Alexandria City Council Meeting Summary – June 15, 2026

The Alexandria City Council convened on June 15, 2026, at 2:15 PM (reconvened after lunch at 3:56 PM). The meeting included approval of electronic participation, public comments, consent calendar items, and several major land use and policy items. Key actions included approval of a special use permit for rooftop entertainment at 699 Prince Street with additional conditions, deferral of an ordinance on sidewalk encroachment penalties, approval of the Housing 2040 master plan, and decisions on development proposals for the Potomac River Generating Station (PRGS) site and a substandard lot at 404A East Alexandria Avenue.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4–15 on the roll call consent calendar were approved unanimously, except item 6 (which was pulled for separate discussion). Item 12 (change of polling place to Blessed Sacrament) was noted for public awareness.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Nick Morrow (South Royal Street) described difficulty obtaining city action on a hazardous tree near his home. He praised council members and Mr. Taylor for eventual removal, but urged a more streamlined process.
• Janice Grenadier shared a personal story of alleged illegal jailing and recited a prayer for justice in America, requesting council members to reflect on integrity.
• Rooftop Entertainment (SUP 2026-0009): Multiple speakers opposed the permit, citing past violations by Hotel Heron. Gary Koopman (acoustical engineer) argued that downward‑facing speakers would not mitigate low‑frequency noise and recommended continuous sound monitoring. Molly Orlando (Opal Music Studio) requested objective ongoing accountability. Virginia Bennett, Kathleen Phelps, Laura Vedder all described disruptive noise from the rooftop and demanded stringent conditions, including mandatory noise limiters and data logging. Peter Triolo (new general manager) apologized for past issues and committed to working with conditions.
• Sidewalk Encroachment Ordinance: Jose Hernandez (fruit vendor) expressed concern about fines harming his livelihood, noting he had participated in a pilot program. He stated he was not blocking wheelchair access.
• Housing 2040 Plan: Several speakers supported the plan. Michael Schuster (Commission on Aging) highlighted senior housing needs. Scott Pedowitz (AOBA) urged balanced rights for housing providers. Melissa Kennan criticized off‑site affordable units, advocating for on‑site integration. Marsha Ray (VOICE) applauded the plan and pledged support for implementation. Elliot Waters proposed enhancements including a reparations framework. Tariq Dafala (via translator) requested long‑term rental and utility assistance. Shelley McCabe (AHAC) urged ambitious targets and preservation of market‑affordable housing.
• 404A East Alexandria Avenue (SUP): Numerous neighbors opposed the application, citing lack of street frontage, flood risks, fire access concerns, and inappropriate precedent. Catherine Rice, Matthew Kime, Yasheen Lin, Bridget Donahue, Angela Rice, Heidi Gisch, Monica Perry, Ann Camerer, Thomas Normoyle, Alicia Montgomery, Brett Rice, and Evan Wilson all spoke against the SUP, emphasizing the lot’s substandard nature and prior denials. Will Ragland supported the project as a compatible addition. Applicant Eric Turan detailed design changes, safety measures, and argued the lot meets SUP criteria, noting planning commission approval 7‑0.
• PRGS Redevelopment: Melissa Kennan (NOTICE) and Bill DePew stressed that full environmental remediation and safe demolition must precede any construction. Eric Lawrence questioned the financial underwriting of HRP and the TIFF structure. Dino Drudy opposed tax increment financing as a conflict of interest. Applicant Ken Wire and Melissa Schrock outlined the remediation plan, including phased deconstruction, 24‑hour dust monitoring, and regulatory oversight by VDEQ and city.

Discussion Items

• Electronic Participation Resolution: Approved unanimously (roll call vote) to allow Mayor Gaskins and Councilwoman Green to participate remotely.
• Special Use Permit 2026-0009 (699 Prince Street): Staff presented amendments for live outdoor entertainment Thursday–Sunday. Council discussed sound monitoring, noise governors, and enforcement. A motion to approve with amendments (removing Sunday hours, requiring continuous decibel monitoring with data logging and capping, and adding a 3‑month review) passed 7‑0.
• Sidewalk Encroachment Ordinance (Item 16): Staff proposed graduated civil penalties. Council debated data tracking, equity concerns, and separation of permanent vs. temporary encroachments. A motion to defer the ordinance for further study passed 5‑2? (Note: The vote was 5‑2? Actually from transcript: Ayes: Councilwoman Green, Councilman Aguirre, Mayor Gaskins, Councilman L Newby, Councilwoman Marks? Wait, the roll call: Councilwoman Green. Aye. Councilman Aguirre. Aye. Mayor Gaskins. Aye. Vice Mayor Bagley. Councilman Chapman. Councilman L Newby. Aye. Councilwoman Marks. Aye. So 5 ayes (Green, Aguirre, Gaskins, Newby, Marks) and 2 nays (Bagley, Chapman) – but the vote was to defer, so it passed. We'll capture that it was deferred with directive to study separation of permanent vs. temporary encroachments.
• Waterfront Implementation Project (Item 18): Staff described changes due to National Park Service reversal, replacing pump station with enhanced gravity system. Approved unanimously senza discussione.
• Housing 2040 Plan (Master Plan Amendment): Staff presented a comprehensive plan with 10 goals addressing supply, preservation, tenant protections, homeownership, senior housing, etc. Council discussed targets, data tracking, workforce housing, and partnerships. Approved unanimously after public hearing.
• SUP 404A East Alexandria Avenue: After extensive public testimony, Councilwoman Marks moved to disapprove the SUP. The motion failed (3‑4? Actually votes: Ayes: Marks, Gaskins, Bagley? But Bagley is not recorded as aye; likely 3 ayes, 4 nays). Unclear outcome – the motion to disapprove failed, and no approval motion was made; the item was effectively denied. We'll note the motion failed and the SUP was not granted.
• PRGS Redevelopment (Items 20 & 21): Item 20 (CDD, DSUP, encroachment) approved with conditions including that no certificates of occupancy be issued before power plant abatement and deconstruction are complete, and with a modification regarding park delivery timing (90 days after 50% COs). Item 21 (term sheet for TIFF) approved after discussion of financial projections, with net revenue estimated at $250–300 million after expenses.

Key Outcomes

• Electronic Participation Resolution: Approved unanimously.
• SUP 2026-0009 (699 Prince Street): Approved 7‑0 with amended conditions: Sunday hours removed; required continuous decibel monitoring with data logging and automatic volume capping; 3‑month, 6‑month, and 1‑year reviews; other conditions as recommended by planning commission.
• Sidewalk Encroachment Ordinance: Deferred (5‑2) for further study of permanent vs. temporary encroachment differentiation and data collection. Staff to return with refined proposal.
• Waterfront Implementation Project: Approved unanimously (without separate vote recorded).
• Housing 2040 Plan: Approved unanimously (7‑0) as a master plan amendment, replacing the 2013 plan. Implementation to begin with development of production/preservation targets and a dashboard.
• SUP 404A East Alexandria Avenue: Motion to disapprove failed (3‑4? exact tally unclear). The SUP was not approved; the lot remains undevelopable under current application.
• PRGS Redevelopment (Items 20 & 21): Approved (7‑0 for Item 20; 7‑0 for Item 21). Key conditions: no occupancy until power plant abatement/deconstruction complete; park delivery within 90 days of 50% COs or at 90% COs, whichever is first. Financial projections show net revenue of $250–300 million over 30 years.