"Zoning for Housing" in Alexandria -- no more SFHs?

[Anonymous]

A neighbor told me about this effort to fight new zoning proposals in Alexandria: https://livablealexandria.org

Anyone following? The new rules would end single family housing and allow multiplexes on what used to be SFH lots.

Here's a presentation on the proposals:

https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/dfd8705f-efd0-48d2-bd7f-e7e7ab887005/Zoning%20for%20Housing%20%26%20Housing%20for%20All%20-%20CLA%2010%20.pdf

[Anonymous]

I’m very supportive. We are priced out and would be open to a multiplex. We need more equity in housing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m very supportive. We are priced out and would be open to a multiplex. We need more equity in housing.

There are a million condos -- why do you want to live in one next door to single family homes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m very supportive. We are priced out and would be open to a multiplex. We need more equity in housing.

Earn more money. Lots of openings for side gigs. You have after work and weekends available. Or do you think equity means everything is handed to you? Maybe you should sign up for ARHA housing. They are the epitome of equitable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m very supportive. We are priced out and would be open to a multiplex. We need more equity in housing.

There are a million condos -- why do you want to live in one next door to single family homes?

For the very obvious reason that that’s likely a very desirable neighborhood and the condo will be an easier way to afford it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m very supportive. We are priced out and would be open to a multiplex. We need more equity in housing.

There are a million condos -- why do you want to live in one next door to single family homes?

For the very obvious reason that that’s likely a very desirable neighborhood and the condo will be an easier way to afford it.

When SFH neighborhoods start becoming filled with multi family units, it becomes a less desirable neighborhood. Some people seek SFH to get away from higher density. Why is it considered equity to change the structure of neighborhoods when it it forces people who seek less density to leave?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anyone following? The new rules would end single family housing and allow multiplexes on what used to be SFH lots.

Patently false and certainly on purpose. Nothing in this proposal “ends single family housing” - what it does is end that being the literal only thing you can build in most places. People can and will still build single family homes, they just might also build duplexes, triplexes, and ::gasp:: four-plexes sometimes too.

Like they used to in… checks notes… Del Ray… which has a 17-page thread right now about what a great neighborhood it is (granted with some dissenting haters from Bethesda and arlington, not Alexandria). Zoning for housing basically makes Del ray style neighborhoods legal more places in the city.

Bring it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m very supportive. We are priced out and would be open to a multiplex. We need more equity in housing.

There already are condos, moderate row-homes (like Warwick Village), duplexes and townhouses in Alexandria City.

I support building even more new ones, but I don’t support politicians giving people false hopes that these new developments will be any more affordable to those unable to afford current market prices—especially at 8% interest rates.

For example an old SFH was torn down in Del Ray last year and four $1.4 million townhomes were built in its place. It’s a good thing more people can happily live here, but let’s be realistic that the new stuff being built will be higher end.

So what is the goal of these zoning changes? If the goal is giving more fairly wealthy people more housing format choices then great, just state that. But if the goal is equity, this won’t bring it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m very supportive. We are priced out and would be open to a multiplex. We need more equity in housing.

There already are condos, moderate row-homes (like Warwick Village), duplexes and townhouses in Alexandria City.

I support building even more new ones, but I don’t support politicians giving people false hopes that these new developments will be any more affordable to those unable to afford current market prices—especially at 8% interest rates.

For example an old SFH was torn down in Del Ray last year and four $1.4 million townhomes were built in its place. It’s a good thing more people can happily live here, but let’s be realistic that the new stuff being built will be higher end.

So what is the goal of these zoning changes? If the goal is giving more fairly wealthy people more housing format choices then great, just state that. But if the goal is equity, this won’t bring it.

maybe the goal is to increase the number of taxable households. I have no insider knowledge to support this theory this is just a WAG

[Anonymous]

There is a very small but vocal minority in Alexandria that is convinced this will be the end of the city as they know it. In reality, this proposal ends single-family exclusivity on lots THAT ARE BIG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT MORE THAN ONE RESIDENCE. Let's say you live in a R-8 zone, where it's one house per 8,000 SF lot, with a floor area ratio of .35, or limited to 2,800 SF.

Under the new proposal, the land owner have one 2,800 SF house, or two or more houses that total no more than 2,800. Same land usage. More families can benefit from the location.

[Anonymous]

The builders associations heavily promote infill.

It allows them to tear down existing structures and make more money building multiple dwellings on one lot.

[Anonymous]

this means the schools will just get worse and the middle class will move elsewhere. The wealthy can send their kids to private or to the two track high school where wealthy kids get the attention and into top colleges and many others simply enter the prison pipeline.

[Anonymous]

This kind of zoning change was just passed this year in Arlington. So far there hasn’t been a mad rush to build multiplexes. But who knows what will happen in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m very supportive. We are priced out and would be open to a multiplex. We need more equity in housing.

There are a million condos -- why do you want to live in one next door to single family homes?

What percent of land area in Alexandria is zoned for SFH? A quarter? A third?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m very supportive. We are priced out and would be open to a multiplex. We need more equity in housing.

There are a million condos -- why do you want to live in one next door to single family homes?

As long as there are neighborhood schools, allowing only SFHs excludes less wealthy families from the “good” schools. I’m sure that’s part of the rationale. Although by high school don’t all the students get dumped into the same barely accredited school?