This sign on Gibson Hill Road announces the controversial housing project that state rules forced the City of Albany to approve last year.
There’s a new sign by the side of Gibson Hill Road in North Albany. It signals that a planned 80-lot “middle housing” project is ready to go ahead and that its ownership has changed.
Last year a Salem developer got Albany city planners to approve a change for a previously approved 22-lot conventional subdivision at 3118 Gibson Hill. The change created a townhouse subdivision of 80 lots.
The city was required to approve the change under state laws and administrative rules adopted over the last few years to allow bigger tax lots to be turned into smaller “child lots.”
Last November, Pacific National Development of Salem sold the 7.4-acre subdivision, called “Riverwood Crossing,” for $5.7 million. The new owner is Millrose Properties Oregon LLC, of Miami, Fla. Millrose in turn is owned or managed by another limited liability company, U.S. Home, with the same address in Miami.
Lennar Northwest LLC, of Vancouver, Wash., is listed as the taxpayer on at least some of the new lots. Lennar, which its website says builds homes in 26 states, has a same mailing address in Miami as Millrose and U.S. Home.
The sign on Gibson Hill for Riverwood Crossing mentions “modern duplexes and townhomes.” The lots, which average 2,500 square feet, are too small for two dwellings, so if there are duplexes, each would have to span two separate lots.
There’s no word on when construction will start. The city’s online information feature does not show that any building permits have been filed. (hh)
A photo from April 2024: The 80 mailboxes to serve the Riverwood Crossing subdivision.
So at first this area was approved for 20+/- lots for single family dwellings? Then for 80 “Middle housing” now its a mix of middle housing and duplexes?
Apparently a developer isn’t required to follow what has been approved and pretty much do what they want?
Hasso, Just out of curiosity, if someone lives in Benton County but it is considered North Albany, where do the property taxes go to ? Linn or Benton Co. ? Thanks!
Property taxes on any property go to whichever taxing authority levies them. Owners within the city of Albany in Benton County pay taxes to Albany, Benton County, Albany schools, LBCC, and so forth.
The traffic in N. Albany is already terrible and adding more homes with the average of 2 cars per family, well…it’s not going to make it batter.
In addition to the already heavily trafficked bridge system, a lot of Corvallis Clinic and Samaritan Medical have moved or added facilities to North Albany. I just received a letter that the doctors at Corvallis Clinic on Waverly are moving to North Albany as of 4/7. Something really needs to be done to relieve the traffic congestion over the bridges and through downtown Albany.
Sharon, I hope you’re following the messages being sent out by the North Albany Neighborhood Association regarding middle housing. There are at least 3 bills being debated in Salem that will impact middle housing. Of primary concern is the Gov’s HB 2138 that will give us even more middle housing. For those in North Albany who want to receive updates on these types of things, you can add yourself to the NANA mailing list by signing up here:
https://tinyurl.com/yhw4ays4
This is going to be a great opportunity for young and growing families to buy a home in Albany where their parents and friends live! Or for empty nesters to downsize to something easier to take care of. Much needed housing.
Not good for seniors if they are two story.
I’m concerned about the infrastructure needed to handle subdivisions like these. Gibson Hill Rd is not prepared. The light at Crocker badly needs a left turn lane so cars can continue on as people wait to turn onto Crocker.
Agreed on the turn lane, what dimwit approved that design?!
The dimwits who unanimously approved a roundabout then completely changed their minds at the last minute.