Anchorage planners back Abbott Loop duplex rezone with no public pushback

Merit Homes LLC has asked the Anchorage Assembly to rezone a vacant 0.27-acre lot at Lot 2, Block 4 of the Abbott Loop Manor Subdivision from R-5 to R-2D, the two-family residential district, raising the density ceiling from five to eight dwelling units per acre.

The parcel sits west of Hacienda Drive and north of Rio Grande Avenue. Planning Director Mélisa R.K. Babb and Senior Planner Claudia F. Farias found the change consistent with the Anchorage 2040 Land Use Plan, which designates the site for "Single-Family and Two-Family" use with a "Transit-Supportive Development" growth-supporting feature. The current R-5 zoning does not implement that classification. R-2D does.

Babb and Farias wrote in their staff report: "The Department therefore recommends that the Planning and Zoning Commission RECOMMEND APPROVAL of this proposed rezone — from R-5 (Low-Density Residential) District to R-2D (Two-Family Residential) District — and refer it to the Assembly for adoption by ordinance."

The Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility confirmed sewer service is available to the parcel but noted that water service is not. AWWU raised no objection to the rezone. Other reviewing agencies reported no objections as well.

The Planning and Zoning Commission will forward a recommendation to the Assembly, which is the final decision-making body and will act by ordinance. The department mailed 223 public hearing notices. No comments were returned, and the Abbott Loop Community Council did not respond.