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City staff to apply for DLCD technical assistance grants for wetlands, downtown parking and comp plan work
Summary
Albany staff said they will seek three DLCD technical assistance grants to update the local wetland inventory, study downtown parking options (concepts, potential sites, business plan), and begin parts of a comprehensive‑plan update; applications require council permission and will appear on Wednesday’s consent calendar.
City staff on Monday asked the Albany City Council for permission to apply for three Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) technical assistance grants focused on wetlands, downtown parking planning, and a partial comprehensive‑plan update.
The city manager introduced the items and said a resolution to permit the applications will be placed on the consent calendar for the council’s regular meeting. A staff presenter described the three grant areas: an update to the local wetland inventory (LWI); a downtown parking study focused on concepts, potential sites and a business plan (not a commitment to construct); and a scoped comprehensive‑plan update prioritizing community engagement.
Staff emphasized the grants fund planning and engagement rather than immediate capital projects. “No, it means we’re looking at concepts... it’s not to say that we’re going to build anything right now,” the staff presenter said. Staff noted existing downtown studies and said the grant would build on that work; grant applications are due Oct. 10 and, if awarded, a subsequent acceptance and allocation would return to council for approval.
Councilors asked for transparency on the grant applications and for staff to share the application materials or drafts before they are submitted. One councilor expressed skepticism about state grant priorities toward density and possible future pressure to favor housing‑focused outcomes, but staff reiterated that the current requests are for planning and concept work.
What’s next: A resolution to authorize the city to apply will appear on the council’s consent calendar at the next meeting; staff will return with grant award details and project scopes if funds are awarded.
