South Patrick Street Housing Affordability Strategy
New Residential Affordability Zone
- On February 23, 2019, City Council adopted Text Amendment 2018-0013 creating a Residential Multifamily (RMF) Zone, one of the early implementation tasks outlined in the South Patrick Street Housing Affordability Strategy. The new RMF Zone incentivizes the enhancement and preservation of long-term housing affordability through the provision of additional density.
Adopted South Patrick Street Housing Affordability Strategy
- Adopted South Patrick Street Affordable Housing Strategy
- Interactive Story Map - This interactive Story Map was created as an alternative to the written document. The story map interface allows users to interact with a geographical map of the study area and its context within the larger city and metropolitan area.
Background
The timing of this effort was closely tied to the expiration of affordability contracts on two large rental communities in the corridor – The Heritage at Old Town and Olde Towne West III. This initiative explored opportunities to maintain housing affordability in the plan area through the future preservation, renovation and/or redevelopment of these properties. Working with the community and commercial property owners, this planning effort developed strategies and identified public and private resources and tools to preserve housing affordability and diversity, including existing expiring long-term subsidies that provide deep affordability for many of the rental units. It also explored strategies to strengthen the character of the neighborhood, prioritize safety and accessibility along Route 1 South, and create a more welcoming gateway to the city.
- Questions and Answers for Residents (as of July 23, 2018)
- Looking for affordable housing within the city? Visit the Office of Housing web page, where you'll find the Housing Resource Guide in English, Spanish, Amharic, and Arabic. Or call 703.746.4990 with questions.
Plan Development
Working Draft Documents
- Complete August 24 Final Draft
- Comments and Responses on June 4 and July 13 Working Drafts
- Working Drafts
- Complete July 13 Revised Draft Document
- Summary of Major Revisions to June 4 Working Draft
- Complete June 4 Working Draft Document
- Document by Chapter:
- Translated draft chapters in Amharic:
- Complete July 13 Revised Draft Document
Meetings, Events and Materials
June 2018
- June 28, 2018 - Community Meeting
- June 13, 2018 - City Council Work Session
- June 5, 2018 - Planning Commission Work Session
- June 4, 2018 - Community Meeting
May 2018
- May 5, 2018 - Community Meeting
April 2018
- April 25, 2018
- Resident Outreach Meeting - Presentation
- Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations - Presentation
- April 5, 2018 - Alexandria Housing Affordability Advisory Committee Meeting
March 2018
- March 6, 2018 - Planning Commission Work Session
- March 5, 2018 - Charrette Day 5 Community Meeting
- March 1, 2018 - Charrette Day 4
February 2018
- February 28, 2018 - Charrette Day 3
- February 27, 2018 - Charrette Day 2
- February 26, 2018 - Charrette Day 1
- February 24, 2018 - Community Walking Tour
- Community members jointed City staff in a one mile walking tour of the focus area and discussed challenges, opportunities, and points of interest throughout the neighborhood.
- February 20, 2018 - Community Meeting
January 2018
- January 31, 2018 - Pop Up Engagement #4
- January 23, 2018 - Pop Up Engagement #3: Heritage Apartments
- January 18, 2018 - Pop Up Engagement #2: Old Town Village Roundhouse
- January 16, 2018 - Charrette Group Volunteer Orientation Meeting
- January 6, 2018 - Pop Up Engagement #1: Ace Hardware
December 2017
- December 5, 2017 - Planning Commission Work Session
Charrette Week, February 26 - March 5
This planning process included a five-day intensive community planning "charrette" - a collaborative planning and design exercise to develop the principles and strategies for the plan. Members of the community were invited to participate and share their ideas on-site during the day and at evening public meetings and open houses. Childcare, transportation and interpretation services in Spanish and Amharic were provided during the evening community meetings. If unable to attend the charrette in person, community members were invited to follow the charrette progress and participate online throughout the week. Take a look at these photos from charrette!
To ensure consistent participation in the development of the Plan, the City solicited community members to serve as Charrette Group Volunteers. Charrette Group Volunteers, alongside all those interested in the planning process, will help develop the principles and strategies of the plan during the charrette. Volunteers of the Charrette Group committed to participating in most of the public engagement events, and in the charrette in particular. Charrette Group Volunteers represent the geographic and demographic diversity of the planning area.
Community Comments
Resources
Questions?
This planning effort was jointly supported by the Department of Planning & Zoning and the Office of Housing. Questions may be directed to P&Z, 703.746.4666.