PLATTING BOARD MEETING - Municipality of Anchorage

PLATTING BOARD MEETING Page 4
May 4, 2005
BOARD MEMBER LINNELL was not certain the standards that were adopted in
condition 11 are the current urban collector standards. He thought the Board is in the
position of perhaps superseding standards that are listed elsewhere.
VICE CHAIR WALSH felt the conditions that were imposed on the plat would ensure
that the street is improved adequately, but she also felt that urban collector standards
would do the same. She was uncomfortable setting a precedent of approving specific
standards submitted by petitioners.
BOARD MEMBER SHRIVER did not understand what in the condition is objectionable,
if items 11.a through 11.h are in fact urban collector street standards. MR. WEAVER
explained the Board typically requires improvements to the standards that are in the code.
In this case, the Board determined that the road would be improved to collector standards
and those streets should be constructed to the standards as reviewed and approved by
PM&E. Requiring design detail at this level is a deviation from what the Board has done
historically. Staff did not recommend the Board do that. There are design standards
established and codified that should be used to construct infrastructure improvements.
The street will be constructed to the standards outlined in the Design Criteria Manual and
the Department would prefer the Board not make these requirements. He offered
testimony from Howard Holtan, Municipal Engineer.
BOARD MEMBER KREGER asked if the Board would be receiving testimony from
some parts of the public and not others. VICE CHAIR WALSH indicated that Mr. Holtan
is a member of staff. BOARD MEMBER KREGER understood staff was the source of
the request for reconsideration. VICE CHAIR WALSH noted it was likely that the
amendment would fail, given that at least two of the five members available to vote had
expressed opposition. BOARD MEMBER KREGER felt there was no need to take
further testimony from individuals, including Staff. VICE CHAIR WALSH felt it might
be educational for the Board to receive additional information from the Municipal
Engineer. VICE CHAIR WALSH asked if Mr. Kreger had strong objection to allowing
Mr. Holtan to speak. BOARD MEMBER KREGER replied that he was not chairing the
meeting and was not in the position of deciding who would or would not be permitted to
speak.
BOARD MEMBER LINNELL added that there might be higher standards required in the
code that would improve the road further than what the Board had outlined in conditions.
He thought the Board was superseding its judgment for that of the Municipal Engineer.
VICE CHAIR WALSH asked that Mr. Holtan clarify the situation with respect to the
standards as a purely informational item.
MR. HOLTAN stated the collector standard in the Design Criteria Manual calls for a 36-
foot wide street; the prescriptive requirement in the condition is one of four different
sections that are proposed in the new standard. Those standards are the result of different