Fairbanks staff back Farewell Avenue rezone that could add 30 homes

Nineteen lots on the north side of Farewell Avenue could go from 18 dwelling units to as many as 48 under a rezone request still awaiting a decision. Fairbanks North Star Borough planning staff recommend approval, but the Planning Commission has not voted. The commission takes public testimony Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 6 p.m. Any recommendation would still go to the Borough Assembly for final action.

Tomas Valencia filed the request on behalf of multiple property owners. It would change roughly four acres in the Northwest Portion of Hamilton Acres from Single-Family Residential to Multiple-Family Residential. Owners of 85 percent of the property signed a petition joining the request. The area now holds two churches, five single-family homes and one triplex, and Golden Heart Utilities serves it for water and sewer. Sarah Bingham is the borough's staff contact.

Staff support the change as consistent with the Regional Comprehensive Plan, which designates the area "Urban," and with the multiple-family lots already zoned west of A Street.

Traffic was one concern raised in the staff report and public comments. The 48-unit figure is a maximum buildout if every residential lot were developed at four units. It is not a proposed project. The borough's transportation planner estimates the existing 18 units generate about 134 one-way trips per day, rising to about 279 at that maximum. Farewell Avenue has sidewalks, three nearby transit stops and full alley access. Multifamily projects must provide on-site parking and room to maneuver. The City of Fairbanks, which maintains the streets and alleys, told staff it had no objection, writing that "Farewell Avenue can absorb the impacts of it and the issues with parking can be resolved through on-site maneuverability, and alleyway access."

The borough mailed 426 notices to nearby property owners on Aug. 21. Two written comments raised concerns. George Lampe, who owns 316 and 320 Farewell Ave., cited traffic and property values. A second commenter, Gallagher, opposed rentals but not townhomes and condos, and favored more accessible dwelling units.

Ann Spannagel, who lives at 221 Farewell, told planners she fears existing buildings will be torn down for a large apartment complex and said the sewer will need upgrading. "If they put an apartment complex there I am gone," she said, adding she is comfortable with multifamily use within the existing lot lines.

A similar corridor rezone on Fairbanks Street cleared the commission 10-0 and is scheduled to reach the Assembly Committee of the Whole on Sept. 17. Written comment on the Farewell Avenue request can be sent to [email protected] before the Sept. 22 hearing.