Albany City Council

‘Local local:’ Save that woodland

Written May 21st, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: one response.

On a very local front, whether a stately stand of Douglas firs, oaks and other trees in North Albany is retained or cut down for houses may depend on how expensive nearby street projects turn out to be. The less expensive the street work, the better the chances of turning the woodland into a park.

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Albany City Council, Benton County parks, Crocker Lane N.W., Valley View Drive

Council questions I-5 plan details

Written May 19th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: no responses.

Whether any of the changes proposed for Interstate 5 at the Santiam and Knox Butte interchanges in Albany ever get built is an open question. Still, the Albany City Council does not like some of the details and would like them at least looked at some more, and preferably changed, before they become part of any settled plans.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany City Council, Interstate 5, Knox Butte interchange, Santiam interchange

Freeway changes: Some questions

Written May 16th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 2 responses.

At first glance, the proposed changes that state highway planners have drafted for the Albany interchanges on Interstate 5 look complicated and costly. And it’s not clear to the average motorist how they’re going to improve the flow of traffic.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany City Council, I-5 improvement project, Interstate 5, ODOT

Cracking down on bus stop squatters

Written May 12th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: one response.

Yes, it will be against the law to duck under an Albany transit shelter just to get out of the rain or for any purpose other than to wait for a city bus. But city officials say they would never prosecute anyone merely for getting out of the rain. And, they insist, this proposed new city law is […]

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany City Council, Albany transit shelters, transit squatters

Why an expensive street job here?

Written May 11th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 6 responses.

You’re looking at the west side of Crocker Lane in North Albany one evening last week. Does this street look like it needs curbs, gutters and a sidewalk? City of Albany plans call for just that, however, and city officials are recommending that the council form a local improvement district so the northern 2,150 feet […]

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany City Council, Crocker Lane, street assessments, Valley Vew Drive

Unlawful to get out of the rain?

Written May 9th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: one response.

It’s not exactly a constitutional crisis, but the Albany City Council may be about to make it unlawful to step under the roof of a bus shelter to get out of the rain. It’s hard to believe that is anybody’s intention. But what do you make of the draft of a city law on transit […]

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany City Council, Albany Station, Albany Transit Service, transit shelters

‘Canna’ operation changes course

Written April 30th, 2014 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 2 responses.

It was Canna Kitchen whose existence indirectly led to marijuana dispensaries being allowed in Albany rather than banned for up to a year. But the mother and daughter running the business say they’ve changed their mind and now will not operate as a state-registered dispensary after all. They decided that all the state-imposed requirements were just […]

Posted in: News
Tags: Albany City Council, Albany's Canna Kitchen, Oregon Medical Marijuana Program, Rhea Graham