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Board approves 7‑foot combined side‑yard variance for Habitat for Humanity townhouses at Alden Street
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals granted Area Variance 2025‑9 to allow a 7‑foot combined side yard (where the code standard is 3.5 feet per lot) to enable construction of four modular homes associated with a Habitat for Humanity‑Land Bank partnership; board and staff cited construction safety and modular process.
The Albany City Board of Zoning Appeals voted to grant Area Variance 2025‑9 on Dec. 3, allowing a 7‑foot combined side‑yard condition to facilitate construction of four attached homes on parcels the Land Bank currently owns and Habitat for Humanity will develop and sell to qualifying buyers.
Planning staff and the project presenter said the additional setback is to provide safe space for excavation and foundation work where closely spaced, older foundations could be at risk. "When digging a foundation, you need a three‑foot overdig — so that means only a half of, you know, 6 inches would be protecting the existing home," the presenter said, explaining that seven feet offers adequate room for safe construction.
Presenter and Habitat representative described a modular construction approach with typical work hours around 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., short periods of traffic control when modules are set, and an expected total construction timeline of about six to seven months. The project team said the homes will be offered at approximately 80 percent of area median income in the developer’s sales process.
Board members asked whether the 7‑foot adjustment would apply only to one lot or across the set of four and whether selling arrangements would move the homes to homeowners after construction; the presenter confirmed the Land Bank currently owns the parcels and Habitat will market and sell the homes to qualifying buyers, with some lots already in interest lists.
After questions and a brief public comment period — including a nearby resident who asked about construction timing and traffic — a board member moved to approve the variance. During roll call the board recorded affirmative votes from Serena, Marta/Martha, Celeste, Julissa and Adriana. Chair announced the area variance granted.
What’s next: The developer will proceed with permitting and required traffic/sidewalk control coordination with the city as part of the building‑permit process; staff noted that permit conditions and traffic engineering review will govern any work within the right of way.
