In the days leading to the April 2 municipal election, we'll be publishing responses from Assembly candidates to a range of questions. Read other questions at adn.com/cityelection
Q: What is your overall view on the Title 21 zoning law rewrite recently passed by the Assembly?
District 3: Seat E
West Anchorage
Tim Steele: I'm glad to see the Assembly take action on that project.
Cheryl Frasca: Given no one seems happy with the result, it appears to have struck a balance between interests. The delayed effective date of December 31, 2014 provides the ability to build/develop under existing or new law. Examining why one was chosen over the other will provide good feedback on any unintended consequences that need to be addressed.
Phil Isley: I think it was a waste of resources. If it focused on safety issues then I could understand it. The thought that some people feel their idea on how a city should look takes priority over the masses borders on fascism.
District 4: Seat F
Midtown Anchorage
Andy Clary: It was a good start, but it could be improved further. The cost of housing in Anchorage is already too high and each new regulation must be carefully weighed against the cost of implementation.
Dick Traini: The document is going to need constant modification, but not a rewrite. When it is implemented, we will see areas that need to be changed.
District 5: Seat H
East Anchorage
Paul Honeman: After a very extended review with many hundreds of people giving years and thousands of hours of their time and input, Title 21 is finally adopted "warts and all. I am committed to regularly review Title 21 in order to amend the law as needed to make this a more livable and presentable city for all.
District 6: Seat J
South Anchorage
Jennifer Johnston: Balanced, both sides are not completely happy.
District 2: Seat A
Chugiak/Eagle River
Amy Demboski: I believe Title 21 will drive up the cost of construction and is an overreach on property rights. Thankfully, Chugiak-Eagle River has a separate Chapter 10 that will ensure our rural characteristics are preserved. With that said, Chapter 10 is not complete and more work will need to be done to ensure Anchorage road easement standards, as well as sidewalk and lighting requirements are not forced upon the residents of Chugiak and Eagle River.
Peter Mulcahy: I had significant concerns with the provisionally adopted chapters and I worked hard as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission to reign in many of excessive regulations they prescribed. The version the Assembly approved earlier this month is a significant improvement over the provisionally adopted chapters. There is still much work to be done to ensure this law doesn't strangle development.
Bob Lupo: I disagree with some of the parts which affect Eagle River.
District 3: Seat D
West Anchorage
Ernie Hall: I think we have found good middle ground. There are amendments that are going to be needed. For instance, when the Planning Departments completes its work on creeks' setbacks, an amendment will need to be considered by the community.
Nick Moe: Like many issues Ernie Hall has worked on, he has failed to listen to his constituents. During Title 21 hearings, over 200 citizens came out to support amendments to strengthen this ordnance in terms of public safety and growing our economy through business access. Unfortunately, Ernie Hall and others on the Assembly chose to follow their own agenda instead of respecting the ten years of public process that had gone into making the original Title 21.