This was the acreage at Ellingson and Lochner roads where the Curry Meadows subdivision was approved in 2022. Now the area is proposed to have “middle housing” instead. (2022 photo)
The City of Albany has received its second request to convert a single-family subdivision to “middle housing” at twice the density previously approved.
The applicants, Lennar Northwest of Vancouver, WA, want to turn 86 lots of the Curry Meadows subdivision at Lochner and Ellingson roads in South Albany into 176 lots for construction of townhouses. The property covers 11 acres.
The planning division of the Albany Community Development Department posted a public notice of the request online on Tuesday. The city said it notified property owners within 100 feet of the development and invited written comments by March 4.
“Middle housing” is what the Oregon legislature required cities to allow on any residential lot. The term includes various dwelling units that are smaller and more densely packed together than traditional single-family houses.
Albany approved its first middle housing subdivision last year. This created 80 townhouse lots from 22 residential lots previously approved along Laura Vista Drive, on the south side of Gibson Hill Road in North Albany.
No dwellings have been built there yet. When I once got the Salem developer of the project on the phone, a few months ago, he told me the units were in design.
In line with state requirements, Albany has amended its development code to provide for middle housing. The city’s director of community development will approve the 176 lots if he determines the application meets requirements of the code. (hh)
Here’s a drawing of the proposed middle-housing townhome lots at Ellingson (bottom) and Lochner (left) roads.
Provided the units are sold as deeded lots, and they don’t become rental property, they could create some ownership opportunities that don’t currently exist. The housing market needs supply and this can help.
Strongly agree. I’d like to know if City data exists on owner-occupied vs rental units added since 2015, and if the project received City funding or subsidy. Albany’s homeownership rate is trending downward, and is lower than the Oregon and US rate.
What a joke . Nobody lives within 100 feet . How about some traffic changes on Columbus like some traffic lights first .
because if they put in traffic lights first some yahoo would be complaining about all the wasted $ spent for no reason
The current road configurations in that area are prime for a round-about installation…you watch…mark my words. ;-)
This sucks.
At least north Albany road and hwy 20 isn’t already congested with no viable option for another route. The bright spot is that property values will come down when it eventually takes 50 minutes to make that 2 mile drive into town. 34th Street get ready…
I wish someone would build a dang grocery store at that end of town!
Maybe with more housing it will come
you are free to build all the stores you think you need
If you build it, they will come, needing services, groceries, schools, utilities, and jobs. And then more will need to be built. Whats population target for 2030, or 2070?
…around 72,000 by 2040 with current models.
At least this proposal has two streets available for traffic to move in and out. The development in North Albany has one for 80 units. Lets see if you estimate two vehicles per unit that’s 352 for this development vs 160 for North Albany. Unless the traffic on Ellingson and Lochner have more traffic than Gibson Hill it will be easier for residents to come and go.
The City apparently did not consider traffic volume when the North Albany project was approved.
Simply a thank you for actual facts and information. Unfortunately, most are not what we invision for albany and the surrounding area. But it’s good to know.
Say goodbye to our small beautiful country town.
Say hello to another Salem Eugene and Portland.
So sad.
It’s like the miracle of loaves and fishes. Or, when Jimi Hendrix sang, “If six were nine.”
Hee hee!
Fire department should have a say
Stop being greedy give house or apartment room to breath…
Are they going solar?
Traffic lights are a must..
80 X 2 =160 car
Now u want to go up in capacity.
Who is paying for taxes and levies
2 cars per “dwelling”? The 888 sq-ft house kitty corner from me parks 6 overnight with a minimum of 4 being moved everyday. The house across from that parks a variety of combinations consisting of 3 large pick ups, 2 “sedans” and a sometimes loaded logging truck.
I imagine the City will expect me, a person who doesn’t own a motor vehicle, to pay the same STREET FEES aka TAXES..
do you not use the streets? even if its a bike ur still using the street
i dont have any kids so should i not have to pay taxes for schools?
We have had mass Apts built not far from where I live & guess what there is nothing that says they have to have at least 1 parking spot for each apt. You would not believe, or maybe you would where these guys park=barely off the road in most cases & all over the place. But not to worry we have adequate busses, not really, only 1 & limited. But the owners don’t have to use it do they. Good luck!
Truth or Myth: Ellingson is going to be extended to the east to form an interchange with on I-5.
City of Albany greed. All they think about is lining their pockets and not about the consequences and problems it will cost and cause the people of this town. The town is too small for all the housing and the cars and the people this will hold. Nobody ever thinks about that all they think about is how much money they are going to make.
Excellent! We need this housing and all of the attendant opportunities and challenges that come with it. Nobody ever said change was easy and with people living so much longer, there’s more of us.
What about sewer, water, power, cable, road upgrades to accommodate the extra traffic? Don’t forget about more need for fire, police, medical. Who is on the city council? No, don’t tell me. Idiots
It only takes $5 to get your name on the ballot Jeff. Go for it!.
When will the insanity stop? Why does Salem get to dictate what is best for Albany? Why keep allowing these greedy developers to destroy this city? I’m feeling more and more pushed out of what was once a nice place to live. Oregon has a LOT of open land, why keep smashing people on top of each other?
Here’s some civic information that answers your question:
Laws come from Salem, Oregon because it is the state capital, where the Oregon State Legislature (House of Representatives and Senate) passes laws that apply to the entire state, including Albany.
Here’s how it works:
1. State Laws (Made in Salem)
• The Oregon Legislature creates laws that apply statewide (e.g., traffic laws, business regulations, environmental rules).
• The Governor (also based in Salem) signs or vetoes these laws.
• State agencies in Salem enforce these laws across all cities, including Albany.
2. Local Laws (Made in Albany)
• Albany has its own municipal government (mayor, city council, and local departments).
• The city can pass ordinances (local laws) on issues like zoning, noise, and public safety.
• However, local laws cannot override state or federal laws—they must operate within those frameworks.
So, while Albany has control over certain local matters, broader laws affecting things like taxes, criminal justice, and education come from the state government in Salem.
Each U.S. state operates under a republican form of government, as required by the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 4). This means that states have representative democracies where officials are elected to make decisions on behalf of the people.
Each state has its own constitution, executive branch (headed by a governor), legislative branch (a bicameral or unicameral legislature), and judicial branch. While they have autonomy in governance, they must comply with the U.S. Constitution and federal laws.
At the federal level, the United States itself is a constitutional federal republic, meaning power is divided between the national government and state governments, with elected representatives making laws.Each U.S. state operates under a republican form of government, as required by the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 4). This means that states have representative democracies where officials are elected to make decisions on behalf of the people.
Each state has its own constitution, executive branch (headed by a governor), legislative branch (a bicameral or unicameral legislature), and judicial branch. While they have autonomy in governance, they must comply with the U.S. Constitution and federal laws.
At the federal level, the United States itself is a constitutional federal republic, meaning power is divided between the national government and state governments, with elected representatives making laws.
I don’t know If there’s much we can do about it at this point, but im concerned about this. We live close to where this is being built. Traffic and parking overflow alone have me nervous.