[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6449643,"mediaKeyId","5906045-606f7d4938556379e5488f1b6464a100","parentId",5906045,"title","Albany council discusses tiered transfer tax as staff will return with scenarios","audioSeconds",2911,"startMs",3836000,"endMs",6747000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906045-606f7d4938556379e5488f1b6464a100&start=3836&end=6747","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906045-606f7d4938556379e5488f1b6464a100/thumbnail_3836000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6449643/Albany-City/Alameda-County/California/Albany-council-discusses-tiered-transfer-tax-as-staff-will-return-with-scenarios","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6449643-59d06fb3f54491ec8a5019a8cf47ff55/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424398&Signature=ez-9j3fDXLHX4DhMrIOxd2o98W5mIBTo5z7KM2aHQWiCNKOhWsk-2vLm4wiSG5Nw0OCG97S9uHym2yyswVEOLORqWnRk9fWAFymFLAjiVaR85ZPjGKzbNOejEt9DrUVsyPWKElpp7Xb7TWOwiZ~obgfP1rNlgwi6DD36FSmke8b8xNGFiiXH77rltchIJXIEdvPh0JKhdK9id6GLjjNAXkrzA2CNlHofhrmQQMHcC5pvgSggTexpThRgIlNLJCkdnIGVaReiN4CE2FojuwqKBEg8T3ePihR0mqe2CNyiln~~R~lFsttwRrOIAsuy6aScovr4-TvYc1eYTHoUB~~ceQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Albany, CA","date","2025-10-07T16:31:23Z","article","The Albany City Council received a staff presentation on Oct. 6 about a potential change to the city's real property transfer tax as a revenue source for core city services and directed staff to return with additional scenario analysis.

A staff presenter summarized how Albany's transfer tax has moved from $11.50 per $1,000 to the current $15 per $1,000 and that the tax generates roughly $2.5 million to $3 million annually but is volatile because it tracks housing-market activity. Staff noted charter cities may set local transfer-tax levels for voter approval and that counties retain the default recording tax rate (typically $0.55 per $500 of value).

Staff also warned the council about a circulated initiative that, if qualified and approved by voters, would remove any local transfer-tax rate above the county baseline and could unwind local transfer taxes across the state.

Councilmembers discussed a range of options. Councilmember Jordan proposed a progressive schedule tied to sales-value breakpoints (quartiles) that would reduce the rate on lower-value sales and increase it on higher-value sales; he suggested rates equivalent to $10, $15, $20 and $25 per $1,000 by quartile as a discussion starting point. Other councilmembers urged moving boundaries that track market changes and asked staff to model impacts on revenue, equity, and incentives for adding housing (for example, ADUs or lot splits).

Councilmembers also suggested exploring limited discounts for first-time or low- and moderate-income buyers, and asked staff to study whether an ADU-related discount or per-dwelling approach would be administrable. Staff cautioned that implementation complexity, legal issues and escrow timing could make certain rebate or discount mechanisms difficult.

Council direction: staff should run multiple scenarios (tiered schedules, progressive rates, possible discounts, and market-escalator options), analyze revenue and distributional effects, and return with findings for council review. No ballot measure was placed on the agenda; council requested additional analysis before deciding whether to pursue a measure for the 2026 ballot.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Albany City Council - Oct. 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council discussed options to change the city's real property transfer tax, including progressive/tiered rates and discounts for certain buyers; staff will model scenarios and return with analysis after council guidance.","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},6449648,"Albany council introduces zoning amendments to implement housing element and align with state law",1165,2634000,3799000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906045-606f7d4938556379e5488f1b6464a100&start=2634&end=3799","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906045-606f7d4938556379e5488f1b6464a100/thumbnail_2634000.jpg","/articles/6449648/Albany-City/Alameda-County/California/Albany-council-introduces-zoning-amendments-to-implement-housing-element-and-align-with-state-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6449648-0002bac858f19d4f3d338f3c9fee8be2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424398&Signature=QEx2OdV8k1lSdAJp9cMvX3BDGxDjEl8ReDgbe4LIr-Ip7BKBwZjZxAWcjan9IU28B-dr-S5UjmM9C77xy3CP6UbIetScSeXQBehvCqQ3zqBVM6A4UQshsDeNJtBoSTv2e-vX2~FgaoNmba3IW9mRUCWxfWceQimxtNLml7Z3j2dRFL7nw41Ao7nwWlBSJuGnkuZEFQREw-1VEMTz9tn-KYPOL8SgubWq7-tDPAmwrYmt6a6tDlsZxsLFk9RbvUa4wQO1OfaUvbT6FWMBHmfYZNr-5BuMoHT6rXRZyBJVlGW5tH9G5sQlkdODkkJdeatYCAETupgRkYzjK8cSFkN6Zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Albany City Council on Oct. 6 introduced and waived first reading of Ordinance 2025-07, a set of amendments to Chapter 20 (planning and zoning) intended to implement housing element programs and align the municipal code with state law on certain residential uses and care facilities.

