Planning commission

Council nixes treatment center in old house

Written October 23rd, 2025 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 7 responses.

The Albany City Council Wednesday turned down a permit that would have allowed an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment center to operate in the historic Sternberg House, 506 Ferry St. S.W.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: 506 Ferry Street, historic districts, Planning commission, treatment center

Climate Friendly Areas: A skeptical view

Written March 4th, 2025 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 12 responses.

Bowing to a state mandate to slow global warming, the City of Albany is plowing ahead with the designation of six so-called “climate friendly areas.” It’s hard to imagine a project that is so ambitious and unrealistic at the same time.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany planning, city council, climate change, Climate Friendly Areas, Climate Protection Program, high-rise apartments, housing density, Planning commission

Albany panel rejects 7-townhouse appeal

Written June 17th, 2024 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 19 responses.

A subdivision for seven proposed townhouses off Gibson Hill Road in North Albany meets requirements in the city development code, so the Albany Planning Commission Monday affirmed its approval by the planning staff, rejecting an appeal.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Gibson Hiill Road, housing, land divisions, Lepman project, North Albany, Planning commission, Sunny Lane, townhouses

What they’re building off N.W. 24th

Written April 17th, 2024 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 6 responses.

Four days ago, someone asked on the website Nextdoor: “Does anyone know what is being constructed up on Northwest 24th near the Benton Woods roundabout?” I had wondered the same thing when a bike ride took me past this location in North Albany on April 8.

Posted in: Bicycling, Commentary, News
Tags: 24th Avenue, land development, North Albany, North Hills Estate, Planning commission, subdivision

Two years later: A look at completed site

Written March 26th, 2023 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 22 responses.

The bike occasionally takes me past the 1100 block on Sixth Avenue across from Hackleman Park in central Albany. Last week I noticed how the area has been spruced up with the completion of this building’s conversion to an apartment house.

Posted in: Bicycling, Commentary, News
Tags: Albany housing, apartments, Hackleman Park, Planning commission, Sixth Avenue, Veal Chair Factory

East Albany Plan: It’s complicated

Written October 25th, 2022 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 16 responses.

Driving back to central Albany from east of I-5 might be more complicated in decades to come if one proposal for road system changes is carried out.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: city council, East Albany Plan, Highway 20, Interstate 5, Planning commission

Albany drops ‘family’ from city codes

Written October 17th, 2022 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 23 responses.

For some reason, the word “family” has become a bad word in connection with housing and zoning, at least in the eyes of the Oregon legislature and the governor.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany planning, Development code, dwellings, family, HB 2583, housing, Planning commission, single-family dwelling