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Committee amends and advances Alexandria Theatre special-use district to preserve theater features and allow housing
Summary
The committee voted 3-0 to amend and recommend an ordinance establishing an Alexandria Theatre special use district in the Richmond District that allows up to eight stories and about 75 family-sized units (12% on-site affordability), while requiring preservation of key historic elements and a timetabled entitlement process.
The Land Use and Transportation Committee on April 28 voted 3-0 to amend and recommend an ordinance creating an Alexandria Theatre special use district (SUD) at the northwest corner of Geary and 18th Avenue in the Richmond District. The legislation would allow increased density for a residential development on the site while imposing preservation requirements for historic features of the former theater.
Robin Burke, representing Supervisor Connie Chan, described the plan as a way to advance family housing and preserve the historic character of the Alexandria Theatre. Burke said the SUD would allow a developer to build up to eight stories and create approximately 75 two- and three-bedroom units with a 12% on-site affordable requirement. The legislation also requires preservation of the theater facade, blade sign and marquee, and interior features including the sunburst chandelier and murals, Burke said.
"Preservation of the facade, including the blade sign and the marquee, and on the interior, preservation of the sunburst chandelier and murals," Burke said while describing the preservation commitments and the project team's engagement with the community.
The legislation includes a requirement that developers use the SUD's benefits within three years to prevent the site from languishing. The committee also accepted a non-substantive amendment adding a finding recognizing the historic value of the building and a requirement that density-bonus review include two public hearings — before the Planning Commission and before the Historic Preservation Commission — to facilitate public review and input.
Tina Tam of the Planning Department told supervisors the item had been reviewed and recommended by the Planning Commission. Nick Cola, counsel for the property owner Time Space Alexandria LLC, and project team members including owner York Lee and architects Irving Gonzalez and Aaron Hyland appeared and described preliminary design plans and the team's intent to preserve character-defining elements.
One public commenter spoke in general terms about development issues in other neighborhoods. Chair Mirna Melgar closed public comment.
On a motion by Vice Chair Cheyenne Chen to amend the ordinance as proposed and recommend it to the Board of Supervisors, the committee voted Chen — aye; Supervisor Bilal Mahmood — aye; Chair Mirna Melgar — aye. The motion passed 3-0.
The committee record shows the legislation also includes a planning-code finding of consistency with the general plan, a planning-code Section 101.1 priority-policies finding, and planning-code Section 302 public-necessity findings as part of the ordinance package. The sponsor and project team said they intend to submit an application and seek entitlements promptly if the Board adopts the SUD.
Votes at a glance: Motion to amend and recommend the Alexandria Theatre SUD ordinance — passed 3-0 (Chen, Mahmood, Melgar).