Associate planner Mira Hahn presented the proposed amendments, which advance several housing element programs: eliminating language that restricts R-1 zoning to single-family homes and ADUs; treating group homes as residential uses that align with state definitions; permitting single-room occupancy (SRO) housing by right in commercial districts that allow multifamily housing; and adding a statutory definition for low-barrier navigation centers and permitting them in appropriate commercial and mixed-use zones.

Staff said the amendments also implement Senate Bill 234 (state law addressing family day care homes) by removing local zoning and procedural barriers — including spacing, discretionary review and special hearings — and treating family day care homes as residential uses consistent with the statute.

Hahn told the council staff received two notable pieces of correspondence: a resident letter in support and a letter from the California Housing Defense Fund raising questions about the city's ADU provisions. Because state ADU legislation remains pending and questions were raised, staff recommended removing ADU-related changes from the current ordinance and returning with a comprehensive ADU update after state actions are clear. Council accepted that approach.

Councilmember Mickey moved to introduce Ordinance 2025-07 with staff-recommended modifications removing ADU changes; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously by roll call. The measure advances the zoning changes except for the ADU updates, which staff will return with later.

The ordinance and supporting staff report note the amendments are intended to implement housing element programs described as Program 1A (single-dwelling zoning reform), Program 3H (recognition of low-barrier navigation centers, SROs and employee housing), and changes to reduce barriers for larger residential care facilities.

The council did not adopt final ordinance language at the meeting; the introduction and waiver of first reading moves the proposal forward for final adoption at a later hearing.","Council introduced Ordinance 2025-07 to amend Chapter 20 of the Albany Municipal Code to implement housing element programs and align local zoning with state law on family day care homes and residential care facilities; council removed accessory-dwelling-unit (ADU) changes from tonight's action pending further state legislation.",{"_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},6449653,"Albany residents press council to pull Ocean View Park meadow from sand volleyball proposal",277,1242000,1519000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906045-606f7d4938556379e5488f1b6464a100&start=1242&end=1519","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906045-606f7d4938556379e5488f1b6464a100/thumbnail_1242000.jpg","/articles/6449653/Albany-City/Alameda-County/California/Albany-residents-press-council-to-pull-Ocean-View-Park-meadow-from-sand-volleyball-proposal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6449653-0de388df689c3dbb35a47012842bb683/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424398&Signature=gNkKyMLn1TTn3RmDsr7AeG9ExMuC~MZvSTGekriPozmsH-aClKzsAIO2-IdPrsoto84fQOad14tqF8CPnqy~DOtLDkvhQtjyTLpFxyFE7KX44iqy3uZLWsTBSI12BmhZZToCRqQOSspy7pG0830QDYfIitNYRiTPP0rXdHGIb~SJtAhnzP2OsGyUdSNB-DFHVKxXz4G6rSz6fcGgPY9Ac2dPZ8vgyAApekCaihiweD~XSEpJz8CYeoPLf17Sm80EVlbC3GZTCwER7uk30J5IJTi8xeAdf8wcEgaxMS0ZvF4uSNpkyl6LYvP6bcgCWSoiZyoAuYD~gFfa08dDZnZL~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of Albany residents told the City Council on Oct. 6 that a proposed permanent sand volleyball court at Ocean View Park would remove one of the few remaining unprogrammed meadow spaces west of San Pablo Avenue and could damage mature redwoods.

The comments came during the public-comment period, where multiple residents said they had collected signatures opposing siting the court in the meadow and asked the city to relocate the project and conduct broader community outreach.

The mayor and city manager acknowledged the concerns and said the volleyball proposal would be paused. City Manager Nicole said staff is taking additional time to analyze locations across the city and will report back; she said any Ocean View Park project for volleyball is \"on hold\" while staff examines alternatives.

The strongest public opposition came from speakers who said the meadow is a rare open green refuge adjacent to a redwood grove. Yishan, speaking for a community group, said opposition now exceeds 500 signatures and asked the council to \"please relocate the court to a more suitable sustainable site and instead invest those tax dollars in restoring and aerating the green meadow, helping our Redwoods continue to strive for future generations of Albany residents.\" Joe Matera, another resident, said the meadow already hosts two permanent grass-volleyball poles and that installing a sand court would require excavating about three feet of soil and could harm horizontal redwood roots and create maintenance problems with falling needles.

Speakers also raised parking and equity concerns, saying Ocean View Park is heavily used for picnic, playground, tennis/pickleball and ball fields and that west-of-San Pablo neighborhoods lack comparable parkland. Several speakers suggested upgrading the existing grass volleyball area with a permanent net as a lower-impact alternative.

City staff acknowledged the concerns and reiterated that more analysis is under way. The city manager said staff will consider alternative locations and further community outreach before advancing any specific design for the meadow area.

The council did not take formal action on the project at the Oct. 6 meeting; staff were directed to continue the analysis and report back to the council when ready.

