Planning board OKS Western Ave. complex
Much to the disappointment of some Eagle Hill residents, the proposed six-story apartment complex at 1211 Western Ave. was approved by the city Planning Board.
In a video posted on an Albany neighborhood Facebook page from the Tuesday evening meeting, attendees complained about the Albany board members’ approval of the project, which has faced opposition from uptown neighbors who fear the impact the dense development will have on their community.
“We have a central warehouse on the East and now we’re going to have a central warehouse on the West,” one attendee commented in the video, referencing the asbestos-laden Central Warehouse
that has sat vacant for decades. “Thanks a lot, guys.”
“Yeah, I hope they put one on New Scotland Avenue, so you can see what it’s like,” another person chimed in.
Maryland-based GSX Ventures’ plan to build the multifamily complex was approved by board members with some conditions, Albany planning commissioner Chris Spencer said.
It would consist of 137 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, with a total of 273 beds, along with retail and office space near the University at Albany. It also includes covered parking for 154 cars.
Spencer said the developer’s project was OK’D on the condition that a sewer extension permit is approved by the Albany County Department of Health, a traffic maintenance plan is approved by the city, utility lines are buried, and residential lease terms be at least one year, or longer, to ensure that the project doesn’t become a dorm for local colleges.
Initially, developer Jon Grant, founder and principal of GSX Ventures, planned to build a complex featuring 117 units and a total 327 beds, stoking fears of traffic congestion and water infrastructure problems. Neighbors’ calls to Mayor Kathy Sheehan prompted the city leader to ask that decisions on the project be held off until residents’ concerns were addressed.
Grant came back with the revised project, but it did little to alleviate concerns and opposition.
Longtime Clarendon Road homeowner Steve Burke said it’s unclear what the developer plans to do about sewage waste and questioned whether one entrance for emergency workers will be sufficient despite plans to install fire sprinklers in the building.
“It’s too much on a little site,” Burke said, noting the project will be built on less than one acre. “The planning remains incomplete despite the fact that this was first presented to the neighborhood on Jan. 9, 2013.”
Multiple proposals for the site have been suggested over the years, but those living on nearby residential streets in the shadows of Ualbany and the state Harriman Campus have fought against them.
Burke said while the community has dealt with development at both the university campus and Harriman, it’s not been without its impacts on residents.
“Each one of these construction projects have damaged our homes, and here we go again,” he said.
Albany Common Council member Tom Hoey, who represents the neighborhood, said the proposals, including the one approved, is too dense for the area. He said a full environmental impact study should be done before the project goes forward.
“There’s going to be a lot of impact,” he said. “The only thing I can do is hope that the right thing is done now. That’s where we’re at.”
Burke said there’s a lot of angst following Tuesday night’s meeting. There has been talk of filing an Article 78 against the city over the project, he confirmed.
“This is something that all residents in the city need to be mindful of,” Burke said. “Development is highly invasive and being pursued by developers and basically accepted by the Planning Board.”