Alexandria City Building Height/ Hyundai SUP Approval.

[Anonymous]

The answer to the above is you can’t build densely enough in Del ray to make the economics work at 45 foot height caps. Whereas if you could build to 70 feet you could.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to stop smoking so much weed if they actually believe that any for profit developer will ever take a SHF rezoned lot and make it into several affordable housing units. Just look at what they've done right around the corner from the dealership on Duncan. Torn down 1 house and put up 4 townhomes that sold around $1.5million EACH. 205 Duncan. How are any of those "affordable"?

"Darden Towns, brand new luxury construction in the heart of Del Ray,... is a small subdivision (?) only half a block away from Mt. Vernon."

https://www.zillow.com/homes/205-e-duncan-22301_rb/2062400905_zpid/

You're making the point of why bonus height (and things like Accessory dwelling units, or missing middle approaches like they are discussing in Arlington) is needed...

205 Duncan was three lots - redeveloped into the only thing you really can build in Del Ray today... SFHs. I guess it's a small win that instead of 3 McMansions that would have naturally gone here, we get 4 townhomes instead - and yes, as much as 1.5M sounds like a lot, it actually is "affordable" compared to the SFH alternatives that end up here otherwise.

The true path to affordability requires building more densely than townhomes, which is exactly what the bonus height amendment would allow. The only way to build more is to build up. Which...with a metro station on either end of the neighborhood is exactly what Alexandria should be encouraging.

NP here. So if that was three lots, made into 4 huge townhomes, why wasn't the pressure to take that large of a parcel and make affordable housing?It seems like there was a significant opportunity to make several units. If the talk is about taking 1 SFH lot any putting 4+ units on it, here were 3 lots. No uproar over it. Plus there are apartments just a block away from this, seems like it would have fit in. But no, gigantic townhomes were put in its place.

And Braddock Road metro is pretty close to most of Del Ray, closer IMO than where the PY metro will be. That neighborhood is accessible by metro. And parking is about to get worse, there is push to add blocks for pay parking, and to make it for only 1-2 hour increments as residents have complained that it is hard for them to find parking. I found myself in one of those parking board meetings when I thought I was in a meeting for something else in city hall. It's coming.

It's absolutely coming and I welcome it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to stop smoking so much weed if they actually believe that any for profit developer will ever take a SHF rezoned lot and make it into several affordable housing units. Just look at what they've done right around the corner from the dealership on Duncan. Torn down 1 house and put up 4 townhomes that sold around $1.5million EACH. 205 Duncan. How are any of those "affordable"?

"Darden Towns, brand new luxury construction in the heart of Del Ray,... is a small subdivision (?) only half a block away from Mt. Vernon."

https://www.zillow.com/homes/205-e-duncan-22301_rb/2062400905_zpid/

You're making the point of why bonus height (and things like Accessory dwelling units, or missing middle approaches like they are discussing in Arlington) is needed...

205 Duncan was three lots - redeveloped into the only thing you really can build in Del Ray today... SFHs. I guess it's a small win that instead of 3 McMansions that would have naturally gone here, we get 4 townhomes instead - and yes, as much as 1.5M sounds like a lot, it actually is "affordable" compared to the SFH alternatives that end up here otherwise.

The true path to affordability requires building more densely than townhomes, which is exactly what the bonus height amendment would allow. The only way to build more is to build up. Which...with a metro station on either end of the neighborhood is exactly what Alexandria should be encouraging.

NP here. So if that was three lots, made into 4 huge townhomes, why wasn't the pressure to take that large of a parcel and make affordable housing?It seems like there was a significant opportunity to make several units. If the talk is about taking 1 SFH lot any putting 4+ units on it, here were 3 lots. No uproar over it. Plus there are apartments just a block away from this, seems like it would have fit in. But no, gigantic townhomes were put in its place.

