OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Alexandria Planning Commission Public Hearing – February 4, 2026

Public Meetings — Wednesday, February 4, 2026
BodyAlexandria, Virginia
SessionPublic Meetings
DateWednesday, February 4, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
⇩ GET FROM SOURCE

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:07

I'm just gonna test that this works.

0:09

Can everybody hear okay?

0:11

Great.

0:35

Yes.

0:42

Yeah, but it's not so important.

0:57

Well, that's the path hour.

1:15

No, I'm just putting it on.

1:29

Um, I just got three.

2:17

So I was like, yeah, so we can represent that.

3:33

Well, I think there's a little technical.

3:53

But I say that.

3:54

Okay.

3:58

Okay.

3:59

I can get over.

4:03

Good evening.

4:04

Welcome to the February third, 2026 Planning Commission public hearing at the Radella Dell.

4:11

Pardon me.

4:12

Radella S.

4:12

Dell Resource Community Center.

4:15

I'm Melissa McMahon, Chair of the Alexandria Planning Commission.

4:19

Commissioner Lenahan will participate in tonight's meeting remotely due to personal travel to South San Francisco, California.

4:26

Waiting.

4:26

I'm waving to you on the screen because you're right in front of me.

4:31

Um Commissioner Manner will also participate in tonight's meeting remotely due to temporary illness.

4:36

Hello, everyone.

4:37

And he is participating from home.

4:39

Commissioners Lanahan and Manor are participating remotely pursuant to section two point two-three seven oh eight point three of the code of Virginia and the city's electronic participation policy.

4:50

Before we begin, I have just a few announcements about participating in tonight's meeting.

5:00

If you wish to speak on a docket item and have not already signed up to do so, please fill out speaker form online by following the sign up to speak hyperlink on the cover page of this evening's public hearing docket or in person by filling out a hard copy speaker form, which can be found on the tables located immediately outside the chambers and providing it to Ms.

5:13

Jacobs, who has her hand raised.

5:16

Please note comments from the public are limited to three minutes per speaker, with the exception of applicants and their representation.

5:23

To make your public comment through the Zoom application, please click on the raise hand button located on the Zoom taskbar once you hear your name called to let staff know you need to be unmuted.

5:33

If you are dialing into tonight's meeting via phone, please press star nine to execute the raise hand function once you hear your name called upon to make your statement, followed by star six to toggle the unmute function.

5:46

For those here in person, please come up to the podium located at the front of the chambers when you hear your name called and identify yourself by first and last name.

5:54

The city encourages and welcomes public comments from all residents on planning commission matters.

6:00

In keeping with that principle and with the principle of inclusiveness, this is a reminder of the shared expectation that the content and tenor of public comments always be civil and respectful.

6:10

Thank you for honoring those principles.

6:12

A reminder to all, including commissioners, staff, and speakers in the chambers, to please speak clearly into the microphone to ensure all can hear you.

6:22

And with that, we can go to our agenda.

6:28

Are there any changes to the agenda tonight?

6:30

Yes, Madam.

6:31

Madam Chair.

6:33

Docket item number seven.

6:35

Uh the applicant has requested a deferral of docket item number seven.

6:40

All right.

6:41

Thank you very much.

6:42

Uh Commissioner Brown.

6:46

I'm going to support the deferral, but before doing so, I want to make a couple of comments about this application because I won't be around here to vote on it when it comes back around again.

7:00

Um I was going to prepare a memorandum detailing my objections to this application, but the deferral has spared me the need to do that.

7:13

However, I'll be happy to provide the chair and the director a memorandum if they want it.

7:20

I will just very quickly summarize that this application should be controlled by section 12-1000 of the ordinance, which states very simply that any lot of record prior to December 16th, 2023, which is true of all three of these lots.

7:41

Uh that have less lot area width or frontage than the minimum required for the use in the zone where it is situated, which is the case here, may be developed with a single unit, two-unit or townhouse dwelling and its accessory structures, subject to the following requirements.

