What do we want? Industrial land! When do we want it? Now! Calm down, people. The Anchorage planning department wants you to know "the Anchorage Industrial Land Assessment [warning: large file] is now complete and available for download. This report constitutes an effort by the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) and the Municipality of Anchorage to measure the quantity and quality of the industrial land supply in the Anchorage Bowl, as compared to the projected demand for this land through 2030."
What's strange is that it was prepared for the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation by a California-based company. Hmm. Anchorage economic development... California based company... oh, the irony! Anyway, the gist of the study is that there under most economic scenarios even moderate growth will lead to a deficit of industrial land.
The authors recommend Title 21 modifications "to protect industrial land from retail and other commercial encroachment..." They also recommend flexibility in industrial zoning and redevelopment to retrofit older industrial areas. The major stakeholders identified were the airport, port, railroad and University of Alaska for its expertise in business development.
