Assembly to take up rezone matching zoning to 44 townhomes at Tudor and Patterson

An ordinance to rezone 6.53 acres at Patterson Street and Tudor Road from neighborhood business to mixed residential goes before the Anchorage Assembly for introduction Wednesday, Nov. 4.

The land already holds 44 townhouse units that its current business zoning does not allow. The Patterson Townhome Condominium Association requested the change for two Century Village lots spanning 4140 to 4162 Patterson Street and 6801 to 6843 Tudor Road, in the Scenic Foothills Community Council area.

The current business zoning is meant for small shops, offices and services that serve a surrounding neighborhood. Mixed residential zoning permits single-family, two-family and multifamily homes at five to 30 units per acre, according to a Planning Department staff analysis. Staff said the current zoning does not match the city's compact, medium-density housing plan for the area. They said mixed residential zoning would serve as a transition between nearby single-family homes and business areas.

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval Aug. 3 in a resolution adopted Sept. 14. The department mailed 476 notices and received one comment, in support, from a resident homeowner. No reviewing agency or member of the public objected. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities said one of the lots may not get its own driveway onto Tudor Road and must keep using a shared driveway with the neighboring lot.

The ordinance was submitted at Mayor Suzanne LaFrance's request. The administration's Assembly memorandum recommends approval.

The Assembly makes the final decision on rezonings. It will hold a public hearing Tuesday, Dec. 1. If approved, the rezone takes effect immediately.