City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 5, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: KARL MORITZ, DIRECTOR, PLANNING AND ZONING
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
FY 2026-2027 DRAFT Long-Range Planning Interdepartmental Work Program.
BODY
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ISSUE: What planning work priorities should be established for FY 2026 - FY2027?
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council review and recommend approval of the FY 2026-2027 Long-Range Planning Interdepartmental Work Program.
BACKGROUND: Every two years, City departments involved in long-range planning and implementation jointly prepare a two-year Long-Range Planning Interdepartmental Work Program. The work program includes the completion of plans and studies underway, new plans scheduled to begin, and implementation of previously approved plans. A draft two-year Work Program is presented for Planning Commission and City Council feedback and guidance early in the calendar year to help inform development of the City Manager’s Proposed Operating Budget. A final two-year Work Program is docketed for approval in June. This biannual review ensures coordination of work, staffing, and financial resources, and the opportunity for Planning Commission and City Council to ensure alignment of proposed planning work across departments with City Council Priorities and the City’s Strategic Plan.
DISCUSSION: The proposed final work program takes into account guidance provided by Planning Commission and City Council, achievable within the budget adopted by City Council in April.
In addition to minor refinements to some project schedules that were presented in the draft work program in February, the final proposed work program includes the following additions, adjustments, and deferrals:
1. Added Update to 2018 Joint ACPS-City Long Range Educational Facilities Plan (#4 in work program) The City and ACPS jointly developed the Long Range Educational Facilities Plan in 2018 to improve facilities planning, accommodate the growing student population, and enhance educational programs and services. This update to the 2018 Plan between City departments and ACPS has been added as a tentative item, pending further direction from City Council.
2. Added City Real Estate Analysis (#34): This initiative will evaluate existing City-owned properties for potential uses, assessing both feasibility and prioritization. The analysis will occur in two phases. Phase I will take place from July to September and will include a detailed evaluation of a select number of City sites that are most market ready. Phase II, from September to July, will evaluate a larger set of sites for feasibility and prioritization following completion of Phase I.
3. Added Old Town North (OTN) Arts District Evaluation (#35):
As outlined in the Old Town North Small Area Plan, there was a stated intent to evaluate the OTN Arts District in the future. This evaluation is proposed to occur from January through June 2026.
4. Added Apiary Regulation Development (#8): City Council has requested that P&Z add this effort to the work program. The project would be to develop and propose regulations governing beekeeping within the City. If the project is added, some adjustments to the timing of other zoning initiatives may be necessary. The timeframe for the project is somewhat unknown until staff has a better understanding of the extent of community engagement that will be appropriate.
5. Added Dog Park Master Plan Update (#29): Adopted by City Council in 2000, the Dog Park Master Plan defines areas for unleashed dog exercise and establishes guidelines for the creation of any new fenced dog parks and dog exercise areas. An update to the Dog Park Master Plan was added to the work program in response to guidance from City Council. It will include a study of equitable distribution of dog facilities in the City and will review and update dog park rules, regulations and design standards to ensure best practices are maintained. The update will include an action plan to meet projected development plans and population forecasts. The update will begin in 2027.
6. Deferred Recreation Center Facilities Standards and Landscape Plans and Neighborhood Parks Improvement Plan Update: These two initiatives will be added to the work program in 2028 in order to incorporate policy guidance from the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update, currently planned to begin in FY 2026.
7. Adjusted Lower King/Waterfront Construction Mitigation Planning (#3): P&Z will be coordinating this effort, closely supported by the Department of Project Implementation and General Services, to prepare for, manage, and mitigate the impacts of lower King/Waterfront construction projects in 2026 and 2027. Departments will be coordinating to minimize disruption from construction to residents, visitors, small businesses, and economic development. The change in the work program was to designate a lead department and reflect the community outreach and engagement that staff will be conducting over the course of the construction process.
8. Moved Duke Street Transitway Planning: This was removed as a separate project from the TES section as the Duke Street Land Use Plan (#7) will incorporate recommendations from the Transitway planning process approved by City Council and will help lay the foundation for future phases of the bus rapid transit project. The Duke Street Land Use Plan will launch in June and is estimated to take 18 months, addressing the topics of land use, environment and climate, equity, mobility and connectivity, pedestrian safety and accessibility, parks and open space, and housing affordability for the areas near Duke Street from Van Dorn Street to Callahan Drive.
The Work Program Bar Chart, provided as Attachment 1, shows all projects by lead department with a high-level schedule for internal planning, public engagement, and public hearing/approval over the course of Fiscal Years 2026-2027. Descriptions of all projects proposed in the work program are provided as Attachment 2.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. FY 2026-27 Interdepartmental Long-Range Planning Work Program (“Bar Chart”) dated June 2, 2025
2. FY 2026-27 Project Descriptions dated June 2, 2025
STAFF:
Emily Baker, Deputy City Manager
Helen McIlvaine, Office of Housing
Jeffrey Farner, Planning and Zoning
Carrie Beach, Planning and Zoning
Hillary Orr, Transportation and Environmental Services
Bethany Znidersic, Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities