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Submitted comments will appear below after staff approval.
Carmen and Joe McGhee	6/12/2017 4:49:33 PM
My family is into the outdoors and has hiked and skied this land over the last decade. A dream of ours has always been to own a piece of property on the hillside. We would love to specifically own a parcel of 1.5-2 acres and feel that as a young family we could afford smaller lots. Over the past 4 years we have looked for land on the hillside and haven't found anything that is reasonably priced, smaller lots, and good land. It seems as if the existing land on the hillside is overpriced and unattainable for most people. My wife is a teacher for the Anchorage School District and I am a firefighter/paramedic with the Anchorage Fire Department. Now that we have job security, we wish to procure a smaller lot to grow our family and be a benefit for the neighborhood.
Nichole Jones	6/11/2017 8:11:53 PM
I personally know the 4 families seeking to rezone and know they want a family community and not a "Spinel Home" complex. My family and I have already started plans to purchase one of the lots when this finally goes through. I know they are being responsible by only zoning 30 large lots, leaving a lot of the outdoorsy feel to the hillside. You can see that all residential areas nearby have 17, 27, 35 & 57 MORE lots in the same size area. I have been looking for lots to build a home on for the past few years and have been very discouraged. The majority of remaining lots on hillside are very expensive, have poor soils, or steep slopes making them unfavorable for families like mine. My family and I approve of this Rezone.
Erica McCaslin	6/5/2017 7:07:14 PM
I have known the owners of the property for 20 years and have enjoyed watching their active participation in the community as well as serving people from other countries and taking multiple children into their home to raise as their own. Currently I am living next to the Southwest corner of their property. I have enjoyed the beautiful unobstructed views of Flattop. However, I know that Anchorage is landlocked and that development of the area is part of growth. I fully support the reasonable proposal that the owners are making to develop this property into 30 lots. I know that they will prudently develop and care for the property and as future owners, they are vested in ensuring a successful outcome of the development. I would much prefer to see this development moved forward by families that are looking to raise their families on the acreage than by a developer who is just looking to turn over the lots and move on. Thanks for your consideration of their proposal and my comments. Erica
Frances Dunham	6/4/2017 7:32:18 PM
I have lived in Anchorage since 1980, and I have personally walked this property. I was impressed with the fact that 60 perk tests have been made and all of them passed. The owners are cautious folks and want this subdivision to be eco friendly. They will put in advanced septic systems. The wells that have been drilled produce well above the required amount of water per minute. There are no lots near the wet lands. The views are spectacular and existing homes will not lose their views. The lots aren't as steep as many in the surrounding area. In fact, many of the lots have a very subtle slope. I think this subdivision would benefit our community.
Mark Goodman	5/31/2017 7:25:10 PM
I have lived in Anchorage for fifty plus years and have seen a lot of growth in our city. Anchorage is running out of land to build on. When I heard that my friends were trying to develop property on the hillside my first thought was, great! I am all for changing the zoning from R-8 to R-6. The more lots available, the better. I have heard the soil is poor, (that is true in a lot of place that have been developed in Anchorage). I think the engineers can figure out the proper drainage and sewage system. A positive for the city is there will be 30 more houses to add to the tax-base instead of just taxes on undeveloped land.
Frank Pugh, Jr.	5/28/2017 1:27:07 PM
We moved to Anchorage in 2006 for work and found that nice affordable homes with even a small amount of land are very difficult to find even on higher than average financial earnings. I have also heard that Anchorage is in short supply of buildable land, a situation that could be alleviated somewhat with better potable water and sewerage handling techniques and technologies to at least slightly increase development density. I believe the focus of the evaluation should be based more on technical aspects and feasibility than it seems to be based on opinion, innuendo, and desire to limit development. Hopefully, this application will be handled in an open, fair, and unbiased manner by the Municipality.
Angela LeBoeuf	5/27/2017 3:37:12 PM
I am a 23 yr Anchorage resident and have had the pleasure of enjoying recreational activities around the hillside throughout the years. I have seen this property myself and it is very beautiful with outstanding views of the inlet. This expanse of land can easily accommodate the 30 lots requested for rezoning and each family can still feel secluded, but not alone. I,personally, would not be interested in 4-5 acre lots, as the upkeep could get overwhelming. Any person that wanted that amount of land could purchase 2 lots together to meet that goal if they desired. I personally know the families seeking rezoning and they are long time residents here (30+ years), and truly love Anchorage and Alaska. They are not lent to hap-hazard building, and are not in that line of work outside of this area. They seek only to establish a well thought-out community for themselves and other families to relax and enjoy all that hillside living offers ,and a beautiful area to call home, as many hillside families currently enjoy. Please rezone for 30 lots as requested.
