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| 296 |
I
am writing in response to the site specific land use plan for HBL lands
associated with the Bragaw extension. I have lived in the Abbott Loop
Area for 28 years. I use the eastern HBL lands adjacent to the Bragaw
extension around 360 days a year, for recreation and exercise. I am very
familiar with the entire planning area and have walked most of it. This
tract is covered with a network of trails. These lands are heavily used
by runners, bikers, skiers, bird watchers, dog walkers, orienteers, dog
mushers, hikers and naturalists. Some of these people are from the Abbott
Loop and 68th Street neighborhood, but many others come from other parts
of the city such as Bayshore, the Hillside, and South Anchorage. The eastern
HBL lands are immediately adjacent to the BLM Science Center educational
area, and are essential to the continuation of outdoor education at that
facility. During my daily walks in this area I regularly encounter from
4 to 20 people from 6 to 80 years in age on the trails, depending on whether
it is a week day or weekend. People access the planning area from Abbott
Loop road and from the BLM parking lots on the access road, the Science
Center, and from the parking lot on the Stuckagain Heights Road. Public
use of these lands has rapidly increased in the last 10 years. The eastern
HBL lands are comprised of very wet wetlands on the western border, and
along the north branch of Campbell Creek, about 100 acres of forested
uplands, and the remainder is covered with black spruce. The upland forested
area is comprised of a combination of second growth birch and white spruce,
and some very old 150 to 240 year old spruce and birch. This area is an
important wintering area for moose. The south branch of Campbell Creek
is an important king, silver, and chum salmon spawning area, These salmon
are used by brown and black bears in the summer and fall, and by eagles
which have nests along the Creek. I have also seen cranes, Canada geese,
lynx, snowshoe hares, coyotes, ermine, porcupine, eagles, many types of
birds,and raptors on this tract. I would like to see this tract added
to Far North Bicentennial Park, maintained in its existing state, and
manager for its existing uses. I believe that this is the use that is
most consistent with the Far North Bicentennial Park Plan for the surrounding
lands. I also believe that the entire tract should be used for mitigation
for the wetlands fills and wildlife impacts associated with the Bragaw
extension and upgrade of Abbott Loop Road. I am opposed to developing
this land for a speed skating oval, ball fields, soccer fields, children's
playground or other developments that were suggested by Mr. Beck at the
meeting. These uses are more appropriate in the developed sections of
town, and could be sited on some of the wasteland old gravel pits, and
eyesores that are prevalent through Anchorage. I would also note that
all of the public that attended the meeting supported maintaining this
land in its existing state, and to maintain present uses. The seasonal
presence of bears in the area makes this a poor place for any type of
development which includes food and generates a lot of garbage such as
ball field. I am not as familiar with the western HBL ands but I do know
that they are very wet, and do not have much developable lands. It would
also be counter productive and poor planning to put houses and commercial
development along a road whose purpose is to speed the flow of traffic!
I recommend that this land be maintained in public ownership, and the
only development be for public purposes such as public buildings, schools,
and parks. The same goes for the Bragaw extension. I appreciate that the
City is planning to determine the most appropriate use of these lands.
However, I am concerned about the abbreviated planning process, which
only lasts a few months and will limit public participation. All planners
know the spring and summer are the worst time to conduct a plan in Alaska,
but we were not given a satisfactory explanation as to why the plan had
to be completed so quickly. The attendees at the May meeting at Trailside
school were told that the plan would include alternatives for developed
uses even though there was no support from the public for these types
of uses. Although a number of attendees asked what the connection between
the HBL planning process and the Bragaw extension project is, no satisfactory
explanation was give. However, given the time frame for the plan there
clearly appears to be a connection. Thank you for the opportunity to comment,
and I would like to be notified of future meetings and be given an opportunity
to review and comment of the draft plan. |
| 297 |
At
this time Jupiter is a quiet road less traveled. However the Abbott Loop
Extension could be used as a short-cut for hillside traffic because it
intersects both Abbott and Abbott Loop Road. Has that been considered?
