Latest news with #Title21
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Anchorage leaders move to change 'site access' rules they say hamper new housing development
May 29—The Anchorage mayor's office and members of the Assembly are pushing for a package of changes to zoning rules that they say are impeding development and stalling new housing construction the city desperately needs. "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," Mayor Suzanne LaFrance said in a statement released alongside two influential members of the Assembly, a signal the administration is aligned with legislators on the measure. The ordinance from the administration, Assembly Vice Chair Anna Brawley and member Daniel Volland is 51 pages of technical adjustments to a set of policies loosely labeled "site access." Those are the rules scattered throughout Title 21, the building code, that cover requirements for various access routes people use to get into their homes and other buildings. "The proposal is complex but could be summarized as a simplification of standards for driveways, parking areas, and building frontages, with an emphasis on flexibility while providing for better physical definitions of private property and the street," according to a staff report from the municipality's Planning Department. The proposed reforms, which are up for public testimony in June, came out of a monthslong working group that brought together developers, planners, community advocates, elected officials and others to address building rules that were hindering new projects. "I would characterize this one less as 'unlocking a bunch of new housing.' This is fixing something that isn't working in the code now," Brawley said in an interview. Over the last several years, elected officials from all different political backgrounds have been trying to change planning and zoning rules in ways that make it easier to build new residential units. But not all those adjustments have worked. Brawley said there are big sections of the building code that are so technical, cumbersome, and hard to understand that simply parsing it has become a delay for builders. "If the code is too complicated to read, then it's not working," Brawley said. The new proposal simplifies code around site access development. It also grants more administrative discretion for the many instances where projects, especially in-fill development and new multifamily structures, involve nuances and variables that are hard to completely square with written regulations. "What problem were we trying to solve here?" asked Daniel Mckenna-Foster from the city's Long-Range Planning Division during a February meeting hosted by the Federation of Community Councils. "It's really about the interaction between private properties and the how people get from one to the other." Many of the requirements addressed in the new ordinance have been on pause since the Assembly passed a moratorium on implementing them several months ago. That pause is set to expire this November. The working group proposal, which was endorsed by the Planning and Zoning Commission in March before it went along to the Assembly, would replace the previous site access rules. "It is more expensive and challenging than ever to build housing in Anchorage," said Tyler Robinson, Vice President of Cook Inlet Housing Authority, in a statement released after the working group made it's recommendations. "The changes to code introduced by the Site Access ordinance fundamentally broke our ability to provide more housing to the community — from single-family homes to large apartment buildings." LaFrance has made housing a policy priority for her administration, emphasizing that the municipality and Assembly need a multi-prong approach to add 10,000 new housing units in the coming decade. The administration, along with allies on the Assembly who are pushing for better development strategies, say one piece of that is promptly scrapping policies that aren't working. "This is fixing problems we already know about, this isn't new policy," Brawley said of the new proposal. "I think it's both the product and the process we wanted to highlight." The Assembly will hear public testimony on the ordinance at its June 10 meeting.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Anchorage Assembly candidate Q&A: Nicholas Danger
Mar. 17—The Anchorage Daily News asked candidates for Anchorage Assembly to answer a series of issue questions. Read all of them here. Name: Nicholas Danger — District: 1 — Age: 70 — Occupation: HSE manager, bouncer, business owner, operating engineer, iron worker, community manager, firefighter/medic — Website: Candidate background: Born an orphan, went through the foster care system, been married and have children, now adults, love Alaska, lived in Girdwood, Eagle River and Anchorage. I worked for various companies. Union employee, manager superintendent. Have high security clearance. Been involved in many community groups, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, baseball umpire, football coach. City councils, mayor committees. governor committees. Actor, stuntman, special effects foreman, WWF pro wrestler. Why are you running for the Anchorage Assembly, and what makes you qualified for the job? To bring a different opinion to the Assembly and get this town back to where it was a great place to live. I have been to many Assembly meetings and presented resolutions. I understand the system very well Was the chairman of the Public Safety Advisory committee appointed by three different mayors. What is the most important problem facing Anchorage? How would you address it? Title 21 needs to be eliminated and go back to where we were before it and build houses, many houses, people have nowhere to live here. Please give a letter grade, A-F, for Mayor Suzanne LaFrance's performance as mayor. Explain. B. I think she is doing a good job and surrounds herself with good people. Please give a letter grade, A-F, for the performance of the current Assembly. Explain. I would give the current Assembly a D, they are not focusing on the main problems What's your vision for improving and diversifying Anchorage's economy? Build more houses. What other important issue would you like to discuss? No answer provided.
Associated Press
13-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Wax Paperie Announces New Eco-Friendly Food Packaging Innovations
Wax Paperie announces advancements in sustainable food packaging with biodegradable coatings, soy-based inks, & FDA Title 21-compliant wax & parchment paper. LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, February 13, 2025 / / -- Wax Paperie announces advancements in eco-friendly food packaging solutions with a focus on sustainability. The company has developed custom printed wax paper and parchment paper using biodegradable coatings and soy-based inks that meet strict food safety regulations. The research and development team has identified chitosan coatings for grease resistance and PLA-based coatings for moisture protection. These innovations ensure that packaging solutions provide a reliable barrier against food-related challenges while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards. Extensive testing under FDA Title 21 and European standard EN 1186 confirms that ink migration levels remain well below regulatory limits, addressing safety concerns in food packaging. A detailed life cycle assessment demonstrates that the use of biodegradable inks and coatings significantly reduces energy consumption, VOC emissions, and overall carbon footprint. Unlike petroleum-based alternatives, soy-based inks dry at a slightly slower rate but offer a sustainable option without compromising print quality. Continuous refinements in formulation enhance performance to meet industry needs. The availability of custom printed wax paper and parchment paper provides businesses with a sustainable alternative for food wrapping. These solutions align with the increasing demand for environmentally responsible packaging while ensuring compliance with food safety standards. Wax Paperie continues to invest in research to advance packaging technology and support sustainability efforts within the industry. The shift toward sustainable packaging has gained momentum across various industries, with food service and retail businesses seeking innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact. Wax Paperie has responded by integrating plant-based and biodegradable materials into its product offerings, ensuring that food packaging aligns with industry-wide sustainability initiatives. Studies indicate that consumer preferences are shifting toward eco-friendly alternatives, further driving demand for responsible packaging solutions. The production process incorporates environmentally conscious practices, utilizing renewable resources and reducing waste generation. By adopting biodegradable coatings and inks, the environmental footprint of traditional packaging is minimized while maintaining the necessary functional properties required for food contact applications. These efforts contribute to reducing landfill waste and improving overall packaging sustainability. The combination of soy-based inks and biodegradable coatings offers an effective alternative to conventional food wrapping materials. The research and development team continues to explore additional innovations to improve performance and further minimize environmental impact. The company remains committed to delivering high-quality, compliant packaging solutions that align with industry regulations and sustainability goals. With advancements in printing technology, Wax Paperie ensures that custom printed wax paper and parchment paper maintain high levels of durability and performance. The latest developments allow businesses to achieve brand visibility while choosing sustainable options that meet industry standards. These efforts reflect the growing commitment to sustainable food packaging solutions that prioritize environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance. Ongoing research supports the continuous improvement of eco-friendly packaging options, reinforcing the need for innovation in sustainable materials. The investment in new technologies underscores the importance of responsible food packaging solutions that cater to the evolving needs of businesses and consumers. Wax Paperie remains focused on pioneering advancements in food-safe, sustainable packaging that meets both functional and environmental requirements. +1 213-657-5839 [email protected] Legal Disclaimer:
