Anchorage planners put off permanent permit for Linda's Place shelter until Dec. 14

The Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 19 postponed until Dec. 14 its decision on a permanent conditional use permit for Linda's Place, the homeless shelter at 1911 East 5th Avenue. Nine people testified, and none supported the permit as filed.

As Alaska News reported Oct. 14, planning staff recommended approval. The staff report found all nine review criteria met. CB Homes LLC is seeking the permit for the three-story building, open 24 hours a day. The zone caps shelters at 150 overnight clients. The petitioner's representative said the shelter already holds 150 people in winter.

The shelter operates under an emergency order from the Anchorage health director. Staff told commissioners the order has no set end date and gives the commission no role.

Commissioner Edith McKee moved to approve the permit, then said she would vote against it. She said four criteria were unmet. "People are being assaulted in their homes," she said, adding that the shelter's contract says patrols "should," not "shall," happen. Commissioner Brandy Eber said the use should not be allowed on the site. Commissioner Alma Abaza urged postponement over denial, saying it is late October and the building holds a significant share of the winter's beds.

Neighbors described fires and assaults. A Castle Megastore representative cited dumpster and parking lot fires and a 17% drop in customer traffic this year at the store next door. Air Source Alaska said it pays $1,400 a month for security after an employee was assaulted by a shelter guest; a co-owner called the shelter's patrols "just a volunteer in a vest." The business's letter asks for denial or, failing that, a 100-bed cap and conditions including a 6-foot fence and a one-year review. The operator offered to build an 8-foot fence on the east line.

Shelter operator Sheldon Fisher said the city's contract bars requiring clients to be sober, which conflicts with the staff report's statement that clients "must be sober." Vice Chair Radhika Krishna asked staff for legal guidance and conditions the commission can enforce apart from the health department's shelter license. The commission also voted to reopen the public hearing Dec. 14.