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Alexandria committee backs targeted housing asks: right of first refusal, longer eviction notice and zoning-appeals changes
Summary
Subcommittee members supported housing provisions for the 2026 legislative packet including authority for right-of-first-refusal to preserve affordable units, a proposal to extend the rent-eviction grace period from five to 14 days, and a push to clarify standing in zoning appeals after a protracted two-year case.
Alexandria's legislative subcommittee identified housing as a major focus of the 2026 legislative packet, advancing specific proposals the city hopes its delegation will carry to the General Assembly.
Staff noted two carryovers: authority for a city right-of-first-refusal to preserve affordable housing (a proposal already introduced for consideration in the next General Assembly by Delegate Bennett Parker and vetoed in the prior session) and a proposal to increase the eviction grace period from five to 14 days to give tenants more time to make payments before eviction proceedings begin. The subcommittee emphasized clarity: members asked staff to specify whether targeted protections were intended for federal workers, contractors and businesses affected by federal workforce reductions, or for a broader group of impacted workers.
Sharron (staff) explained a legislative item to narrow which parties can appeal zoning changes, saying the city's recent zoning litigation took two years and that standing issues lengthened the case. The goal, she said, is to codify standing rules in state code to reduce litigation time in similar future cases.
Council members and the mayor recommended that the packet present plain, actionable language (for example, by naming the trust fund or the enforcement authorities and the intended outcomes) to make it easier for delegates and committee staff to translate city asks into workable bills.
