Outreach and Virtual Meetings

DOWL can facilitate a wide range of virtual meetings, open houses, and other forms of outreach related to public involvement.

For current projects, select your project from the list below:

 

Find Your Project Here

  • Alaska Peace Officers Association

    The Alaska Peace Officers Association (APOA) is seeking public feedback on the possible location of a new interior training facility

     

    Project Overview

    The Alaska Peace Officers Association (APOA) is seeking community feedback to assist in the selection of a site for a public safety training facility in the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) to serve the Alaska Interior region. The new facility is needed primarily because the only outdoor public safety training range that previously existed in the FNSB was permanently closed due to its location on airport property. Adequate outdoor and indoor training is critical for public safety; this facility will benefit all who live, work, and visit within the region. Community feedback will be gathered through an online survey and also through a community meeting on December 10. There are currently about ten sites under consideration; community feedback will help us refine the list down to a smaller number of possible sites.

     

    APOA Overview Map

     

    Your Input Matters

    We’ve analyzed possible sites from a technical perspective for how well each fits the criteria but we look to the community for more anecdotal information that the project team may not have awareness of, things that you know about the sites because of where you live and work and play.

     

    Virtual Community Meeting #2 – APOA Interior Training Facility Site Section

    • Thursday, March 4, 2021
    • 6:00 – 7:00 pm
    • Presentation will be giving at 6:00pm.

     

    Join Zoom Meeting

     

    Documents/Resources

     

    Questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact us!

    Alexa Greene, Public Involvement
    agreene@dowl.com
    (907) 374-0275

     

  • Alaska System Security Plan

    Statewide Aviation Security Plan

    Alaska System Security Plan

    Project Overview

    The objective of the Alaska System Security Plan is to assess and review Alaska’s Category III airport security environment by completing an airport security study as recommended by the Alaska Aviation System Plan (AASP). The study will examine existing conditions through a comprehensive inventory and stakeholder surveys, conduct a gap analysis of needed changes, and recommend statewide airport improvement projects based on that analysis. This project will first document the existing security baseline and then provide recommendations for future policy, infrastructure, and technology improvements across Alaska’s Airport System.

    Alaska System Security Plan - Airport Map

    Please take our survey!

    The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Statewide Aviation Division is currently assessing Alaska’s Category III airport security environments. One aspect of this assessment is understanding each airport’s security culture and issues.

    At your earliest convenience, will you please take this 3 minute survey?

    We’re asking all airport stakeholders, (employees, users, pilots, etc.), both badged and unbadged, to help us better understand the security culture in each of your respective airports. Questions in this survey pertain to airport-specific security technology and practices like restricted areas, access control and airport badges. The survey will take you approximately 3 minutes to complete.

    To show appreciation for your assistance, survey participants can enter a random drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card. Please send an email with the subject “survey completed” to SWA_Security@dowl.com to be entered. 

     

    Project Documents & Resources:

     

    Project Schedule:

    Summer 2020 – Winter 2021
    		 Data Collection: 1) Site visits to Category III airports to document existing airport security conditions. The project team will complete an inventory of existing security conditions, collect data to document each restricted area access point. 2) The project team will administer a security culture survey.
    Winter 2021 – Summer 2021
    		 Analysis: The project team will complete a gap analysis for each airport system and conduct a benchmarking analysis against similar airports outside Alaska.
    Fall 2021
    		 Recommendations & Final Deliverables: The project team will develop a ten year Security Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that outlines needed airport security improvements. A final report, with executive summary, will be created to document issues identified in the existing conditions study, recommendations for security improvements, performance measures for tracking progress toward systematic improvements, and strategies for enhancing security culture.

     

    Onsite Visit Schedule:

    August 3–7, 2020
    		 Kodiak Airport Onsite Visit
    Virtual Meeting – Monday, August 3 – 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    August 31–Sept. 1, 2020
    		 Cordova Airport Onsite Visit
    Virtual Meeting – Monday, August 31 – 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm.
    Sept. 2–5, 2020
    		 Sitka Airport Onsite Visit
    Virtual Meeting – Wednesday, September 2 – 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm.

    Project Contacts:

    • Meg Jones, Public Involvement Lead, DOWL: 907.865.1286
    • Rebecca Douglas, Project Manager & Lead Planner, DOT&PF: 907.269.0728
    • Project Email: SWA_security@dowl.com
    • Project phone: 907.865.1379

     

  • Eklutna, Inc. Variance Request

    Eklutna, Inc. Variance Request Community Meeting

    September 17, 2020 7:00 p.m. during the Chugiak Community Council Regular Meeting

     

    Eklutna, Inc. Variance Request - Project Map

    This meeting may be held in person or virtually. How the meeting will take place will be determined by the Community Council in September closer to the date of the meeting. Please check the Community Council web page for more information about the meeting. We will share meeting information here as well when it is available, and will post presentation materials on this page after the meeting.

     

    The project area is located on several lots in Chugiak, Alaska that are zoned CE-R-10, Residential Alpine/Slope District. Per Anchorage Municipal Code 21.10.050.F.1, natural resource extraction is allowed where the slope is less than 10 percent. Eklutna, Inc. owns the parcels along with Rock Alaska, which is adjacent to this site and is a permitted hard rock quarry. Rock Alaska and the adjacent parcels are made up of similar rock material. Both the Rock Alaska site and the adjacent properties have slopes that exceed 10 percent.

