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ASSEMBLY AGENDA/MANAGER'S REPORT
THE CITY AND BOROUGH OF JUNEAU, ALASKA

Ordinance 2021-26(am) An Ordinance Amending the Official Zoning Map by Rezoning Channel View, Lot 1, Located near 4650 North Douglas Highway from D-15 to Light Commercial.

MANAGER'S REPORT:

The ordinance involves a rezone request and Comprehensive Plan amendment for a 15-acre parcel near on North Douglas approximately 1 mile north of the Juneau-Douglas Bridge.

The applicant requested a rezone from D-15 to General Commercial. The Community Development Department recommended a transition rezone from D15 to Light Commercial with conditions and a Comprehensive Plan map amendment. On May 11, 2021, the Planning Commission, instead, recommended a rezone from D15 to Light Commercial because it concluded Light Commercial conforms to the Comprehensive Plan, yet the Planning Commission also recommended the Assembly amend the Comprehensive Plan to allow the requested higher residential densities allowed in commercial districts.

On August 2, 2021, the Assembly tabled Ordinance 2021-27, which would have amended the Comprehensive Plan for this property from Medium Density Residential to High Density Residential.

The Assembly Committee of the Whole discussed this ordinance on July 19, 2021. On August 2, 2021, the Assembly held a public hearing, amended the ordinance with a public infrastructure condition, and a member gave notice of reconsideration. On August 23, 2021, the Assembly reconsidered the rezone ordinance and referred it back to Assembly Committee of the Whole. On December 20, 2021, the Assembly Committee of the Whole forwarded the ordinance to the Assembly for public hearing.  

 

On January 3, 2022, the Systemic Racism Review Committee concluded the ordinance would likely perpetuate systemic racism. The Committee identified the Light Commercial rezone would benefit the developer; the boat storage intended by the developer would  benefit people that have enough income to pay for boat storage; and the Light Commercial zoning district as compared to the D-15 zoning district would likely harm people in need of housing, which are disproportionally racial minorities. The Committee questioned whether the 500 feet of public notice was meaningful, identified the lack of public support in the record, questioned the legal compliance with the Comprehensive Plan, and recommended the Assembly seek additional public input.

The Assembly Committee of the Whole considered this ordinance again on January 24, 2022.  

 


RECOMMENDATION:

This is a policy matter for the Assembly and the City Manager does not have a recommendation.

ATTACHMENTS:
DescriptionUpload DateType
Ord 2021-26(am)2/4/2022Ordinance