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City Releases Proposed Green Building Chapter Master Plan Amendment

The City of Alexandria released the proposed Green Building Chapter of the City’s Master Plan. The built environment is crucial to maintaining the resilience, health, safety, and well-being of Alexandrians. In recognition of this importance, and as part of updating the 2019 Green Building Policy, staff recommend incorporating these changes into a new Chapter of the City’s Master Plan: The Green Building Plan. This comprehensive approach to the built environment recognizes the need to take action to improve resilience, particularly in the face of climate change.

The proposed Plan is guided by three main goals: (1) focusing on the most important and impactful solutions, (2) creating more regulatory certainty, and (3) reducing unnecessary costs associated with a certification requirement. 

Following a public comment period that started in April 2025, staff reviewed comments received from the community and developers, and letters from the Planning Commission and Environmental Policy Commission. This led to additional analysis, primarily on the Energy Use Intensity targets and renewable energy requirements.

Staff will present the Green Building Plan to the Planning Commission at their January 6 Public Hearing before it is presented to the City Council at the January 24 Public Hearing.

December is Your Month to Save Energy and Fight Climate Change

December isn’t just the winter holiday season; it’s a critical month to save energy at home and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Eco-City Homes Recognition Program celebrates Alexandrians who take real steps toward sustainability at home. Everyone can apply, whether you rent or own a house or condo. Just complete a quick online checklist of the energy smart actions you’re already doing. Residents who qualify earn an Eco-City Homes yard sign or window cling to share their commitment with the community.

Here’s something powerful: nationwide energy efficiency efforts can reduce electricity use and shrink your home’s climate impact by cutting millions of tons of CO₂ emissions each year—the equivalent of avoiding the output of several large power plants. 

We’ve updated the Eco-City Homes program, so you earn points for every sustainable action you take. That means every step you take this December matters for your wallet and for the City’s air quality.

Visit the Eco-City Homes Recognition Program webpage to sign up, discover simple energy saving tips, and make this winter your most eco-friendly yet. Act now and be part of Alexandria’s energy-saving movement.

Apply for the Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Program

Property owners can receive a reduction in their Stormwater Utility (SWU) Fee by installing and maintaining eligible dry floodproofing and stormwater quality practices. Property owners can apply to the SWU Fee Credit Program until February 15, 2026. 

The SWU Fee provides dedicated funding for the City’s stormwater management program that includes capital flood mitigation projects, operations and maintenance of public stormwater infrastructure, and water quality initiatives. The fee appears as a separate line item on real estate tax bills and is billed in two installments, half in May and half in October. Residential fees are based on property type, such as single-family homes, town homes, and condominiums. Non-residential fees are based on the amount of impervious surface on the property. 

The credit program encourages property owners to take action to reduce localized flooding and improve water quality. Eligible practices may qualify for a reduction of up to 50% of the SWU Fee. Approved credits remain in effect for two years. 

A variety of solutions are eligible under the program, including outdoor practices such as tree planting, conservation landscaping, and permeable pavement, as well as flood proofing measures like French drains, elevated utilities, and window flood protection. A full list of eligible practices is available in the SWU Fee Credit Program Manual on the City’s website. 

Property owners who applied during the previous 2023-2024 credit cycle are eligible to renew. To remain in the program, property owners must submit new photographs demonstrating that installed practices are properly maintained. Returning applicants may reapply for previously approved practices, if they are properly maintained and a new photo is submitted. Applying for new eligible practices is also accepted. 

City staff will host an informational webinar in January to present program details and answer resident questions.  For more information, visit the Stormwater Utility webpage where the webinar link will be published next month.

City of Alexandria Launches Enhanced Alex311 Portal and App

The City of Alexandria is excited to announce the launch of the upgraded Alex311 portal and mobile app, just in time for the holidays. The enhanced platform makes it easier than ever for residents, businesses, and visitors to connect with City services—whether at home or on the go.

