[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6563933,"mediaKeyId","3311191-7a9e74241e00ddb0290e97eb9567665a","parentId",3311191,"title","Resident urges broader public notice and criticizes 5‑story Solano Avenue proposal, saying density bonus was misapplied","audioSeconds",113,"startMs",372000,"endMs",485000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3311191-7a9e74241e00ddb0290e97eb9567665a&start=372&end=485","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3311191-7a9e74241e00ddb0290e97eb9567665a/thumbnail_372000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6563933/Albany-City/Alameda-County/California/Resident-urges-broader-public-notice-and-criticizes-5story-Solano-Avenue-proposal-saying-density-bonus-was-misapplied","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563933-a312e5b49e96075b6f28f7225a6e5d3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178524&Signature=P75K98LO3eEyAo8wmItexFTAgh1UCB1wjni2E0A7gROXG7~qXImEiN~sqcW7E-3qdEvY5kO28dPOPoWWsiYKRBq8lp88~42kDsPs78eef3Bzxo2IkmAuzoIoZ6gFzqUpbSE~AY15Wpqlpm4P4UM0VtgVxmYssYjbz0csWwkuubVed0jozHc4dNrsTTJj1nGkjJYM5nmY020SGiwEJ~0hCvnRyUIEZvu~nh9-4mwUWCshHokN8Ws5bbrr2n-jsAuLgYhP6EmsE4NDEYZ0IFNC6WlfRC9u-yqWmNIcILjajpu1j-hzVmQbboEO0zzpjD8o~98nznxZFlMQlz5t-zI0tQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Albany, CA","date","2025-05-13T20:53:28Z","article","During public comment at the May 14 meeting, Dr. Steven Alpert criticized Albany’s mail‑notice practice and raised concerns about a proposed five‑story mixed commercial‑residential building on Solano Avenue, saying the public was not sufficiently notified and that the design conflicted with the neighborhood’s character.

Dr. Alpert told the Planning and Zoning Commission that \"the practice of only notifying those within 300 feet clearly limits public discourse\" and said postcards mailed 10 days before the first hearing alerted only 73 properties for the project he referenced. He argued that the design was \"not visually and functionally appropriate or harmonious with the adjacent craftsman‑era buildings\" and said density bonus rules do not override local ordinances.

The commission took no formal action on the remarks during the meeting; Chair McLeod responded with a brief acknowledgment and moved the agenda forward. No additional testimony or staff presentation occurred on the subject at that time.

Context and clarifications
- The commenter referenced a five‑story project at Solano Avenue (variously referenced as 600 Solano in the comment) and raised concern about reduced setbacks and no parking tied to density bonus provisions. The project specifics and the commission’s prior votes on that project were not reviewed or amended during this meeting.
- Dr. Alpert repeatedly referenced the city’s mission statement for design review and asserted commission members had ignored those design goals in prior hearings; the commission did not discuss or respond to those specific allegations at the meeting.

Next steps
The comment was entered into the meeting record. Staff and commissioners did not indicate further immediate action in response to the public comment during the May 14 meeting; any request for additional review or reconsideration would need to be raised as an agenda item or via the formal application review process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning & Zoning Commission - May 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A resident told the Planning and Zoning Commission that Albany’s 300‑foot notice rule limits public input and alleged the commission ignored its mission when approving a modern five‑story project on Solano Avenue; the commission did not act on the comment at the meeting.","taxTitle","Albany City, Alameda County, California","taxId",72346,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6563938,"Albany staff reports 2024 progress on housing element; commissioners press for action on zoning and Solano Avenue",3609,3185000,6794000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3311191-7a9e74241e00ddb0290e97eb9567665a&start=3185&end=6794","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3311191-7a9e74241e00ddb0290e97eb9567665a/thumbnail_3185000.jpg","/articles/6563938/Albany-City/Alameda-County/California/Albany-staff-reports-2024-progress-on-housing-element-commissioners-press-for-action-on-zoning-and-Solano-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563938-f5209681b2823fed68fc136c4521f423/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178524&Signature=Lj5xO81W6zN43dBuAAM1lKoKM9xlHsv8--ra2Ns9HnPYpaHivTri486CgKykVQbz8p3yyTpvAKN-gg7Wf7S1C--ad8qAsALiuW-O9teEH08rhxGH66SRYymrxqEOhR-IQwHu~9kHgiFASZRFvy1aR-wf1R7pQpT3gKsUt8a88iQ2sNZ5FomqFcfTrUWjk~YnthwnQ1TNqCU2287BQr8XKrfhin~ZlRooPJfRXoVZNHByZtLkPrNIB6pi7S1quw3iW9Jt1tcnqc7LiFzFEJGNIGs88hkHRtxEZukMlJRXUv-d5uQLKzkhI8j2onlYGBvNDDPbN3j-of5teVKX5EZhqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff on May 14 presented Albany’s 2024 Annual Progress Report (APR) on the housing element, summarizing building permits, accessory dwelling unit (ADU) production and the city’s progress toward its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) targets.

