This is the site of a proposed 108-unit apartment complex on 53rd Avenue. Lakeshore Lanes is in the background. (Photo taken in December 2025)
How much sense does it make to route traffic from a big apartment complex through the middle of the Lakeshore Lanes bowling alley and mini-golf property in southwest Albany?
This is one of the issues in a pending appeal of a proposed 108-unit apartment complex on the south side of 53rd Avenue near the intersection with Pacific Boulevard (Highway 99E).
The city planning division approved the site plan for the apartments on Feb.18. One of many conditions of approval was that there be a connection between the 8-acre apartment site and the highway, and that the connection run between the Lakeshore Lanes bowling alley and its miniature golf setup.
Lakeshore owner Roger Nyquist objected. He says apartment residents cutting through his property would endanger children and adults, and he won’t allow it.
City planners say the link from Pacific was a condition of the site plan when the bowling alley was built in 2005. The link was also contemplated in the “village center” concept for that area in the comprehensive plan.
The Albany Planning Commission held a public hearing on the appeal on Monday, March 16. After two-and-a-half hours of testimony and arguments, the commission voted to keep the record open and meet again on March 30.
The apartments’ main access points would be two driveways on 53rd, according to the site plan the city approved.
The extra access through the bowling alley property was just one of the points at issue. Another was that the apartments would make peak-hour congestion worse at the 53rd Avenue light on Pacific. If you want the details, check out the planning commission’s YouTube video here.
Residents of southwest Albany have long hoped for some commercial services to start up nearby.
The site on 53rd is zoned “mixed use commercial.” But it’s proposed to be developed with seven three-story apartment buildings. That’s legal, but how is it “mixed use”? (hh)
Quit building apartments here and build more family homes
Take a drive down Ellingson Rd.a mile away to see a huge number being built!
Yes, but that plan has changed also. They are now building townhouses, not single family homes. Too much traffic already
I completely agree with you but the investors won’t do it. Why turn a lot into one or two houses you can get maybe $2500/mo.. when you can build thirty apartments on the same property and get $1500/unit. That’s the math these guys use. And from an investor prospective it makes sense. From a “normal” persons view it sucks. They don’t want us living in our own home. Hard to suck the life out of you if they can’t keep you on the line for $ 18,000-$25000 per year with no equity gain. This is not you parents “merica.
The issue is not a problem with investors. It is to State’s demand for higher density housing which the City follows like a trained puppy.
Maybe if this complex gets built a grocer will finally be enticed to open something on this side of town. Hello, Aldi!
It’s humorous that the city brings up the “village” plan. It was mentioned to us when we purchased our home in 2004 and included shopping, dining and other amenities. Sadly, none of that has come about and somehow all amenities moved to the mall area instead. It makes no sense to add hundreds more cars to the traffic on 53rd trying to go across town every day. Am I the only one who can see that?
Be prepared for more automobile accidents.
If they already have two driveways on 53rd why would they need to go through the Bowling alley property. Sounds kind of controlling to me and not to smart.
Please do not turn our great town into Salem, Portland as well as other big problem cities.
No one benifits but the rich.
Thank you
Families like mine need housing, and this is a great location, close to jobs and LBCC. It’s a much needed option for housing. I hope it works out.
This reminds me of the homeowners on 53rd that were concerned about the traffic 600 new homes would produce……..
North Albany certainly isn’t alone in the fight against bad development ideas.
Yup!!
Out of control development that’s unwanted by the people who live in the area that’s Millersburg. The city does whatever they want.
HH, if you’re gonna be an investigative reporter, then stay up to date. The developer clearly stated in the last meeting that the new development could be accessed without interfering or crossing Rogers property. And Rogers’ argument is that the bowling alley might have so many new customers that traffic could be an issue.
Good grief.
Right. The apartments don’t need or want that access route. So why does the city want it? Apparently because an old “village center” concept calls for it.
I find myself once again saying to myself where are these children going to go to school at? Where are these people going to the doctor to? All this “growth” without thought is ruining our town. The only thing that I’ve seen built with these new apartment complexes are more storage units. Also just recently received a poll via text asking me about how I felt about combining schools in this area because there’s not enough students.?! Does the city not plan for having a huge increase in students in the next 5 years in the South Albany area alone?