Should Alexandria city officials be allowing increased height for new buildings in exchange for affordable housing?
The Alexandria City Council has been considering adjusting the rules surrounding building height as a means to help increase much-needed affordable housing in Alexandria. But the change could alter the skyline in many Alexandria neighborhoods and residents are pushing back hard on the proposal.
Monday evening, Agenda Alexandria, an organization that looks at issues facing the city of Alexandria without taking sides, hosted a discussion about the issue. Essentially, city officials are proposing a draft amendment for review to the Bonus Height provisions of Section 7-700 of the Zoning Ordinance. Currently, bonus height is only allowed in neighborhoods which allow buildings to reach 50 feet; the draft amendment would allow bonus height in neighborhoods that allow buildings only as high as 45 feet.
While the proposal is on hold, it isn't dead. The City of Alexandria is still considering this amendment and is working on helping residents understand the potential proposed amendment and what it would mean for places like Del Ray and the West End.
Monday evening's discussion included City Manager James Parajon, Kamila McAfee of Wesley Housing (a real estate development company), and Nate Hurto, co-founder of Save Del Ray.
Watch the entire Agenda Alexandria program from Monday evening here:
