Alexandria City Council Public Hearing: Saturday, October 13, 2018

The Alexandria City Council approved the following cases during a 12 hour, 27 minute public hearing on Saturday, October 13, 2018 (links below to other blog entries on these cases):

• Environmental Action Plan Phase 1 updates to the Green Building and
  Land Use & Open Space chapters: Approved 7-0 as recommended by the Planning Commission and Environmental Policy Commissions, with amendment per EPC request to complete the Climate Change Action Plan by FY21. (More  on this in a future post.)
• Text amendment permitting light poles of up to 80 feet in height when it can be demonstrated that the additional height will reduce the effects of glare and light spillage, subject to approval by City Council following a public input process and public hearing: Approved 6-1.
• Development Special Use Permit for Parker-Gray Stadium Modernization at T.C. Williams High School, to demolish existing accessory buildings and construct new accessory buildings including restrooms, concessions, press box and ticket vending and construct associated site improvements including pedestrian access, track improvements, sound system upgrades, athletic field lighting, and site lighting: After significant debate, Council voted 6-1 to approve the proposal as recommended by the Planning Commission with several key modifications. Use of lights is permitted only for ACPS games or practices, and use of the sound system is permitted only for ACPS games. Lights must be turned off by 9:45 pm Monday through Thursday and 10:15 pm Friday and Saturday. No use of lights is permitted on Sundays, although fields may be used during daylight hours on Sundays. The approved conditions allow for up to 45 additional minutes of use only for games in the event of overtime, injury, or weather.
• Master Plan Amendment, Text Amendment, Coordinated Development District Concept Plan Amendment, Development Special Use Permit, and related requests for Monday Properties at 2000 N. Beauregard Street to construct a multi-family residential building: Approved 7-0. Council incorporated acceptance of an offer by the applicant to include five additional affordable housing units on site.
• Development Special Use Permit and related requests for a hotel at 699 Prince Street and 114 S. Washington Street, which are presently the home of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and an adjacent parking garage: Approved 7-0 as recommended by Planning Commission.
• Development Special Use Permit to delete conditions prohibiting residents from obtaining residential parking permits at Chatham Square, 409 Pitt Street: Approved 7-0, allowing each Chatham Square unit to be eligible for a single parking permit for its second automobile registered with the city. Council members were persuaded by Chatham Square residents’ pleas regarding the inadequacy of garages to park two cars, but did not want to incentivize or exacerbate on-street parking in the neighborhood by granting permits for all automobiles registered to Chatham Square addresses.
• Rezoning of Canal Center Plaza from W-1 (Waterfront-1) to CRMU-H (Commercial-Residential Mixed-Use/High) with proffers: Approved 7-0, including recognition of a representation by the applicant to place any new commercial space away from Montgomery Street.