Fairbanks committee takes up Fairbanks Street rezone that could allow 51 units on 13 lots

A former bed and breakfast on Fairbanks Street has sat empty for about a year. Its more than nine guestrooms are not a permitted use under the two-family zoning that covers the block.

A rezone up for discussion Thursday would change that. It could let 13 lots along the street hold as many as 51 dwelling units, up from a current ceiling of 25.

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly Committee of the Whole takes up the measure Thursday. It would change 2.14 acres in the McKinley Acres Subdivision, between Iris Lane and Dunlap Avenue south of Geist Road, from Two-Family Residential to Multiple-Family Residential. The lots now hold 16 dwelling units across three single-family homes, six duplexes, a vacant utility parcel and the vacant former bed and breakfast. Borough planners called the 51-unit figure possible but not likely, since only one lot sits empty.

The Planning Commission voted 10-0 on Aug. 11 to recommend adoption, adopting the staff report and four findings of fact.

Applicant Deborah Snow filed the petition on behalf of owners of nine lots, representing 72 percent of the property area. Code requires 51 percent. Snow wrote that the two-family designation "no longer reflects the existing character, infrastructure, and development potential of the corridor."

One property drives the petition, though the application also cites added density and redevelopment of aging structures. The former bed and breakfast, built as a 1962 cabin and expanded in the 1990s in violation of setbacks, is not permitted in the two-family zone. A conditional use application for it was denied. A prospective buyer wants to run it as a roominghouse, which the multiple-family zone allows with a conditional use permit.

Neighbors are split. Brenton and Helen Watkins wrote that "Such a large number of new multi-family homes will unfavorably change character of neighborhood, plus increased traffic and parking on Fairbanks St." Chris and Roxann Sexton wrote, "We already have a multi-family eyesore that was the College Inn--we don't need another." Blake Moore told the August hearing he wanted the nonconforming property remodeled into an owner-occupied single- or two-family home. Stephanie Rozell, Brian Rozell and Dan Jarrell testified in favor, citing housing need and deteriorating vacant buildings.

Under the proposed zone, buildings with three or more units would require one off-street parking space per unit, and side and rear setbacks would double to 10 feet. Community Planning Director Kellen Spillman's trip analysis found Fairbanks Street, a major collector carrying 2,320 vehicles a day at its north end, has capacity for the added traffic.

Thursday's work session is a discussion step. The ordinance goes next to the full Assembly, which has not yet voted.