On Jan. 10 I parked my bike here, in the same spot where I parked it in November 2021 for a story similar to this one.
Plans are just plans, in case you forgot, and plans are subject to change. One example is playing out on property at the corner of 53rd Avenue and Willetta Street in southwest Albany.
Somebody asked me last week about what seems to be the start of construction activity at that corner, so I checked it out.
In November 2021, the Albany Planning Division approved a site plan for townhouses on the property. But that’s not what’s being built there now. The plans have changed.
For an explanation, I turned to David Martineau, manager of current planning for the city. His summary:
“There was a project for 16 units on site called Orchard Townhomes that was approved on November 22, 2021. It was set to expire November 22, 2024, but an extension was requested that gave them another two years to complete the project by November 22, 2026. The property was then purchased by another party who intends to do a different development. The property was partitioned into three lots in early 2025. We currently have an application for tree removal on the property that is under review and a building permit for a duplex on one of the new lots.”
The building permit at 1135 53rd Ave. is for a duplex of 2,386 square feet, or 1,193 square feet in each of the two units. Each of the units will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms as well as a 300-square-foot garage.
The permit was issued to Josh Mitchell, who owns the property. The contractor is Mitchell’s firm of River City Design & Build LLC, based on Old Salem Road in Albany.
This site, by the way, is across 53rd Avenue from property where a developer from the Seattle area has proposed a 108-unit apartment complex. The Albany Community Development Department is still reviewing that plan. (hh)
A few duplexes on a city street with their own off street parking, no problem. 50 quad units which equates to 200 households and 50 apartments with parking for 140 stalls and an encroachment into a flood way creates many problems.
Any vacant lot inside the UGB is ripe for development at some point…
You are correct. However, when the development is in your backyard it can negatively change the quality of your neighborhood. Albany’s farm land and green space is rapidly disappearing. There are many underutilized areas closer to downtown Albany for housing development
Both of these two proposed housing developments near 53rd Ave and Willetta
are going to negatively affect hundreds of nearby residents. Â They also potentially will negatively affect the riparian and drainage area for Oak Creek. Â There are also no shopping, grocery, and/or gas stations nearby; this will result in a significant increase in an already high flow of vehicle traffic on 53rd Ave and Pacific Blvd (99E). Â A grocery store near this area makes more logical sense to reduce high volume traffic. There is only one inlet and exit for traffic on 53rd Avenue SW. This factor adds to the reduction in the ability for emergency services to quickly reach residents in the area.
I have lived in this area many years; I lived through the 1962 Columbus Day storm, the 1964 flood and 1996 flood and already high periodic traffic flow. But, I don’t believe that my neighbors, neighborhood or I are ready for these development disasters.
You’re crossing bridges and burning them behind you before you even get to them… I also live in close proximity – for 30+ years, received the notice, and believe you’re throwing out specious arguments Bill…
The “potentially” riparian impacts are just that. Until-if-when the plans show how they may mitigate them (if any), it’s a non-issue IMO.
Same with your comment about “no shopping, grocery and/or gas stations nearby…” That’s the situation now with gas about 2 miles south & 7-11 very close – another non-issue until a grocery store and/or gas station wants to build in the area. The city can’t force a developer to develop there for sure.
As far as the traffic-emergency red-herring you offer; that all depends on the design(s) of the two places. From what I know, all of that will be taken into consideration when the formal plans are up for adoption. Until then, all I hear you saying is “NIMBY”…
When those concerns are addressed through the existing processes we have, I’m 100% in favor of both developments.
And you call his arguments “specious”? Typical hypocrisy from your ilk. Your time has passed. Get over it. Your condescending tone has nothing to back it up.
Speaking of disasters the hospital in Corvallis is a regional trauma center and often now both Albany and Corvallis have no beds available. With all the new housing being built what planning is being done for availability of healthcare facilities?
Our local government officials can’t be bothered by reality.
Thank you Hasso, I always appreciate your research. At this point a duplex sounds better than anything else we’ve heard will accept the space.
Where are all these kids going to go to school? Our schools are already overpopulated as it is. It seems the city is not taking education of its citizens into account.