And Braddock Road metro is pretty close to most of Del Ray, closer IMO than where the PY metro will be. That neighborhood is accessible by metro. And parking is about to get worse, there is push to add blocks for pay parking, and to make it for only 1-2 hour increments as residents have complained that it is hard for them to find parking. I found myself in one of those parking board meetings when I thought I was in a meeting for something else in city hall. It's coming.

It's absolutely coming and I welcome it.

In that meeting, the residents absolutely want it. The business owners do not. Major complaint was that too many "outsiders" were coming to yoga or another class at Mind the Mat, and then not leaving in their car right away and were instead going to get coffee at St. Elmos or Stomping Ground or going to lunch at Cheestetique or Del Ray Cafe and maybe do some shopping and NEVER LEAVING. The woman who owns the pottery store was really worked up about it vs neighbors who want people to just park, go to yoga, and GTHO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to stop smoking so much weed if they actually believe that any for profit developer will ever take a SHF rezoned lot and make it into several affordable housing units. Just look at what they've done right around the corner from the dealership on Duncan. Torn down 1 house and put up 4 townhomes that sold around $1.5million EACH. 205 Duncan. How are any of those "affordable"?

"Darden Towns, brand new luxury construction in the heart of Del Ray,... is a small subdivision (?) only half a block away from Mt. Vernon."

https://www.zillow.com/homes/205-e-duncan-22301_rb/2062400905_zpid/

You're making the point of why bonus height (and things like Accessory dwelling units, or missing middle approaches like they are discussing in Arlington) is needed...

205 Duncan was three lots - redeveloped into the only thing you really can build in Del Ray today... SFHs. I guess it's a small win that instead of 3 McMansions that would have naturally gone here, we get 4 townhomes instead - and yes, as much as 1.5M sounds like a lot, it actually is "affordable" compared to the SFH alternatives that end up here otherwise.

The true path to affordability requires building more densely than townhomes, which is exactly what the bonus height amendment would allow. The only way to build more is to build up. Which...with a metro station on either end of the neighborhood is exactly what Alexandria should be encouraging.

NP here. So if that was three lots, made into 4 huge townhomes, why wasn't the pressure to take that large of a parcel and make affordable housing?It seems like there was a significant opportunity to make several units. If the talk is about taking 1 SFH lot any putting 4+ units on it, here were 3 lots. No uproar over it. Plus there are apartments just a block away from this, seems like it would have fit in. But no, gigantic townhomes were put in its place.

And Braddock Road metro is pretty close to most of Del Ray, closer IMO than where the PY metro will be. That neighborhood is accessible by metro. And parking is about to get worse, there is push to add blocks for pay parking, and to make it for only 1-2 hour increments as residents have complained that it is hard for them to find parking. I found myself in one of those parking board meetings when I thought I was in a meeting for something else in city hall. It's coming.

It's absolutely coming and I welcome it.

In that meeting, the residents absolutely want it. The business owners do not. Major complaint was that too many "outsiders" were coming to yoga or another class at Mind the Mat, and then not leaving in their car right away and were instead going to get coffee at St. Elmos or Stomping Ground or going to lunch at Cheestetique or Del Ray Cafe and maybe do some shopping and NEVER LEAVING. The woman who owns the pottery store was really worked up about it vs neighbors who want people to just park, go to yoga, and GTHO.

Two hours is plenty of time to come and visit multiple businesses, and works great in old town. If you want to stay longer, there's a lot with a higher rate, or you could always metro or uber, like I do to old town... We should create parking restrictions like the dense, transit accessible, pedestrian friendly place we are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to stop smoking so much weed if they actually believe that any for profit developer will ever take a SHF rezoned lot and make it into several affordable housing units. Just look at what they've done right around the corner from the dealership on Duncan. Torn down 1 house and put up 4 townhomes that sold around $1.5million EACH. 205 Duncan. How are any of those "affordable"?