What measurers are planned to discourage motorists from using this road
that is not built for high traffic and has no sidewalks (on purpose) for
pedestrians? |
| 298 |
I
navigate the Tudor and Lake Otis intersection every workday. I also live
in Zodiak Manor the entrance/terminus of the new hillside artery that
is supposed to solve the traffic gridlock I experience daily. So while
I grumble at waiting to take my turn onto Lake Otis from Tudor I have
my doubts that the new road will solve one of Anchorage's toughest traffic
snarls. Here are some questions I would like someone to answer. 1. Why
has the city not pursued a clover leaf at Tudor and Lake Otis? People
say that St. Mary's is the obstacle here. What are the facts? Is it cheaper
to put in this Bragaw extension than to buy up property to do a clover
leaf? 2. What will happen to the traffic on Abbott Rd when all the Hillsiders
begin funneling to Abbott Loop? Is the city going to buy up property along
Abbott to expand it into four-lanes? How much will that cost? It is already
peaked during Service High and Trailside Elementary start and close times
not to mention the ordinary 7:30 am work traffic. 3. How can we keep traffic
avoiding stop-lights from zipping through our neighborhood? 4. Has the
city done its homework on who really makes up the biggest flow from Lake
Otis to Tudor and back? If the major flow comes from Huffman and O'Malley
and the Independence Park area then the Bragaw extension will not solve
this problem at all. Those folks will not travel up the Hillside to link
to Bragaw. It would just make their commute longer. So in spite of my
own frustration with my Lake Otis/Tudor commute I am not in favor of the
extension until these questions are addressed. |
| 299 |
There
needs to be a right turn only lane for westbound traffic on Abbott road
to turn onto Abbott Loop. If westbound traffic backs up at Abbott Loop
(Like when Service lets out) Drivers will be incented to use Jupiter Drive
to cut the corner and avoid the back up. A right turn lane will solve
this. |
| 300 |
I
am a road building pro development guy BUT I am strongly opposed to the
Bragaw/Abbott loop extension as it stands. I will only support this project
if the road connects at a minimum to Elmore road/Omalley. It utimately
should go all the way to the New Seward highway. The road should have
limited on ramps and primarily unload traffic. As the project stands now
it is STUPID to dump all this new traffic onto Abbott road as we already
have serious traffic problems with Work/Service/Trailside traffic. The
road with force more traffic through Springhill subdivision which is privately
plowed and maintained by it's residence. |
| 301 |
I
support minimal changes to Abbott Loop Road. I believe the plan is D.
By adding a turn lane Abbott Loop Road will be much safer. The center
island with vegetation will provide a safer crossing for pedestrians.
|
| 302 |
I
am very disappointed to see in your latest newsletter that you are planning
a traffic light at Lore and Abbott Loop. I drive everyday down Abbott
Loop to 68th then to Dowling and thru the new Round-A-Bout. I love it!!!
Why can't we have a modified round-a-bout at Abbott Loop and Lore? So
much better that another traffic signal that interrupts to country feel
there as well as has to be maintained forever. This is a perfect application
for a round-a-bout. |
| 303 |
Thanks
for staying through the end of the meeting of the FNBP User Groups. I
appreciated that you gave so much information during the meeting and listened
to my concerns about the speed limits on Abbott Loop and about the placement
of the water utility covers. As a follow-up to my other question, do you
know if the Lore Road trailhead will remain after the existing section
of Abbott Loop is upgraded? Will there be a parking area or will people
park at the community park and ride their horses to this trail? Right
now it just looks like a gravel pull-out on the side of the road and the
trail isn't that noticeable to someone who's just passing by.It seems
that if there is no trailhead parking, it would be helpful if the gravel
trail running on the east side of the road were extended to this point.
Maybe the equestrians have addressed this concern already, but I just
want to make sure I have good information for my trail guide. |
| 304 |
I.