John Ferguson	5/27/2017 12:25:36 PM
My name is John Ferguson. I have lived in Anchorage since 1988. I am a court service officer and work for the Troopers. I have hiked the hillside for many years and approve of this rezone as proposed. My wife and I have looked at property on hillside in the past years and have been very discouraged at the available lots. The majority of the remaining lots on hillside are way too expensive for us. The lot available are either too steep, bad soil, or as stated, too expensive. I hope you approve of this project. 1.5-2 acre lots would be affordable and would further benefit our community.
Jamie DuPaul-Ferguson	5/27/2017 12:19:34 PM
My name is Jamie DuPaul-Ferguson. I was raised in Alaska since I was 2 years old. I have lived in Anchorage for over 20 years. I love the hillside and have often wanted to purchase there but it was always too expensive. I have read the proposal and I believe that this is a great opportunity for our community. They have put a lot of thought into this project and have had extensive studies on the land. I hope you allow this project to go further.
Chris Gionet	5/25/2017 2:58:12 PM
My name is Chris Gionet and I moved to Alaska in 1996. I have lived in Anchorage and have enjoyed the Hillside in many capacities as a resident, coach and father. I have witnessed many neighborhoods go up over the years with some good and some not so good planning schemes. I have reviewed the plans, reports and studies and I am impressed with this Lewis and Clark Rezone. This group of developers have certainly done their research in the areas of environmental, socioeconomic and transportation impacts. Our great city is growing and this plan fits the needs of positive community building.
Janet Roberts	5/25/2017 10:55:44 AM
My husband and I are life-long Alaskans and love Anchorage and the ambiance it portrays with both rural and smaller sub-divisions throughout. Upon arriving in 1968 and going to school at Service and East there was lots of room for everyone to spread upwards and outwards, but as I have had children and grandchildren graduate, those choices are limiting. The next generation is looking for acre size dreams not so often being able to afford four plus acreage like a few of us years ago. I have to let you know that I have looked at this proposal and clearly see that having a nice community for 30 families makes a lot more sense than a exclusive 4-5 acre parcel neighborhood for 15. We could never afford the large parcels on Upper Dearmoun, but with this new plan, my children and grandchildren actually have a chance at an Anchorage Hillside dream.
Molly Hayes	5/22/2017 11:28:21 PM
I moved to Alaska about 13 year ago and my husband and I chose to stay here to raise our family because we love the opportunity and community that Anchorage provides. We have grown out of our little house in midtown and considered building on the hillside, but it's difficult to find property. We have looked at the development plans for this property. They proposed lots will be preserving more land than the surrounding subdivisions. The families seeking the rezone are long time Alaskans who are thoughtful and community minded. I support this project and hope you will consider increasing the opportunity for middle income families to be able to build a home on the hillside.
