News

A new pilot program (item 4) will allow street venting along Mount Vernon Avenue in the Arlandria-Chirilagua neighborhood, though the staff report said the plan is to create a legal pathway for something already occurring in the neighborhood.

A new one year pilot program is headed to the Planning Commission for review on Tuesday, Jan. 7.


News

TD Bank is moving to a new King Street location in Old Town by 2025.

On Saturday, City Council unanimously approved a special use permit allowing the bank to operate with 37 feet of street frontage at 515 King Street. The decision was previously backed 5-2 by the Planning Commission, which went against a staff recommendation to deny the project.


News

A recent Planning Commission debate over a bank (docket item 9) typified the governing body’s fascinating tug-of-war between high-minded rhetoric vs the nuts and bolts of bureaucracy.

The Planning Commission said arguments around whether or not Old Town has too many banks distracted from the real question of whether King Street’s retail space is better served by having a weird seven foot gap in the front of the building where the bank wasn’t allowed by-right.


News

Despite concerns raised by families of residents at Silverado Memory Care (2807 King Street), Alexandria’s Planning Commission recommended approval of a change that will let facility substantially increase (item 7) its number of residents without expanding the facility.

The plan is to increase beds on the site from 66 to 90 without any building expansion by shifting to an increased number of “companion rooms” — rooms with two residents. Loren Shook , co-founder of Silverado Memory Care, said that 80% of rooms in most facilities are companion rooms.


News

A proposal to add seven new townhomes on Seminary Road is headed to the Planning Commission this week (docket item 9) and has stirred up some controversy in the neighborhood.

The plan by Verity Builders LLC is to build six market-rate townhouses and one affordable townhouse at 5216 Seminary Road. Each home will be three stories plus a roof deck and garage.


News

Alexandria is considering making trailers permanent structures.

The city’s special use permit process currently allows commercial businesses and schools to use temporary trailers for two years, followed by an option to extend the use for an additional period.


News

A developer is submitting a proposal to Alexandria’s Planning Commission this fall to replace a single-family home on Seminary Road with seven new townhomes.

The proposed “cluster” development is planned for 5216 Seminary Road. The development would have seven parking spaces on-site.


News

Two developments that could further transform Alexandria’s Mark Center area will be unveiled next month.

The Beauregard Design Advisory Committee will get a first glimpse on Sept. 9 of the multi-use developments at 1900 N. Beauregard Street and 4880 Mark Center Drive. The meeting will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. at Patrick Henry Recreation Center (4653 Taney Avenue).


News

A plan to build 110 townhouses on the southeast portion of the sprawling WestEnd development is heading to the Alexandria Planning Commission.

City Council approved the four million square-foot redevelopment at the former home of Landmark Mall in 2021, with blocks L and M reserved for for-sale residential development. Blocks L and M, along Duke Street near N. Van Dorn Street, take up more than 100,000 square feet.


News

The Tall Ship Providence Foundation will soon be floating an expansion plan past the Alexandria Planning Commission. The proposal would add outdoor dining with alcohol and live entertainment to its offerings along the waterfront.

The proposal by the nonprofit to amend its special use permit would expand its current footprint along the Potomac River at Waterfront Park to accommodate a portable bar, 78 seats, and an area for live music performers.


News

Nine new townhomes and four semi-detached dwellings are being proposed for a half-acre property used for an office building and warehouse in the Old Town Historic District.

The Alexandria Planning Commission will be presented with the proposal to build on the two parcels at 107 and 125 N. West Street. The location is about a half-block from King Street, and is near Jefferson Houston Elementary School and the King St. Metro station.


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