Public Open Space Zone Text Amendment

The Alexandria Zoning Code outlines what uses are permissible within the Public Open Space and Community Recreation Zone (POS).There are 62 City parks that are zoned POS. Currently, the Zoning Code requires a lengthy review process to approve many amenities and uses that are consistent and common in parks. The proposed text amendment is intended to more efficiently implement commonly found uses within the City's parks.
Page updated on May 23, 2023 at 1:45 PM

Public Open Space Zone Text Amendment

The Public Open Space and Community Recreation (POS) zone was established to protect, preserve, and enhance publicly owned open spaces, parks, recreational facilities, and other similar areas. Many of Alexandria’s parks include uses that require lengthy approvals. These uses are typically found in contemporary parks and include amenities such as playgrounds, sports courts, fitness equipment, and ancillary recreational components such as backstop fencing, safety netting, flagpoles, scoreboards, restrooms, outdoor storage, and other similar structures. As a result, the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and Department of Planning and Zoning, reviewed the POS Zone for potential updates. The resulting zone text amendment seeks to advance the implementation of typical recreational facilities and safety improvements, and increase the efficiency of enacting approved plans. By increasing flexibility of the POS zone staff is able to more quickly implement park improvement identified in approved Park Improvement Plans (individual park plans that identify park improvements through a community process).  The park improvement plans can be found here.   

The text amendment is an initiative included within the Open Space Policy Plan process to address the City’s Open Space needs. Additionally, the zone text amendment supports the City Council 2022 Community Priority to Support Youth and Families by expanding for improving the City’s ability to implement community based plan recommendations, and the City’s goal of providing safe and equitable access to facilities and services.

Proposed Text Amendment Language

Public Open Space Zone - Proposed Text Amendment Language

Project Goals

  • Create efficiencies: Staff time, project time, and costs are shortened through the reductions of Special Use Permits needed for common park elements.  
  • Implement typical recreational uses and park safety: The proposed amendment allows for the implementation of industry standards for park equipment and amenities, like backstops, player benches, and ball netting at ballfields, without requiring lengthy approvals. 
  • Aid the implementation of approved plans: The proposed amendment allows for the recommendation of Park Improvement Plans and other approved Citywide plans to be implemented more quickly. 

Summary of Amendment

The primary recommendations of the proposed text amendment:

  1. Update the definition of park to reflect common uses, including playgrounds, sports courts & fitness equipment;
  2. Update the definition of congregate recreation facilities to add community recreation buildings, skating and miniature golf uses; 
  3. Permit standardized accessory uses and structures of parks, including restrooms, storage sheds, scoreboards, netting, shade structure; 
  4. Update allowable building and structure heights from 15 to 30 feet, and up to 50 feet with a Special Use Permit;
  5. Allow pathway and parking lot lighting for safety;
  6. Reduce the amount of uses requiring a Special Use Permit but continue to require congregate recreation facilities; and
  7. Clean zoning ordinance language for consistency.

The majority of the uses within the POS zone will largely remain unchanged and still require the same approval processes. These uses include congregate recreation facilities, commercial facilities, sports lighting, and skating rinks.    

Timeline

  • March/April: Public engagement 

  • April 20: Public Hearing at the Park and Recreation Commission meeting 

    • Charles Houston Recreation Center, 7:00 p.m. 

  • April: Public engagement findings and edits to text amendment 

  • May: File text amendment application 

  • June: Planning Commission and City Council hearings 

Community Engagement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Public Open Space Zone (POS)?

The POS zone was established to protect, preserve, and enhance publicly owned open spaces, parks, recreational facilities, and other similar areas. It is the most restrictive zone in the Alexandria Zoning Ordinance allowing essentially only passive uses in our parks such as trails, gardens, landscaped areas, and seating without additional approvals. The City’s public parks are most commonly zoned POS and there are 62 City parks that are zoned POS.   

Why is the City proposing updates to the POS zone?

The proposed edits to the Zoning Ordinance are intended to more efficiently implement park improvements without delaying public enjoyment. 

How will the proposed text changes to the POS zone impact parks in Alexandria?

The majority of POS uses will remain unchanged and require the same approvals. The proposed amendment is anticipated to reduce the number of approvals for accessory type items such as ballfield backstops, outdoor storage, flag poles, and other standardized and common recreation components. Streamlining of this process will facilitate implementation of such improvements. In addition, each park improvement is identified and goes through a community engagement process as part of park improvement planning process. The park improvement plan process will continue to occur with the adopted text edits.  

What guidance is in place to ensure professional and public review of park changes?

In 2012, the Division of Park Planning, Design, and Capital Development began developing Park Improvement Plans by park typology. This planning process breaks out the City's open spaces into groups based on their size and uses, allowing for the development of plans for parks that share similar characteristics and improvement needs. Through this multi-year effort, RPCA determines budgeting priorities and recommendations for both short- and long-term incremental improvements, ensuring the parks serve Alexandria's needs now and into the future. The Park Improvement Plans recommendations are developed and reviewed by the community through a public engagement process. The park improvement plans are reviewed and endorsed by the Park and Recreation Commission following a public hearing. The park improvement plans can be found here.   

Additionally, all park improvements would continue to be subject to all code and permit requirements ensuring the health and safety of Alexandrians and its facilities.

What will stay the same?

As mentioned above, much of the POS zone will remain untouched. Approvals will still be needed for congregate recreational facilities; public utility right-of-ways; lighting that is not necessary for pathways, parking lots, or pedestrian safety, signage, and flagpoles, such as athletic field and sport court lighting; and public recycling centers. Buildings and structures would not be permitted above 50 feet within the POS zone. 

Why should I participate in this process?

We need your input to help develop a policy that adds the flexibility needed to create parks and open space that meets City residents’ recreational needs while also preserving the City’s open space system.

How can I participate in this process?

You can stay informed about the project by subscribing to enews and project website. There will be several community meetings scheduled in March and April. 

Community input gathered throughout the process will inform staff’s policy recommendations that will be considered by Planning Commission and City Council.

Resources

Public Open Space Zone Text Amendment Presentation 

Alexandria Park Improvement Plans    

ParkLink 

Map of Public Open Space Zone