"Darden Towns, brand new luxury construction in the heart of Del Ray,... is a small subdivision (?) only half a block away from Mt. Vernon."

https://www.zillow.com/homes/205-e-duncan-22301_rb/2062400905_zpid/

You're making the point of why bonus height (and things like Accessory dwelling units, or missing middle approaches like they are discussing in Arlington) is needed...

205 Duncan was three lots - redeveloped into the only thing you really can build in Del Ray today... SFHs. I guess it's a small win that instead of 3 McMansions that would have naturally gone here, we get 4 townhomes instead - and yes, as much as 1.5M sounds like a lot, it actually is "affordable" compared to the SFH alternatives that end up here otherwise.

The true path to affordability requires building more densely than townhomes, which is exactly what the bonus height amendment would allow. The only way to build more is to build up. Which...with a metro station on either end of the neighborhood is exactly what Alexandria should be encouraging.

NP here. So if that was three lots, made into 4 huge townhomes, why wasn't the pressure to take that large of a parcel and make affordable housing?It seems like there was a significant opportunity to make several units. If the talk is about taking 1 SFH lot any putting 4+ units on it, here were 3 lots. No uproar over it. Plus there are apartments just a block away from this, seems like it would have fit in. But no, gigantic townhomes were put in its place.

And Braddock Road metro is pretty close to most of Del Ray, closer IMO than where the PY metro will be. That neighborhood is accessible by metro. And parking is about to get worse, there is push to add blocks for pay parking, and to make it for only 1-2 hour increments as residents have complained that it is hard for them to find parking. I found myself in one of those parking board meetings when I thought I was in a meeting for something else in city hall. It's coming.

It's absolutely coming and I welcome it.

In that meeting, the residents absolutely want it. The business owners do not. Major complaint was that too many "outsiders" were coming to yoga or another class at Mind the Mat, and then not leaving in their car right away and were instead going to get coffee at St. Elmos or Stomping Ground or going to lunch at Cheestetique or Del Ray Cafe and maybe do some shopping and NEVER LEAVING. The woman who owns the pottery store was really worked up about it vs neighbors who want people to just park, go to yoga, and GTHO.

Two hours is plenty of time to come and visit multiple businesses, and works great in old town. If you want to stay longer, there's a lot with a higher rate, or you could always metro or uber, like I do to old town... We should create parking restrictions like the dense, transit accessible, pedestrian friendly place we are.

PP and I should note... I prefer to scooter to old town

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to stop smoking so much weed if they actually believe that any for profit developer will ever take a SHF rezoned lot and make it into several affordable housing units. Just look at what they've done right around the corner from the dealership on Duncan. Torn down 1 house and put up 4 townhomes that sold around $1.5million EACH. 205 Duncan. How are any of those "affordable"?

"Darden Towns, brand new luxury construction in the heart of Del Ray,... is a small subdivision (?) only half a block away from Mt. Vernon."

https://www.zillow.com/homes/205-e-duncan-22301_rb/2062400905_zpid/

You're making the point of why bonus height (and things like Accessory dwelling units, or missing middle approaches like they are discussing in Arlington) is needed...

205 Duncan was three lots - redeveloped into the only thing you really can build in Del Ray today... SFHs. I guess it's a small win that instead of 3 McMansions that would have naturally gone here, we get 4 townhomes instead - and yes, as much as 1.5M sounds like a lot, it actually is "affordable" compared to the SFH alternatives that end up here otherwise.

The true path to affordability requires building more densely than townhomes, which is exactly what the bonus height amendment would allow. The only way to build more is to build up. Which...with a metro station on either end of the neighborhood is exactly what Alexandria should be encouraging.

NP here. So if that was three lots, made into 4 huge townhomes, why wasn't the pressure to take that large of a parcel and make affordable housing?It seems like there was a significant opportunity to make several units. If the talk is about taking 1 SFH lot any putting 4+ units on it, here were 3 lots. No uproar over it. Plus there are apartments just a block away from this, seems like it would have fit in. But no, gigantic townhomes were put in its place.

