A disagreement over an alleyway in Arlandria is causing a holdup for a large affordable housing development.
The alleyway is adjacent to St. Rita's School and Church, and parents use the alleyway to drop-off and pick-up children. Taking that alleyway from St. Rita's was part of the development plans for a 474-unit affordable housing complex, but St. Rita's officials are saying the alleyway is necessary for safety reasons.
The original plan for the site called for two large buildings. All of the 474 housing units would be priced for residents who are at or below 80 percent Average Median Income (AMI). At least 25 percent of units will be available at 40 percent AMI, which is in high demand in the Arlandria-Chirilagua neighborhood. 38,000 square feet of commercial space and a two-level underground parking garage are also in the plans.
The alleyway currently used by St. Rita's is where the image below is labeled "Garage Access and Loading." St. Rita's School is the building where the words "Private Terrace" appear. The original concept had residents accessing the underground parking garage through what is now that alleyway.
Because of the concerns of St. Rita's School parents and school officials, the AHDC is working on new plans that would realign utilities, parking access and other elements. In addition, AHDC's purchase of a nearby building, 3608 Mt. Vernon Ave., calls for a new review of the project.
Adjustments to the project that are slated for review later this month, at the June 23 Planning Commission meeting, include requests to "incorporate additional acreage, make revisions to Building #1 and adjust the internal pedestrian/vehicular travel ways through the site." The developer proposes shifting the loading and parking entrance for Building #1 to be accessed through the public alley from Mt. Vernon Avenue" instead of from Russell Road.
"In the current proposal, the alley will remain in its location and continue in City ownership. The City will repeal the vacation requested with the original DSUP – thus reverting the alley back to the public," according ti a city staff report.
