You’ll see apartments on this site one of these days. The rear of the Lakeshore Lanes bowling center is at left.
So much for what people want if they want something that’s in conflict with state and local land use law.
After receiving public testimony and scores of emails opposing plans for a 108-unit apartment complex, the Albany Planning Commission on Monday approved the plans with a unanimous vote.
Members of the commission didn’t have a choice. Apartments are an allowed use in the “mixed use commercial” zone at the corner of 53rd Avenue and Pacific Boulevard, where this development is planned. The site is opposite the former South Pacific Auto Sales, now vacant, and next door to the Lakeshore Lanes bowling center.
Commission Chair JoAnn Miller and other members acknowledged the strong opposition from homeowners in the neighborhood at the west end of 53rd Avenue. They said the opponents had been heard and taken seriously. But the commission was bound to follow the development code and besides, Oregon needs more housing.
The neighborhood was concerned mainly about the development’s added traffic on 53rd, and about the effect on the Oak Creek riparian area, on which it encroaches slightly.
The matter was before the commission because the planning staff’s approval of the site plan had been appealed. The commission approved the plan with revised conditions that removed a requirement for an access to the apartments from Pacific through the property of Lakeshore Lanes.
For more on the planned complex, which the developer calls “The Loren at Brookside,” check here for the story I wrote when it was proposed last December.
It usually takes a year or two between land use approval by the city and the start of construction. No word on when “The Loren” will be built. (hh)
Looking west on 53rd Avenue on March 29, 2026, during a moment with no visible traffic.
No more apartments in albany. Roads and ultilitys can not handle it. The tax payers will have to pay for in the long run.
And yet, the City’s website (https://albanyoregon.gov/pw/engineering/system-development-charges) explicitly says “The idea is simple: when new growth creates demand for more infrastructure, those costs shouldn’t fall on existing taxpayers or utility ratepayers. Long-time residents have already contributed to today’s systems through taxes and utility bills. SDCs ensure that new development pays its fair share to expand those systems, rather than shifting the burden to the current community.”
In a couple of months, the City Council will be voting to increase SDCs. In the meantime, let your councilors know that you support SDCs paying for new development so that existing residents don’t have to.
The problem with the SDC system is that it makes a two tier system, new people have to pay 100% of the cost of streets pipes etc. when they buy the house, the old existing streets were put in by everyone, so when the old street needs fixed, everyone pays, and the new people get the shaft. We need a system that local streets are maintained by local improvement districts, so the old stuff gets fixed by the ones who didn’t have to pay full price. The New streets last however long they do and then would be maintained by the people who paid for them. The current SDC system is discriminatory.
Then I would love to hear what your solution to housing would be? The city is going to grow, there are going to be people who need to find a place to live. So what should be done for that? Apartments seem to be the most cost effective way to be able to house a group of people, but what do I know.
They aren’t going to turn down all the utility hook up fees and monthly water, sewer & City Services Fees. Greed TRUMPS common sense.
Is anyone surprised! Commissioner Roger Nyquist owns lakeshore lanes. No one was heard but him. Traffic safety is not only a problem for people using his business. It is beyond the pale. They are thumbing their noses at the people.