8:07

Regardless of the maximum height and floor area ratio otherwise established, the maximum permitted height and floor area ratio shall be 35 feet and 1.5, respectively.

8:22

In this case, the application is below the 1.5 maximum FAR, but it is above the 35-foot height limit.

8:32

The staff report makes makes only oblique reference to this requirement and does not discuss the significance of it.

9:34

Thank you, Commissioner Brown.

9:36

Do I hear a motion to recommend deferral of this item?

9:41

And for the record, this is not deferral to a date certain.

9:45

I believe the applicant just wants it left open as to when they are comfortable coming back.

9:51

Uh Madam Chair, I move to defer item seven.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning And Zoning████████████████████████████████████████████44%
Procedural█████████████████17%
Noise Ordinance Enforcement██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Community Engagement█████5%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Flood Management████4%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Transportation Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Alexandria Planning Commission Public Hearing – February 4, 2026

The Alexandria Planning Commission held a public hearing on February 4, 2026, beginning at 7:01 p.m. and adjourning at 9:52 p.m. The hearing covered seven docket items, including a subdivision, a special use permit for a rooftop gym, a rezoning and development special use permit for townhomes, and a deferred item. All votes were unanimous (7-0). A proclamation honored Commissioner David Brown for his nearly decade-long service on the commission.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 2 – Upland Park (Foster Ave, Seminary Road, Fairbanks Avenue): Approved unanimously. Amendments to Coordinated Development District Concept Plan, extension of Development Special Use Permit, and approval of Development Site Plan for a public park and townhomes.
  • Item 5 – 420 East Windsor Avenue: Approved unanimously. Special Use Permit to construct a single-unit dwelling on a substandard lot.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 3 – 102 East Monroe Avenue Subdivision: Barbara Mancini (100 East Monroe) expressed concerns about flooding, permeable land loss, and front setback inconsistency. Kim Nordmeyer (neighbor) raised flooding and parking concerns. Duncan Blair, attorney for applicant, responded that stormwater would be addressed at grading plan stage.
  • Item 4 – 601 & 619 S. Patrick Street SUP (Rooftop Gym): Multiple neighbors (Samuel Brant, Shelley Castle, Karen Kasimir, Jeff Erickson) spoke against the outdoor recreation use due to noise, light, privacy, and alley traffic. Duncan Blair, representing applicant, noted the rooftop design includes a structure on the west side to buffer noise/light, and that noise ordinance and SUP conditions apply.
  • Item 6 – Duke & Quaker Townhomes (11 & 21 N. Quaker Lane, 3369 Duke St.): Stephen Morris, president of Seminary Hill Civic Association, supported the project but raised concerns about left-turn restrictions being ignored and suggested physical delineators. Lawana Russell (151 N. Quaker Lane) opposed rezoning, citing traffic congestion and incompatibility with neighborhood character. Michael Macintyre (resident) worried about construction traffic and U-turns at Trinity and Quaker.

Discussion Items

  • Item 3 – Subdivision #2025-00012 (102 East Monroe Ave): Staff presented a straightforward subdivision of one lot into two, both meeting zoning for semi-detached dwellings. Commission discussed flooding mitigation (Director Stoddard outlined site-specific and citywide stormwater programs) and noted the applicant would need to comply with stormwater regulations. The subdivision was approved 7-0.
  • Item 4 – SUP #2025-00054 (601 & 619 S. Patrick Street): Staff recommended approval with conditions limiting outdoor operations to 7 a.m.–11 p.m. and prohibiting amplified sound or instructor-led classes outdoors. Commissioners discussed rooftop design, lighting orientation, glass wall height, and the possibility of frosted glass and fencing along the alley. The chair noted that solar shades could reduce light pollution. Approved 7-0.
  • Item 6 – Rezoning #2025-00007 and DSUP #2025-10031 (Duke & Quaker Townhomes): Staff presented a proposal to remove a 1982 proffer and construct two multi-unit townhouse buildings (11 units, one affordable) with bonus density and height up to 45 feet. Benefits include dedication of 30 feet for future transitway, $68,000 affordable housing contribution, and compliance with green building policy. Commissioners discussed site access and left-turn restrictions. The applicant noted coordination with the adjacent church. Approved 7-0.
  • Item 7 – 806 North Columbus Street Townhomes: Deferred at the applicant's request. Commissioner Brown noted his objection regarding the height exceeding 35 feet per Section 12-1000 of the zoning ordinance.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 3: Motion to close public hearing and approve subdivision carried 7-0.
  • Item 4: Motion to close public hearing and recommend approval of SUP carried 7-0.
  • Item 6: Motions to close public hearing, recommend approval of rezoning, and recommend approval of DSUP each carried 7-0.
  • Item 7: Motion to defer until applicant is ready to return carried 7-0.
  • Consent Calendar: Items 2 and 5 approved 7-0.
  • Minutes: Minutes from January 6, 2026 approved 7-0.

