Anchorage commission backs code change so Centennial campground and Russian Jack greenhouse fit park zoning

The city of Anchorage runs an 84-site campground at Centennial Park and sells tree seedlings from its greenhouse at Russian Jack Springs Park. Its own park zoning doesn't allow either one. On Monday, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the Anchorage Assembly change that.

This spring, the city moved about 9,345 acres of parkland, spread over 742 parcels, into its park zoning district, a cleanup called for in the Anchorage 2040 Land Use Plan. Centennial and Russian Jack were part of the proposal when it came before the commission in December, but they were pulled because the campground and the seedling sales aren't permitted uses in that district, said Luke Bertram, a senior planner in the city's Long Range Division. Alaska News previously covered the problem in "Anchorage's own campground isn't allowed under its park zoning."

The code change is the fix. It would make campgrounds a conditional use in park zoning. It would also list greenhouses, seasonal sales of things grown on site, and child care programs among the things a park can include. The seedlings are surplus tree plugs the parks department sells at a loss after its planting season, Bertram said. The child care language covers programs like Trailside Discovery Camp, which uses Kincaid Park and other city parks.

Commissioner Megan Mills asked whether the change could open the door to campgrounds in other parks. Staff said any new one would need a community meeting, a public hearing and the commission's approval, which is final for conditional uses, and would first have to fit the park's master plan. The rule is aimed at camping for visitors, not long-term shelter. "It's about sort of a tourist camper park, like RV park essentially," said Daniel McKenna-Foster of Long Range Planning.

The list of park uses drew the only debate. Commissioner Jeff Rahn moved to strike the child care and on-site sales language, saying the surrounding code lists physical features like playgrounds and parking, not programs or sales. Commissioner Radhika Krishna seconded. She said she supports child care in parks but read the language as encouraging certain uses. "I believe that the code should be reserved for very clear regulatory guidance," she said.

Staff said the list describes what a park may look like rather than limiting what's allowed there. Krishna withdrew her second, and Rahn withdrew the amendment.

Commissioner Jared Gardner moved to recommend approval, and Commissioner Scott Pulice seconded. The motion passed. No one from the public testified on the change. The Assembly will make the final decision.