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Home My WebLink AboutALASKA ZOO Lots 11, 12, 21, 22, 23, 24 and North 360' of Lot 10 Plat#83-034-3 MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Environmental Health Division CASE REVIEW WORKSHEET CASE NUMBER: 83-034-3 DATE RECEIVED: January 7, 1985 COMMENTS DUE BY: January 14, 1985 SUBDIVISION OR PROJECT TITLE: A si%e plan review for The Alaska Zoo. ( ) PUBLIC WATER AVAILABLE ( ) PUBLIC SEWER AVAILABLE ( ) COMMUNITY WATER AVAILABLE COMMENTS: 71-014 (Rev. 5/83) RETURN COMMENTS TO: MUNICIPAL PLANNING DEPARTMENT Zoning and Platting Division Pouch 6-650 Anchorage, Alaska 99502 264-421 5 A request to rezone approximately acres from to · A request to amend Title 21 to A request for concept/final approval of a conditional use to permit a in the zone. A request for an amendment to a conditional use site plan review for -~ COMMENTS: Planning & Zoning Commission Public Hearing Comments Due: l-!~-~% DISTRIBUTION: STANDARD DISTRIBUTION (Public Projects) Urban Beautification Commission (Or~d~nance Amendments) Municipal Attorney's Office H~<-~ ~-~,/~ ~44~ l(~ ¥ Community Council ' Federation of Community Councils gbl/ng6 PETITIONER: REQUEST: TOTAL AREA: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONE: P/--I ( Federation. of Community Councils) GRID #: gbl/ng7 Gale Lazarus. O~rector November 1984 The attached map details the existing exhibits and public facilities at the Alaska Zoo. Areas reserved for future development are indicated by stars. Since the Alaska Zoo is a self supporting non-profit corporation, capital development is dependent on adequate funding. We receive virt- ually no government assistance. The Alaska Zoo displays primarily Alaskan animals and almost all have have been brought to the Zoo by either Fish and Wildlife or Fish and Game as orphans or injured animals that need care. It is our policy not to capture animals for display. This being the case, to predict when we will have a certain animal and need to construct an exhibit is almost impossible. The following list of animals could be displayed in the sites indi- cated: Red Fox Mink Beaver Porcupine Lemmings, Voles, Shrews Buffalo Waterfowl Marten Marten Ermine Muskrat Pinnipeds Mountain Goat Bighorn Sheep Gallinuceous Birds Song Birds Our next two major projects will likely be a small animal care facility to provide health care for our Zoo animals and the completion of the third pool of the existing fresh water mammal exhibit for Beaver. The present parking lot is not large enough for busy days and it is our intention to extend it to the East as far as Our Road with access to that portion from Our Road. The Alaska Zoo · SRA BOX 1728W · Anchorage. Alaska 99507 · (907) 344-801 16 IA ;2 th Ave 126 -- 12_7 I,o2 o AVENUE - 104th ~6B 16 15 18 15 14 13 R-6 IlO fill 2 2 2/,'" 14 25 9 ,5, ve TRAPLIF A B A C D E 2532 2632 2732 2832 2932 1 Submitted by: Prepared by: For Reading: Chairman of the Assembly At the Request Of the Mayor Department of Community Planning Anchorage, Alaska AO No. AN ORDINANCE ~iENDING THE Z~NING MAP AND PROVIDING FOR THE REZONING FROM R-6 (SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT) TO PLI (PUBLIC LANDS AND INSTITUTION DISTRICT) WITH SPECIAL LIMITATIONS FOR LOT 24, SECTION 15, T12N, R2W, S.M. (HUFFMAN O'MALLEY COMMUNITY COUNCIL). THE ANCHORAGE ASSEMBLY ORDAINS: SECTION 1. That the Zoning Map be amended by designated the following described property as a PLI (Public Land and Distribution District) with Special Limitations zone: Lot 24, Section ]5, T]2N, R2W, S.M. SECTION 2. This Zoning Map amendment is subject to the following Special Limitations establishing design stan- dards for the property. That a minimum of 25' setback exclusive of the existing 20' utility easement be required for the north boundary and that the screening landscape definition for visual obstruction be required. That prior to the issuance of any Certificate of Occupancy for the public information building, a site drainage plan shall be approved by Public Works Engineering. That prior to the issuance of any Certificat~ of Occupancy and/or buildin2 permits for the remainder of Lot 24, the Zoo submit to the Planning and Zoning Commission a master site plan for public hearing which addresses access, height, buffering, setbacks, landscaping and fencing, parking and signs. SECTION 3. The Director of Community Planning shall change the Zoning Map accordingly. SECTION 4. This ordinance shall be effective ten days after passage and approval. PASSED AND APPROVED by the Anchorage Assembly, this day of , 1984. ATTEST: Chairman Municipal Clerk (83-034-2) (015-11-05, 06, & 07) j sl 3/pao3 2~e a%tac',ised map shows access to the Zoo off O'Malley Road. -l:~e tallest building is ?rese~st!? 32 feet. ~ufferins is shown on the attached sheet It cor~svs of o~-~TM o~ ubs and trees inside all fences. The setUack from O't,'lalley Road is ~5 feet. Landscaping is shown on the attached map. There is a [~erixeter fence ~,~' 6 to 8 foot chain link with 3 strands of barb wire Generic signs as addressed by the