The new Alex311 portal and app feature a modern, accessible, and mobile-responsive design that improves usability across all devices. The latest version of the Alex311 mobile app is available now, offering a more intuitive way to submit service requests, track updates, and access City information.

Getting started is simple. Visit Alex311 or download the Alex311 app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. The website works seamlessly on computers, tablets, and smartphones. Users are encouraged to explore the new features and share their feedback.

Stay connected by following @Alexandriava311 on X (Twitter) and Facebook for updates, tips, and announcements.

City of Alexandria Encourages Residents to Prepare for Winter Weather

The recent cold temperatures and snowfall are clear reminders that winter is here. Although the first official day of winter was December 21, the weather has already made its presence felt. The City of Alexandria’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) encourages residents to take time now to review emergency preparedness basics and be ready for whatever winter weather may bring.

Preparing for emergencies requires a few simple steps, regardless of the hazard. 

Make a Family Emergency Plan

Making a plan early helps reduce stress and can save time and money during an emergency. Residents are encouraged to create a family emergency plan that outlines communication strategies, meeting locations, and plans for children, older adults, and pets. Resources to help build a plan are available on the Office of Emergency Management webpage.

Planning for winter weather including cold temperatures, snow, ice, and sleet may require additional considerations. Residents can find winter-specific safety tips and preparedness information on the National Weather Service Winter Weather Safety webpage.

Build an Emergency Supply Kit

Having enough food, water, medications, and essential supplies can help keep your household safe and comfortable until conditions improve or assistance is available. A well-stocked emergency supply kit can also help prevent injury and reduce potential damage to your home.

OEM also recommends building a “go-bag” with essential items you may need if you must evacuate quickly. Guidance and supply lists are available at ready.gov.

Stay Informed During Emergencies

Staying informed is critical during winter weather events. Residents are encouraged to sign up for Alexandria eNews alerts to receive timely City updates, including emergency notifications. 

Residents should also continue to monitor weather forecasts and winter storm updates by visiting the National Weather Service website.

Winter and cold weather affect everyone, so be sure to take steps to protect your household, including pets. Winterize your home, prepare your vehicle for driving in snow and ice, and check in on neighbors who may need extra support. With a little preparation, Alexandrians can stay safe and resilient throughout the winter season.

Generating Hot Water from Air – Heat Pumps at Work!

The City of Alexandria is expanding the use of air-to-hot water heat pumps to provide domestic hot water for select City-owned facilities.  The benefits of hot water heat pumps include:

• Reduced energy use (heat pumps use 3-4 times less energy than gas water heaters)
• Reduced operational costs
• Room dehumidification (great for basements!)
• Space cooling in the summer 

Most recently, City of Alexandria installed two large heat pump systems at the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center and the Chinquapin Park Recreation Center.  These systems provide between 250 and 800 gallons of hot water a day for showers and handwashing.  By “decoupling” the domestic hot water from the central space heating system, there is significant energy and cost savings worth many hundreds of dollars per month. 

Thankfully, heat pump hot water heaters are also available for residential use.  Some heat pumps operate with a standard electrical plug like your refrigerator or TV, which makes adding a heat pump hot water heater a lot easier to an existing home.

Learn more about heat pump water heaters.

Mold at Home? You’re Not Alone. Help Improve Mold Resources for Alexandrians

Alexandria Health Department's 2024 Healthy Homes Survey found that mold is one of Alexandrians’ top-reported home condition issues.

That’s why the City's Healthy Homes Network is launching a new Mold Help Website—packed with step-by-step guidance for renters, homeowners, and property managers to make it a one-stop website for Alexandrians looking for information and resources to tackle mold. We need your input!  Volunteer to review the website and share your feedback by emailing healthmatters@vdh.virginia.gov.

Make a Difference in Your Community with the CHIP

Alexandria Health Department is working on a new five-year Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)! Three coalitions (one for the Landmark/Van Dorn neighborhood, one for the Arlandria neighborhood, and one for mental wellness across the City) are working to select priorities and come up with solutions to address issues like walkability, economic stability, and more. 