Commissioners’ Reports & Recognition

  • Commissioner Manor reported on waterfront commission concerns about potential sunsetting.
  • Director Stoddard provided updates: Green Building Plan adopted by City Council (7-0); five-year development outlook; community meeting series; upcoming docket items.
  • A mayoral proclamation was read honoring Commissioner David Brown for his service since 2014. Commissioners shared personal tributes.

Meeting Transcript

I'm just gonna test that this works. Can everybody hear okay? Great. Yes. Yeah, but it's not so important. Well, that's the path hour. No, I'm just putting it on. Um, I just got three. So I was like, yeah, so we can represent that. Well, I think there's a little technical. But I say that. Okay. Okay. I can get over. Good evening. Welcome to the February third, 2026 Planning Commission public hearing at the Radella Dell. Pardon me. Radella S. Dell Resource Community Center. I'm Melissa McMahon, Chair of the Alexandria Planning Commission. Commissioner Lenahan will participate in tonight's meeting remotely due to personal travel to South San Francisco, California. Waiting. I'm waving to you on the screen because you're right in front of me. Um Commissioner Manner will also participate in tonight's meeting remotely due to temporary illness. Hello, everyone. And he is participating from home. Commissioners Lanahan and Manor are participating remotely pursuant to section two point two-three seven oh eight point three of the code of Virginia and the city's electronic participation policy. Before we begin, I have just a few announcements about participating in tonight's meeting. If you wish to speak on a docket item and have not already signed up to do so, please fill out speaker form online by following the sign up to speak hyperlink on the cover page of this evening's public hearing docket or in person by filling out a hard copy speaker form, which can be found on the tables located immediately outside the chambers and providing it to Ms. Jacobs, who has her hand raised. Please note comments from the public are limited to three minutes per speaker, with the exception of applicants and their representation. To make your public comment through the Zoom application, please click on the raise hand button located on the Zoom taskbar once you hear your name called to let staff know you need to be unmuted. If you are dialing into tonight's meeting via phone, please press star nine to execute the raise hand function once you hear your name called upon to make your statement, followed by star six to toggle the unmute function. For those here in person, please come up to the podium located at the front of the chambers when you hear your name called and identify yourself by first and last name. The city encourages and welcomes public comments from all residents on planning commission matters. In keeping with that principle and with the principle of inclusiveness, this is a reminder of the shared expectation that the content and tenor of public comments always be civil and respectful. Thank you for honoring those principles. A reminder to all, including commissioners, staff, and speakers in the chambers, to please speak clearly into the microphone to ensure all can hear you. And with that, we can go to our agenda. Are there any changes to the agenda tonight? Yes, Madam. Madam Chair. Docket item number seven. Uh the applicant has requested a deferral of docket item number seven. All right. Thank you very much. Uh Commissioner Brown. I'm going to support the deferral, but before doing so, I want to make a couple of comments about this application because I won't be around here to vote on it when it comes back around again. Um I was going to prepare a memorandum detailing my objections to this application, but the deferral has spared me the need to do that. However, I'll be happy to provide the chair and the director a memorandum if they want it.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com