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If my inbox is an indication, Anchorage has found its latest civic blood sport: zoning.
The Anchorage Assembly takes up the Missing Middle Housing Opportunity Overlay — or MMHOP, because governmental entities love an acronym — on Tuesday, and hoo boy, you all have opinions.
I’ve been getting letters and commentaries from supporters, opponents and folks ready to defend their side with a surveyor’s stake. Expect a packed house and a long night come Tuesday.
One argument I’m having trouble buying, though, is that this somehow snuck up on everybody. C’mon, folks.
MMHOP has been kicking around publicly since early summer. The ADN covered it. The editorial board weighed in June 13 about it, noting that Anchorage rents had risen 50% and home prices 81% over 15 years while median income rose just 33%. As we wrote then: You don’t need to be a planner to understand that math.
Now, that doesn’t mean you have to like MMHOP. Argue all you want about setbacks, density, parking, sunlight, neighborhood character and whether this ordinance actually produces affordable housing. That’s what public debate is for.
But “Nobody told us”? Like my cousins say back in Texas, that dog won’t hunt.
Tuesday should be loud, crowded and contentious — just the kind of democracy we’ve become accustomed to. If you’re heading to the Assembly meeting, bring snacks. It will likely be a long night.
As always, you can drop your thoughts about MMHOP or anything else that's on your mind at letters@adn.com or online using our web form.
And thanks for reading.
— Gary Black, opinion editor
Anchorage Daily News
gblack@adn.com |
