Clifton Council schedules separate May public hearing for Pink House; bids under budget with contingency suggested

Contractors for the Pink House renovation told the Clifton Town Council on April 7 that bids have come in under budget and recommended an 8–10% owner-controlled contingency to cover flexibility during construction.

Royce Jarrendt of One Dwelling and Dwayne Nitz reported that the bids received are below the expected budget. The contractors agreed to provide numbers for a larger kitchen option if the Council wants that option included. The Council asked for an itemized budget to be provided to the Treasurer by April 12.

Council members decided the Pink House will have a separate public hearing in May rather than being combined with the FY27 budget hearing so the topic can be considered on its own. Mayor Lynn Screen and staff asked that the materials include a handout with numbers and visual displays for attendees.

The Town Administrator, Laura Jane Cohen, noted the property is currently zoned industrial and asked whether a rezoning process should begin; Vice Mayor Jay Davis said he did not believe rezoning would block approval of the use permit but that the timing should be considered. The contractor said he does not plan to submit permits to Fairfax County until Town funding is confirmed and the Council signs off on the project, which is not expected until June 2.

The Council's direction: staff and the contractor will prepare a detailed itemized budget and visuals for the May public hearing; the Council will review permit timing and zoning steps as part of follow-up work.