Albany Approves Massive East Side Housing Development

Annexation of 37 acres for 'East Albany Town Center' moves forward with little opposition.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The Albany Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of the annexation and zoning of 11 parcels totaling nearly 37 acres near Timber Street and Spicer Drive to allow the construction of the 'East Albany Town Center' development, which calls for around 1,000 housing units of various types as well as 50,000 square feet of commercial space. The proposal is sailing through the city's approval process with little public opposition or discussion from the commission.

Why it matters

This large-scale development represents a significant expansion of Albany's housing stock, which could help address the region's ongoing housing shortage, but also raises questions about the impact on traffic, affordability, and the city's overall growth trajectory.

The details

The 'East Albany Town Center' development calls for a mix of single-family homes, apartments up to seven stories tall, and 50,000 square feet of commercial space. Developers are promoting it as a walkable, mixed-use community. However, the presentation to the planning commission acknowledged challenges around maintaining affordability and dealing with increased transportation demands.

  • On February 6, 2026, the Albany Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the annexation and zoning for the 'East Albany Town Center'.
  • The Albany City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposal on February 25, 2026.

The players

Albany Planning Commission

The city's planning commission, which voted to recommend approval of the 'East Albany Town Center' annexation and zoning.

Albany City Council

The city's governing body, which will make the final decision on the 'East Albany Town Center' proposal after a public hearing.

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What they’re saying

“Whether any of this housing is built may depend on the future availability of state and federal subsidies.”

— Hasso Hering, Author (hh-today.com)

What’s next

The Albany City Council will hold a public hearing on the 'East Albany Town Center' proposal on February 25, 2026, where they will make the final decision on the annexation and zoning.

The takeaway

This large-scale housing development represents a significant growth opportunity for Albany, but also raises important questions about the city's long-term planning, the impact on traffic and infrastructure, and ensuring that new housing remains affordable for residents. The city's approval process so far has moved quickly with little public input, which may prompt closer scrutiny from the community as the project advances.