The proposal to provide additional developments with 'bonus height' in exchange for affordable housing has been put on pause.
Under current rules, a developer can request additional density in their development in exchange for more affordable housing units or a contribution to the Alexandria Housing Trust Fund — if the building is going to be higher than 50 feet.
The proposal was intended to adjust a provision of Section 7-700 of the Zoning Ordinance, which would allow bonus density for buildings higher than 45 feet. One third of the additional bonus density would have to be used for dedicated affordable housing units.
While just 5 feet in difference may not seem like a lot in regards to unlocking a new, height-based bonus density allowance, residents loudly voiced concerns that the change could alter Alexandria's skyline. Developments in areas with 45-foot height limits could get bonus density allowing another 25-feet of height, making buildings as high as 70-feet tall.
Those concerned convinced the Alexandria Planning Commission to hit the pause button to do more planning at the neighborhood level to better assess how the changes would affect local residents and businesses.
A frustrated Mayor Justin Wilson wrote in his Council Connection newsletter, "This is a very modest proposal and is unlikely to be used often given the constraints of most sites in the City. Unfortunately, this proposal became the victim of hyperbolic misinformation that didn't advance a reasoned community conversation about its merits."
Wilson explained, "At the request of the Planning Commission, this proposal was deferred to allow our staff to collect more data and refine how the proposal is presented. I am hopeful that this 'pause' will allow us to craft a more comprehensive zoning reform proposal to ensure our neighborhoods, and the high quality of life we enjoy, remain accessible to those of moderate incomes."
In the past few years, Alexandria and developer partners have built more than 1,000 dedicated affordable housing units, but there is more work to do. Developments in progress include a 475-unit development in Arlandria, a proposal from Community Housing Partners at the former Land Rover dealership site and several others.
