Council approves 40-unit permanent supportive housing project at 1812 Erickson Avenue with modified conditions

HARRISONBURG, Va. — The Harrisonburg City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve a special-use permit that clears the way for a 40-unit permanent supportive housing development at 1812 Erickson Avenue.

Frank Gordon, the applicant and developer, told the council the project is purpose-built as permanent supportive housing — low-barrier, deeply affordable units combined with on-site wraparound services — and that financing for supportive housing is highly constrained by program limits. “We’ve got it down to the square foot of pavement that’s needed,” Gordon said, describing the tight financing margins for the project and the decision to optimize the site plan to lower construction costs.

Amber Robinson, permanent supportive housing supervisor at the Harrisonburg–Rockingham Community Services Board, urged approval and described the program’s demand: “Our PSH program serves individuals who are among the most vulnerable in our community… Of those, only 3 own vehicles. The vast majority rely on paratransit, Medicaid transportation, public buses, and our case managers for their transportation needs.” Robinson said the development’s proposed 20 parking spaces (0.5 space per unit) matched the needs of likely tenants and staff.

Project and conditions - Location and zoning: 1812 Erickson Avenue, zoned B-2 (General Business). The developer requested a special-use permit to allow multifamily dwellings in B-2 by plan of development. - Units and buildings: Two buildings of 20 units each (40 units total). The applicant’s plan shows parking between the buildings and a pedestrian connection to Erickson Avenue. - Proffered conditions (submitted by the applicant): units limited to one bedroom each; off-street parking calculated at 0.5 spaces per unit; no more than three stories; pedestrian connection to Erickson Avenue; and dedication of right-of-way and temporary construction easements when required for future intersection improvements. - Staff recommendation and planning commission: Staff recommended approval with an additional condition prompting the developer to build a shared-use path or sidewalk to the Walmart property line. Planning Commission recommended approval (5–0). Staff noted that Bluestone Town Center and other future development would ultimately determine whether intersection-scale improvements and additional sidewalks would be extended across private property.

Council action and modifications During public comment the developer said he had initiated discussions with the Walmart Real Estate Business Trust about extending pedestrian connections, but that the developer could not commit to bearing the risk of constructing a sidewalk across another property that Walmart might not immediately extend. Gordon asked council to omit the staff’s condition requiring the applicant to build the additional sidewalk segment to Walmart, saying that a firm requirement could jeopardize highly competitive state funding for the project.

Council approved the special-use permit with two modifications: removal of staff condition number 6 (the required sidewalk segment to Walmart) and an extension of the applicant’s approval window from the standard 36 months to 48 months to allow more time to pursue financing and permits. The measure passed on a unanimous roll call vote.

Votes and outcome - Motion to approve special-use permit for 1812 Erickson Avenue with the applicant’s plan and 48 months, and without the staff-recommended sidewalk-to-Walmart condition: approved, 5–0.

Why it matters Supportive housing pairs housing with services for people with chronic homelessness and behavioral or physical disabilities; local service providers said the units will serve people who have struggled to obtain housing in the private market even with vouchers. The city’s approval clears the way for the developer to pursue state financing and other construction-stage funding, but Gordon warned that small additional costs — including required sidewalk segments or other proffers — can affect the project’s financial viability.

Next steps Developer to continue pursuing state financing, finalize building and stormwater plans, and begin construction once financing and permitting are secured. The developer agreed to dedicate right-of-way or temporary easements as required for future public improvements when requested.

Speakers and record Speakers in the record included Frank Gordon (applicant/developer), Amber Robinson (Harrisonburg–Rockingham Community Services Board), Adam Fletcher (city staff), and members of the council. Planning Commission recommended approval 5–0, and council approved the project 5–0.