Alexandria City Council Public Hearing - February 23, 2026

The Alexandria City Council held a public hearing on February 23, 2026, at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Drive). The meeting included a public discussion period, a roll-call consent calendar, individual public hearing items, and a closed executive session. Over 30 speakers registered, with the first 15 heard at the start and the remaining after the action docket.

Consent Calendar

• Items 5–14 were approved together (except items 7 and 15, which were pulled). Approved items included: a Coordinated Development District concept plan for Upland Park (2618-2658 Foster Ave, etc.), a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a single-unit dwelling at 420 East Windsor Avenue, an SUP for outdoor recreation at 601 & 619 S. Patrick Street (see below), an ordinance to temporarily move the City Hall polling place to Lyles Crouch School, an ordinance to allow publicly accessible EV charging equipment encroachments, implementation ordinances for Master Plan Amendment No. 2025-00005 (732 N. Washington/710 Madison), Rezoning No. 2025-00006, Text Amendment No. 2025-00009 (commercial-to-residential conversions), the Green Building Plan, an ordinance regarding parking in EV charging spaces, and an ordinance to initiate the franchise process for the Torpedo Factory Arts Center.

Public Comments & Testimony

• ICE Collaboration: Multiple speakers (Oliver Moreno, Jessica Tipton, Laura Somer, Barry Finkelstein, Cameron White, Nikki Enfield, Tony Mossler, Morgan Waite, Jamie Fortin) called on the council to reduce the sheriff’s budget to end voluntary cooperation with ICE. Oliver Moreno reported that Sheriff Sean Casey transferred 54 community members to ICE in 2025 and 142 total since taking office, arguing that administrative warrants are not judicial. Barry Finkelstein, a 73-year-old Delray resident, urged the council to “not enable ICE and DHS beyond the barest minimum required by law.” Tony Mossler shared his family’s Holocaust history to warn against local collaboration with lawless agencies. Nikki Enfield demanded “real strategic conversations” and immediate action. Speakers also noted that Fairfax and Arlington counties do not honor administrative warrants. The mayor acknowledged that statements had not changed the sheriff’s behavior.
• ARHA Tenant Issues: Lauren DePina, Kidra Penn, Carrie Fairman, Dan Brindle, Karina Gruell, and Leticia (Spanish speaker) described inaccurate rent ledgers, erroneous eviction proceedings, mold, lack of heat and AC, gas leaks, and chronic maintenance failures. Carrie Fairman stated she and her children spent a year in a shelter after an eviction tied to recertification errors. Dan Brindle noted that Legal Services of Northern Virginia had warned ARHA of a “file first, verify later” approach. The mayor and Councilmember Chapman confirmed receipt of a letter on ledger inaccuracies and noted the ARHA board scheduled a public briefing for February 3. Deputy City Manager Alethea Pedro was directed to follow up.
• ACPS Budget & World Languages: Tim Doyle, Stacey Rudolph, Shane (student), Karen Daly, Joseph Daly, Liz Sheen, and others advocated for restoring in-person Chinese and Latin teacher positions proposed for elimination. Speakers stated that counselors discouraged enrollment and that students loved the programs. Shane noted that moving classes to virtual would harm community and learning. Stacey Rudolph requested “sufficient funding” for teachers while a transparent review is conducted. Councilmember ElNuby pointed out that the school board received a 40% increase over several years and that council cannot dictate spending. Councilmember Chapman expressed disappointment that ACPS cut teaching positions while protecting central office communications staff. Multiple speakers cited declining enrollment due to deliberate steering, not lack of interest.
• Other Public Comments: Maryma Bangara, a student at John Adams Elementary, urged support for teachers and schools. Jennifer Ayers (Executive Director of Alive!) reported that Alive serves roughly 20,000 people monthly and requested increased FY2027 funding to keep up with inflation-driven need. Gail Reuter described volunteering for Alive’s furniture program and stressed the growing demand. Don Lucas, president of the Education Association of Alexandria, asked for competitive pay and benefits for ACPS staff. Sujata (last name not captured) urged the council to reject the school board’s CIP for Jefferson-Houston, citing lack of community engagement and equity concerns. Dan Beattie (Vice Chair, Environmental Policy Commission) provided updates on the recent Potomac River sewage spill and the passage of the Green Building Plan, and expressed support for Braddock Road Trail improvements.

Discussion Items

• Item 7: SUP for 601 & 619 S. Patrick Street — The applicant requested an SUP for an outdoor recreation and entertainment use (gym with rooftop workout space). Speaker Leanne Gardner (resident of S. Henry Street) raised concerns about 24-hour operation, noise, light, trash, and potential aggressive clientele. Applicant Duncan Blair responded that an 8-foot solid barrier would be built, lighting would be downlighting only, and the rooftop would close at 11 p.m. per noise ordinance. Staff recommended conditions: deliveries 7 a.m.–11 p.m., no amplified sound in outdoor area, and adherence to decibel limits. Councilmember Gary asked about lights and trash; the applicant agreed to adjust lighting if needed and keep the area clean. Vice Mayor Bagley moved approval, noting that enforcement mechanisms exist. The motion passed unanimously on a roll-call vote.
• Item 15: Torpedo Factory Arts Center Franchise Ordinance — The ordinance initiates the process to grant a lease, management, and operation agreement. Speaker Lisa Schumayer supported the RFI but opposed requiring the archaeological ship (the “boat”) to be housed in the building, as it would displace studios. Mayor Gaskins clarified that the RFI does not mandate the boat; it only requires bidders to acknowledge the city’s need to find a home for the ship. Vice Mayor Bagley moved approval, and the item passed unanimously.
• Item 16: Appointment to Legislative Subcommittee — Councilman Chapman was appointed to the Legislative Subcommittee. Approved unanimously.
• Item 17: Duke & Quaker Townhomes (11 & 21 N. Quaker Lane, 3369 Duke Street) — The applicant requested a rezoning to remove an existing proffer and a DSUP to construct 11 townhouse units (10 market-rate, 1 affordable at up to 100% AMI). Staff reported that the project includes dedication of 30 feet for the future Duke Street Transitway, a $68,000 voluntary affordable housing contribution, a $9,000 public art contribution, and $2,000 for Capital Bikeshare. Stormwater quality will be met 73% on-site with off-site credits due to the right-of-way dedication. Traffic trips are estimated at single digits in peak hours, below the 50-trip threshold for a study. Condition 83 regarding the public art contribution was amended to allow the funds to be used for other purposes (e.g., the nearby skate park) at the city manager’s direction, per the applicant’s suggestion. Councilman Chapman requested consideration of the skate park across the street. The rezoning and DSUP were approved unanimously with the amended condition.

Key Outcomes

• Item 7 (SUP for gym) approved with conditions, including 11 p.m. noise limit.
• Item 15 (Torpedo Factory franchise process) approved.
• Item 16 (Legislative Subcommittee appointment) approved.
• Item 17 (Duke & Quaker Townhomes) approved with amended Condition 83 allowing public art funds for alternative uses at manager’s discretion.
• The council committed to following up on ARHA tenant complaints and will work with the city manager to address mold, ledgers, and eviction practices.
• Budget work sessions will begin after the city manager presents the FY2027 budget on Tuesday, February 25; the ACPS work session is scheduled for March 4.
• The council voted to convene in closed session (9 min) under Virginia Code §2.2-3711(A)(7) and (8) for legal consultations, and later reconvened and certified the session.
• The meeting adjourned after the closed session.