GENERAL COMMENT: I am a long term resident of the Abbott Loop Area, and
am very familiar with both the Bragaw extension issue, and the HBL lands
under study in this draft plan. I appreciate the opportunity to review
the draft plan and participate in both the scoping meeting and the public
meeting. I would like to reiterate my concern about the abbreviated planning
process and the timing. Alaskans are least able to attend public meetings
or review plans in the summer, and this has undoubtedly reduced public
participation. . II..ROAD CORRIDOR: I do not support transferring the
road corridor to the state at this time. Transfer of the ROW should be
contingent on the concurrent extension of Dowling Road through to the
Bragaw extension, and a commitment to the measures contained in the original
plan (long bridges, hanging waterline on the bridges, traffic noise abatement,
etc.) to mitigate both wetland impacts and impacts to the neighborhoods
in this area. I do not believe that the simple completion of the Bragaw
extension through to Abbott Loop Road without concurrent completion of
the Dowling Road extension will substantially alleviate traffic on Tudor
road. Without improvements on Abbott Road, this project will likely create
severe traffic problems on both Abbott Loop and on Abbott Road, between
Birch and Lake Otis. This will be worst during the school year when large
numbers of students, busses and commuters converge on this section of
road every morning and afternoon. Because the HBL is guided by a number
of laudable neighborhood and city wide social and economic goals cited
in the draft plan, consistent with those goals (page 3) the Bragaw ROW
should be sold to the state and the money used to develop a neighborhood
or area wide park in the project area. The uplands on the West HBL parcel
might be a good location. In return for the wetlands fills on the Bragaw,
Abbott Loop and Future Dowling Road extension the HBL should add the East
side parcels to the far north Bicentennial Park I have the following page
specific comments: Page 4. Recommendations: 1. "Convey an appropriate
300 foot road corridor to the State:" Comment: There was no direction
from the public on whether or not the ROW should be conveyed, because
no opportunity to discuss this issue was provided. More than one attendee
brought this issue up, but Mr. Beck discouraged discussion of conveyance
of the 300' road corridor at the scooping meeting citing the legislative
appropriation and public vote as evidence of public support. However,
there were many people at the meeting who voiced concern about conveying
this parcel to the State. Others were concerned about the relationship
between the Bragaw extension and planning for the east and west HLB parcels.
There is reason to believe that without the completion of the Dowling
extension that any alleviation of traffic congestion at Tudor and Lake
Otis will be limited. The issue of what mitigation would be provided for
the fill of substantial number of acres of class A wetlands and productive
wildlife habitat on the Bragaw extension Right of Way, and on the east
side of Abbott Loop Road between 68th and 80th, was broached at the scoping
meeting but never addressed. 2. WEST SIDE: "Options , in order of
preference include residential development or trade for lands in other
locations (eg. For trades to improve access to Chugach State Park), recreation
facilities, a neighborhood park, or possibly a wetland science center)
and protection of wetland areas. Comment: The option of selling or trading
the small area of uplands in the western parcel should be removed from
the plan. I attended both meetings, and read the public comments, and
have no idea how sale of the two small fingers of uplands in the western
parcel for residential development or trade for better access to Chugach
State Park became the most preferable options! These options do not even
appear to be consistent with the Anchorage 2020 policies and goals cited
in the plan on pages 11 through 16! The draft plan states "This area
has deficiencies in all aspects of the park system including a shortage
of 58 to 110 acres of Neighborhood Use and 61 to 113 acres of Community
use areas." However, the plan states that the most preferable option
is to sell or trade public land that could be used to meet these objectives!
If some other group such as the HLB staff, or the consultant made this
decision it should be stated in the plan, and the justification provided.
