The Anchorage Assembly is seeking community feedback on a set of Municipal Site Access Code changes sponsored by Mayor Suzanne LaFrance, Assembly Vice Chair Anna Brawley, Assembly Member Daniel Volland. The package of code changes was recommended by a working group of local design professionals, policymakers, developers, community members, and the Planning Department who collaborated over 6 months to make it easier to build housing in Anchorage. 

 

“We need common sense standards that serve our community’s needs,” said Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. “Anchorage needs to build more housing, but some of our tools are broken. To build the future we want, first we need to fix our tools.” 

 

“The Site Access Code — a key section of Title 21 — governs how vehicles, pedestrians, and emergency services access properties across the Municipality,” said Assembly Member Daniel Volland. “The proposed amendments aim to reduce unnecessary barriers for developers, promote housing construction on challenging or previously underutilized lots, and better align Anchorage’s development standards with community needs.” 

 

As recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission, the proposed changes balance the needs of cars and pedestrians, public streets and private property. These changes include clarifying standards related to driveway widths, sidewalks, and access to alleys, while increasing pedestrian protection from vehicles.  

 

“We are trying to fix the Site Access Code, so it isn’t so burdensome and complex,” said Assembly Vice Chair Anna Brawley. “Previously, the code produced unintended community consequences like front doors facing high-speed roads, large windows in bathrooms, and unnecessary parking restrictions in front of buildings. We’re helping to open the door for more housing while maintaining community safety and design standards.”  

 

These changes are part of the Anchorage Assembly’s broader Housing Action agenda, which focuses on identifying and eliminating local policy and code barriers to building housing and aligns with Mayor LaFrance’s 10,000 Homes in Ten Years strategy to build more housing in Anchorage. 

 

Public Involvement Encouraged 

The public hearing on AO 2025-64 is scheduled for the Regular Assembly Meeting on Tuesday, June 10. The public is invited to share input on the ordinance:

For more information, visit the Assembly’s Housing Action webpage at: https://www.muni.org/Departments/Assembly/Pages/FOCUS-Housing.aspx