Buster Bryant	5/22/2017 8:09:10 PM
My name is Buster Bryant. I am a retired geologist. I have lived in several areas of Anchorage, including Bear Valley for 4 years, and Spendlove Drive (the one parallel to, and north of, Upper Dearmoun) for the last 26 years. From my 30 years on the Hillside, I am very aware of potential, and real, problems with small lots there. As a result of a pre-sale home inspection, I found out that my house in Bear Valley had a marginal well, and the septic system had failed. Because of the size of the lot and the soil type/conditions (lenses of sand and clay; i.e., discontinuous water sources and/or seals), the septic had to be replaced with a holding tank. More recently, we had to replace the 20 year old septic system for our current house and at least two other neighbors have had septic problems. Fortunately for us, according to the civil engineer who designed our new system, our 1+ acre lot is probably large enough to support one more system. The point of this personal anecdote is to show the very real problems with small Hillside lots in general. Considering the proposal for the subject property, depending on a lot’s size and shape, there may only be space for one system, especially when one must consider setbacks/standoffs from neighbors’ facilities and/or property lines. The subdivision could be faced with several failed septics and the attendant probability of groundwater and surface water contamination. In my opinion, the rezoning is not worth the risk of degradation to the local environment. Other concerns that I am not qualified to address are potential liability and financial issues related to failed septic systems and/or contaminated wells. My other main concern is the likely deterioration of lifestyle for all residents brought about by adding an additional 30 +/- houses on Upper Dearmoun. Everyone obviously moved to this area for different reasons, but many wanted space, quiet, and to avoid the congestion of a more urban setting. Upper Dearmoun is a substandard, rural suburban road, with no sidewalks, many frost heaves, and sections subject to glaciering. The increased traffic volume will accelerate wear on the road, increase the ambient noise level, and significantly increase the danger for pedestrians and bicyclists. Finally, growth is inevitable, and I realize that there is a shortage of developable land in the Anchorage Bowl. I am not totally against growth - just short-sighted, poorly-planned growth. The owners of the subject property purchased it with their eyes open – they knew the existing zoning classification. If the original R8 classification did not meet their economic metrics, they should not have made the investment. It originally received that classification for a reason. In my opinion, nothing has changed: there are still ephemeral streams and boggy areas; the soil types still vary areally and with depth; and there is still very limited access to the entire Rabbit Creek Valley. The Zoning Commission has reviewed the proposed change in classification, and previously recommended denying the request. I, too, am requesting that this proposed zoning reclassification request be denied. Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion.
Matthew Peterkin	5/22/2017 12:07:02 PM
Born and raised in Anchorage since 1961. I have lived in an original log home downtown and recently in the last 5 years moved unto the hillside. There are not many lots left on the hillside, but I was fortunate to find this house. It is almost identical to the Lewis & Clark proposal with the same density, soils, slope etc. I love my neighborhood and actually am at the top viewing down on the rooftops and it has never bothered me since I can still have a gorgeous view. I have worked extensively in Anchorage with the construction trades and see no reason with this proposal for the rezone. Please feel free to contact me.
William Cotter	5/22/2017 10:56:46 AM
I have lived in Anchorage over the last 37 years and I was stationed before that at Fort Richardson. I have seen a lot of changes to the hillside area over many years. I know that we are running out of room to let the next generation like my children, be able to enjoy such a beautiful place like all of us previously have had. I have seen the property and design and I can easily see that this was well thought out and the amount of houses would be well below the current standards of how the other neighborhoods look. I cannot see why this Lewis & Clark development wouldn't be perfect for Anchorage and probably MY kids and grandkids. Thanks
Millard L. (Pete) Woodson	5/20/2017 4:09:44 PM
TESTIMONY PUBLIC HEARING – MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2017 THE MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Re: Big Country Enterprises request to rezone 77 acres south of De Armoun Road – Site address: 13301 Messinia Street. My name is Pete Woodson and I live at 8901 Spendlove Drive. I first came to Alaska in 1962 as a drilling engineer for Shell Oil Company and worked on the early exploration of Cook Inlet, including the first oil discovery in 1963 at Middle Ground Shoal. I was a part of the team that installed the first platform in Cook Inlet. I retired as Shell’s Manager of Alaska Operations in 1990. I have lived in our home on Spendlove Drive for 31 years and am very familiar with the Upper DeArmoun Area and Rabbit Valley. I am oppose to the requested zoning change for the following reasons. 1. We all worked hard developing the Hillside Plan and now I can see it going out the window as these developers continue to add parcels to this unreasonable rezoning request. Since their first attempt last fall to get this property rezoned, they have expanded from 72 acres to 77 acres. There is another adjacent 80 acre tract that will probably be the next domino to fall. There are solid reasons why this parcel was zoned R-8 in the first place and they are still valid. Why did we all work so hard at developing a Hillside Plan if it is not to be followed? I see this rezoning effort as the death knell of the Hillside Development Plan. If this rezoning request is approved, the Hillside Plan will become meaningless. 2. The property in question has very poor drainage and soil conditions. If this proposed zoning change were to be approved, the result will almost certainly be the pollution of Rabbit Creek with septic and other waste. This would affect many people living downstream along and near Rabbit Creek and in its flood plain, and Rabbit Creek does frequently flood during breakup. 3. Rabbit Valley has only two means of ingress and egress – namely, Upper De Armoun Road and Jeanne Street. Jeanne Street does not have a legal right of way over the northernmost 500 or so feet, and we can’t count on it being open for our use forever. If anything were to happen to close Jeanne and at the same time De Armoun were to become blocked (say by a moving van stuck crosswise on the road), emergency vehicles could not reach their destination further up the valley. This might mean that a house burns down or someone dies of a heart attack. This is an ongoing safety problem we already face here in Rabbit Valley. The proposed addition of 32 new homes along this route would exponentially exacerbate this problem. 4. Upper De Armoun Road is narrow, and poorly built and poorly surfaced. The increased traffic this proposal would bring would increase the wear and tare on this already inadequate road. It would also create an unhealthy safety problem, particularly for the people living in the fairly densely populated area along the first one half mile or so of Upper DeArmoun Road.
