Assembly Report for June 28, 2005

CONDEMNATION RULING: THANKS, BUT NO THANKS: Saying "no" to a recent decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, Allan Tesche and Janice Shamberg have proposed an ordinance that would forbid the city from using eminent domain (condemnation) to acquire private property for private, economic development projects. Although the court now permits local governments to condemn private property for use by private developers if some public benefit is shown, the Tesche/Shamberg ordinance would prohibit the city from exercising that new power and allow it to take private property "only if the government owns, or the public has a legal right to use, the property". A public hearing is set for July 12, 2005.

RESCUING HILLTOP: The Assembly approved a resolution recommended by Janice Shamberg and Chris Birch loaning $120,000 to Youth Exploring Adventure, Inc., for continued operation of Hilltop Ski Area. The resolution also contemplates changes to Hilltop’s operating procedures, summer use of the area Ski Area, and changes to the lease agreement intended to improve the Areas's financial performance. Assembly members Ossiander, Traini, and Fairclough voted against the resolution.

BICYCLE SAFETY LAW: The Assembly has postponed a public hearing until July 12, 2005 on Janice Shamberg’s proposal to require bicycle helmets for minors. Her Bicycle Safety law would also repeal bicycle registration requirements, impose new standards parental responsibility, and apply traffic laws to bicyclists. Go to "hot legislation" on the Assembly’s web page for a copy.

SEAFOOD PLANT REZONING DELAYED: The assembly ran out of time and took no action on heavy industrial zoning of some 33 acres at Raspberry Road and Rovenna Street requested by the new owners of the Alaska Seafood International plant. The property is now leased by a church which will use part of the facility for an indoor and outdoor sports complex. The assembly has not acted on a request to waive a requirement of a public hearing site plan review ordered by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The matter will return on July 12, 2005.

MOUNTAIN VIEW DEVELOPMENT: At the mayor’s request, an ordinance transferring 25 acres of city property in Mountain View . to the new Anchorage Community Development Authority was introduced and set for public hearing on July 12, 2005. If approved, transfer of the property starts a development process which could bring a regional shopping center to the corner of Bragaw St and the Glenn Highway.

CALLING THE WILD: The Assembly will hear from the owner of the Call of the Wild and community council leaders on July 12, 2005 on proposed operating restrictions intended to reduce noise and security issues. Chair Faircough denied a request to allow public testimony on the proposed restrictions, but will allow interested citizens to file "appearance requests’ by calling the Municipal Clerk at 343-4311 and speak at that same meeting.

CONVENTION CENTER FINANCING: Passing AR 2005-145, the Assembly authorized CIVICVentures, a non-profit corporation, to obtain $10M in interim financing to begin work on a new Civic and Convention Center. Actual construction of the Center will begin in 2006.

GIRDWOOD LAND USE REGULATIONS INTRODUCED: Detailed land use regulations for the Girdwood area with use districts and zoning map amendments were introduced and set for public hearing in Girdwood on July 20, 2005. The public hearing will take place in the Alyeska Prince hotel, beginning at 7:00 p.m. A copy of the proposed regulations and mapping can be obtained in the Girdwood library, from the Planning Department at City Hall or on line at the department’s web site.

ETHICS CODE REWRITE : Public hearings on a new ethics code for elected officials and municipal employees have been delayed until August 23, 2005. Go to "hot legislation" on the Assembly’s web page for a copy.