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Council approves City Center PSA amendment allowing second apartment building with 5% affordable units
Summary
Council authorized the city manager to sign a fourth amendment to the purchase‑and‑sale agreement with EPI 4 LLC to allow a second 7‑story, 110‑unit residential building (bringing the site to two 110‑unit towers) in place of a required office building, with the condition that 5% of the units in one building be affordable consistent with the city's policy.
The Manassas Park governing body voted Dec. 2 to approve a fourth amendment to the purchase‑and‑sale agreement (PSA) with EPI 4 LLC for Phase 2 of City Center, allowing the developer to substitute a second seven‑story residential building for a previously required office building.
Staff said the PSA dates to Aug. 1, 2012, and has been amended three times previously. According to staff, the approved plan had required an office building adjacent to a residential tower and a restaurant; financing realities in the current office market left the developer unable to proceed on the office component, so the developer requested that the city permit a second apartment tower. Under the revised master plan presented to council, the site would have two 7‑story residential buildings, each with 110 units (220 units total). Staff emphasized the developer must still comply with zoning and other development standards and obtain any required waivers.
Council discussion focused on site safety and traffic (parallel parking along Manassas Drive), whether utilities will be underground, parking and amenity space, and how the change aligns with the city’s affordable housing policy. Council asked the developer to consider affordable units; the city’s policy suggests 5% below‑market units. The developer said they were willing to work with the city and indicated an expectation of delivering approximately six below‑market units but did not commit final language on both buildings immediately. City Attorney recommended precise language be drafted and, if necessary, returned to the council within two weeks.
The governing body made and seconded a motion authorizing the city manager to sign the fourth amendment "as presented with the amendment that 5% of the units in one of the buildings will be affordable, consistent with the city's adopted affordability policy." The motion passed on a voice vote.
