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Planning Commission backs three-site Potomac Yard package; townhouse block draws dissent
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Summary
The Planning Commission recommended approval of three coordinated Potomac Yard development applications — a mixed‑use building, an 88‑unit affordable building, and a 124‑unit townhouse block — while adding conditions on public access; the townhouse parcel drew a 4-2 split. Package now goes to City Council.
The Alexandria Planning Commission on Dec. 2 recommended approval of three coordinated development special‑use permits in Potomac Yard, moving a long‑running redevelopment of the area one step closer to construction.
The package includes a mixed‑use residential building with underground parking and a new “town green,” an 88‑unit committed affordable building proposed by Wesley Housing that would range from 30%–80% of area median income, and a townhouse block of roughly 120–124 units. Staff highlighted stormwater improvements, open‑space commitments and transit access near the Potomac Yard Metro station.
Kathy Puskar, the applicants’ attorney, said the three teams coordinated to complete the last vacant Potomac Yard parcels and to provide an affordable building without city operating subsidies. “We think we’re in Goldilocks and we hit it just right,” she said, arguing the package balances density, open space and retail to finish the neighborhood plan.
Commissioners approved the mixed‑use and affordable‑housing DSUPs with unanimous or near‑unanimous recommendations to council. The townhouse block, Land Bay H, was more contentious: commissioners approved it by a 4‑2 vote, with two members voting against the land‑without‑frontage configuration that creates interior lots and a large pedestrian passage rather than conventional streets.
Opponents and several commissioners called the townhouse block a “superblock” that risks reducing long‑term walkability and the opportunity for future ground‑floor retail. “I do not support the land‑use design of this proposal,” Vice Chair Koenig said during deliberations, citing the number of interior lots and the loss of a finer street grid.
Supporters said the package delivers needed housing, open space and an all‑affordable building that would be competitive for tax‑credit financing because of the donated land and coordinated development approach. Staff and the applicants agreed to add conditions requiring a public‑access easement on the northern east‑west walkway through the townhouse block and to adjust street‑tree placement to preserve visual access to pedestrian passages.
What happened - Land Bay B/E (mixed‑use) DSUP and related encroachment: commission recommended approval (vote recorded as carried; recommendation forwarded to City Council). - Land Bay G (88‑unit affordable building): commission recommended approval; staff noted a range of affordability tiers and family‑sized units among the in‑building mix. - Land Bay H (townhouses): motion to recommend approval carried 4–2; two commissioners opposed the land‑without‑frontage approach and raised concerns about long‑term walkability.
Next steps The commission’s recommendations will be transmitted to Alexandria City Council for final action and any conditions will be finalized in subsequent staff‑to‑Council materials and record plats.