John	5/15/2017 9:48:30 PM
My name is John Oliver, and I live on Upper DeArmoun Rd with my family. I have lived in Alaska since 1983 and on the Hillside since 2008. I live directly across from the proposed development. I am writing this letter because I am unable to attend the Hillside Community Council meeting. However, the last time I attended the same group presented their “new” plan. What I heard from the meeting is that after purchasing the land, they concluded that the R8 zoning would not be in their financial benefit. The developers had their experts to say everything is fine. However, the Corps of Engineers and other experts have provided information in the past that is in direct opposition to the developers team that it is documented. Moreover, the developers agenda goes against the Hillside development plan. At the same Council meeting the developers said they wanted to share the wonders of the Hillside with new young families. I have one possibly one of the smallest houses and acreage on Upper DeArmoun. The developers new proposal to R6 has lots twice the size as mine. When I asked them if they would put small 2 bedroom houses on the lots they laughed and said, “of course not.” I laughed too, because I knew of course they wouldn’t. They are proposing to have lots and homes that will push the half a million mark. And new young families are going to be able to afford that? After the Council meeting I stood at the front to view what was being proposed and the wife of the main speaker asked me what I thought. I told her that I understood the profit difference for the developers, however, I could see no benefit to me, the environment, or our community. I asked her to provide me just one possible benefit for my family or our community, and she could not give me one. The Dept. of Transportation has labeled the road as substandard. I run for miles up and down my street, as well as, Hillside drive in both directions. I have just started teaching my boys to do the same. There are lots of community members that walk, run or bike yet there always exists a danger due to the substandard road conditions. The trails and back country access already increases the traffic up and down our road. The Developers have no plan to improve this and will only make this significantly worse. The impact to all community members who attempt to enjoy our neighborhood by being outside will be severely impacted. At any time, you can find in my yard: moose, bear, porcupine, rabbits, lynx, and a massive assortment of birds. While the R8 will already have a negative impact on the ecosystem, the R6 is certain to destroy it. I have purposefully not put up a fence to allow freedom for all to move through our space. I cannot tell you the magic my kids have experienced because of the wildlife across our street and in our yard. As a younger person, it is extremely disheartening to see it possibly destroyed by financial self interests. As a community, I hope that we continue to support responsible development. Here we are again as a community, voicing opposition against this development. After attending Planning and Zoning meetings for hours, and then Live Streaming Anchorage Assembly meetings, and then attending the Hillside Community Council meeting, I have a respect all individuals and what they do. It was a learning experience about processes. For that I am thankful. The bottom line is that a small group of developers/investors are looking to benefit financially at the expense of the environment, the community, and individual families. I cannot express or write the significant impact this development will have on my family personally. However, I am part of a larger community that will also be impacted. I urge you to support the community and environment that we all live in and deny the developers proposal. I appreciate your time and support for the Hillside Community and those of us that live on Upper Dearmoun, Sincerely, John…
Wayne E. Westberg	5/10/2017 8:13:49 AM
1. Anc is rapidly running out of good building sites or this nature and there is a real public need. 2. A well done R6 zoned subdivision in this area would be a continuation of the development conditions and precedents of the south Anchorage hillside. 3. There is adequate water for individual wells and the soils are good for septics in this specific area. 4. R6 lots would not detract from the urban ambiance of the hillside and would actually provide more budget for a well developed subdivision and adherence to the hillside development plan. 5. R8 lots would restrict development budget and thereby reduce the quality of the subdivision. 6. R8 lots would reduce the total value of the tax base for the subdivision.

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