The Manassas Park City Council voted Dec. 2 to authorize the city manager to sign a fourth amendment to the purchase-and-sale agreement (PSA) with EPI 4 LLC that allows a second seven-story apartment building on the City Center Phase 2 site in place of a previously required office building. The amendment requires the developer to comply with the city’s zoning ordinance and other applicable development standards.

City staff told the council that financing for the office building had not materialized and that the developer proposed two mirror, seven-story residential buildings, each with 110 units. The developer’s representative said the office market remains weak and that, rather than leaving the parcel undeveloped, the firm prefers to construct additional residential units while meeting regulatory requirements.

Council discussion focused on site details and community impacts, including undergrounding utilities, parking and traffic safety, greenspace and amenities for children, and affordable housing. Council members noted the city’s adopted affordable-housing policy and urged the developer to provide below-market units as part of the trade-off for removing the office requirement. The developer indicated he could pursue adding several affordable units but requested time to confirm exact numbers with partners.

To resolve outstanding drafting questions, the council approved language on the floor that conditions approval on an affordability commitment: 5% of the units in one of the buildings shall be affordable, "consistent with the city's adopted policy on affordable portability." Staff and the city attorney said they would return to the council if precision in the amendment language were required; the governing body authorized the city manager to sign the amendment as presented with that condition.

The motion was moved and seconded during the meeting and the presiding officer announced the motion carried. Council members also discussed a follow-up two-week window to refine contractual language if necessary. The city will work with the developer to finalize the amendment and any implementing documents before signature.

Because the amendment removes an office-building requirement, the council and the developer also discussed whether the city might consider renting space or otherwise partnering on future office needs; that earlier idea had fallen away in prior years, staff said. The developer and staff emphasized the project must still meet all development standards and secure required waivers or approvals where applicable.

Next steps: staff will complete any needed revisions to the amendment language and return documents for signature as directed by the council. If changes are needed to the approved motion, council may revisit the item at the next meeting.