The Manassas Park governing body on Dec. 2 authorized a change to a long‑standing development agreement that removes an office‑building requirement and allows the developer to build a second seven‑story apartment building at City Center.

The motion approved authorization for the city manager to sign a fourth amendment to the purchase‑and‑sale agreement with EPI 4 LLC (successor to EMSI Engineering Inc.), with the stated condition that 5% of the units in one of the apartment buildings be affordable consistent with the city’s adopted policy. Council members voted to approve the motion and the mayor announced the motion carries.

Staff said the original PSA, dated Aug. 1, 2012, required construction of an office building before residential permits could be issued; the developer reported it had been unable to secure financing for the office component given current market conditions and asked for the office requirement to be removed so construction could proceed.

Developer representatives described a revised master plan that would produce two mirror seven‑story residential buildings, each with about 110 units (220 units total for the site). Councilors pressed the developer on site details including utility placement and safety of parallel parking on Manassas Drive; staff said those issues will be finalized during engineering and site‑plan review and in accordance with traffic‑engineering standards.

Council members also pressed the developer for affordable housing commitments. Under the city’s typical policy, 5% of units would be below market rate; at 220 units that equates to roughly 11 units. The developer said he did not have a full authority to finalize details on the spot but indicated a willingness to pursue at least six below‑market units and to follow up with the city manager.

City staff and the city attorney advised caution about drafting substantive contractual conditions on the fly; the attorney recommended that if council approves the amendment tonight, council might need to return within two weeks to refine the precise amendment language before signing.

The council’s recorded action authorized the city manager to sign the fourth amendment as presented, with the 5% affordable‑unit condition applied to one building. Staff said final contract language and mechanics will be completed by the city attorney and returned for administrative completion as needed.