Anchorage Platting Board to consider removing 1954 plat notes for ADU

Platting Board considers removing 1954 subdivision restrictions to allow accessory dwelling unit

A homeowner in Anchorage's UMed-Tudor area petitioned the Platting Board to remove two plat notes from a 1954 subdivision to allow construction of an accessory dwelling unit over an existing garage.

Brons Olanna requested removal of plat notes #3 and #9 on Lot 2, Block 4, Wentworth Subdivision at 3168 East 43rd Avenue. The 8,130-square-foot lot has an existing duplex and detached garage and fronts East 43rd Avenue with alley access at the rear. The 1954 plat predates Anchorage's municipal zoning code, adopted in 1970.

Plat note #3 reads: "Buildings on other than business lots shall not be constructed or placed within fifteen (15) feet of the front boundary line of lot or within five (5) feet of any other boundary line of the lot with this exception: that a garage may be placed within two (2) feet of the rear property line."

Plat note #9 reads: "Maximum of two (2) buildings to a lot, only one of which may be used for habitation. All living units whether single or duplex type must be under one roof. Maximum of one two-family dwelling on each lot, plus garage."

The petitioner's request is to remove both plat notes so the structure will conform to current Anchorage Municipal Code Title 21 dimensional standards. In Anchorage, older subdivision plat notes can impose building location and setback requirements that are more restrictive than current zoning code. A property owner must petition the Platting Board to amend or remove such notes if they conflict with development that otherwise complies with Title 21.

The 2026 request expands an earlier effort. On June 4, 2025, the Platting Board held a public hearing on a request to remove plat note #3 alone on the same property. The current petition now seeks removal of both notes #3 and #9.

Planning staff recommended approval. The staff analysis stated that current code for residential district dimensional standards negates the need for the plat notes and that removal would not reduce protections to properties. The R-2M District requires a minimum lot area of 6,000 square feet for up to four dwelling units, a front setback of 20 feet, a rear setback of 10 feet, and a side setback of 5 feet.

The Planning Department mailed 319 public hearing notices May 11 and had received no public comments as of the staff analysis. The UMed/Tudor Community Council and Campbell Park Community Council did not comment. The Municipal Traffic Engineering Department and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities raised no objections.

Staff included an advisory comment that alley improvements may be required if primary access to the ADU will be from the alley and recommended consulting with fire officials to determine if alley improvements are required.