City Council public hearing summary | Approved Development | Alexandria | TheCommon

Summary

City Council public hearing summary

AlexandriaMay 16, 20263 min read

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Council held a public hearing docket, adopted zoning changes for commercial uses, approved multiple development and lease actions, and upheld the Traffic & Parking Board decision on the Braddock Road corridor with modifications; several zoning items (including beekeeping rules) were deferred.

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City Council Public Hearing

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Key decisions

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Adopted zoning ordinance amendments implementing Text Amendment No. 2026-00001 to update commercial uses (allow outdoor health/athletic clubs/fitness studios and limited live entertainment; amend restaurant and day care provisions).
Approved Development Special Use Permit #2026-10003 for Old Town Pool replacement (1609 Cameron Street; parcel address 1501 Cameron Street).
Approved extension of a previously approved Development Special Use Permit and Site Plan for 5050 Mark Center Drive (Mark Center Residential LLC).
Approved a new five-year lease between the City and Casa Chirilagua for use of the community building at 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue (Four Mile Run Park).
Approved a three-year license renewal with the Alexandria Boxing Club for the boxing facility at Charles Houston Recreation Center.
Approved a three-year lease renewal with Child and Family Network Centers at Leonard 'Chick' Armstrong Recreation Center (25 West Reed Avenue).
Upheld the Traffic & Parking Board decision on the Braddock Road Corridor with modifications: retain TPB-approved traffic controls for segments one and two; require analysis and completion of sidewalks and high-visibility crosswalks for segment three at Hancock Ave, West Luray Ave, Little St, and Ramsey St; remove traffic controls and retain parking on the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church block. Motion passed 4-3.
Deferred consideration of the sidewalks/streets ordinance amendment (item moved to the June 13, 2026 public hearing).
Noted that the Zoning Text Amendment on beekeeping was deferred by the Planning Commission (7-0).
Endorsed proclamations recognizing Emergency Medical Services Week and May as Mental Health Awareness Month.

