[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6133351,"mediaKeyId","5704684-8fc664fa503aef162aa39027cec081b7","parentId",5704684,"title","Board recommends dropping public-notice step for nonconforming-use determinations to streamline reviews","audioSeconds",600,"startMs",775000,"endMs",1375000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5704684-8fc664fa503aef162aa39027cec081b7&start=775&end=1375","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5704684-8fc664fa503aef162aa39027cec081b7/thumbnail_775000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6133351/Albany-City/Albany-County/New-York/Board-recommends-dropping-public-notice-step-for-nonconforming-use-determinations-to-streamline-reviews","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133351-e9fc6cbd57d6a0974d86c77c51991b65/orig.mp4?Expires=1770986562&Signature=XBgKQTOPttwFYGufeHsrs-Pv7POv~vsyBhENctdLoBaW-485n5MkOlWAMJFsBbZd4MwHmvIYUXCI6KKd1Img3m8vZDUzvXYHimSHXpiYV7BpRxaWvxZxEpodeHYGVuyjTrVY63PdfgbIMsDnZCss7pk1lPM0k4v0ZYlaL6Nwf8W6oFEvBiGNGJCcvNwb1Ru12C-Gvyl0FhcYyBnBN6Wliy5s0hbUD72vZEZFsvyr7Xg-OkCHEygSTQF5nzZo5EeE78FUaBli9TbZIDmBem30Dq6vyPpIAeFsbSUaim1-YkIMDS-XcJnpJReH27nycM4waeUUjiiuM87R77bZ2BRHgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Albany, NY","date","2025-08-06T10:25:57Z","article","On Aug. 5 the Albany Planning Board voted to recommend that the Common Council approve zoning text amendment 0025 to remove the public-notice requirement for administrative determinations of legal nonconformity status under the Unified Sustainable Development Ordinance (USDO).

City planning staff explained that the determination of nonconformity status is a fact-based administrative decision issued by the chief planning official that confirms whether a lot, structure or use is lawfully established and may continue. Staff described the current two-step process: applicants typically request a zoning compliance certificate first, then apply for a separate determination of nonconformity status, which under the 2021 USDO update requires public notice and a 14-day waiting period after notice is posted and mailed.

Staff provided application data: since the determination step was added, the department received 23 applications for legal nonconformity status, mailed a total of 1,116 notices and received six comment letters; since 2022 the office received 931 zoning compliance applications. Staff said the public-notice step typically requires mailing notices to property owners within a 200-foot radius (often 50–100 recipients, depending on density), posting notice on the property and filing an affidavit of compliance; the average review time for a complete determination application was reported as about 30 days, not counting the prior zoning-compliance step.

The proposed amendment would remove the public-notice requirement but preserve the evidentiary standards and staff review: staff would be able to resolve nonconformity status as part of the routine zoning-compliance-certificate process rather than as a separate noticed proceeding. Staff told the board the public-notice requirement had low yield (about 0.5% comment rate for the 23 applications) and had created confusion between the two processes, placing an administrative burden on sellers, buyers and staff.

Board members asked clarifying questions about examples such as a preexisting two-family house in a single-family (R-1) district and staff confirmed such a lawful preexisting use could be treated as a legal nonconformity. After brief discussion the board moved, seconded and voted favorably to recommend the amendment to the Common Council; staff noted the formal determination of this code change and public-notice policy will be completed by the Common Council.

The amendment, if adopted by the Common Council, would not change the substantive evidentiary test for nonconforming status; it would remove the separate public-notice step that currently accompanies the administrative determination.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Albany Planning Board August 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Albany Planning Board voted to recommend that the Common Council remove the public-notice requirement for determinations of legal nonconformity status while preserving evidentiary review standards; staff said the change would reduce applicant burden and staff workload.","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},6133356,"Planning board backs limited expansions for existing fueling stations only in auto-oriented district",513,257000,770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5704684-8fc664fa503aef162aa39027cec081b7&start=257&end=770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5704684-8fc664fa503aef162aa39027cec081b7/thumbnail_257000.jpg","/articles/6133356/Albany-City/Albany-County/New-York/Planning-board-backs-limited-expansions-for-existing-fueling-stations-only-in-auto-oriented-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133356-19efd1f6bff275faf3fbc4621d880cb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770986562&Signature=AxnMzAwaNUPZKuPiniQMcCkloCTitAnL9xt-sJTQOJU~iNiK84j-SWQcjightHN-hJMKgNtdy3rYXrYsu0wTvcS6H5qundTxftUrdbtq8j8~vQ1gZNE-0i-rG1nxpQkk8jGiHTIJlxk3xbv6kCFCYdGPSpW3gfGhZWvtxcYw~sMlZ57mh~nErkcMnwUBXnrwgjDO~BGWr5bsktfBd~pxdqGIIRhgxXvSSJvmeJCl9W2R7bhGytBwr7q2GBaKUP28XQApF8G1MkF75y66OSwwnlR71-9lCttaYZ7U3yW-odo02LpDI9hWftwC2B6JlfE1F5NAbRagpFA~UMkucOEuUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Aug. 5 the Albany Planning Board voted to recommend that the Common Council approve zoning text amendment 0024, a narrowly scoped change to the Unified Sustainable Development Ordinance (USDO) that would allow legally nonconforming vehicle-fueling stations to expand only within the Mixed Use Community Highway (MUCH) zoning district.

