The Juneau Assembly could repeal the existing hazards maps and restrictions on development which have been in effect since the 1980s, as the debate on how to address hazards from avalanches and landslides central Juneau continues.
Its style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”Everybody is adamant that the current maps aren’t as accurate as they could have been,” stated Deputy Mayor Maria Glyziszewski. “The issue is what authority does CBJ have to oversee the development of those areas which pose a risk? ?”
The proposed plan is different from previous efforts to establish new more precise maps of hazards that would broaden limits on land use to more homes in downtown areas. The alternative proposal, which was made at Monday night’s committee of the entire meeting would eliminate existing restrictions on land use for hazard zones completely.
The committee will continue with the discussion in the next meeting. However, some Members of the Assembly which included Michelle Hale, objected to the idea in a statement that emphasized the need for more evidence from experts to better understand the complexity of avalanche zones and zones of landslides.
It’s a span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”It seems like we’re running around, trying to get something done,” Hale said. “But we don’t really understand this terribly well. .”
Initiatives to upgrade hazards in downtown Juneau have been slowed since Juneau’s city officials commissioned new maps of hazards constructed using advanced technology more than two years in the past. The maps, which identify more than double the properties within the zones of extreme hazard as the old maps, have generated significant concern from both homeowners and policymakers.
The new maps differ in that they deal with landslide zones and avalanche zones in a separate manner. The older maps grouped them together despite the fact that they’re distinct hazards, with distinct danger factors.
The areas with severe avalanches are very similar to the maps and the proposed committee’s plan allows for the reintroduction of the development restrictions regarding the avalanche zones.
The more difficult part is figuring out how to handle the possibility of landslides. The new maps either added or upgraded certain communities to a serious hazard designation due to their potential for landslides. This has led many homeowners to protest against the maps and the ordinance that goes with them, because they believe it will limit their ability to obtain mortgages or insurance on their property in the near future.
Gladziszewski who wrote the new plan, has said she had not yet formally spoken with lenders or insurance agents to confirm the worries.
Members Wade Bryson expressed his support to lift existing development restrictions and said his city must allow it for property owners and developers to stay clear of hazard zones.
span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”The worry is that we’ll end up with a group of people constructing in danger zones due to the fact that there’s no danger zone or an avalanche zone designated, I believe this is a mistake,” Bryson said.
The plan aims to respond to public comments by avoiding the adoption of new maps of landslides.
However, it is expected to adopt new avalanche maps that are comparable to the old mapsand implement the updated code of land usage to apply to areas that are avalanche-prone. The specifics of this revised code have not yet been defined.
A few Members of the panel expressed doubt in ignoring the dangers of landslides.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”The public doesn’t yet realize how serious the threat of landslides is at the moment in Juneau,” said member Christine Woll. “And that they’re becoming more severe due to the climate changes .”
Based on the Juneau Climate Change Report, The risk of landslides is expected to increase with climate change that will bring more severe storms to Southeast Alaska.
A single of Juneau’s most devastating catastrophes was the 1936 land slide on South Franklin Street which claimed the lives of 15 people.
The new plan will serve as the base for a draft land usage ordinance that will be considered in the future committee of the entire meeting.
