwood Board of Supervisors.
At the May Land Use Meeting, a motion to support the project via GBOS resolution was made and seconded. It was then amended to remove support for the Glacier Creek subdivision portion of the development plan. An opportunity to vote on the full project as proposed was not discussed or voted upon.
The following week, GBOS voted to approve the Resolution of Support, but removed the exception of Glacier Creek. This passed in a 3-2 vote. Within 24 hours, a special meeting was called to reconsider the vote. At this vote, the decision was made to keep the exception of Glacier Creek and be consistent with the vote that occurred at Land Use. The resolution was forwarded to the Planning and Zoning Commissioners in their packet.
On June 3rd the proposed Amendment to the Alyeska Resort Master Plan and Commercial Frag lot plan was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. During the hearing, it was discussed numerous times that the Glacier Creek subdivision is consistent with the current area plan, but not the newest map submitted to Planning for the Girdwood Area Plan. The area north of the airport has switched from Mixed Use to Open Space on the draft map between February and now. When speaking regarding both housing and recreation, Commissioner Krishna stated, “this seems to be a place where two of Girdwood’s top priorities are in conflict.” This area is proposed for Phase 4 and was given a 2031 timeline by the resort. Development for future phases will require additional future approvals. At this hearing, there was no testimony heard in opposition to any portion of Phase I. Phase I includes the childcare and learning center, recreation center, employee housing, condo building, hotel extension, additional parking and new ski school.
In June, Alyeska Resort and YMCA announced that the two entities have signed a letter of intent for the Recreation facility.
Short Term Rental Regulation:
Municipal-wide Short Term Rental regulation, via AO 2023-110, was passed by Assembly but vetoed by the Mayor. Randy Sulte, in his report to GBOS, mentioned that the Assembly lacks the votes needed to override the veto. Sulte also noted that there might be support within the Assembly for Girdwood-specific regulations.
Girdwood-specific regulations are now being discussed at Girdwood Housing and Economic Committee, Girdwood Land Use and Girdwood Board of Supervisors over the coming months.
Project Anchorage:
Taking inspiration from Oklahoma City, the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (ADEC) is spearheading an effort to implement a new sales tax package, which also includes a reduction in property taxes. Jenna Wright from ADEC presented the item.
“Project Anchorage is an initiative put forward by a coalition of Anchorage businesses and business leaders to make Anchorage a better place to live, work and play. The initiative would implement a 3% sales tax to be dedicated as follows:
- Two thirds of the revenue would go dollar for dollar to lower property taxes, increasing housing affordability and making Anchorage a more attractive place to live and do business.
- One third of the revenue would fund projects that make Anchorage a better place to live, work and play.”
Wright indicated that a variety of projects from across the municipality, including Girdwood, will be selected in a package put forward to the assembly. The public is encouraged to submit their project ideas to their website: https://projectanchorage.com/ by September 15, 2024.
Girdwood Area Plan:
The public hearing for the Girdwood Area Plan is scheduled for July 15th 2024 at the Anchorage Loussac Library Assembly Chambers at 6:30 PM.
This is the public’s opportunity to comment or recommend changes to the plan before final approval.
7/14/2024 UPDATE from Imagine Girdwood:
“The Planning Department has proposed that PZC recommend 10 substantive changes to the Comprehensive Plan, including:
- Remove requirements for Vegetative Buffers
- Remove areas identified for Future Parks
- Change land use for area north of airport to Mixed Use rather than Open Space
- Extend area of Mixed Use in South Townsite “Squirrel Cages” rather than Open Space
- Change land use for area west of Alyeska Basin to Low-Density Residential
- Change Upper Valley from Commercial Recreation Reserve to Commercial Recreation
- Clarify alternatives to road paving
- Emphasize the Tsunami Risk to Old Girdwood
You can review the full comments from Planning along with comments from other agencies including HLB under Latest News at the imaginegirdwood.org website” or at the municipal agenda link here.
Maps Submitted to Planning:
Girdwood Community Land Trust – Request for Information – South Townsite:
If you have taken a walk through Forest Fair park area recently, you may have noticed the flooding occurring again around the pavilion area and beer garden stage. Girdwood Community Land Trust has been holding site visits for interested parties to view the neighboring parcel, to gain insight into how the meandering creek might affect the adjacent lower elevation parcel for future use. To share your thoughts regarding this area, please email girdwoodlandtrust@gmail.com. Responses for the RFI are due by August 15th 2024.
RV Park – HLB Parcel 6-134:
This is the parcel under consideration and discussion at Girdwood Housing and Economic Committee for a permanent RV park. In the Heritage Land Bank Annual Work Plan it states the next steps for this item would be, an approval of the new updated area plan and “Girdwood South Townsite Master Plan – potential update after the GAP (Girdwood Area Plan) is complete.” Efforts will then commence to request a withdrawal from HLB to transfer the parcel to Girdwood Parks and Recreation. This would enable Girdwood Valley Service Area to initiate an RV park feasibility study as the next step.
Funding from State Budget:
Senator Cathy Giessel’s long-standing support for Girdwood continued this legislative session. Senator Giessel’s successful support for $500K in state funding for the much-needed Little Bears / Girdwood Workforce Childcare Project is just the latest she has helped secure funding for. The Senator’s support in previous years was key in funding for the Girdwood Clinic, upgrades to the Alyeska Highway path and other trails in the Valley, spearheading the funding to get the Anchorage Police Department patrol area to include the Seward Highway, among others.