And Braddock Road metro is pretty close to most of Del Ray, closer IMO than where the PY metro will be. That neighborhood is accessible by metro. And parking is about to get worse, there is push to add blocks for pay parking, and to make it for only 1-2 hour increments as residents have complained that it is hard for them to find parking. I found myself in one of those parking board meetings when I thought I was in a meeting for something else in city hall. It's coming.

It's absolutely coming and I welcome it.

In that meeting, the residents absolutely want it. The business owners do not. Major complaint was that too many "outsiders" were coming to yoga or another class at Mind the Mat, and then not leaving in their car right away and were instead going to get coffee at St. Elmos or Stomping Ground or going to lunch at Cheestetique or Del Ray Cafe and maybe do some shopping and NEVER LEAVING. The woman who owns the pottery store was really worked up about it vs neighbors who want people to just park, go to yoga, and GTHO.

Clay queen lady is salty af, to be honest. And her landlord just refused to renew her lease so she is extra bitter. The city is going to Roslynify Del Ray, just watch. They will kill the goose that laid the golden egg.

[Anonymous]

Not really seeing how this helps with housing prices. Demand for housing in those areas is essentially unlimited. This isn't going to push prices down. I guess someone will buy those housing units instead of one further out in the suburbs and maybe that will reduce prices in that area, all things being equal. Not sure the purpose of putting more housing in Alexandria was to reduce housing prices in Sterling, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not really seeing how this helps with housing prices. Demand for housing in those areas is essentially unlimited. This isn't going to push prices down. I guess someone will buy those housing units instead of one further out in the suburbs and maybe that will reduce prices in that area, all things being equal. Not sure the purpose of putting more housing in Alexandria was to reduce housing prices in Sterling, though.

If demand is unlimited, additional supply is the only lever you have. And you also can't really build on more land for water retention reasons (though ADUs allow this to some extent). Building taller is what you've got left.

Or I guess crossing your arms so the only building happens in Sterling, but that's bad for affordability, traffic/pollution, tree canopy, and Alexandria's tax base all at once.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to stop smoking so much weed if they actually believe that any for profit developer will ever take a SHF rezoned lot and make it into several affordable housing units. Just look at what they've done right around the corner from the dealership on Duncan. Torn down 1 house and put up 4 townhomes that sold around $1.5million EACH. 205 Duncan. How are any of those "affordable"?

"Darden Towns, brand new luxury construction in the heart of Del Ray,... is a small subdivision (?) only half a block away from Mt. Vernon."

https://www.zillow.com/homes/205-e-duncan-22301_rb/2062400905_zpid/

You're making the point of why bonus height (and things like Accessory dwelling units, or missing middle approaches like they are discussing in Arlington) is needed...

205 Duncan was three lots - redeveloped into the only thing you really can build in Del Ray today... SFHs. I guess it's a small win that instead of 3 McMansions that would have naturally gone here, we get 4 townhomes instead - and yes, as much as 1.5M sounds like a lot, it actually is "affordable" compared to the SFH alternatives that end up here otherwise.

The true path to affordability requires building more densely than townhomes, which is exactly what the bonus height amendment would allow. The only way to build more is to build up. Which...with a metro station on either end of the neighborhood is exactly what Alexandria should be encouraging.

NP here. So if that was three lots, made into 4 huge townhomes, why wasn't the pressure to take that large of a parcel and make affordable housing?It seems like there was a significant opportunity to make several units. If the talk is about taking 1 SFH lot any putting 4+ units on it, here were 3 lots. No uproar over it. Plus there are apartments just a block away from this, seems like it would have fit in. But no, gigantic townhomes were put in its place.