resolution made by Commissioner Fisher cannot be erected according to the DOT. They site Alaska Statute ~ 19.25.080 thru 19.25.250. The present Zoo parking lot has 163 parking spaces including haniica~;~,ed. The Alaska Zoo * SRA Box 1728W * Anchorage, Alaska 99507 * (907) 344-8012 Harding Lawson Associates June 21, 1982 9649,006.08 Kramer, Chin & Mayo, Inc. 1917 First Avenue Seattle, Washington 98101 Attention: Hr. Russell Kellogg Gentlemen' Results of Geotechnical Site Survey Anchorage Zoo Master Plan Anchoraqe, Alaska I NTRODUCT ION This letter presents the results of our geotechnical site survey for the planned Anchorage zoo expansion. The. zoo is located off O'Malley Road several miles east of the new Seward Highway. Our work was performed according to our proposal dated April 27, 1982 and Kramer, Chin & Mayo, Inc.'s (KCM) work order dated April 12, 1982. A preliminary report of our findings was presented in our letter of May 27, 1982. The purpose of our services is to survey surface soil conditions and features and provide geotechnical considerations to help develop the zoo master plan. Our scope of services consists of the following: Review information in our files and published geologic maps of the area; Site.geologic reconnaissance noting surface soil types, soils exposed in cutbanks, areas of potential problems such as low areas containing marshy soils, and general drainage patterns; Locate and log several backhoe test pits or several test borings in areas of particular interest found during our site reconnaissance; and Summarize our findings and conclusions in a written report, to include (1) suitability of the on-site soils for shallow foundations and fill, (2) general site grading recommendations such as cutslope angles, (3) ground-water levels, and (4) general soil engi- neering criteria for construction considerations. Te~&S June 21, 1982 9549,006.08 KFamer, Chin & Mayo, Inc. Mr. Russell Kellogg Page 2 Harding Lawson Associates SITE INVESTIGATION Prior to our site reconnaissance and drilling program we reviewed infor- mation in our files, published geologic maps of the area and three water well drilling logs of wells previously installed at the site. Copies of The well logs were provided by KCM. On May ll, 1982 our geologist reconnoitered the zoo site noting surface features and soil types exposed in cut banks and in the spoil of several old test pit excavations that were partially refilled. The site recon- naissance was scheduled so that snow cover had melted. On June 3 and 4, 1982 we drilled three test borings ranging in depth from 7 to 13 feet at the locations shown on Plate 1. The borings were located in marsh and low areas of the site to determine soil conditions in the potentially, most geotechnically troublesome areas. A Mobile Minuteman Drill equipped with three-inch solid flight augers was used to drill the test borings. The Minuteman is a small, hand-portable rig that was used because of access problems and the owner's desire to minimize disturbance of the zoo grounds that might be caused by larger drilling equipment. Boring depths were limited by gravelly soils that made drilling condi- tions difficult for the Minuteman rig and refusal drilling conditions were encountered at relatively shallow depths. Our geologist helped drill the borings, logged the soil and ground-water conditions and obtained samples of the soils encountered by collecting auger cuttings. Logs of the test borings are presented on Plates 2 and 3. Soils were classified according to the Unified Soil Classification System which is described on Plate 4. In addition to the test borings, our geologist hand-dug three small pits from 1/2 to 2 feet deep in the marshy areas just west of Boring B-3 to investigate the depths of organic soils. The locations of the pits are also shown on Plate 1. SITE CONDITIONS The site is located near the base of the Chugach Mountain range and the ground surface slopes to the northwest away from the mountains. A small stream channel cuts across the northern portion of the site in a west- northwest direction. Perpendicular to the stream channel terrace, the Ground slopes upward from the terrace to elevations as much as 30 to 40 ~eet higher. Slopes are typically much steeper north of the stream (1 horizontal to 1 vertical or steeper in some areas). The majority of the zoo development is located south of the stream channel; only the Polar Se~r and Elephant pens are located north of the stream. June 21, 1982 <ra~;~er, Chin & Hayo, Inc. ?,r. Russell Kellogg ?