That’s Franklin Avenue on the left. Airport Road and I-5 are in the background.
What has happened lately at Franklin Avenue and Airport Road in Albany? Nothing, that’s what. The 6-acre site where 11 houses and more than 40 apartments have been approved is covered by dead grass and the remaining oaks.
Now and then I ride the bike past that corner and last reported on the stalled development there in March. You can read the story here.
After a long hot summer, the only noteworthy thing there now is the large expanse of dry grass and the slash left over after dozens of trees were cut, which the city approved in November 2020.
The adddress of the parcel is 840 Airport Road. The Albany Department of Community Development’s online list of relevant land-use activities at the address goes back to 2019, when the city approved a change from one residential zone to another to allow apartments.
The latest entry is two years old. In August 2021, the building division approved plans for site improvements, including streets and underground utilities.
In between, there was the 2020 permit to remove 251 of 309 Oregon white oaks on the property.
Something may be built there eventually. If not, all those oaks were cut down in vain. (hh)
Looking west along Franklin on Aug. 19, 2023. There’s a slash pile in the background.
I for one would enjoy seeing Albany slowing down this building boon. The infrastructure isn’t keeping up with it as it is. I hate the mindset of “It’s just empty space. Let’s build on it.” Too many people are getting fooled by this “affordable housing” sales tactic. None of these new projects are “affordable”.
You’re right about infrastructure not keeping up. Have you been on Three Lakes to Home Depot route? With all that building in South Albany, people are using it for a shortcut.
Why cant you build around those trees? People want to have trees usually around there houses for a number of reasons. Or they have to buy trees to put back. I say leve em alone. I’m sure a few would have to go but all of them!? I should think not. Also who are you kidding w”’affordable”housing!? People on SSI or SS only make 900.bucks mthly. My Mom has lost everything to price gouging! You cant pay rent anywhere for people of 1. No 1bdrms or 2 can touch that price of RIP’n you off cuz it doesnt need to be for our senior’s. Or party’s of 1. Its ridiculous! So that forces them to be homeless!! No one is caring how people are being treated.My Momma is 82&Full of spunk. You all might know her even shes live we all lived in Albany growing up. I was the only one that left. My Bros are still their. But why cant you really make ”affordable”housing? W’workers not ordering such xpensive things. Let the owner redo if they dont like. Buy recycled materials? Sorry just tryin to cut costs. But my Mom needs a home. Shes been homeless for 2yrs now. It’s really sad. She gets around very well. Her pain she has to forget bout. Shes active for 82. &a hoot. She always said age is just a number. But why cant these ladys or men be taken care of? It’s sad for your family member 2b out in the elements! Like there has to be a way to help our senior citizens or in there later 50’s&Up. Shes pd her dues! If anyone has an idea for my Mom I’d listen for ideas. My email is***”softtail18@gmail.com” W’out all the Lil ***””. Just normal if you can call any of this norml. I hope all your familys arent in my predicament. Enjoy your summer!✌♀️
I also agree with Mark. And I must say White Oaks are very rare trees and why do we have to cut them down before we even had a plan to do something with the land. Just because they have a permit doesn’t mean they’re going to do anything with it as we’ve seen another spot around the towns.
They were eagle and other birds living in those trees . I checked on for several years all gone since the trees are as well…. What a waste
These phantom or potential projects that have taken the trees and parks (Hazelwood that was still being used everyday for dog walking) and only generate money for arborists as I have written before. The city of trees has targeted these natural areas that should be preserved rather than sacrificed for building when there are areas of land without trees. Seems like a no brainer to save money by not needing to cut trees. I wonder if the city sold the rare oaks to someone who wanted the wood and may have paid for them being cut down. Is there anyone in upper level government organizations that monitor city government transactions. If not, might be a good idea to start.
What’s all this about “the city”? The land is privately owned, and so were the trees. The owners may have sold the wood, but “the city” had nothing to do with it.
The treees went to Helping Hands for firewood. I’m sure some of that oak could have been used for woodworking but i dont think there’s much of a mill industry locally to handle this sort of wood.
By no means were all of the trees taken out but it was likely an original oak grove and as such was so thick that construction would not have been an option. For anyone who wants to save the trees, band together with others who are like-minded and develop a land trust that can buy and preserve these parcels. I agree it’s a shame to see the trees go but the owners have a right to reasonably develop their property, not be forced to hold it and pay taxes on it for the benefit of others.
I think it would have been delightful have it converted to a well-treed park but to be honest, i don’t want that enough for my tax dollars to be spent on buying that much acreage at fair market price.
Your tax dollars are well sent on forcing other land owners to give up their rights all the time. People who pay taxes to sacrifice for “the public good” and not at fair market price. Don’t they have reasonable rights too? Exchanging favors is a form of payment that the city knows well. It usually is for the benefit for others as you stated. It would be delightful if the city respected the rights of all the people who live here and the trees, for the public good.
The city changed the zoning and issued permits. There are laws that protect natural areas for development. Donated parks should remain parks. The city controls everything and allows what ever they want regardless of the laws. This is “the city of loopholes “.
I am paying ridiculously high rent and to move anywhere else locally means even more money for a place with negligible improvement in living standard.
A number of people I know have recently been evicted through owner remodeling projects or similar tenant removal methods; I’ve a feeling it’s simply meant to overcome laws that cap rent increases…
So, I’d like to believe that the number of rental units available would increase so that rent amounts and increases would stabilize or flatten..
I’ve been back after 20yrs in Arizona and if I could afford to return, I would. Rent is still cheaper in many Az counties than all the Willamette Valley–and includes more amenities too.