ALBANY, Ohio — After years of drafts and development, Albany Village Council finalized its 2025 comprehensive plan at a public hearing on May 14.
The plan outlines eight objectives and principles that “will be our guide for the future, 10 to 20 years ahead,” Albany Village Council President Neal Reynolds said during the hearing.
The objectives and principles represent ways Albany can increase economic expansion while adhering to regulations and communicating with residents.
To achieve those objectives and principles, the village laid out 17 strategies.
The strategies are prioritized by suggested time frames for completion: ongoing, short-term, medium-term, and long-term.
One of the ongoing strategies recommends that the village recognize land use opportunities for potential development.
The council is particularly focused on industrial and business development on Carpenter Road, an area with hundreds of acres of flat land and up-to-date water, sewer, gas, and electric lines.
“We picture Carpenter Road being the industrial part of town, if you will,” Reynolds said. “It’s down there by itself. It’s not going to impact the residential neighborhoods on the other side of town.”
The most ambitious, long-term strategy in the plan is a proposed pathway connecting Albany’s three major points of interest: Lake Snowden, Alexander High School and its downtown.
The proposed development would take place in three phases.
Phase one would build pathways and sidewalks from Lake Snowden to downtown Albany.
Phase two would continue building pathways and sidewalks from downtown Albany to Alexander High School, and phase three would connect Alexander High School to Lake Snowden with a pedestrian bridge over the highway.
Other strategies include updating Albany’s zoning code; establishing an annexation strategy; partnering with Hocking College to take advantage of future development for Lake Snowden; and further developing trails around Albany for biking, hiking and utility terrain vehicle use.
Miscommunication concerns
The plan describes how Albany changed from 2010 to 2020: The village had the highest population growth rate in Athens County and a large increase in homeownership — a stark contrast to the other municipalities in the county.
To capitalize on population growth, the village will focus on investing in Albany’s historic downtown area to promote business growth and community activities.
Reynolds emphasized that input from community members would be necessary to determine what kind of development would take place downtown.
McKenzie Myles, owner of ThreeFold Roasters, a downtown coffee shop, asked how village officials will incorporate community members’ voices regarding business development.
Myles has personal experience in this area, when a food truck was parked outside her business without her knowledge. Myles stated that she was told at a previous meeting that she would be put on a committee to oversee food truck ordinances, but was “never in on any of the conversations or told about the conversations happening.”
Jordan Myles, McKenzie’s husband, said he currently sees a lot of “communication mayhem.”
“I would love to come in and say ‘absolutely, Albany is so easy to work with. They’re great. They’ll have your back.’ I’ll be honest — being new to it, coming into it — I don’t feel that right now,” Jordan said.
“At the end of the day, I do want to work with you guys. I want to be a part of the plan,” McKenzie said.
Reynolds said he appreciated their comments.
Near the end of the hearing, Albany Village Council member Stephanie Kendrick said, “I’m getting a little emotional. Everyone’s been working on it for so long. Really great to see it all coming together.”
Three readings are required to adopt via resolution the final comprehensive plan.
Albany Village Council read the first reading of the proposed resolution at its regular meeting May 21 at 6 p.m. at Albany Village Hall.
A full version of Albany’s 2025 Comprehensive Plan can be found on the village’s website.
Albany Village Council meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 6 p.m. at the Albany Village Hall, 5153 Alton St., Albany.