Under the 2021 USDO update, vehicle fueling stations were removed as a permitted or conditional use across all city zoning districts; existing stations became legally nonconforming and, under current code language, may not expand or alter. Staff told the board the proposed amendment would create a narrow exception allowing only legally nonconforming fueling stations within the MUCH district to enlarge on their existing lot or to expand onto an adjacent lot — provided the entire site is brought into full compliance with current USDO dimensional and development standards.

Staff presented citywide data: there are 25 fueling stations within Albany city limits and four within the MUCH district. The four identified in the MUCH district include two on Southern Boulevard, one off Route 5/Central Avenue and one on Northern Boulevard; brands referenced in the presentation included Stewart’s, Speedway, Sunoco and the former Hess site. Staff said the MUCH district is auto-oriented, located along major arterials, and that the amendment is intended to allow targeted improvements to aging sites (better circulation, safer layouts and environmental upgrades) without reauthorizing fueling stations across the city.

The board’s favorable recommendation moves the amendment to the Common Council for final action; staff noted the determination or formal action on the amendment will be completed by the Common Council, not by the Planning Board. No public comment was recorded at the Planning Board meeting. The board voted in favor by voice vote after a motion and second; no recorded roll-call votes or amendments were made during the meeting.

The amendment as presented would not allow new fueling stations where they are currently prohibited; it would allow limited expansions of existing legally nonconforming stations only in a single zoning district and only if the entire site is upgraded to meet current development standards.","The board recommended that the Common Council allow legally nonconforming vehicle fueling stations in the Mixed Use Community Highway district to expand if the entire site is brought into compliance with the Unified Sustainable Development Ordinance.",{"_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},6133361,"Planning board approves Trinity Alliance expansion; water sign-off required before permit",94,137000,231000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5704684-8fc664fa503aef162aa39027cec081b7&start=137&end=231","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5704684-8fc664fa503aef162aa39027cec081b7/thumbnail_137000.jpg","/articles/6133361/Albany-City/Albany-County/New-York/Planning-board-approves-Trinity-Alliance-expansion-water-sign-off-required-before-permit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133361-c0a541f4d58ac80f65e5e7aec6d37c2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770986562&Signature=IdyXtP60-vT13eO9YWLU1mdmuiRYVfZ~MqLsuwRNKex0ZetJllAVeidk3U1b1K09NXyC2NhFCiWgMRXe5qof0PezDmWRkrfAjhXaexS1RuiPMtXVFYKZQVQ8xOVdP8u8DGdz33JR5BTmK1U1pkoMIwW1CFyzBh5CzNUoJpYqqnpsi~slup5DaNROKpP4cqPGWKj1eaQF4N~1RhI5m~tCXhtlaJ0JKCAYyMn5~ZhaS~UywVC29BvRAmp~6ua5sWe-p4~TQz3g6ra9D-f1~-1piBIJxOf02AKTWfihk1dGVCr0UvWu4JfHQE9OGZRWXdygqGxHr8Ak9yLpFMKsy389yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Albany Planning Board voted Aug. 5 to approve a conditional use permit and development plan review for 15 and 31 Trinity Place, allowing Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region to expand its adjacent facility with a two-story, more-than-20,000-square-foot community center.

The approval was placed on the meeting consent agenda and passed after a motion, a second and an oral vote. Staff recommended approval with one condition: final approval from the Department of Water and Water Supply must be obtained before issuance of a building permit.

Staff told the board the project includes major interior renovations to the existing Trinity Alliance facility and a new two-story building on the combined lots. The condition requiring the water-department sign-off was described by staff as a prerequisite for a building permit; no other conditions or modifications were added by the board.

Because the item was on the consent agenda, board discussion was brief and no public comment was recorded during the meeting. The Planning Board’s action was a recommendation-level approval on the development-review pathway used by the city; the recorded condition ties final permitting to the Department of Water and Water Supply’s approval.

The board did not identify funding sources, construction schedule or other permitting steps at the meeting. Those details were not specified in the record and will be resolved during subsequent permitting and agency reviews.","Albany Planning Board approved a conditional use permit and development plan review for a 20,000-square-foot addition to Trinity Alliance, with a condition that final approval come from the Department of Water and Water Supply before a building permit is issued.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board recommends dropping public-notice step for nonconforming-use determinations to streamline reviews

Planning board backs limited expansions for existing fueling stations only in auto-oriented district

Planning board approves Trinity Alliance expansion; water sign-off required before permit