Through occasional static, electronic echoes and screeching feedback, the Albany Landmarks Commission Wednesday heard arguments for and against plans for two buildings at Fourth and Calapooia, in the downtown commercial zone of the Monteith Historic District.
The Albany planning staff has recommended eight conditions, including a reduction in height, for approval of two new three-story buildings in the Monteith Historic District.
The Albany Planning Division on Thursday posted a public notice of the property owners’ plans for the northeast corner of Fourth Avenue and Calapooia Street, where after a prolonged controversy three century-old and dilapidated houses were demolished last year.
Homebuilders Tina and Mark Siegner are free to file for a demolition permit on three old houses they own in the Monteith Historic District following an Albany City Council decision Wednesday night.
Three old houses in Albany’s Monteith Historic District, condemned by the city and boarded up, are too far gone to be economically restored and should be allowed to be razed. Essentially that’s the conclusion of 18 pages of “findings” the city council is expected to adopt when it meets on Wednesday.
What happens now, now that LUBA has faulted the Albany City Council for how it decided to allow the planned demolition of three old houses? The main upshot seems to be that the houses, at Fourth and Calapooia, are not likely to be demolished any time soon.
Landmarks says project is just too big
Two years ago the Albany Landmarks Commission refused to allow the demolition of three dilapidated old houses at Fourth Avenue and Calapooia Street. On the Tuesday night the same commission turned down a plan for two new buildings on the site as too massive and tall.
Tags: Albany Landmarks, Fourth and Calapooia, Siegners