The City and Borough of Juneau’s Planning Commission and the Borough Assembly Thursday spent a two-hour joint meeting sharing concerns about affordable housing, economic development and shaping up the permit process.
The roundtable discussion marked the beginning of a series of meetings between commissioners and Assembly members to try to address how the two bodies work together and to decide on a handful of joint priorities.
Mayor Merrill Sanford said he would like the two bodies to meet twice a year for the foreseeable future.
Assembly members recommended the Planning Commission regularly update Juneau’s comprehensive plan.
Planning Commissioner Nicole Grewe voiced concern over permits that come before the commission with work already being done on the project.
She asked that the Assembly and Commission work together to get projects done in proper order.
Assembly members and commissioners asked about attempts to ease future permit requests with ordinances that outline permitting of cell towers, eagle trees and noise ordinances.
Affordable housing ranked high on concerns for both Assembly members and commissioners. City efforts such as rezoning for greater density is expected to alleviate some housing woes.
The Assembly members and commissioners members agreed to highlight an ordinance to regulate cell tower placement, streamline the permitting process through Title 49 and develop an ordinance for development near eagle trees.
• Contact reporter Russell Stigall at 523-2276 or at russell.stigall@juneauempire.com.
Comments (8)
Add commentThank you Mr. Mayor, Assembly
Thank you for addressing affordable housing in Juneau. I am glad we have such a great team leading Juneau. Thank you all and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year if you are reading this.
Affordable Houing is desperately needed
More affordable housing needs to be constructed. Today there are 370 homes (3bdrm, 1 bath) starting at $119,000 in Anchorage. In Juneau there are 34 (3bdrm, 1 bath) starting at $185,000 that is 54% higher. We live in the Tongass National Rain Forest, there are millions and millions of acres of land. To maintain our Capitol, become more competitive, retain community members and population, housing must become more affordable. Make building here a priority! I'm thankful the City is rezoning for greater density and streamlining the permitting process. Lets all support affordable housing for other Juneauites, create jobs and help keep Juneau a strong community where people can afford to live.
Housing values are going up
Housing values are going up down south while CBJ works to lower home values here?
Look. It is a natural phenomenon that homes cost more in some communities. There are complex reasons for it. I think the last thing we need to do is to work to lower the value of our homes so that everyone can have one. This is what caused the economy to crash. Save your $ so you can afford to buy one, this is what I had to do.
just so you know jumpstart
Some of us actually work in the construction business and would very much appreciate more homes being built.Just because a lot of us....myself included....paid wayyyy more then they should have for their home does not mean everyone should. Heck, at least i have a job to pay the mortgage with. Now if you had your way i probably would be out of a job, not able to pay the bills, my home gets foreclosed, its put right back on the market and poof the values go down anyway.
You got yours so screw the
You got yours so screw the rest huh jack?
Affordable housing? Hmm.
Affordable housing? Hmm. Where to begin. Im a decorated,disabled Marine Corps combat vet(have the documents,medals and wounds to prove it) I have never looked or asked for a hand out. I live with my mother, not because i want to, but because she is gracious enough to let me, and i have no choice. I have a full time job, and have for going on 5 years(and every year 15 years prior to that) Every day is a chore just to get up and go, but i do.She see's my everyday struggles, and knows that my disability is no where close to cover living expenses. There are other vets in this town in worse shape than i, and as much as this town says they do, they don't. Its easy to say we care, and we will do anything to help you, but i am sorry, i don't always see it that way. I will contradict myself a bit, because Juneau does help numerous causes for Vets. Don't get me wrong, because i can already see the bashing coming. But saying and doing are 2 different things. How about some of the better off people in this town,contractors, coming together and providing something, anything for vets that are in dire need for just a few square feet of much needed, and well deserved space? Sure i would like to be included in that circle, i wont lie. And i would be more than happy to pay what i can. What i cant pay, but can do to help, what ever it may be, i would be more than willing to off set what you would expect to get in rent with free labor. We don't need alot. Sometimes its just some place where we can be alone,decompress, and try to get on with life the best we can. Because sometimes, a little is so damn much.
Sorry to vent, but thanks for reading and hopefully understand some of the struggles vets go through every day.
What government can and cannot do!
Government can, by taking resources from the community, provide affordable housing via subsidised rent. What government cannot do is make the purchase of housing affordable. The problem is, owned housing requires maintainance and taxes, if one needs help to purchase? How is the rest handled? And who owns the equity? Does buying the residence really mean a renter who maintaines said residence loses that when it sells? No, the solution to affordable housing is help renters, and means test the help. Governments role is to provide enough for the needs of the community and that requires taking from Peter to pay Paul, and we all know how that works!