South Albany Area Plan

Details
Updated on Thursday, January 3, 2013, 6:49 pm

The South Albany Area Plan (SAAP) represents the culmination of a 1.5 year planning project that presents the community vision for South Albany, Albany's largest undeveloped area. It will set the direction for future growth and development in this area including zoning and land use, streets and highways, railroads, natural areas and wildlife along Oak Creek, neighbourhood services, and development standards. Additionally, the SAAP will identify how much development can be approved before the realignment of Ellingson Road is required.

Public hearings related to the South Albany Area Plan are coming up. The Planning Commission public hearing is Monday, November 19, 2012, at 5:15 PM.  The City Council public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at 7:15 PM.  Case files are CP-04-12, DC-06, ZC-07-12.

You can find a copy of the November 19 Planning Commission packet. To see the Draft South Albany Area Plan and other planning documents, please go to the Project Documents page.

Study Area

The study area is generally all lands between Interstate 5 on the east and Highway 99 on the west, and vacant lands surrounding Oak Creek on the north, then south to the Urban Growth Boundary.

Project Objectives

The City seeks to create a vibrant new community that will be appealing to residents and businesses seeking new sites. The project objectives stated in the grant funding for the project are listed below.

  • Identify feasible patterns of land uses that are consistent with the City's goals for urbanization and environmental protection. 
  • Consider the capacity of existing, planned, and needed infrastructure facilities to serve the new development in a logical and orderly manner. 
  • Identify transportation facilities needed for circulation of motor vehicles and people walking and cycling. 
  • Provide rail service to industrial properties by protecting existing and future right-of-way for service to industrial properties. 
  • Reduce reliance on automobiles for short trips within the area, and between the area and surrounding development. 
  • Prepare recommendations for Planning Commission and City Council consideration, including Comprehensive Plan and Zoning designations, plan and development code amendments, and facility standards to implement the Preferred Alternative for land use and transportation. 
  • Establish alignment and design standards for the Oak Creek Parkway to create a street that defines the southern edge of open space along Oak Creek, provides accessibility to parks and recreation facilities and that is integrated with surrounding development and other transportation facilities; prepare recommendations for low-impact development for environmentally-sensitive areas within the vicinity of Oak Creek.

Timeline

In March 2010, the City Council authorized the application for a Transportation and Growth Management Grant from the State of Oregon to assist in funding a South Albany Area Plan (Resolution No. 5900). The resolution further committed the City of Albany to a local match of 11%, and authorized the Mayor to write a letter of support.

In June 2011, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) notified the City that we had received the grant of $178,000, to be paid directly by ODOT to the consulting team jointly selected by the City and ODOT. The City's match came from in-kind services (staff time and supplies), and from the Community Development Department's proposed 2011-12 budget. No additional funding was required. The consulting team assisting in the project included transportation experts, economists, natural resource specialists and outside planners.

Community Development staff, working with ODOT and the consultant completed the scope of work with several issues emerging:

  • The impact of Oak Creek on extending streets and utilities;
  • Preservation of significant natural resources;
  • Options for land use and zoning, including neighborhood commercial;
  • Design standards for streets and storm water facilities;
  • Coordination with ODOT on major transportation corridors, both highways and rail;
  • The high probability of significant archaeological resources.

The process kicked off in July 2011, and is expected to last 12 – 18 months.

Stakeholders

Stakeholder interviews were held in order to obtain initial information regarding issues, problems, opportunities, and aspirations related to the initiation of the conceptual master planning process for South Albany Area Plan. The interviews were part of a larger information gathering process that includes field work, review of related plans, studies and policies, and discussions with the City of Albany staff and representatives of other agencies.

The interviewees included representatives from the following interests:

Members of the public attended 2 workshops and an open house to offer their opinions and suggestions. Technical and project advisory committees included representatives from city departments and outside agencies with an interest in the outcome, or expertise to share.

When completed, the project will result in amendments to the Albany Comprehensive Plan, some changes in zoning designations, a more refined street system plan, and a clearer inventory of significant natural and cultural resources that require protection. The Planning Commission will be asked to make recommendations to the City Council on all these issues.

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