By Delcenia Cosman

Homer Independent Press

Public comments will be accepted through Sept. 22 on a proposed housing initiative near Anchor Point. 

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water intends to convey 80 acres of state-owned land at no cost to the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation for future housing development. The department also proposes to close that land to future mining claims.

Representatives for AHFC said Tuesday they have no specific development planned at this time and will not advance a project without involvement from the community and local government. Stacy Barnes, Director of Governmental Relations and Public Affairs, named AHFC’s Last Frontier Housing Initiative and Lands to Housing Catalyst as comparable past efforts. 

“With this process, we’ve submitted to (DNR) a path forward that the properties could walk,” said Director of Planning and Program Development Daniel Delfino. “Whether or not the properties actually walk that path is subject to more due diligence.”

The two vacant parcels under consideration are located about 5 miles southeast of Anchor Point, near Alut Avenue north of Blackwater Bend. Alut Avenue is accessible from the Sterling Highway via Norman Lowell Road or Motor Way.

DNR said in its preliminary decision that the conveyance is in the best interest of both the state and public because AHFC’s proposal aligns with a statewide initiative to catalyze new housing. DNR could retain the parcels, but the agency says its continued management would not serve a public purpose.

Defino said people sometimes assume a housing development will be low-income, rent-assisted homes. 

“That’s not entirely the extent of all the things we do … the type of housing could be quite varied,” he said.

Several state agencies expressed non-objection and relayed additional data to DNR about the parcels. Other agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Mental Health Land Trust Office and the Alaska, Homer and Kenai Soil & Water Conservation Districts, have not yet submitted comments to DNR.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, however, recommended the state retain ownership to preserve critical moose winter habitat.

“Wetlands within this parcel also support important winter forage and movement corridors for moose, and provide habitat for migratory birds and small mammals. Additionally, more than 1,000 acres of private land in the Alut Avenue, Beluga Street, and Vince Road area remain undeveloped and could support future residential development,” the agency said. 

Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, has called for a public meeting with DNR in light of ADF&G’s comments so the community can make more informed public comments. She said Tuesday that the department has given no indication a meeting will be held. 

“We know we need housing, but I reminded the DNR commissioner he also has a mandate to provide for food security, and that’s really important down here that we maintain that moose habitat as well,” she said. 

According to DNR’s preliminary decision, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s online Information for Planning and Consultation tool shows no critical habitat located within the parcel boundaries. However, IPaC does show threatened Steller’s eiders in the area. Bald eagles, golden eagles and migratory birds may also be present. 

Wetlands information was not available through IPaC, but the USFWS Wetlands Mapper shows several categories of wetlands within the parcels. Additionally, an unnamed anadromous stream runs through the eastern parcel. 

In its preliminary decision, DNR said the conveyance will include easements and building setbacks to protect fish habitat, provide a wildlife corridor and maintain public access to the creek.

DNR did not respond to further questions before press time. 

In addition to community engagement, Delfino said, AHFC would consider environmental factors such as soils analysis and the presence of wetlands or critical habitat to determine whether the parcels are viable for development.

“Nothing we do really works without local support,” he said. “The fact that we have a document in the queue at (DNR) has not committed our agency to an irrevocable thing…. There’s still all kinds of decisions that have to be made before any one of these things would move forward.” 

Submit comments or questions to DNR’s Andrew Miller by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22:

Email: andrew.miller@alaska.gov

Fax: 907-269-8916

Mail: 550 West 7th Ave, Suite 640, Anchorage, AK 99501

Call for questions: 907-269-8599