A public hearing notice about a proposed garage was posted outside 606 Sixth Ave. S.E.
Within Albany’s historic districts, new structures are supposed to fit in with their neighborhoods. The Albany Landmarks Commission this week found that a planned garage was too big and turned it down.
The commission, a quasi-judicial body in the city government, took the action at its monthly meeting Wednesday.
I watched a recording of the meeting on YouTube. Check it out if you want to follow the details of the group’s discussion.
Corey Bontrager, owner of the rental duplex at 606 Sixth Ave. S.E., sought approval of plans for a 990-foot garage building next door to the duplex. It would measure 30 by 33 feet, and its front would have one regular door plus two garage doors, each 12 feet wide by 12 feet high.
Only one person testified during a brief public hearing. A neighbor currently in Florida spoke online and objected to the planned building, calling it “extremely oversize” and “not a regular car garage.”
Members of the commission agreed. They also said the application didn’t show enough detail about the intended construction.
The house at 606 Sixth dates from the early 1900s. Neither it nor many of its neighbor properties give off much of a historic vibe. But the address is inside the 28-block Hackleman Historic District on the east side of old Albany, and that’s what counts. (hh)
The 990-square-foot garage was proposed on the green space to the left of the house.
So how about waiting to see if the “New” Development code passes. Then put an “affordable” structure there. There seems to be a move to fill every vacant spot with such structures. Would the Land Marks Commission have power over the new code?
Hasso, historically you project a largely Reactionary vibe, making the Hackelman Historic District right up your alley; a quasi-governmental organization keeping things as they once were, avoiding change. The internal struggle you face as you battle to preserve the status quo versus your distaste for governmental overreach must be troubling. The Hackelman Historic District as mind-bending Yin-Yang.
Maybe you should read the last paragraph of his article? That strikes me as pretty much opposite of your claim.
A 900 sq-ft garage is pretty much out of character for a residential neighborhood. 300-400 sq-ft is plenty adequate.
He needs to put an ADU on the site and see if the worthless commission can stop that construction.