City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 1, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Request to Approve an Amended Resolution Designating the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation (AHDC) Mount Vernon Avenue - Glebe Road Project Site a Revitalization Area. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of an amended resolution (Attachment 1) designating the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation (AHDC) Mount Vernon Avenue - Glebe Road Project Site a “Revitalization Area” pursuant to VA Code Section 36-55.30:2.A.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council approve the amended resolution.
BACKGROUND: On February 22, 2022, City Council considered and approved, on a roll call vote, docket item 22-0667 including a Resolution designating AHDC’s Mount Vernon-Glebe Road Project site a Revitalization Area” pursuant to its upcoming request for low income housing tax credits.
The Resolution presented on February 22, 2022, was prepared by Housing staff following language used in prior partner applications; however, when it was reviewed by AHDC’s tax credit consultant this weekend, the consultant suggested that the language of the Resolution be amended slightly to incorporate the exact language of VA Code Section 36-55.30:2.A to circumvent a potential challenge to this item.
DISCUSSION: As previously presented to City Council, a Resolution designating the Mount Vernon Avenue - Glebe Road site a revitalization area helps make AHDC’s application for low-income housing tax credit equity more competitive in terms of aligning the project with funding priorities established by Virginia Housing. Consistent with the City Attorney’s interpretation of the relevant Virginia Code Section, staff believes that the proposed development of affordable housing at the site provides an economic benefit to the City that would not occur without government assistance, including local financial support and federal tax credits, as well as other sources, which criteria complies with the requirements of the designation. Staff has incorporated specific language from the Virginia Code in the Amended Resolution. For Council’s reference, the Resolution 3054, approved on February 22, 2022, is provided as Attachment 2.
FISCAL IMPACT: None related to the Amended Resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
(1) Amended Resolution Designating the Mount Vernon Avenue - Glebe Road Project Site a Revitalization Area
(2) Resolution 3054
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Christina Zechman Brown, Deputy City Attorney
Helen S. McIlvaine, Director, Office of Housing
Eric Keeler, Deputy Director, Office of Housing