One of the biggest stories of 2023 for Alexandria will likely be the city’s plans to reshape housing zoning, and this week largely set the board for the upcoming months of discussion and argument.
The city’s Zoning for Housing/Housing for All plan hasn’t officially been unveiled yet, that’s coming at a meeting next Tuesday night, but that didn’t stop it from dominating the conversation this week.
On Monday, a group of Alexandria residents rallied outside of City Hall in protest against the plan. The rally, led by The Coalition for a Livable Alexandria, primarily featured residents expressing concerns about added density likely to come with a push to create more housing units in the city.
The next night, a panel of experts provided a look at the current state of housing in Alexandria, with data showing a steady rise in rents and conversations about how housing supply impacts affordability.
The discussion is likely to continue over the next few months as the plan heads to a final City Council vote on Nov. 28.
The most read stories this week on ALXnow were:
- Once a one-stop shop for model trains, Whistle Stop Toy & Hobby in Fairlington now caters to all hobbyists
- Four-story apartment building proposed in Old Town Historic District
- Notes: Patent and Trademark Office downsizing puts Alexandria’s largest landlord in hot water
- Group opposing Alexandria zoning reform hosting rally tonight in Old Town
- Alexandria residents rally against controversial Zoning for Housing plan
- New sandwich shop opens in Old Town
- Alexandria launches public comment process for Eisenhower Avenue changes
- UPDATED: Alexandria police investigating multiple shootings
- Six months in, Alexandria’s guaranteed income pilot is helping locals with the necessities
- Notes: Alexandria police captain files lawsuit over racial bias in promotions