Fostering Diverse and Inclusive Public Engagement in Alexandria

Two topics recently discussed at the February 4 meeting of the Alexandria Planning Commission have me thinking about the need for high-quality public feedback to inform decision making. The first involves practical updates to the city’s business zoning, which the Planning Commission and City Council will consider in April. Draft proposals include greater use of … Continue reading Fostering Diverse and Inclusive Public Engagement in Alexandria →

Prioritizing Long-Range Planning in Alexandria

The City of Alexandria is prioritizing long-range planning activities for fiscal year 2020, which begins July 1, 2019. Activities will address Amazon HQ2 and the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, equity and housing affordability, mobility initiatives, and continuation of planning efforts along transit corridors and in the city's Growth Crescent. The item is one of the … Continue reading Prioritizing Long-Range Planning in Alexandria →

Amazon selects Arlington for HQ2 – but what Alexandria lured to town may be the biggest benefit of all

Earlier today Amazon.com, Inc. announced that it had selected Arlington County, Virginia for a major new headquarters facility. It's a huge economic development victory for Northern Virginia and the Washington region, bringing more than 25,000 high-paying jobs over a 12-year period. Northern Virginia and New York City, which will also host a new headquarters, emerge … Continue reading Amazon selects Arlington for HQ2 – but what Alexandria lured to town may be the biggest benefit of all →

2000 North Beauregard Street

On Thursday, October 4, 2018, the Alexandria Planning Commission recommended approval of a new residential building at 2000 North Beauregard Street. The project, if approved by City Council, will serve as a signature building at the corner Beauregard Street and Seminary Roads. Long Range Plan The project is one of the first new developments to … Continue reading 2000 North Beauregard Street →

Better Bus Transit in Alexandria and Across the Region

On Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, the Greater Washington Partnership issued the briefing paper Rethinking the Bus: Five Essential Steps for Improving Mobility in the Capital Region. The super-regional business group advocates for investments that would prioritize and facilitate bus transportation, which is estimated to carry approximately half of the public transit trips in the region. … Continue reading Better Bus Transit in Alexandria and Across the Region →

October Preliminary Docket

Approximately one month before each Planning Commission meeting, the Alexandria Department of Planning and Zoning publishes a preliminary docket of cases expected to be heard. The preliminary docket for the October 2, 2018 public hearing was published last week, and includes the following cases of note: Development Special Use Permit and related requests for a … Continue reading October Preliminary Docket →

Preserving Affordable Housing in the Southwest Quadrant

One of the most significant actions at the September 4, 2018 Alexandria Planning Commission meeting was to recommend adoption of a new housing affordability strategy for the Route One South corridor. The area is presently home to 215 federally-subsidized committed affordable units between The Heritage at Old Town and Olde Towne West III residences. The … Continue reading Preserving Affordable Housing in the Southwest Quadrant →

The September Planning Docket

This blog is intended to provide insight into Alexandria’s planning process, and key planning issues the city faces from my perspective as a Planning Commission member. Through this forum, I hope to provide context for issues we face that shape the urban form of our city. The views expressed are mine alone, and do not … Continue reading The September Planning Docket →