Anchorage Planning Board Meeting – September 3, 2026

The Anchorage Planning Board convened on September 3, 2026, at approximately 01:11 AM UTC (local evening of September 2). The meeting addressed routine approvals, a plat note removal, and a subdivision with right‑of‑way vacation. No members of the public provided testimony. All decisions were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval – Motion by Mr. Merka, second by Mr. Cross. Approved without objection.
• Plat Action Summary – The abbreviated plat action summary dated August 10, 2026, was accepted as information only; no motion was required.
• Consent Agenda – Motion by Ms. Mills, second by Mr. Merka. Approved without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Case S12905 – No in‑person testimony. One call from a speaker who stated they no longer represented the Kempton Hills Homeowners Association and declined to testify.
• Case S12908 – No public testimony.

Discussion Items

Case S12905 – Removal of Plat Note No. 5 (Drake Subdivision, Lots 1A & 1B)

The petitioner requested removal of a plat note restricting access to a single shared driveway. Staff recommended approval, finding all three criteria under AMC 21.03.200.G.9 were met. The original plat note was no longer needed because the lot owner could obtain a separate driveway meeting traffic separation requirements, and the access easement for lot 1B would remain enforceable.

• Staff presentation – Noted that 142 public hearing notices were mailed on August 10, 2026. MOA Traffic questioned how the note was originally added but had no objections to its removal.
• Petitioner (Tony Hoffman) – Stated the removal simplifies development of lot 1A, and MOA Traffic retains full regulatory authority over driveway placement.
• Board discussion – Ms. Mills confirmed that the access easement for lot 1B remains in place and that removal does not impair legal access.
• Vote – Motion by Ms. Mills, second by Mr. Cross. Approved unanimously (no recorded dissent). The approval is subject to conditions on page 3 of the staff report.

Case S12908 – Subdivision of Tract H (Port of Alaska) & Vacation of Terminal Road Right‑of‑way

The petitioner proposed to subdivide one 603‑acre tract into two (H1 for an electrical substation, H2 for future use), vacate a portion of Terminal Road right‑of‑way, and dedicate a new alignment to the west. Staff recommended approval, finding the action meets all subdivision and vacation criteria. The plat lies in a high seismic‑hazard zone; the Port of Alaska has extensive soils data available on request.

• Staff presentation – Noted 314 public hearing notices mailed on August 10, 2026. No public comments received. Agencies had no objections. Conditions require 80‑foot right‑of‑way dedication for the realigned road.
• Petitioner (Dave Hale, Port of Anchorage) – Confirmed the road realignment improves buildability and that the substation will undergo further detailed review. Acknowledged minor acreage discrepancies (staff report figures varied: 603.2, 606.95, 609.1 acres) but stated the preliminary plat is correct.
• Board discussion – Ms. Mills sought clarification on acreage; the petitioner deferred to the surveyor. Mr. Cross noted the land was part of earlier port modernization geotechnical studies.
• Votes – Two separate approvals required:
  1. Vacation Motion – Mr. Merka moved to approve the right‑of‑way vacation (subject to page 4 conditions); second by Ms. Mills. Passed unanimously.
  2. Plat Motion – Ms. Mills moved to approve the 24‑month preliminary plat (subject to page 5 conditions); second by Mr. Merka. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Case S12905: Plat note No. 5 removed, allowing separate driveway access for lot 1A while preserving the easement for lot 1B.
• Case S12908: Subdivision approved for 24 months; a portion of Terminal Road right‑of‑way vacated and a new alignment dedicated; no objections from agencies or community councils.
• No board member comments were offered, and the meeting was adjourned without further business.