And Braddock Road metro is pretty close to most of Del Ray, closer IMO than where the PY metro will be. That neighborhood is accessible by metro. And parking is about to get worse, there is push to add blocks for pay parking, and to make it for only 1-2 hour increments as residents have complained that it is hard for them to find parking. I found myself in one of those parking board meetings when I thought I was in a meeting for something else in city hall. It's coming.

It's absolutely coming and I welcome it.

In that meeting, the residents absolutely want it. The business owners do not. Major complaint was that too many "outsiders" were coming to yoga or another class at Mind the Mat, and then not leaving in their car right away and were instead going to get coffee at St. Elmos or Stomping Ground or going to lunch at Cheestetique or Del Ray Cafe and maybe do some shopping and NEVER LEAVING. The woman who owns the pottery store was really worked up about it vs neighbors who want people to just park, go to yoga, and GTHO.

Two hours is plenty of time to come and visit multiple businesses, and works great in old town. If you want to stay longer, there's a lot with a higher rate, or you could always metro or uber, like I do to old town... We should create parking restrictions like the dense, transit accessible, pedestrian friendly place we are.

PP and I should note... I prefer to scooter to old town

Oh, you’re one of those. That tells me everything I need to know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to stop smoking so much weed if they actually believe that any for profit developer will ever take a SHF rezoned lot and make it into several affordable housing units. Just look at what they've done right around the corner from the dealership on Duncan. Torn down 1 house and put up 4 townhomes that sold around $1.5million EACH. 205 Duncan. How are any of those "affordable"?

"Darden Towns, brand new luxury construction in the heart of Del Ray,... is a small subdivision (?) only half a block away from Mt. Vernon."

https://www.zillow.com/homes/205-e-duncan-22301_rb/2062400905_zpid/

You're making the point of why bonus height (and things like Accessory dwelling units, or missing middle approaches like they are discussing in Arlington) is needed...

205 Duncan was three lots - redeveloped into the only thing you really can build in Del Ray today... SFHs. I guess it's a small win that instead of 3 McMansions that would have naturally gone here, we get 4 townhomes instead - and yes, as much as 1.5M sounds like a lot, it actually is "affordable" compared to the SFH alternatives that end up here otherwise.

The true path to affordability requires building more densely than townhomes, which is exactly what the bonus height amendment would allow. The only way to build more is to build up. Which...with a metro station on either end of the neighborhood is exactly what Alexandria should be encouraging.

NP here. So if that was three lots, made into 4 huge townhomes, why wasn't the pressure to take that large of a parcel and make affordable housing?It seems like there was a significant opportunity to make several units. If the talk is about taking 1 SFH lot any putting 4+ units on it, here were 3 lots. No uproar over it. Plus there are apartments just a block away from this, seems like it would have fit in. But no, gigantic townhomes were put in its place.

And Braddock Road metro is pretty close to most of Del Ray, closer IMO than where the PY metro will be. That neighborhood is accessible by metro. And parking is about to get worse, there is push to add blocks for pay parking, and to make it for only 1-2 hour increments as residents have complained that it is hard for them to find parking. I found myself in one of those parking board meetings when I thought I was in a meeting for something else in city hall. It's coming.

It's absolutely coming and I welcome it.

In that meeting, the residents absolutely want it. The business owners do not. Major complaint was that too many "outsiders" were coming to yoga or another class at Mind the Mat, and then not leaving in their car right away and were instead going to get coffee at St. Elmos or Stomping Ground or going to lunch at Cheestetique or Del Ray Cafe and maybe do some shopping and NEVER LEAVING. The woman who owns the pottery store was really worked up about it vs neighbors who want people to just park, go to yoga, and GTHO.

Two hours is plenty of time to come and visit multiple businesses, and works great in old town. If you want to stay longer, there's a lot with a higher rate, or you could always metro or uber, like I do to old town... We should create parking restrictions like the dense, transit accessible, pedestrian friendly place we are.

PP and I should note... I prefer to scooter to old town

Oh, you’re one of those. That tells me everything I need to know.

