Assembly rejects resolution seeking larger Basher Trailhead parking lot

The Anchorage Assembly rejected a resolution Tuesday that would have forced the administration to expand the planned Basher Trailhead parking lot from 45 spaces to 60 spaces.

The measure failed 5-6 after more than an hour of debate over public access to Chugach State Park, neighborhood concerns, and whether the assembly should override project design decisions.

The project is funded through the Chugach State Park Access Service Area bond that voters approved in April. Early planning documents showed 80 to 100 parking spaces. The administration cut that to 60 spaces at the 35 percent design phase, then to 45 spaces at the 65 percent design phase after public input.

Assembly members who backed the resolution argued the reduction broke faith with voters and would not meet demand at the heavily used trailhead. Those who opposed it said the resolution wrongly inserted the assembly into an administration process that had followed proper public engagement.

Before the final vote, the assembly approved 9-2 an amendment striking language that would have blocked funding or contracts unless the final design showed sufficient parking capacity. Critics called that section an attempt to bind future assembly members.

An administration official said the 65 percent design includes planning for a future expansion of roughly 15 to 20 additional spaces if capacity is reached, though no timeline or funding exists for that phase. The official said expanding from 45 to 60 spaces now would cost an additional $200,000 to $300,000.

The 65 percent design plans came out March 30, about one week before the April 7 election when voters approved the CASA bond. The public survey that drove the design reduction ran for one month and drew input from residents across the municipality, according to administration testimony.

Assembly members debated whether the reduction showed responsiveness to neighborhood input or an inappropriate limit on public access to state parkland. One assembly member said every access point to Chugach State Park is overwhelmed with cars on peak recreation days. Another said the process had balanced concerns from a broad range of stakeholders and that the assembly should trust the administration's work.

The administration said the project also includes funding for Lost Cabin Trail improvements and Stewart's Trail wayfinding. Basher Road has five parking areas providing access to public lands along its length.

One assembly member estimated the difference between 45 and 60 spaces would generate roughly 120 additional vehicle trips per day. The administration confirmed it did not conduct a traffic study for the project.