Abbott Loop rezone drew 223 notices and no comments; hearing is Oct. 6

The Anchorage Assembly introduces an ordinance Tuesday, Sept. 1 that would rezone a 0.27-acre lot in the Abbott Loop Manor Subdivision to allow more housing. Nothing is decided that night. The public hearing on AO 2026-111, where residents can testify, is set for Oct. 6.

Merit Homes LLC petitioned to change the parcel from R-5, Low-Density Residential, to R-2D, Two-Family Residential. The change would raise the permitted gross density from up to five dwelling units per acre under R-5 to between five and eight under R-2D.

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval July 6 under case 2026-0077. Its own finding plays the change down, describing the shift as "not a largely significant revision in density."

The Planning Department mailed 223 public hearing notices June 8 and reported no public comments. State and municipal reviewing agencies have no objection. The Abbott Loop Community Council, according to the staff analysis, "did not provide comments." In July the same council forwarded a resolution opposing a separate R-5 rezone in its area.

Both districts allow single- and two-family housing, and duplexes are already permitted by right across the Anchorage Bowl's residential zones under the HOME Initiative, which the Assembly passed 7-5 in 2024. What this ordinance changes is the density figure. Residents can file written comments through the municipality's Planning Cases Online system before the vote.

The Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility said sewer service reaches the parcel, but water service does not. The lot sits west of Hacienda Drive, north of Rio Grande Avenue, east of Little Bend Circle and south of Lore Road. The Anchorage 2040 Land Use Plan classifies the property as Two-Family Residential. If passed, the rezone would take effect immediately.