I stopped by this proposed development site on Franklin Avenue in Albany on June 15, 2024.
Just a quick reminder of an obvious fact: Just because the City of Albany approves new housing does not mean that new housing will be built, at least not right away.
When the bike and I stopped at the corner of Airport Road and Franklin Avenue last month, it had been almost a year since my last visit.
Two people with an address in St. Paul, OR, bought the property in 2015 and obtained a rezoning to allow apartments in 2019.
In 2020, the city planning commission approved a planned unit development of 11 houses and about 40 apartment on the 6-acre site at 840 Airport Road. But all that has happened is that many of the trees were felled, as provided in the plan the city approved.
Oaks near the corner of Franklin and Airport were to be saved, according to the plan, and they were.
The applicants called their subdivision “Franklin Reserve.” I wondered for how long a period the city’s approval was valid.
As usual, Planning Manager David Martineau at City Hall had the answer:
“The approval for Franklin Reserve is still valid. Most land use approvals expire after three years, but phased subdivisions and planned developments have up to five years before they expire. Applicants can request an extension of up to two years. But for phased and planned developments, an applicant can request an additional two-year extension. Franklin Reserve will expire on August 5, 2025, unless they request an extension.”
Sounds like it might be a while before the owners will either have to get something going on this property or apply again, with the same or a different plan. (hh)
Any attempt to contact the developers? Sounds like they ran out of money or maybe can’t afford the high interest rates to finance the project. Albany definitely has demand for this type of dwellings to help the housing shortage.