Leslie Mendez, the city’s building and planning manager, told the Planning and Zoning Commission the APR is an informational report submitted each year to the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Mendez said Albany issued 12 building permits for ADUs in 2024 and recorded 10 completed units (9 ADUs and one single‑family home). Mendez said staff used a temporary 30/30/30/10 formula (a guidance arrangement discussed with the Association of Bay Area Governments and HCD) to assign likely affordability bands to ADUs for reporting purposes when specific affordability data are not available.

Why it matters: The city’s RHNA allocation runs through 2031; Mendez said Albany remains behind the required numbers and must advance several zoning and programmatic items to increase housing production.

Key points from the presentation and discussion
- APR role and timing: Mendez said the APR documents implementation of housing element programs and is due annually to HCD. The report tracks permits issued and program actions taken in 2024.
- ADU accounting: Because many ADUs lack recorded affordability restrictions, staff used a provisional distribution for reporting — the 30/30/30/10 split that attributes shares of ADUs into very low, low, moderate and above‑moderate income bands for RHNA accounting. Staff noted these assignments do not mean individual ADUs are deed‑restricted or rent‑capped.
- Building activity and large projects: Staff reported 19 development applications in 2024 (primarily smaller projects and ADUs). Mendez said larger projects such as Albany Bowl and the Solano project have extended permit timelines; the bowl project hoped to pull permits before year end while the long‑discussed Solano project remains on hold.

Commissioners urged the council and staff to move on zoning levers that could accelerate housing production. Chair McLeod and several commissioners pointed to Measure K limits and floor‑area‑ratio constraints on commercial corridors, saying Solano Avenue’s small lot patterns and FAR caps constrain the city’s ability to add units without raising heights or changing zoning. Commissioner Pilch asked staff to provide clearer comparisons between projection periods and actual production; staff said RHNA projections run through 2031 and the APR shows the city remains short of its targets.

Other program updates highlighted in the APR included code‑enforcement staffing, an updated density bonus ordinance to conform to state law and a recently formed Housing Advisory Commission. Mendez also noted the city participated in a countywide analysis of impediments to fair housing.

Public comment at the APR item included questions about the timing of specific projects and how ADUs are assigned to affordability categories. Staff clarified the SAHA (affordable housing) development’s certificate of occupancy timing will appear in the 2025 APR and reiterated that the ADU affordability split is a reporting convention rather than a deed‑restriction.

Next steps and context
Staff did not ask the commission to take action on the APR; the report is informational and will go to the City Council. Commissioners repeatedly urged council action to revise zoning and implement specific plans that could accelerate housing production, including Solano Avenue standards and potential changes to FAR and height rules that commissioners said constrain infill on small lots.","City staff presented the 2024 Annual Progress Report on the housing element, noting slow but ongoing permit activity and use of a temporary ADU affordability assignment method; commissioners pressed for faster action on zoning measures, Solano Avenue standards and tools to meet RHNA goals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6563943,"Albany commission opens study on updating bike parking rules to accommodate e‑bikes, cargo bikes and events",4666,616000,5282000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3311191-7a9e74241e00ddb0290e97eb9567665a&start=616&end=5282","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3311191-7a9e74241e00ddb0290e97eb9567665a/thumbnail_616000.jpg","/articles/6563943/Albany-City/Alameda-County/California/Albany-commission-opens-study-on-updating-bike-parking-rules-to-accommodate-ebikes-cargo-bikes-and-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563943-465b987f58d3cf299aa95705915a77b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178524&Signature=DP1ONy8NxQD5t9yPqDrmCy~jFZgIgQ57qvh~bC72sBkye1usvgQpw1jBw4gelx8sUprmkjfOLGDpLW36QYDGw58yttiR2HRKODvp5BirIlripeoVGz0-zidtIQOkhoyDyVQq6U~xxVrQIwjCII7QDMUKl3SoMTY6fqaGYbCwJp30y~twYPBtFcgmpwvKTQ287kKbJlyaN6KjBkyGxW50o55s0CbC~0u8tZ-5fQX0bauQCJQisRx294KxGI~xt1ic-B1Zer2VYCLpmrVcZym~byFQTJHgt7AmmDxX~SugdYYOTlPuJQ~DUHQBw1-j8DGaVjcE~ULcTLF9V8s9ORF10g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Albany City Planning and Zoning Commission on May 14 opened a study session to review potential amendments to the city’s bike parking regulations, including how to accommodate electric-assist and cargo bicycles, options for secure long‑term storage in multifamily buildings, and standards for temporary events.

