Girdwood, Alaska, September 10, 2025
News Summary
The Holtan Hills housing development in Girdwood has officially commenced, marking the largest residential project in the area for decades. Located near Alyeska Resort, the initiative involves clearing land for 50 ‘shovel-ready’ sites and multifamily housing. Despite community concerns regarding affordability and environmental impacts, supporters argue the project will enhance housing availability. The Anchorage Assembly has set restrictions on short-term rentals to preserve housing for residents, addressing ongoing concerns about the local housing market crisis. A public meeting is scheduled to discuss the project further.
Girdwood, Alaska — Construction has officially begun on the Holtan Hills housing development, which will become the largest residential project in Girdwood in decades. Located on wooded land northwest of Alyeska Resort, this substantial development involves clearing a road, walkway, and utility lines through a local rainforest, raising concerns among community members about environmental impacts and housing affordability.
The first phase of the Holtan Hills project aims to prepare 50 “shovel-ready” sites for a variety of housing options, including homes, duplexes, townhouses, and other dwellings. In addition, developers have earmarked two multifamily lots, anticipated to provide around 20 housing units. The Anchorage Assembly had approved this 60-acre project last year, following a 2022 agreement between the developer, Connie Yoshimura of CY Investments, and the Heritage Land Bank.
Despite the approval, many Girdwood residents have voiced strong opposition to the project. Concerns predominantly center around affordability and potential displacement, as local neighborhoods face the pressures of rising home prices exacerbated by a tight housing market. Supporters of Holtan Hills, including Yoshimura and others, argue that the development will address these pressures by increasing housing availability for local residents and workers.
The project’s development guidelines include specific restrictions on short-term rentals. This move aims to maintain housing availability for residents, considering that more than half of the recently constructed residential units in Girdwood have transitioned into “dark homes” or short-term rentals. The shift has raised considerable apprehension among community members regarding the ongoing affordability crisis within the area.
Residents have expressed skepticism about the costs the project may impose on the city, fearing that it would lead to greater overall unaffordability rather than alleviate the situation. In a bid for transparency, more than 600 announcements concerning Holtan Hills have been circulated within the community, though many residents remain wary about the involvement of public funding benefiting private developers.
The Anchorage Assembly has mandated that single-family homes within Holtan Hills cannot function as short-term rentals, with additional stipulations preventing half of the multifamily units from being leased out for such purposes. Furthermore, two of the multifamily housing lots will be allocated to a Girdwood housing trust, specifically aimed at fostering the development of more affordable housing in the area.
Alongside these regulations, constituents have expressed their concerns regarding the development’s reliance on further municipal funding for essential infrastructure upgrades. There’s ongoing debate among Assembly members about the project’s overall profitability and feasibility, reflecting the broader community’s apprehensions.
A public meeting is scheduled for September 23 at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, providing an opportunity for residents to obtain more information and voice their concerns regarding the project. The Anchorage Assembly is also expected to further discuss restrictions surrounding short-term rentals to alleviate community concerns as they arise.
FAQ
What is the Holtan Hills housing development?
Holtan Hills is a large housing development project in Girdwood, Alaska, covering 60 acres and providing various housing options including homes, duplexes, and townhouses.
What is the community’s main concern regarding Holtan Hills?
Main concerns involve affordability, potential displacement of residents, and environmental impacts associated with clearing land for development.
When will the first phase of Holtan Hills be completed?
The timeline for the completion of the first phase has not been specifically outlined, but it is expected to provide 50 “shovel-ready” sites for construction.
How will the project address affordability issues?
The project includes guidelines that restrict short-term rentals and designates multifamily lots for a housing trust, aimed at promoting affordable housing options for local residents.
Key Features of Holtan Hills Development
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Nw of Alyeska Resort, Girdwood, AK |
| Project Size | 60 acres |
| Initial Housing Sites | 50 shovel-ready sites |
| Multifamily Housing | 20 additional units |
| Community Engagement | 600 community announcements |
| Short-term Rental Restrictions | Single-family and half of multifamily units are restricted |
| Public Meeting Date | September 23 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Anchorage Daily News: Construction Work Starts on Major Girdwood Housing Development
- Wikipedia: Girdwood, Alaska
- Anchorage Daily News: Anchorage Assembly Approves Holtan Hills Housing Development
- Google Search: Holtan Hills Girdwood
- Alaska’s News Source: Assembly Votes Down Girdwood Housing Development Project
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Alaska
- Alaska Landmine: Addressing Girdwood’s Housing Crisis
- Google News: Girdwood Housing Development
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