<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2HURCU_1CB3V74a00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2HURCU_1CB3V74a00" width="1159" height="869" ><figcaption>Councilor Michael Thomson cast the only vote against the 108-unit apartment complex Monday.</figcaption></figure>Over the objection of the nearby residential neighborhood, the Albany City Council on Monday approved a Seattle area developer’s plan for 108 apartments at the southwest corner of Pacific Boulevard and 53rd Avenue.It also approved an unrelated request for a state grant to study possible wetland mitigation sites in and around Albany with the view toward making more land in the city available for development.Councilor Michael Thomson opposed the apartments and expressed concern over the grant request. He’s against the rush, encouraged by the state administration and legislature, to cram people into ever denser neighborhoods.On the apartments, Councilor Carolyn McLeod recused herself because of a conflict of interest.The other council members backed the development. (Steph Newton first voted “no” but on reconsideration changed her vote to “yes.” Without that, there would have been only three votes for the apartments, and the charter requires four votes for the council to pass anything.)The apartments were before the council on appeal from the planning commission, which had approved them in March. Neighbors in the subdivisions at the east end of 53rd, the only access and exit from the area, opposed the development. They worry about more congestion and the effect on the Oak Creek natural area, among other things.The site at issue is zoned “mixed commercial.” But the zoning does allow apartments.Councilor Chris Van Drimmelen pointed out that the site plan meets all requirements of the development code. His unspoken question: How can you deny permission for an owner’s project that meets all the rules the city has set?The developer, Schneider Homes of Tukwila, Wash., intends to build seven three-story apartment buildings and a clubhouse/office. One of the buildings would hold one-bedroom apartments and studios. The others would have both one- and two-bedroom units.A map with the application showed 156 parking stalls plus storage space for 31 bikes.Schneider Homes calls this project “The Loren at Brookside.” The name may seem odd, but on Monday it did not come up. (hh)</div></body>

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Over the objection of the nearby residential neighborhood, the Albany City Council on Monday approved a Seattle area developer’s plan for 108 apartments at the southwest corner of Pacific Boulevard and 53rd Avenue. It also approved an unrelated request for a state grant to study possible wetland mitigation sites...

Council, but not Thomson, backs apartments

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Over the objection of the nearby residential neighborhood, the Albany City Council on Monday approved a Seattle area developer’s plan for 108 apartments at

Council, but not Thomson, backs apartments

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