In Appendix A the public direction the planning team received on the future
use and disposition on the West parcel is cited. Of the 18 comments only
one stated "Residential development, ok". The majority supported
retention in public ownership, development of a park, school, public facility
or maintenance in its current state. Most commentors voiced opposition
to high-density development. Many people were disturbed the cities approval
of the poorly sited and designed site condos along Dowling road and wanted
to insure that whatever occurred on this parcel improved the neighborhood
rather than further degraded it. No one suggested trading this area for
improved access to Chugach State Park. I understand these are only options
and that any disposal would be subject to a decision by the HBL and possible
a public hearing. However, I also understand that if this remains in the
final plan it will be used as justification for disposal of this land,
when there was little public support or logic for it. EAST SIDE PARCELS:
I recommend that all of the East side parcels be retained in public ownership
and transferred to Far North Bicentennial Park with covenants that these
parcels be retained in their natural state. I believe this is necessary
after seeing the extensive clearing that the Parks Department has allowed
on the Parks Lands between Service and Hilltop Ski Area. These East side
HBL lands are already heavily used by runners bikers, hikers, bird watchers,
dog walkers, orienteers, and dog mushers. I use them almost every day
and encounter 10 to 15 other people during an outing. These lands should
used for mitigation for the Chuck Albech and Simonian Ball Fields, and
the wetlands fills associated with the Dowling and Bragaw extensions,
and the improvements along Abbott Loop Road. These lands should be used
for low intensity recreation and wildlife habitat. Remove the option for
more intense recreational and or institutional development on the Eastern
HBL parcel. This need is already met by the adjacent BLM facilities, Simonian
and Chuck Albreach ball fields, the three schools with athletic fields,
pools, and ice rinks within two miles, and the Hill Top Ski facilities
which is only a couple of miles away. If another Nordic ski facility is
needed, collocate it with the Hilltop Ski Area. The trails and facilities
are already there, and they need the business. The idea of building an
outdoor education facility on the site is puzzling since BLM already has
a modern and well-staffed facility, which already uses the eastern HBL
parcel for educational activities! There is no rational for developing
a competing or conflicting facility when this service is already provided
to local residents and schools at no cost to local taxpayers! If the taxpayers
determine that there is a need for developed recreational facilities such
as a speed skating rink, or soccer fields, they should be developed in
more central locations in the city where they are more easily accessible
to the cities residents. The use of the uplands on the West Parcel for
these recreational or educational facilities might be a good idea, particularly
since there is a very large park deficiency in this area. A speed skating
rink could be built at west High School and utilize the locker rooms at
the Dempsey Anderson Ice Rink. The city should really consider redeveloping
brownfield areas of the city such as old gravel pits and industrial sites
rather than removing areas for low impact outdoor recreation that will
become increasingly scarce. There are likely federal grants available
to do that. PL 94-204 transferred the East Parcel to the City on the condition
that the land be used for "public parks, recreational purposes and
other compatible public purposes". There appears to be a conflict
between the conditions of Public Law 94-204, the goals of the Far North
Bicentennial Park, and the Conditional Uses for PLI-areas cited on page
11 of the Plan. The first two stress parks, public recreation, and conservation
of habitat and watersheds while Conditional Uses for PLI lands could be
interpreted to allow private and public uses that have nothing to do with
parks or public recreation or conservation. The question remains how developing
facilities for private sports clubs such as Simonian Little League or
allowing private non profit organizations to potentially use these lands
is consistent with the underlying statute? Other Comments: Page 25: The
plan should acknowledge that although the proposed Bragaw extension will
constrict the Campbell Creek flood plain and will likely exacerbate downstream
flooding in 50 and 100-year floods events. It may also raise the water
table in areas upstream. The large bridges proposed in the preliminary
plan will alleviate some of these problems however the bridge length may
be reduced to cut costs. Page 30: I kept track last winter and I saw 1-
3 moose every day along Abbott Loop Road between 64th and 84 streets.
I encountered a similar number of moose in the Eastern tract. This area
is heavily used by overwintering and calving moose. Both brown and black
bear use the East Tract, particularly during salmon spawning. The plan
fails to mention coyotes that heavily use the Bragaw corridor and the
East HLB tract. I see 1 to two coyotes per month, and have seen as many
as four in one group. At least one lynx was hunting rabbits along the
Moose track trail the East Tract in the winter of 2004. Bears and wolves
have killed moose in this area in years past. Page 31:Birds. The plan
doesn't mention the eagle nests located along Campbell Creek. There are
also owl and other hawk nests in the Eastern Tract. In the last year I
observed both Canada Geese and Sandhill Cranes in the Bragaw Corridor.
Page 31: Fish: The plan is correct, fish habitat in the Bragaw Corridor
has been impacted by past gas line, water line, and powerline construction
. Fish habitat and Campbell Creek in the ROW should be restored as a condition
of any ROW transfer by the HLB. The section of Campbell Creek upstream
of the Tozier Track is the most important salmon spawning area left in
Campbell Creek. King and Coho salmon spawn in the South and North Fork
of Campbell Creek, and sockeye salmon also spawn in the north fork of
Campbell Creek.Page 39: I object to using selling or trading the 10 acres
of land in the Western Parcel for residential as the preferred option
in the plan. This should be removed as an option, because it will likely
be used in subsequent hearings and decisions as justification for a decision
to sell or trade the land when there was no public support for this option.
