Assembly Report for Tuesday, June 14, 2005

SIGN ORDINANCE CHANGES APPROVED

Ending weeks of debate, the Assembly approved several changes in the city’s 2003 sign ordinance. Changes addressed luminance standards for lighted signs, sign area calculations used in permitting, and modification of standards governing changeable electronic copy.

The Assembly rejected a last minute effort by Dan Sullivan to roll back current laws requiring amortization or "phasing out" of nonconforming signs. The 2003 law outlawed large "pole signs" which loom over parking lots throughout Anchorage and requires their removal within three years. All other signs outlawed in 2003 have ten years to meet current standarads. Rejection of Sullivan’s amendment allows the city to continue phasing out the large pole signs and other non conforming signs. Urged on by Assembly members Dick Traini, Paul Bauer, and Chris Birch, however, Mr. Sullivan may introduce a new ordinance which would exempt the large pole signs and other nonconforming signs from amortization, thereby allowing them to remain in place forever.

So called "electronic changeable" copy signs are now allowed on large lots (nine acres or more) in residential areas but are limited on copy area of free standing signs and size on building signs. This means the Anchorage Baptist Temple in Muldoon can finally use an electronic sign on its church property.

ASSEMBLY ACTS ON PARKS DEDICATION

At the request of Mayor Mark Begich and local parks users, the Assembly formally dedicated several municipal properties for long term parks and recreations uses. All the areas formally dedicated are already developed and used for parks purposes. Parks include Baxter Bog, San Antonio Park, Tikilishla Park, and Oceanview Bluff Park.

Action on dedication some 20 parks and parcels located in South Anchorage has been postponed until August 23, 2005 to resolve easements. The Assembly did not act upon a separate ordinance dedicating additional parklands within Far North Bicentennial Park and postponed action on that park until August 23, 2005.

Formal dedication of parkland by ordinance is significant because under the Charter, disposal of municipal land formally dedicated to permanent or long term park or recreation purposes cannot occur except with a vote of the people. Formal dedication of park lands, once approved by ordinance, prevents the Assembly from selling or giving away (disposal) of park lands without a vote of the people.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DIRECTORS APPROVED

After public interviews, the Assembly confirmed appointments of nine people to serve as directors of the new Community Development Authority. Confirmed were: Louise Lazur, Jeff Sinz, Joanne Zito-Brause, Joelle Hall, Jana Hayenga, Michael Zoske, Hugh Gellert, Mary Jane Michael, and William Smith. Several appointments were questioned by some assemblymembers who questioned their qualifications to serve on the new Board and by Paul Bauer on their political party affiliations.

The Authority assists the municipality by developing municipal lands through sale, lease, or other disposals including land exchanges for economic development purposes. Projects the Authority Board will pursue include a proposed regional shopping center located on some 15 acres in Mountain View, and potential development of hundreds of residential and recreational lots on municipal land in Girdwood.

HILLTOP YOUTH SKI AREA LOAN PROPOSED

Assembly members Janice Shamberg and Chris Birch introduced a resolution approving a loan of $120,000 to Youth Exploring Adventures, Inc., for continued operations of the Hilltop Ski Area. The resolution also authorizing amendments to Hilltop’s lease with the City intended to trim operating costs of the ski area. A public hearing on the ordinance is set for June 28, 2005.

COMING SOON

The next Assembly meeting is Tuesday, June 28, 2005

ASSISTED LIVING ORDINANCE IN THE WORKS

An Assembly work session is scheduled for Friday, June 17th at 12:00 noon in City Hall to discuss the proposed Assisted Living Ordinance. Drafted by a committee of local providers, the ordinance sets standards for residential and adult care facilities located throughout Anchorage, including many residential areas. The ordinance has not been introduced or set for formal hearings before the Assembly. but instead, is under review by the Assembly's Title 21 committee. Copies of the ordinance and information about assisted living are available from Angela Chambers in the Planning Department at 343-7940.


PROPOSED BICYCLE SAFETY LAW

Public hearings on a comprehensive bicycle safety ordinance proposed by Assembly member Janice Shamberg are scheduled for June 28, 2005. AO 2005-77 would establish parental responsibility for actions of young cyclists, repeal registration laws, apply traffic laws to bicyclists, and require youths under the age of 18 years to wear helmets while operating bicycles.

CODE OF ETHICS REWRITE

A public hearing is set for June 28, 2005 on AO 2005- 69 which reorganizes and restates current standards governing conflicts of interest, contracting between public officials and the municipality, and public disclosure of private business interests.