City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 21, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: PAUL STODDARD, DIRECTOR, PLANNING & ZONING
DOCKET TITLE:
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Update on Duke Street Land Use Plan
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ISSUE: Overview of the Draft Duke Street Land Use Plan released for public comment on September 29 for City Council review and discussion.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council receive an update and provide guidance.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
As part of City Council’s FY 2026 Long Range Planning Work Program, the Duke Street Land Use Plan community process launched in June 2025. Since that time, more than 4,000 stakeholders, 250 businesses, over 100 students, and 27 civic, condo, and community organizations have participated through pop-up events, meetings, and online engagement. Staff have also been meeting with property owners, including owners of large market affordable housing properties such as Foxchase and Mason at Van Dorn, owners of large commercial properties such as Alexandria Commons and the Shoppes at Foxchase, as well as other property owners across the Plan area.
Since Staff presented the Draft Plan Framework to City Council in May, additional community meetings have addressed the topics of housing, parks and open space, and transportation. Specific to these topics, community comments have centered on:
• Neighborhood-Serving Retail: Retain grocery and everyday retail in important locations serving the area’s neighborhoods;
• Traffic and Mobility: Address congestion while improving all ways of moving around;
• Safer Connections: Improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians + cyclists;
• Cohesive Corridor Design: Move away from piecemeal development toward a more unified corridor;
• Expanded Open Space Network: Provide more green spaces, particularly in the central area;
• Housing Affordability and Supply: Increase housing opportunities while ensuring a range of affordability options;
• Infrastructure Capacity: Ensure adequate infrastructure to support future growth; and
• Support for Local Businesses: Retain and integrate existing small businesses.
Taking all of the feedback into consideration, Staff released the Draft Recommendations and Framework Maps for public comment in July. Comments received informed the current Draft Plan released for public comment on September 29.
The Draft Plan is available for public comment and will inform the final draft Plan anticipated for Public Hearings in December.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Presentation
2. Draft Duke Street Land Use Plan, Linked at <https://www.alexandriava.gov/DukeStreetPlan>
STAFF:
Jeffrey C. Farner, Deputy Director, Department of Planning & Zoning
Carrie S. Beach, Division Chief, Department of Planning & Zoning
Christian Brandt, Urban Planner III, Department of Planning & Zoning