Zoning For Housing Reforms Process To Begin In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As Alexandria looks to expand housing and affordable options, it will kick off a process of zoning reforms in the second half of 2023.

The city's Zoning for Housing/Housing for All Initiative has a "goal of expanding housing production and affordability and addressing past and current barriers to equitable housing access." Zoning reform recommendations will be presented to the Alexandria Planning Commission and City Council on Sept. 5.

Areas being studied for the initiative include development patterns and what types of buildings cannot be constructed under current zoning, how coordinated development districts could produce affordable housing, expanding housing in single-family zones, allowing residential multifamily zoning in industrial zones, reviewing densities in areas near Metro and Bus Rapid Transit, looking at opportunities in residential multifamily zones, removing inequities in zoning regulations in various townhouse zones, looking at were office-to-residential conversations can happen, and a bonus height allowance to expand housing in zones with up to 45 feet height limits.

"This is one of the most significant initiatives of this Council term," said Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson in a statement. "As we consider meaningful reforms to improve housing affordability in our City, we want to ensure the voice of our residents is heard and incorporated in the package adopted by the City Council."

The effort comes as the city seeks to fill a demand for more housing, including affordable housing. The city endorsed the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments's estimate for 3,000 new housing units needed by 2030, including 2,250 for low-income and moderate-income households.

The city estimates about 15,500 renter households that have $75,000 income or less are housing cost burdened. That means they spend more than 30 percent of gross income on housing costs. In addition, an estimated 3,500 Alexandria homeowner households with incomes up to $75,000 are cost burdened.

Even before this year, City Council approved several reforms relating to the initiative — accessory dwelling units, co-living and auxiliary dwellings units. Accessory dwelling units are independent living units on a property with a separate kitchen, sleeping area and bathroom. Co-living refers to residences that offer an additional private living space as well as access to communal areas like kitchen, bathrooms, and living spaces. Auxiliary dwelling units are accessory apartments that were already allowed above commercial spaces, but new flexibility was given on where a unit can be located.

After spring community engagement on the initiative, the fall community engagement kickoff will be held Tuesday, Aug. 29 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Carlyle, 2460 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA. There is also a virtual option through Zoom with meeting ID: 948 7848 1580, passcode 640250 or dial in at 301-715-8592.

Here is the rest of the tentative schedule for the Zoning for Housing process. Some meeting locations will be announced at a later time.

• Sept. 14: Community meeting
• Sept. 23: City Council public hearing, City Hall
• Sept. 24: City Council town hall
• Oct. 5: Community meeting
• Oct. 12: Community meeting
• Oct. 14: City Council public hearing, City Hall
• Oct. 21: City Council town hall (opportunity to comment) Location coming soon.
• Nov. 1: Planning Commission public hearing on Zoning for Housing, City Hall
• Nov. 14: City Council public hearing on Zoning for Housing, City Hall
• Nov. 18: City Council public hearing on Zoning for Housing continued, City Hall
• Nov. 28: City Council meeting with scheduled vote on Zoning for Housing reforms, City Hall

See the Zoning for Housing/Housing for All website for more information.