    Eklutna, Inc. is seeking a variance to allow the continued development of Rock Alaska and potential future development of the adjacent site. The development of the project site for the near term would include access roads to allow development of the southern portion of the Rock Alaska Site. It is important to note that the variance is the first step for any future development of the CE-R-10 properties and any natural resources extraction on these parcels would require a Conditional Use Permit.

    On behalf of Eklutna, Inc., DOWL will be speaking about the project and variance request to the Chugiak Community Council at their regularly scheduled meeting on September 17.

    Virtual Meeting

    Join Zoom Meeting

    Project Documents and Resources

    Contact Information

    Questions, concerns, and public comments regarding Eklutna, Inc.’s pending variance request should be sent to:
    LaQuita Chmielowski
    DOWL Senior Land-Use Planning Manager
    907.562.2000
    lchmielowski@dowl.com

     

  • Neeser Construction, Inc. Rezone Proposal

    Community Meeting for Neeser Construction’s proposal to Rezone Tract C-1, Municipal Industrial Subdivision (2300 Spar Ave) Rezone

    December 29, 2020 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. via Zoom

    Project Map

    The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the rezone request of Tract C-1, Municipal Industrial Subdivision (2300 Spar Avenue). The site currently has to separate zoning designations (split zoned) with a large portion of the property zoned I-2, Heavy Industrial and a small portion of the lot zoned I-1, Light Industrial.

    This request will rezone the entire parcel to a single zoning of I-2 Heavy Industrial. The site appears to have been split zoned when it was part of a larger parcel and this zoning action would correct the split zoning of the property.

    The property use and requirements are partially dictated by the zoning designation. The current spilt zoning changes what and how each portion of the site can be developed. This rezone will allow for a single zoning district for the entire parcel and will be consistent with the surrounding area.

    On behalf of Neese Construction, Inc, DOWL will also present the project and rezone request to the Mountain View Community Council at their regularly scheduled meeting on January 13.

    Virtual Meetings

    Join Project Community Information Zoom Meeting

     

    Join the Mountain View Area Community Council (UACC) Zoom Meeting

    Wednesday, January 13, 2021 – 6:00-7:30 pm

    Project Documents and Resources

    Contact Information

    Questions, concerns, and public comments regarding Neeser Construction’s pending variance request should be sent to:
    LaQuita Chmielowski
    DOWL Senior Land-Use Planning Manager
    907.562.2000
    lchmielowski@dowl.com

  • Northern Lights Substation

    Anchorage Municipal Light & Power (ML&P) Northern Lights Substation

    Platting Action and Variance

    January 6, 2021 7:00 p.m. during the University Area Council Regular Meeting

    Project Map

    The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the plans to plat the unsubdivided parcel to create a separate parcel for the ML&P substation.

    This substation has been part of a long-term lease and the plat will create a legal parcel. The plat will also include a variance since the proposed parcel will not be adjacent to an improved right of way. A section line easement extends through the northern portion of the site and a gravel maintenance road extends from Northern Lights to access the site.

    On behalf of Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), DOWL will be speaking about the project and variance request to the University Area Community Council at their regularly scheduled meeting on January 6, 2021.

     

    Virtual Meeting

    Join the University Area Community Council (UACC) Zoom Meeting

    Wednesday, January 6, 2021 – 7:00 pm

    Project Documents and Resources

    Contact Information

    Questions, concerns, and public comments regarding the pending ML&P Northern Lights Substation variance request should be sent to:
    LaQuita Chmielowski
    DOWL Senior Land-Use Planning Manager
    907.562.2000
    lchmielowski@dowl.com

  • Sitka Seaplane Base

     

    Sitka SPB

    Project Overview

    The City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) is proposing development of a new Sitka Seaplane Base (SPB) on the north end of Japonski Island. The existing SPB, located on the east shore of the channel, has been operating for 65 years and is at the end of its useful life. CBS started evaluating new SPB locations in 2000, completing siting studies and preparing an airport master plan for the Japonski Island site in 2002. In January 2016, the existing SPB facility was temporarily closed because of storm damage to this aging seaplane base. After making temporary repairs it was reopened in Fall 2016. Recognizing the limited lifespan, poor condition, minimal amenities, and site constraints of the existing SPB, CBS updated its siting analysis and reevaluated the layout and features for the new SPB in 2016.

    CBS is proposing to construct a new SPB that will serve the community in the coming decades. The final size and layout of the various components are not yet determined and will be refined and finalized as we go through the planning and environmental process. The goal is to identify and address all the facilities needed for ultimate buildout of the facility, even if the improvements are phased over time as demand requires.

    The new SPB would support the regional economy (fishing, tourism, government services, and access to remote communities and areas only accessible by water). Aviation and non- aviation businesses and government agencies have indicated support for a new seaplane base. An economic impact study estimated annual earnings by Sitka businesses from the new SPB would be approximately $815,000 per year.

    If approved, 93.75% of land acquisition, design, and construction costs are eligible for reimbursement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

    Public Meeting on Sitka SPB Draft EA

    Comments are due by February 28, 2021. Please submit comments to SitkaSPB@DOWL.com 

     

    Draft EA for Public Review

     

    Sitka SPB Proposed Action

     

    Sitka SPB Concepts Reviewed

    Other Project Documents & Resources

    Project Contacts