City staff said the session is an early step toward a possible ordinance change, not a formal recommendation. \"This is really just the starting point to a conversation that will hopefully lead to an update in the ordinance,\" Associate Planner Ben Matla told the commission, adding staff is not proposing specific code changes at this meeting.

The commission and dozens of public commenters urged clearer and stronger standards. Chair McLeod emphasized the links between housing, active transportation and climate goals and argued the city should “future proof” multifamily housing by requiring more secure long‑term bike parking as car parking minimums have been lifted. Public commenters, including long‑time cyclists and active‑transportation advocates, urged rules that accommodate longer cargo bikes, provide electrical outlets for e‑bikes, and define what counts as secure parking.

Why it matters: City staff said the discussion follows state changes that have reduced car parking minimums and a concurrent update to Albany’s active transportation and climate action plans. Commissioners and commenters argued stronger bike parking requirements will make it easier for residents to live without a car and help reach the city’s vehicle‑miles‑traveled and greenhouse‑gas targets.

Key facts from staff and the public
- Current Albany ordinance (as summarized by staff) requires one short‑term bike parking space per 1,500 square feet of residential or commercial mixed‑use area and one long‑term parking space per residential unit; there is no long‑term commercial requirement. (Staff presentation.)
- The San Pablo Avenue specific plan already calls for larger stalls to accommodate long bikes and cargo bikes and suggests 20% of residential spaces include electrical outlets for e‑bikes and at‑grade access to bike rooms. (Staff presentation.)
- Staff cited AB 2097 (referred to in the presentation) and the city’s active transportation and climate plans as policy drivers for reconsidering bike parking standards.

Public commenters sought practical design and security standards. Catherine, an Albany bicyclist, said racks must be usable for longer, heavier bikes: \"Bikes that carry groceries or kids or other things that are heavy cannot be stored on bike racks that are vertical,\" and she urged rolling‑in racks for accessibility. Lucinda Young, of the Albany Climate Action Coalition, told the commission \"the two primary barriers to cycling\" are safe routes and a \"safe, secure place to park your bicycle.\" Ken McCroskey, a 15‑year member of Albany’s Transportation Commission, urged individual, lockable storage and cameras or card access for communal bike rooms to improve accountability.

Questions commissioners want answered before drafting an ordinance included: where short‑term needs are concentrated in Albany, whether to base residential requirements on bedrooms or square footage, how to balance developer costs with security needs, and what standards to require for temporary events. Commissioners also raised Portland’s 2023 rollback of its bike parking requirements as a cautionary example: staff said they would follow up with the commission on which parts Portland eased and why.

Next steps and staff timeline
Staff said the study session will guide additional research. If the commission provides direction, staff expects to return with more detailed options or a draft ordinance before the August recess; any eventual ordinance could be paired with a more flexible policy or resolution for nonbinding guidance. Commissioners suggested pairing ordinance provisions (for private property) with city recommendations or actions for public‑realm bike parking.

The commission invited more written feedback and staff said residents and stakeholders may email suggestions and technical details to benmatla@albanyca.org. The commission did not vote on any ordinance changes at the session.","City staff and residents pushed the Planning and Zoning Commission to expand bike parking rules to cover cargo e‑bikes, long‑term secure storage and temporary‑event standards as part of a study session on potential ordinance amendments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident urges broader public notice and criticizes 5‑story Solano Avenue proposal, saying density bonus was misapplied

Albany staff reports 2024 progress on housing element; commissioners press for action on zoning and Solano Avenue

Albany commission opens study on updating bike parking rules to accommodate e‑bikes, cargo bikes and events