Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges Albany to expand planning‑notice radius after contested 1600 Solano project
Summary
During public comment, Dr. Steven Alpert urged the council to expand mailed public‑notice distances beyond the state minimum (300 feet), citing a controversial 5‑story project at 1600 Solano where he says only 73 properties were notified and nearby traffic safety issues were not studied. He requested the council place an agenda item to reconsider the notice radius.
A resident urged the Albany City Council on April 6 to revise the city’s public‑notice practice for new development after recounting community opposition to an oversized five‑story project at 1600 Solano Avenue.
Dr. Steven Alpert said the city follows the state minimum of mailing notices to properties within 300 feet of proposed new construction, but he argued other California cities notify 500–1,000 feet and that Albany’s narrower radius limits community awareness. He said only 73 properties received notice for the 1600 Solano proposal and alleged that Planning and Zoning staff and commission did not sufficiently guide the project toward greater compatibility with historic Craftsman‑era nearby structures. He further claimed that no traffic study was performed to evaluate safety at the Tacoma/Orway/Solano intersection and that concerns raised in previous meetings were downplayed.
Alpert requested the council either defend the 300‑foot standard at a future agenda item or consider expanding the mailed notice distance to provide more community input before decisions proceed.
Council did not take immediate action on the request during the meeting; the mayor suggested placing the topic on a future agenda to allow for extended discussion if the council decides to pursue it.
