[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6046786,"mediaKeyId","3540843-388db057d8b14f3994598a879b5107b7","parentId",3540843,"title","Planning board approves several permits, carries consent agenda items and tables rezoning requests","audioSeconds",2675,"startMs",105000,"endMs",2780000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3540843-388db057d8b14f3994598a879b5107b7&start=105&end=2780","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3540843-388db057d8b14f3994598a879b5107b7/thumbnail_105000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6046786/Albany-City/Albany-County/New-York/Planning-board-approves-several-permits-carries-consent-agenda-items-and-tables-rezoning-requests","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6046786-acc4f81666d467df3c184bebb041b9ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135147&Signature=iuR5w4oL2jUb5Px9XtNSlip-z9gXLXScqYRe5ny5VtTD14CgVjmTrBBsp-J5a9z5sX1ziPPY2IXvvQiGhjNhpgZ1TiBvCgb5H0OXiLPNAU70VVWQwc2IBedtq1P10AAYeb552DQ5Kz2QZUMfHABKOFpJKgTp1c-SId2UeoDxtmnZ0wxOsNB9Q2Afx0EOiC0Un9NiBjgjIlfAF6VvakSn-Bof0l2HYGRb2CZ0pLP4NQPLRTyKbvpUumApvN0vvD7XYeDLhg45qClRkT2Ghs6HlKPOJJ1IVBghfZKgDEGXeCZJ0dPsu9Xgwbf5rsJ9e2fnH~9kvuFNEOmIb3tGFXV-Xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Albany, NY","date","2025-04-09T12:25:46Z","article","The Albany City Planning Board took multiple procedural and final actions during the meeting: it carried the consent agenda, approved a conditional use permit for a townhouse conversion at 154 Livingston Avenue, approved the First Church Code Blue conditional use permit, adopted a SEQR negative declaration for the Capital Center expansion and deferred detailed DPR/CUP review, and adjourned several zoning map and rezoning hearing items to a future meeting for additional materials.

Votes and actions at a glance

- Consent agenda (two items): adopted. Items were (1) an amendment to developer plan review #0082 for 17 Holland Avenue (demolition project) and (2) a conditional use permit for 232 Myrtle Avenue to convert a one‑dwelling townhouse into a three‑unit townhouse (project numbers 00322 and 00615). Motion moved by \"Vanessa,\" seconded by Martin Hall; approved by voice vote. (Transcript records voice approval; individual vote counts not recorded.)

- Conditional use permit — 154 Livingston Avenue (project 0091): Approved with conditions requiring that refuse and recycling be stored outside the public right‑of‑way and not visible from the sidewalk; parking/loading not in the side‑yard setback and not on adjacent parcel 152 Livingston Avenue. Motion was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.

- Conditional use permit — 110 North Pearl Street (First Church Albany): Approved with condition limiting operation to November–April in accordance with New York State Code Blue protocol (see separate article).

- SEQR negative declaration — 126 State Street (Capital Center expansion): Adopted; DPR and CUP deferred to May pending submission of revised plans and responses to outstanding departmental comments (see separate article).

- Zoning map amendment — 540 Myrtle Avenue (project 00616): Public hearing and initial presentation occurred; board adjourned the item to the next regular meeting for additional materials (photos, floor plans, updated application) and for referral to the Albany County Planning Board once documents are complete.

- Large residential conversion (former school / multiunit conversion): Applicant presented concept for conversion to ~32 units; board and staff outlined numerous required plan updates including SEAF (Short Environmental Assessment Form) corrections, County referral (30‑day review), HRC certificate of appropriateness, street tree and streetscape requirements, and parking/amenity standards. Staff noted off‑street parking is not required because the proposed dwelling use does not increase required off‑street parking by more than 50% compared to the prior school use; applicant to resubmit detailed plans and elevation drawings.

