Planning Commission considers rezoning requests for Liberty House, duplex development

ALBANY — Liberty House of Albany is looking to relocate into a space on Dawson Road, while Lanier Engineering has put in an application to develop property on Schley Avenue for duplexes.

Rezoning of a 2-acre property owned by Mary Beatrice McCormack, is being sought so Liberty House, a domestic violence victim’s center, can convert the existing 3,613-square-foot structure into an office and community residence for about 20 clients.

Silke Deeley, executive director of Liberty House, told the Albany-Dougherty Planning Commission on Thursday that the center’s current facility, located closer to downtown Albany, has been experiencing maintenance issues and presents little to no opportunity to expand — thereby prompting the need to relocate.

“We can’t add anything; we can’t do anything in our current location,” she said.

The Dawson Road property is served by public water and sanitary sewer, and the proposed use has been deemed suitable for the adjacent commercial area. It is accessible via Albany Transit, and should have no adverse impact on schools, utilities or the surrounding transportation network, planning officials said.

The commission put forth the conditions that protective screening along the property lines adjoining residential zoning be installed and that access be prohibited from Florence Drive. Given those conditions, the proposal was sent forward for Albany City Commission approval.

Also sent for approval to the City Commission on Thursday was a proposal by Lanier Engineering for property at 1701 Schley Ave., owned by Dunes Properties, to be rezoned for use as part of a 12-duplex development on adjacent property to the north, west and east.

The adjacent property, a 3.8-acre tract rezoned in June, will be the primary site of construction while the land in question, measuring .59 acres, is being proposed for rezoning as part of the development.

Apartments and single-family residences are already located in the area, so Planning officials said they believe the proposed development is compatible with the surrounding location. The proposed use is not expected to negatively impact utilities, area schools or the nearby transportation network. Albany Transit is not in the area, but the property is served by public water and sanitary sewer.

Hosea Miller, the Planning Commission’s newest member, was introduced on Thursday.

The City Commission is expected to vote on the measures at its meeting set for 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 23.