Commission unanimously recommends adaptive reuse plan at Jamieson Avenue to add affordable units and increase height

The Alexandria Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a development special use permit on Nov. 6 to convert a largely vacant 6‑story office building at 2051 Jamieson Avenue into multiunit residential with a four‑story rooftop addition and optional ground‑floor retail. Staff said the project would provide 17 committed affordable units at 60% of area median income and monetary contributions to housing and open‑space funds.

Staff planner Alexa Powell described the proposal as adaptively reusing a 146,700‑square‑foot office building, adding approximately 38 percent gross floor area via bonus density in exchange for affordable units, and increasing the building height to approximately 146 feet. The staff memo also included two recommended condition changes: a clarified approach to noise mitigation that prioritizes alternative measures (insulation, other treatments) before requiring replacement of existing windows; and a new condition addressing accessibility upgrades to common areas.

Nathan Bridal (staff) explained the revised noise condition and the rationale to allow cost‑effective mitigation alternatives while maintaining tenant disclosure obligations if acoustic standards cannot be met. The commission asked about HUD noise thresholds; a staff colleague referenced the Code of Federal Regulations interior decibel target of 45 dB used to guide mitigation.

Public commenters raised concerns over increased height, the proposal to paint existing red brick a lighter color, impacts to views and traffic, and construction staging. The applicant explained design refinements and set‑backs to reduce impacts on neighboring Carlisle Towers and said the project was intended to reduce office vacancy and expand housing choice near transit. After discussion, the commission voted 7–0 to recommend approval with staff’s recommended conditions.