Procedural notes: Several items were deferred, placed on a future agenda, or required additional written submissions before substantive action (e.g., referral to county planning board, HRC review, engineering reports). For votes recorded as voice votes in the transcript, the record notes approval without roll‑call tallies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Albany Planning Board April 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved consent agenda items, granted conditional use approval for 154 Livingston Ave, approved the First Church Code Blue permit, carried two consent items and adjourned or deferred several map amendments and larger conversion proposals for further review.","taxTitle","Albany City, Albany County, New York","taxId",3731,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6046790,"Planning board issues SEQR negative declaration and defers final plan review for Capital Center expansion at 126 State Street",2612,3658000,6270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3540843-388db057d8b14f3994598a879b5107b7&start=3658&end=6270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3540843-388db057d8b14f3994598a879b5107b7/thumbnail_3658000.jpg","/articles/6046790/Albany-City/Albany-County/New-York/Planning-board-issues-SEQR-negative-declaration-and-defers-final-plan-review-for-Capital-Center-expansion-at-126-State-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6046790-1c2a14d017da99e12dc0691ed31a2751/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135147&Signature=dEqelTe9Ll1ptlbZ44Q3-LDaMHLI~HYcULwSw7-XChSbHQN9N4jUTvRxxEsBT1DsfHSGY73R3kmVABJDNiISom0jCdLrph7WmJVgR6Ht~R94mo6DFCVnURNOPSn4u0g1O0PRico49qXQM74xk1~V-Z3507-JyxUSU2QrukwTRx2HkfLWdR66i7Z011km1nXC4TMN6Gfy0Q5H3cfImOwylzym35gn6w-QbMjehwxrabf4KAsciF472Vx9rgjfWKx5dow-KwWDEX~It~JtNRyoU7a3HgtnM89qDb4dJuB-PeDt-p85M4ws9uPyXZL2FvpeDXzpItZs8hu8UQuyMx6gJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Albany City Planning Board voted to issue a negative declaration under SEQR for the proposed expansion of the Capital Center (126 State Street) and to defer final Development Plan Review (DPR) and the conditional use permit until the applicant addresses outstanding departmental comments.

Representatives for the Capital Center and BBL Construction presented plans for a 57,499‑square‑foot expansion, partial demolition to the rear of the existing 126 State Street building and a 2,316‑square‑foot pedestrian bridge connecting the addition to the adjacent parking parcel at 120 State Street. Project materials emphasized stormwater management (including an underground storage chamber and hydrodynamic separator), rooftop and courtyard landscaping, exterior lighting and utility coordination in an area served by combined sewers.

Staff briefed the board on interagency reviews: the project was referred to the Albany County Planning Board, which recommended coordinated local review and asked the city to consult the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation regarding historic resources. Staff said the project requires HRC (Historic Resources Commission) certificate of appropriateness; water‑ and sewer‑department comments and several design clarifications remained outstanding. Traffic engineering provided mitigation recommendations; an easement agreement will be required for the pedestrian bridge. Staff recommended a SEQR negative declaration and to defer DPR/CUP until revised plans respond to departmental comments.

The board moved, seconded and approved the negative declaration and voted to defer DPR and CUP review to a future (May) meeting to allow the applicant to resolve the listed technical comments.

Staff asked the applicant to submit revised plans addressing right‑of‑way coordination, stormwater BMP clarifications, water and sewer engineer reports, photometric lighting details, signage details and the reduced curb cut width reflected in the latest plan set. Several departments (DGS, Water, DEC/DOH coordination) will require further documentation before final approvals.

Board action clears the SEQR threshold, allowing environmental review to conclude, but the project remains subject to final DPR, CUP and HRC approvals after the applicant submits the requested revisions.","Board adopted a SEQR negative declaration for the Capital Center expansion and deferred detailed Development Plan Review and CUP to the May meeting pending outstanding departmental comments and revised plan sets.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6046794,"Planning board approves conditional use permit for temporary cold‑weather shelter at First Church on North Pearl",848,2784000,3632000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3540843-388db057d8b14f3994598a879b5107b7&start=2784&end=3632","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3540843-388db057d8b14f3994598a879b5107b7/thumbnail_2784000.jpg","/articles/6046794/Albany-City/Albany-County/New-York/Planning-board-approves-conditional-use-permit-for-temporary-coldweather-shelter-at-First-Church-on-North-Pearl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6046794-00aa2da854193da0e3774f0be9361240/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135147&Signature=Vter~nyteC~9yfgOsjPTsHSI0HdJs1-AvkioHhDMpVgwYUvrvCizuM7N8fCWkQmlXpysSAEsECqdPu-OvpAVcBGIHSAat5vjxOJ2w0hLCLsd0dOc2j1YQiDYI0MrIH6-KSksIUQezNH36aoOVgG6RZ75VGVhhcOne5CdeDQuNbJLaOWpUGtYLLaNLUcuzGB3ombhzI5S~rrMxiI7P1F5GpqTPUUnaKRv7yEVw~OAhdaQ3Vy63dDEiRBWZN0XBXj9V8vJox7exx-dNKx57GNPP~KzDVGGsyX1wMIMwxx3xPkZJjB73l0FezOnmxILqttCqLqlwQf47mb~H48X8~DrbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Albany City Planning Board approved a conditional use permit for First Church Albany to operate a temporary cold‑weather shelter (Code Blue) on the third floor of the church’s parish house at 110 North Pearl Street.

Representing agent Peter Presto told the board the program would occupy about 2,700 square feet and shelter up to 19 men on a seasonal, Code Blue basis (November through April). The church said it has operated an overflow emergency shelter for more than 20 years and described the program as structured, hospitality‑focused, and staffed by volunteers and a small paid team. Reverend Trey Cherpak and church leaders emphasized volunteer support and coordination with county and state social services.