Looking ahead, the city manager and parks staff signaled interest in a public forum or joint meetings with resident groups to lay out design options and mitigation measures should the project resume consideration.","Dozens of residents urged the Albany City Council to remove the Ocean View Park meadow from consideration for a permanent sand volleyball court, citing loss of rare open space, impacts to redwood roots and parking. City staff said the project is on hold while staff studies alternative locations and further analysis.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6449634,"Council approves consent calendar; two items pulled for discussion",36,2589000,2625000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906045-606f7d4938556379e5488f1b6464a100&start=2589&end=2625","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906045-606f7d4938556379e5488f1b6464a100/thumbnail_2589000.jpg","/articles/6449634/Albany-City/Alameda-County/California/Council-approves-consent-calendar-two-items-pulled-for-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6449634-162cb8b2db291891b36bb26c59f5c824/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424398&Signature=QWPYLUw7MOFLzqXzr2QldJhvKdluImpCy3ZfEG7oDn-5CkzF6VGa-DeBR9AZxQZrLpLO-p1Hc1wQwGUwn03z8A~whImdvoGkBOJCdJ1RWbulBLgYkM53skLxz~GKL4LB47xRhfcvWebtZZ4CbEfnGfiqN5o95pNeJFB9mWfmNi~dFeKSZYqlotAbgEToqZRIQgbl7pm0yV~aOr0htpnQbCKRXjL1xgXfCo53Y79elGy1ZXpBCVCV0MuV3xtTjCIRTi2yrbDpJ3Wnbs5jSmLGa3YEGeihWgjzDfw2g1hkcP~x8tA6Wt9VOW3u9YTPyCa~5ihgXPakGEpT4zRNjwXNGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Albany's City Council approved the Oct. 6 consent calendar by voice vote with a unanimous roll call.

Before the vote, Councilmembers asked to pull items 7-4 and 7-5 for separate consideration; council then returned to consider and approve the remainder of the consent calendar by motion. A motion to approve the consent calendar carried on a unanimous roll-call vote; Councilmember Jordan, Councilmember Mickey, Vice Mayor McQuade, Mayor Lopez and Councilmember Hansa Romero all voted \"yes.\" The council did not discuss the pulled items at length during the consent vote itself; separate handling of pulled items will occur per the agenda sequence.

No additional fiscal details or contested items were approved as part of the consolidated consent action recorded at the meeting.","The City Council approved the consent calendar on Oct. 6 after members pulled items 7-4 and 7-5 for separate consideration; the roll call vote was unanimous.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6449639,"Albany proclaims October 2025 Fire Prevention Week, urges lithium-ion battery safety",270,87000,357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906045-606f7d4938556379e5488f1b6464a100&start=87&end=357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906045-606f7d4938556379e5488f1b6464a100/thumbnail_87000.jpg","/articles/6449639/Albany-City/Alameda-County/California/Albany-proclaims-October-2025-Fire-Prevention-Week-urges-lithium-ion-battery-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6449639-6544a7c34702649ef440928f049ecaaa/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424398&Signature=WGtK7TMFI6CPvOrzK9T7dQeh9p05qGbPR3EhJzHCgP6hBuxQTVOZhGqCYVU3U0GIj-OyMqVE1zhL3gKnRFd2dWiC3fRtHb1AeBGATdqhb3p66S16yqU-DjKGlukY5bdagtcIMnDxCITPVwkRbPGm-XYL7EXC7Ok4EIuEnPMwuBGrMfHaRZwuOBFnX-Vu5EcB-COYOyaHR5sa1q3AqtKeNhfwBArvNF4MIxcNvLTabdmsQ342aBcChgXUPHH6OzE2jkmC8E-d7k3CcHQnx3KlvlckXtaGtKeXH9RhjQCmhIwUwvoT8ffU3IIL0-leYC8kRtFRjWWUYwZpdMosdB63Ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Albany City Council recognized Oct. 2025 as Fire Prevention Week during its Oct. 6 meeting and received remarks from the fire chief about household fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.

Mayor Lopez read the proclamation noting that increasing numbers of household devices — including phones, laptops, e-bikes and e-scooters — use lithium-ion batteries that, if misused or damaged, can overheat or ignite. The proclamation urged residents to purchase batteries and chargers from reputable manufacturers, charge batteries safely, and recycle them responsibly.

The fire chief summarized prevention steps and announced community outreach events, including the Albany Fire Department pancake breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 11 starting at 8 a.m., with a firehouse open house and family-friendly activities such as an extinguisher training prop and a \"stop, drop and roll\" demonstration. The chief also directed residents to online resources for safe battery recycling.

Residents offered brief public appreciation for the department during the meeting; Kathy Rye, a local resident, thanked firefighters for patient enforcement of local rules after a past incident about burning leaves.

No council action beyond receiving the proclamation was required; staff and the fire department will continue outreach related to fire safety and lithium-ion battery disposal.","The council adopted a proclamation recognizing National Fire Prevention Week and highlighted risks associated with lithium-ion batteries; the fire department promoted a pancake breakfast open house on Oct. 11.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Albany council discusses tiered transfer tax as staff will return with scenarios

Albany council introduces zoning amendments to implement housing element and align with state law

Albany residents press council to pull Ocean View Park meadow from sand volleyball proposal

Council approves consent calendar; two items pulled for discussion

Albany proclaims October 2025 Fire Prevention Week, urges lithium-ion battery safety