The vast majority of public comments at the meeting and written public
comments recommended retaining the western parcel in public ownership
and using it for a public purpose. The idea of selling or trading the
land is particularly baffling in light of the fact that the plan cites
the deficiency of developed parks and open lands in the neighborhood several
times! Why buy land or ignore this need when there are public lands in
the area, which can be used? This is also a poor location for townhouses
or duplexes.Page 41: I don't support a recreation chalet or a four-season
recreation center on the eastern tract, because it would conflict with
existing uses, and this need is already provided by nearby facilities.
Use the chalet at Hilltop. |
| 305 |
My
comment is still the same, the people who come down the extension and
turn left onto Tudor will still have the Tudor light to go through. There
will be almost the same amount of people going through the intersection
(unless the cars all turn right onto Tudor at the new intersection). I
ride my bike through that area a lot on the new bike trail. It is so serene.... |
| 306 |
Thanks
for the newsletter. I am pleased to see bike paths, side walks and a pedestrian
crossings at Lore. Any chance of making a pedestrian crossing at 68th
and the BLM road?? Will 64th south to Abbott eventually become a 4 lane
road in the long term plan? Please keep me posted. Thanks for making a
safe place for my family to walk run and bike. |
| 307 |
I just received the news letter for the Abbott Loop upgrade. I'm a little
confused about the 42" water line. The one that was installed along
the southern end of Abbott Loop a few years ago is on the east side of
the street, but the pictures indicate one on the west side of the street.
Is this a second water line along the same area, will it stop at the existing
one on the southern east side, or are they going to move the existing
one? Is there going to be storm drains? Is the road elevation going to
change anywhere? I'm concerned about drainage as I have been having septic
problems ever since they put in the pump station by E. 88th Ave. and run
off from the road goes directly in my driveway. What kind of buffering
and landscaping is planned in front of my house? Is there any public meetings
scheduled for design comments or do we just comment one on one? |
| 308 |
(1)
I know population pressures pretty well demand a NS corridor further east,
since even though I try to set an example by biking to work, people keep
driving. Dang.(2) It is a reality that that part of Anchorage is some
of the richest as far as it's wild resources, and especially, that it
is a key area for recharge of groundwater. When you pave things, the water
is just conducted to the Cook Inlet via the storm drains. The more malls
we put up, the more crucial are the remaining areas where this happens
efficiently.(3) If the extension with normal side-road access goes through,
new housing developments and new shopping areas will wipe out the area,
for the flora, the fauna, the groundwater recharge, and for my grandchildren.(4)
Because of (1)-(3), we need a solution acceptable to both of these opposing
functions. I'm just a normally educated guy that cares about the quality
of life for us, our visitors, and our progeny, so I've belonged to the
Trails & Greenways Coalition, I bike a lot (and used to take the bus
a lot ... must be I'm wearing down or getting old), and take the problems
of 21st century life in Anchorage seriously. I used to be a hydrologist
for the USGS. So (5) will be my suggestion. Please forgive me if parts
of the suggestion are stupid, and maybe the design has gone too far for
this to happe, or maybe parts have already been suggested. If it costs
more than some methods, it may be justified because of the importance
of that wild area. I don't want this to become another Houston, TX.(5)
For the most crucial areas of the route, elevate the roadway high enough
so moose and maintenance vehicles can pass underneath. Put a porous service
road underneath for access by walkers and bicyclist and service vehicles.
Give the runoff from the roadway a chance to settle out before it is conducted
onto an area for absorption. (By elevating it, not only will the wildlife
be safer and happier, but there will be no chance of development along
the roadway.) Build important phases in the winter when the ground is
frozen. I don't have map in front of me, but if even the better part of
a mile could be done this way, I bet it would help a lot, and of course,
the more the better. I have walked the route, but it was several years
ago. |
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