Staff noted the property’s primary use is a religious institution and that the parcel and adjacent parking arrangements meet the MUDT (mixed‑use downtown) district standards; the use was classified as a Type II action under SEQR and was referred to the Albany County Planning Board, which deferred to local consideration. Staff recommended approval with one condition limiting the shelter’s operation to the November–April Code Blue period and compliance with New York State Code Blue protocols.

Motion to approve the conditional use permit with the listed condition was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The conditional use permit allows First Church to continue an established seasonal shelter program at the church’s downtown location; it includes coordination with county and state service providers and use of nearby off‑street parking for staff and volunteers during operational hours.

Any significant future change in operations or year‑round use would require additional land‑use review.","The board approved a conditional use permit allowing First Church Albany to operate a Code Blue overnight cold shelter on the third‑floor parish house from November through April, subject to a timing condition aligned with state protocols.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6046799,"Albany planning board backs favorable recommendation to city council on accessory dwelling unit zoning change",1994,216000,2210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3540843-388db057d8b14f3994598a879b5107b7&start=216&end=2210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3540843-388db057d8b14f3994598a879b5107b7/thumbnail_216000.jpg","/articles/6046799/Albany-City/Albany-County/New-York/Albany-planning-board-backs-favorable-recommendation-to-city-council-on-accessory-dwelling-unit-zoning-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6046799-7cc8c2ea84ee5f1f00ab312f924e0a37/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135147&Signature=PlUelHPRggWk0VUkzBFNefEmAATVKh9l06YC9Cy63wN7SeI~S657Rq-8HRIYphxpjn4n8yb3PJL8E~T~JwwmJ0yfPJ47d33OPXYjep1jYs6s9IXzcZiWCEVVzxkcrDjJkxtiqy-ro7BmU5zJChv0jVqcpm9dijCu5XP9VS4~l4gUD1WFLVlpYCEhKsP7~rAK8dxf2tytWYAeLFWg07xjpK1Mv~-Usy-XsWW5e5vvvve5N-dSB7MOStAYYbjCAFkLIt3sxQjGejPggVFfRn~pI2BRBIwpymd4Uf32n8UgfMf8ZPW4FN40~OCjUNAb5fPQ1zZ8phgE84D9lC-XREceKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Albany City Planning Board voted to issue a favorable recommendation to the Common Council on a zoning‑text amendment that would permit accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, as an accessory use to single‑family detached dwellings in most city zoning districts.

The recommendation, moved by Chair Chris Ellis and seconded from the floor, passed by voice vote after staff presented the draft ordinance and data the proposal relies on, including census trends and regional ADU programs.

The amendment would add ADUs to the Unified Sustainable Development Ordinance as an accessory use in all zoning districts except the industrial (I‑1 and I‑2) and land conservation districts. Key limits in the draft: only one ADU per lot; a maximum ADU gross floor area of 800 square feet; owner‑occupancy of either the primary or accessory unit; a prohibition on short‑term rentals for ADUs; and dimensional controls on height, setbacks and lot coverage. Staff said the Fire Department requested a 50‑foot maximum straight‑line distance from the street frontage to the rear wall of a detached ADU to preserve emergency access.

Presenters framed ADUs as a tool to increase housing options for seniors, reduce per‑unit energy and water use, and enable modest additional household income for homeowners. Staff cited state‑level incentives including the statewide Plus1 ADU program and a county proposal for a real property tax exemption for ADU construction or conversion; staff also referenced guidance from AARP and recent municipal ADU ordinances in nearby cities.

Board members and speakers raised enforcement and equity questions. A common‑councilor who spoke during public comment urged delay, citing enforcement limits (for example, limits on verifying owner‑occupancy), parking and neighborhood character concerns, and potential misuse of ADUs for short‑term rentals. Board members asked how the code would treat attached versus detached single‑family units and townhouses; staff confirmed the draft restricts ADUs to detached single‑family dwellings and said townhouses would need to use existing two‑ or three‑unit provisions or seek conditional permits. Staff said permit approval would rely on building‑department permits and that owner‑occupancy compliance is typically complaint‑driven in other municipalities.

The planning board’s recommendation is advisory; the Common Council will consider the text amendment and any county/state opt‑in for tax incentives.

Board action: the planning board voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the Common Council on the zoning text amendment (B‑75‑50520 / total tax movement 0023).","Planning board voted to recommend a zoning text amendment to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in most single‑family zoning districts, with size, owner‑occupancy and fire‑safety limits included in the draft ordinance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning board approves several permits, carries consent agenda items and tables rezoning requests

Planning board issues SEQR negative declaration and defers final plan review for Capital Center expansion at 126 State Street

Planning board approves conditional use permit for temporary cold‑weather shelter at First Church on North Pearl

Albany planning board backs favorable recommendation to city council on accessory dwelling unit zoning change