Applications & Forms

Master Application Form

Master Application Form
 The Master Application is used to streamline the collection of generic information about a project, particularly those that require the submission of multiple application forms.  It should accompany the submission of applications marked with an asterisk* below.

Application Forms

Form Name Description
375-5(D)(5)(e)
 An administrative adjustment allows for minor adjustments of the dimensional standards within the USDO by the Chief Planning Official. The Allowable Administrative Adjustments Table in Section 375-5-2 lists the development standards and limits that may be reviewed as an administrative adjustment.
Affordable Housing Compliance Plan and Guidance As of December 1, 2017, all new residential or mixed-use development or redevelopment project containing 50 or more new dwelling units is required to complete an affordable housing compliance plan. As part of the plan, 5% of the dwelling units must be sold or rented at sales or prices affordable to persons earning no more than 100% of the area median household income for the City of Albany. 
375-5(E)(21)
 An application for an Area Variance is a request for relief from the dimensional or development standards of the USDO for a specific property. An application may be submitted after denial of a proposed project or development by the Chief Planning Official or the Chief Building Official.
375-5(E)(13) & 375-5(E)(19)
 A Certificate of Appropriateness is required for all applications for permits involving any exterior alteration, restoration, reconstruction, demolition, new construction or moving of a locally designated historic landmark or a property within a local historic district.
Certificate of Appropriateness - Window Diagram For any repair or replacement of windows on properties within Local Historic Districts, this form should be used to clarify proposed improvements to existing and new windows.
375-5(E)(16)
 A Conditional Use Permit is a careful case-by-case review of the location, design, configuration and impact of a use deemed to have potential unforeseen impacts or unique form to determine the desirability of permitting the use at any particular site.   This application is required for a property with a proposal for a use listed in the Permitted Use Table in Section 375-3(B) as a conditional use for the Zoning District.
375-5(E)(17)
 Demolition Review is required prior to receiving any building permit that involves the total or partial demolition of a building (excepting small accessory structures) located outside of a local historic district.
375-5(E)(20)
 Design review is required for all buildings proposed to exceed 100 feet in height.  Such buildings must be designed in consistency with the intended community character, incorporate pedestrian amenities at the street-level, provide architectural excellence, and allow for adequate flow of light and air to public spaces.
375-5(E)(4) & 375-5(E)(14)
 This review is performed to assure a proposed development conforms to the standards in the USDO, the Albany 2030 Comprehensive Plan, and any other applicable provisions of City Code. 
Development Plan Review - Waiver
375-505(14)(b)(iii)
An applicant may request, in writing, a waiver or modification of any of the development plan review development standards. Such request shall set forth the specific relief sought and the reasons why the same are necessary. The Planning Board may grant waivers from the development standards established in Article IV, except that the Planning Board shall not grant a waiver of the dimensional standards established in § 375-401 or the standards relating to signs established in § 375-409.
375-5(E)(15)
 A District Plan is available for larger projects and institutional uses within  designated districts.  The District Plan relaxes dimensional standards allowing for flexibility in accommodation of unorthodox lot configurations and allows for conceptual level approval of future project phases.
375-5(E)(22)
 A Floodplain Variance provides relief from the floodplain development standards of the Floodplain Overlay (FP-O).
375-5(E)(23)
 A Historic Property Hardship Waiver may be sought where a landmark, contributing structure, or property within an Historic District is to be demolished, removed, or relocated, or when seeking relief from a denied Certificate of Appropriateness for major exterior work.
375-5(E)(7), 375-5(E)(8) & 275-5(E)(18)
 A Lot Modification application is required to consolidate, subdivide or adjust lot boundaries.  This review may be used to conform an existing lot or development to the current dimensional standards of a Zoning District (e.g., lot size, setbacks, etc.) or to create a single larger lot for (re)development. If you are looking to consolidate two or more lots, you can use the Lot Consolidation Guide to assist in preparing your application.
375-5(E)(9)
 A Revocable Street Privilege may be sought to utilize portions of the City right-of-way adjacent to a food or beverage establishment selling on which food and drinks are served to patrons of the establishment.
Revocable Street Privilege - Small Wireless Facility
375-5(E)(9)
 A Revocable Street Privilege may be sought to allow for the placement of a Small Wireless Facility on City-owned and non-City-owned poles in the public right-of-way. Facilities must comply with required siting, construction, and aesthetic standards.
375-4(I)(6)
 A Special On-Premises Sign Program allows for the maximum allowable square footage for signage to be allocated to different types of signs and/or to different locations than those shown in Section 375-4(I)(5) without increasing the overall amount of signage permitted.
375-5(E)(21)
 A Use Variance is for those unique conditions where relief is required from the permissible use regulations due to unique circumstances associated with a particular property.  The hardship must be established based upon a showing of competent financial evidence and the allowance is limited to the minimum variance necessary in order to relieve the hardship.
375-4(I)(7)
 This application applies to all displays on walls or structures that exceed the height, size, duration, or another physical standard for an attached sign in the Zoning District where the wall or structure is located, and that do not qualify for approval through a Special Sign Program under Section 375‐4(I)(6).
375-5(F)(1)
 Use this form to apply for either type of compliance: Basic Zoning Compliance or Detailed Zoning Compliance.
375-5(E)(24)
 Zoning Map Amendments are reviewed by the Chief Planning Official who then initiates the amendment process.  The Planning Board reviews the proposed amendment at a public hearing and makes a recommendation to the Common Council.  The Common Council reviews the application and recommendations, holds a public hearing, and decides on the change in accordance with Section 375-5(E)(24)(c)(i & ii).
Zoning Text Amendment*
375-5(E)(24)
 Zoning Text Amendments are reviewed by the Chief Planning Official who then initiates the amendment process. The Planning Board reviews the proposed amendment at a public hearing and makes a recommendation to the Common Council. The Common Council reviews the application and recommendations, holds a public hearing, and decides on the change in accordance with Section 375-5(E)(24)(c)(i).

Templates

Presentation Template Proposing a (re)development project to the City of Albany? Use this power point template to prepare your professional presentation to City Boards, the Common Council, or the general public.