~ge 3 Harding Lawson Associates The site is well drained except the stream channel terrace and the south- eastern corner which are marshy. The well-drained, undeveloped areas are densely forested with spruce and birch trees approximately 20 to 40 feet high, and mosses cover the ground. In the marshy areas vegetation con- sists of reeds, marsh grasses, and occasional spruce and birch trees, ~ostly dead. Ponded water was abundant in the marsh areas. The soils at the site are primarily glacial deposits with alluvium deposits locate~ within the stream channel terrace. Based on our site reconnaissance and test boring results, the soil stratigraphy appears to consist of an organic mat cover varying from several inches to about one-foot-thick underlain by sandy silt three to five feet deep overlying silty sandy gravel, silts sand and sand. As indicated by Test Boring B-3 and the hand dug pits, in the marshy areas within the stream channel terrace surficial peat deposits from four inches to one foot thick over- lie organic silt which varies from several inches to 3 feet thick. A gravelly sandy silt underlies the organic soils. in the marshy area located in the southeastern section of the site where Test Boring B-2 was located, the organic soils are typically three to six inches thick and are underlain by sandy silt and silty sand. Ground-water levels within the stream terrace are near the ground sur- face. In other areas water levels are deeper. At Test Boring B-I and B-2, drilled to 7 and 13 feet respectively, we did not encounter ground water. CONCLUSIONS Except for the upper layer of organic soil and soft silt, the granular soils at the site should provide adequate support for spread-footing-type foundations and fill material for the zoo expansion. Slopes in the granular material can be cut as steep as 2 horizontal to 1 vertical (2:1). Because of the granular nature, slopes will be very susceptible to erosion and will require some form of protection, such as vegetation or matting. Excavations within the stream channel terrace wilt encounter ground water requiring the use of pumps and sumps or possibly well points for dewatering during and possibly after construction. Because of this, excavation depths should be minimized within this area. Excavations within other areas of the site will probably encounter relatively minor seepage in the upper few feet of soil. $~ithin planned building areas, organic ~oils should be stripped prior to Fleeing fill. To minimize stripping of organics, buildings can be ~.c~eJ eutsi~e of marshy areas. Building foundations should be founded ;-- ',~,~ 3-I,,'~ f~et beneath final grades on dense, granular soils. S::ne 21, 1982 ~.,5~ 9, O06.08 i.ramer, Chin & Mayo, Inc. !,ir. Russell Kellogg H~rdingLawsonAssoci~tes Depending on soil conditions at specific building locations some over- excavations of unsuitable soils beneath foundations should be expected. E. uilding and retaining walls should be backfilled with free draining granular material. In areas where water ma}' collect behind walls collec- tor pipe drains should be installed to prevent buildup of hydrostatic ~ressure against the walls, otherwise walls should be designed to resist ~ ,~ ~ pressure as well as ~r~h pressure. ~ ,,,qr,_s ~t ,c The discussion and conclusions presented above are meant for planning p~rposes only and are not be be used for final design. When the master ~l~n has been developed and prior to engineering design, we should per- i~rm a site-specific geotechnical investigation. The geotechnical investigation should include drilling test borings and obtaining soil samples for laboratory testing at specific building locations. If you have any questions, please call. Very truly yours, H~DING LAWSON ASSOCIATES Charles E. Garre , . Senior Engineer /~eni or Engineer CEG/JRC/sr/1403A Attachments' P1 ate Plates and PI ate 1 Boring Location Plan 2 3 Logs of Borings 4 Soil Classification Chart and Key to Test Data 2 copies submitted ELEPHANT PEN - POLAR BEAR PEN --i O'MALLEY ROAD HLA Tes~ Boring ...... : Du~ Pit / / / ' I' Boring Location Plan Anchorage Zoo Expansion Anchorage, Alaska 6/82 Tests r 15- 10 15- LOG OF BORING B-1 [quipn:ent i,lin~_t, eman Drill Elevation -,.,,,.Date Drilled_6/~!o"- BROWN SANDY SILT (ML) soft, wet, with organics GRAY GRAVELLY SILTY SAND dense, moist, with ~c gravel to l" size boring ;e:-mi,,~d at 7: i::-:. ~: of hard Sri!ling ccr'-.it]: ~ ~ gravel rio groun:i ~,,'ater encounterec LOG OF ~ORI,,G B-2 Equipment Minute.,man Drill Elevation - Date Drilled__~_A/3/P~]~-- organic material BROWN SANDY SILT (ML) medium stiff, wet, occasional organic matter BROWN SILTY SAND (SM) medium dense, moist mu,~,~ SAND (SP) medium dense, dry change to moist at 12.5' harder drilling at 12.5' boring terminated at 13' because of hard drilling conditions no ground water encountered LOG OF BORING Anchorage Zoo Expansion Anchorage, Alaska ]5- LOg OF Equipment Hinuteman Drill Rie ,q-*p Drilled 6/~z/82 Elevation 3" oraanic material -=~-groun~ water level on BROXN ORGANtC SILT (OL) frozen from 1' to 2', with gravel to 2" size, soft and wet below 2' BROWN SA~'~D (SI.', or SP) saturated boring termina+~d at e, ~,-~ .... of lack of drilling prcur'~$ below this depth LOG OF BORING Anchorage Zoo Expansion Anchorage, Alaska 6/a2 ~D$ AND ~, I LT 5 AND CLAY~' HI{INLY ORGANIC $OI L:~ UNIFIED SOI,L Pt el C,.~ NI ¢ SILl3 CLASSIFICATION LL ~ I T · ?. 320 ?=CU 320 05 27.~o (~OO0) F¥$ 470 "JC LV~ 700 L,tnc.~elllleti~ll Undreln. d Trle~lll _~EY TO T~'$T DATA Soil Classification Chart' and Key to Test Data Anchorage Zoo Expansion Anchoraae, Alaska 95x. 9,006.08 C~.- C/S2