Alexandria officials are seeking public comments on the renewed "Zoning for Housing/Housing for All" initiative, including community meetings (in-person and virtual) on April 18, May 10 and May 22.
In 2020, city officials started looking at new ways to push through zoning changes that would make it easier for developers to create more housing in Alexandria — particularly affordable housing, which continues to be in short supply.
Now, officials are picking up on the controversial topic again.
What is Zoning for Housing?
The city's Zoning for Housing webpage explains, "Zoning for Housing is a comprehensive proposal of zoning reforms with the goal of expanding housing production and affordability and addressing past and current barriers to equitable housing access."
The process this year will include an analysis of how past policies have been exclusionary or discriminatory and how future zoning practices can mitigate this. The goals of the program this year are twofold, according to a city presentation:
- Replace land use policies and regulations that further exclusion with ones that promote equity and inclusion, and address existing vestiges of exclusionary practices.
- Materially increase the supply of committed affordable and market rate housing.
In part, "This initiative will propose a zoning framework that adds to the housing supply now provided by Single Family zones and, by doing so, broadens socio-economic access to traditionally single-family neighborhoods."
Arlington County voted earlier this year to make changing to its zoning policies in an initiative meant to increase housing in the "Missing Middle." "The Arlington County Board voted unanimously Wednesday evening to approve allowing smaller multifamily structures — also known as Missing Middle — in what were heretofore neighborhoods of only single-family detached homes," ARLNow.com reported.
As part of the process, Alexandria officials will "Evaluate the current limit of one household per lot in the City’s single family zones and the potential benefits of allowing a greater number of households per lot in the zones." While city officials say that "the initial approach will be to largely retain the amount of development (height, square footage, footprint) currently permitted in these zones," residents have already voiced concern about what this means. (See the memo to City Council here.)
In addition, the city will look at what has been restrictive language regarding housing. Specifically, "This effort is to remove from the Zoning Ordinance restrictive language tied to past laws and policies which created exclusionary barriers for some groups to equitable living opportunities across the City."
Bonus height amendments and industrial zones that could accommodate residential development will also be included in discussions this year. The city will also look at making office-to-residential conversions easier for developers among other initiatives.
There will be two periods of community engagement — one this spring and one this fall. Residents can also weigh in through this online feedback form.
Learn more about the process and proposals at alexandriava.gov/planning-and-zoning/zoning-for-housinghousing-for-all.