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Meeting information

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City Council Public Hearing

May 16, 2026, 12:00 AMscheduled

Agenda

OPENING
Calling the Roll.
Public Discussion Period
Action Docket
Roll-Call Consent Items (5-11)
Individual Public Hearing Items (Roll-Call Vote)
Public Discussion Period (Remaining Speakers, if any)
Closed Session (if needed)
Adjournment.
Agenda Item
Approval of Electronic Participation Resolution (if needed).
Public Hearing and Consideration of Appeals of the Traffic and Parking Board’s February 23, 2026 Decision to Recommend Roadway Design Changes as Part of the Braddock Road Corridor Improvements Project.
Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to amend and reordain Article II (DEFINITIONS) to amend and add definitions related to accessory live entertainment, limited live entertainment, and recreation and entertainment uses and Articles IV (COMMERCIAL, OFFICE AND INDUSTRIAL ZONES), V (MIXED USE ZONES), VI (SPECIAL AND OVERLAY ZONES), and VII (SUPPLEMENTAL ZONE REGULATIONS) to allow outdoor health and athletic clubs or fitness studios and live entertainment as permitted uses subject to use limitations, amend restaurant use limitations, allow temporary trailers for compulsory public and private academic schools as a permitted use, and amend section 4-702 to add day care as a permitted use, of the City of Alexandria Zoning Ordinance, in accordance with the text amendment heretofore approved by city council as Text Amendment No. 2026-00001 (Implementation Ordinance for Text Amendment No. 2026-00001 for Commercial Uses Update approved by City Council on April 18, 2026).
Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Amend Sections 5-2-16 (PLACING MERCHANDISE ON OR OTHERWISE OBSTRUCTING SIDEWALKS AND OTHER PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY) and 5-2-29 (STREET ENCROACHMENTS) of the of Article A (GENERAL PROVISIONS) of Chapter 2 (STREETS AND SIDEWALKS) of Title 5 (TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES) of the City Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended. PLEASE NOTE: This item has been deferred June 2026
Consideration of a Lease Agreement between the City of Alexandria and Casa Chirilagua for Use of the City-owned Community Building at 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue.
Consideration of a Three (3) Year License Agreement Renewal with the Alexandria Boxing Club for the Boxing Facility at Charles Houston Recreation Center.
Consideration of a Three (3) Year Lease Agreement Renewal with Child and Family Network Centers at Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center Located at 25 West Reed Avenue.
Development Special Use Permit #2026-10003 1609 Cameron Street (Parcel Address: 1501 Cameron Street) - Old Town Pool Replacement Public hearing and consideration of a request for a Development Special Use Permit and Site Plan for demolition and reconstruction of a public pool facility with a Special Use Permit request to operate a Congregate Recreational Facility; zoned: POS/Public open space and community recreation zone. Applicant: Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities, City of Alexandria. Planning Commission Action: Recommend Approval 7-0
Development Special Use Permit #2026-10005 5050 Mark Center Drive Public Hearing and consideration of a request for an extension of a previously approved Development Special Use Permit and Site Plan to construct a multi-unit building with Special Use Permit requests for a parking reduction and penthouses to exceed 15 feet in height; zoned CDD #4/Coordinated Development District #4. Applicant: Mark Center Residential LLC represented by Ken Wire, Attorney Planning Commission Action: Recommend Approval 7-0
Zoning Ordinance Subdivision cases are heard by the Planning Commission, placed on the City Council docket for information only, and heard by City Council only upon appeal. Subdivision #2026-00001 411 Clifford Avenue Public hearing and consideration of a request for a Subdivision to re-subdivide an existing lot into two lots with a variation to floor area ratio; zoned R-2-5/Residential. Applicant: Teresa Elaine Lustig represented by Duncan Blair, Attorney Planning Commission Action: Approve 7-0
This case was deferred by the Planning Commission and is only for information only. There is no Council action required at this time. Special Use Permit #2026-00013 404 A East Alexandria Avenue Public hearing and consideration of a request for Special Use Permits to construct a single-unit dwelling on a vacant substandard lot and for a lot without frontage on a public street; zoned R-2-5/Residential. Applicant: Eric Teran and Daniela Gross Planning Commission Action: Defer 6-1
This case was deferred by the Planning Commission and is only for information only. There is no Council required at this time. Zoning Text Amendment #2026-00002 Beekeeping Zoning Regulations A) Initiation of a Zoning Text Amendment; and B) Public Hearing and consideration of text amendments to Zoning Ordinance Articles II (Definitions) and VII (Supplemental Zone Regulations) to define beekeeping and beekeeping equipment, allow beekeeping as an accessory use, allow beekeeping equipment as permitted accessory structures, and establish requirements for beekeeping and beekeeping equipment. Staff: City of Alexandria, Department of Planning & Zoning Planning Commission Action: Defer 7-0
*Please note: The following items are for information only and do not require Council action.*
[This period is a public comment period on items not listed on the agenda. The first 15 speakers will speak at the beginning of the meeting. Any remaining speakers will be heard at the conclusion of the docketed items.]
The May 16, 2026 Public Hearing Meeting of the Alexandria City Council is being held in the City Council Chamber at Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22311) and electronically. Members of City Council and staff are participating either in-person or from a remote location through video conference call on Zoom webinar. The meeting can be accessed by government channel 70, streaming on the City's website, and via Zoom by the following link: Webinar ID: 980 8777 5841 Webinar Passcode: 263198 Dial-in number: 301-715-8592 Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VlY4BooJQz6ck6veVvvmyA If you use the Zoom webinar application, please be sure you have updated the application to the latest version for the best results. If you are unable to access the Zoom webinar, please use the Dial-In number to access the meeting. ***PLEASE LOG-IN EARLY IF POSSIBLE*** Links: Meeting Agenda and Live Webcast: The meeting will be webcast live and video and audio recordings will be available a few days after the meeting. Zoom Registration Form: If you wish to use Zoom to watch the meeting or to address Council, you must register first. Those wishing to address Council should also submit a Speaker's Form using the link below. Speaker's Form: https://apps.alexandriava.gov/SpeakerSignup/ Submission of written statements is encouraged. Please sign up after the docket is created and posted and you are able to verify the meeting date on the City's website. If you have prepared statement or a written comments for the record you may email it to the City Clerk at CouncilComment@alexandriava.gov. Public Comment will be received at this meeting. ***** Individuals requiring translation services should contact the City Clerk and Clerk of Council at gloria.sitton@alexandriava.gov or at 703.746.4550. We request that you provide a 48-hour notice so that the proper arrangements may be made. Please specify the language for translation when you make the request. Las personas que requieran servicios de traducción deben comunicarse con el Secretario de la Ciudad y el Secretario del Consejo en gloria.sitton@alexandriava.gov o al 703.746.4550. Le solicitamos que proporcione un aviso de 48 horas para que se puedan hacer los arreglos necesarios. Por favor, especifique el idioma de traducción cuando realice la solicitud. ***TAKE NOTICE: City Council will take a lunch break in the middle of the docket at a reasonable time when the agenda allows for a break.*** *******
Proclamations
Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing Emergency Medical Services Week.
Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month.

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