I'm dying to know what this means...can you spell it out for me?

[Anonymous]

Oh well by all means, let’s fill Del ray with parking lots so the rosemont folks don’t have to walk a block when they visit.

Show me where I said that - you can't, because I didn't. You're just going to have to live in a world where we disagree about whether the current parking situation is rough and whether additional density will make that worse. I'm sure you'll manage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not really seeing how this helps with housing prices. Demand for housing in those areas is essentially unlimited. This isn't going to push prices down. I guess someone will buy those housing units instead of one further out in the suburbs and maybe that will reduce prices in that area, all things being equal. Not sure the purpose of putting more housing in Alexandria was to reduce housing prices in Sterling, though.

If demand is unlimited, additional supply is the only lever you have. And you also can't really build on more land for water retention reasons (though ADUs allow this to some extent). Building taller is what you've got left.

Or I guess crossing your arms so the only building happens in Sterling, but that's bad for affordability, traffic/pollution, tree canopy, and Alexandria's tax base all at once.

It just seems pointless. It's not going to reduce prices but it will definitely reduce the quality of life for people who live there (no, I don't live in Alexandria). Seems like the only thing that's accomplished is that it gives people the feeling that they are doing something to address affordability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not really seeing how this helps with housing prices. Demand for housing in those areas is essentially unlimited. This isn't going to push prices down. I guess someone will buy those housing units instead of one further out in the suburbs and maybe that will reduce prices in that area, all things being equal. Not sure the purpose of putting more housing in Alexandria was to reduce housing prices in Sterling, though.

If demand is unlimited, additional supply is the only lever you have. And you also can't really build on more land for water retention reasons (though ADUs allow this to some extent). Building taller is what you've got left.

Or I guess crossing your arms so the only building happens in Sterling, but that's bad for affordability, traffic/pollution, tree canopy, and Alexandria's tax base all at once.

It just seems pointless. It's not going to reduce prices but it will definitely reduce the quality of life for people who live there (no, I don't live in Alexandria). Seems like the only thing that's accomplished is that it gives people the feeling that they are doing something to address affordability.

Literally nothing will reduce prices as the demand stays as high as it is - the land is incredibly valuable because of all the reasons those of us who live here love it (and getting higher with Metro, VT, amazon, etc.). So the choice is simply whether the neighborhood and city are best served by lots like this becoming McMansion tear downs or whether we all benefit from something other than that...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not really seeing how this helps with housing prices. Demand for housing in those areas is essentially unlimited. This isn't going to push prices down. I guess someone will buy those housing units instead of one further out in the suburbs and maybe that will reduce prices in that area, all things being equal. Not sure the purpose of putting more housing in Alexandria was to reduce housing prices in Sterling, though.

If demand is unlimited, additional supply is the only lever you have. And you also can't really build on more land for water retention reasons (though ADUs allow this to some extent). Building taller is what you've got left.

Or I guess crossing your arms so the only building happens in Sterling, but that's bad for affordability, traffic/pollution, tree canopy, and Alexandria's tax base all at once.

It just seems pointless. It's not going to reduce prices but it will definitely reduce the quality of life for people who live there (no, I don't live in Alexandria). Seems like the only thing that's accomplished is that it gives people the feeling that they are doing something to address affordability.

Literally nothing will reduce prices as the demand stays as high as it is - the land is incredibly valuable because of all the reasons those of us who live here love it (and getting higher with Metro, VT, amazon, etc.). So the choice is simply whether the neighborhood and city are best served by lots like this becoming McMansion tear downs or whether we all benefit from something other than that...

Or auto dealership parking lots... is also an option apparently.

[Anonymous]

It's also complete BS that the city allows developers to buy up every price if city land and then the city claims it has no place to build new schools and has to put them in high rises which allows children no green space to play on. Shame on city council. If you also look at the cities new zoning plans they've put these new building zoning on city parks.