We’re looking for residents to be a part of this effort and share what matters most to them. 

Sign up for the coalition(s) you’re interested in this form.  You can also learn more and find ways to get involved on our CHIP Landscape page. 

Even if you can’t join a meeting, you can still participate online. Right now, you can vote on our coalition vision and share some focus area ideas. Contact healthmatters@vdh.virginia.gov or call 703.244.5654 for any questions.

Weatherization Kits Shared with Casa Chirilagua Community

Yulia Fernandez Marcos, the Community Engagement and Climate Justice Manager for the City of Alexandria, recently visited Casa Chirilagua to share free window film kits with community members. These kits help keep homes warmer during winter temperatures while saving energy and money.

Staff Highlight 

Samantha Huffman, Community Services Program Coordinator 

How would you describe your role, especially in terms of helping make Alexandria an Eco-City?  As the Program Coordinator, I manage operations for the energy assistance program, EnergyShare, that supports eligible households with timely utility support. The Office of Community Services turns emergency aid into long-term resilience by not just helping people “weather” their current crisis, but by introducing them to energy efficiency and budgeting tips, helping them navigate and access available resources and programs, and providing strategies and tools to improve home management (we have been known to pass out LED light bulbs as “merch” during community events); all of which leads to lower energy usage and utility bills, and increased stability for households. 

What are you most excited about in your work right now? I am most excited about doing work that really matters!  It’s work that directly stabilizes households…it’s work that reaches people and helps them avoid further stress and crises.

Would you be willing to share a fun fact about yourself? I am a Leo, what’s more fun than that?!

Eco-City Homes Spotlight

Sarah Abresch, a renter in Alexandria, is excited to be a new Eco-City Homes participant.

What sort of actions have you taken to be sustainable?
Our household prioritizes the environment by recycling, taking field trips to the purple glass bin and the compost drop-off at the Four Mile Run Market, and keeping the winter thermostat at sweater weather temps. We also participate in local cleanups when we can. I'm determined to snag a spot at the next Four Mile Run kayak cleanup!

How have those actions impacted your day-to-day life?
Participating in local cleanups has been a great way to meet our neighbors and get involved. Shoutout to the Hume Springs Civic Association for organizing them!

What does it mean to you to be an Eco-City home? 
I recently learned about the Eco-City Homes program, and it was a nice reminder that even taking small sustainable actions in our daily lives contributes toward the well-being of our community. I'm excited to dive into the resources Eco-City provides, learn more about taking sustainable actions at home (even without being a homeowner!), and work toward earning the silver tier!

• Planning Commission Public Hearing - Tuesday, January 6, 2026 • 7-11:59 p.m.
• Housing Affordability Advisory Committee (Virtual) - Wednesday, January 7, 2026 • 7-9 p.m.
• Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Meeting - Thursday, January 8, 2026 • 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Planning & Zoning Virtual Community Update - Thursday, January 8, 2026 • 6-7 p.m.
• Colonial Ave. Sewer Separation Community Meeting - Monday, January 12, 2026 • 7-8:30 p.m.
• Park & Recreation Commission Meeting - Thursday, January 15, 2026 • 7-9 p.m.
• Waterfront Commission Meeting - Tuesday, January 20, 2026 • 7:30-9:30 a.m.
• Historic Alexandria Resources Commission (HARC) - Tuesday, January 20, 2026 • 7-9 p.m.
• Commission on Aging Transportation Committee - Wednesday, January 21, 2026 • 4-6 p.m.
• Stormwater Utility and Flood Mit. Advisory Group - Wednesday, January 21, 2026 • 7-9 p.m.
• Traffic and Parking Board Meeting - Monday, January 26, 2026 • 7-9 p.m.
• Planning Commission Public Hearing - Tuesday, February 3, 2026 • 7-11:59 p.m.
• DCHS Meeting with Boards and Commissions Chair - Monday, February 9, 2026 • 6:30-8:30 p.m.