HousingAnchorage · February 5, 2026
Girdwood housing fight isn’t over
The Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission approved Phase 1 of the Holtan Hills subdivision behind Girdwood Elementary, clearing the way for 39 new lots.
Daily Alaska staff · February 5, 2026 · Anchorage
The Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission has approved Phase 1 of the Holtan Hills housing project behind Girdwood Elementary, allowing 39 residential lots on about 16 acres to move forward. The vote marks the final planning hurdle for the long-contested development in Girdwood, a Southcentral Alaska community where buildable land is scarce.
The commission's decision came despite sustained opposition from nearby residents, who raised concerns about affordability, traffic, and environmental impact. Those objections did not stop the approval, and unless the decision is appealed, construction could begin as early as summer 2026.
The proposed homes would sit uphill from Girdwood Elementary, in an area that has remained largely undeveloped for years. For families looking to stay in Girdwood, the added housing supply represents one of the few significant expansions of local inventory in recent memory.
For residents living near the project site, the approval means changes to daily routines, traffic patterns, and views. Girdwood rarely sees housing proposals reach this stage, and the outcome of any appeal will determine whether construction proceeds on schedule.
In this story
Questions people ask
Did planning commission approve Holtan Hills subdivision?
Yes, they approved Phase 1, which allows 39 residential lots on about 16 acres behind Girdwood Elementary.
When can construction start on Holtan Hills?
As early as summer 2026, unless someone appeals the decision.
Why did Girdwood neighbors oppose the project?
They worried about affordability for new residents, increased traffic, and environmental impacts on the area.
Can the planning decision still be challenged?
Yes, it can be appealed, which would delay the construction timeline.
Evidence
Sources
Claims and where they come from
- The Planning and Zoning Commission approved Phase 1 of Holtan Hills, allowing 39 residential lots on about 16 acres. · turnagainnews.org
- The project faced heavy neighborhood pushback over affordability, traffic, and environmental impact. · turnagainnews.org
- Construction could start as early as summer 2026 if the decision is not appealed. · turnagainnews.org
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