City Sources Conflict Again Over Sept. 23 Historic-District Public Comment
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria residents were allowed to speak at the Sept. 10 meeting on proposed changes to the city’s historic-preservation zoning rules—but not at the separate historic-design-guidelines meeting later this month.
City planning staff issued corrected notices Tuesday after the original Alexandria eNews messages gave conflicting information about the two meetings.
The first meeting takes place from 7–9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, in Rooms 3 and 4 of the Oswald Durant Center, 1605 Cameron St.
Planning & Zoning’s Historic Preservation team will discuss possible amendments to Article X of Alexandria’s Zoning Ordinance, the portion of the city code governing historic districts and buildings. The City’s first eNews notice incorrectly said the meeting would not include public comment.
A corrected notice sent later Tuesday said, “please disregard the last eNews regarding this meeting, public comment will be heard!”
The meeting is free and open to the public. The official City calendar confirms the time, location and contact information. Residents with questions may call Planning & Zoning at 703-746-4666.
Sept. 23 Meeting Is Observation-Only
The second correction involves the Board of Architectural Review Design Guidelines Committee meeting scheduled for 7–9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, in the community room at the Oswald Durant Center.
That meeting will cover accessibility features, storefronts, paving and access to parking. Members of the public may attend and observe, but the meeting will not include a forum for public speakers.
Principal Planner Julie Weisgerber clarified the format directly in an email Tuesday: “the public are welcome to attend, but there is not a forum for speakers.”
The distinction matters because the two public processes address related but different subjects.
Thursday’s meeting concerns proposed zoning-text amendments to Article X and will accept public comment. The Sept. 23 committee meeting concerns updates to historic design guidelines and is an observation-only working session.
A Correction to Zebra’s Earlier Report
The Zebra Press reported Sept. 6 on the Sept. 23 meeting and said testimony and comments would be received, reflecting the City’s public notice available at the time. The City has now said that information was incorrect. This story corrects the public-participation details.
Residents who want to speak about the proposed Article X zoning changes should attend Thursday’s meeting. Those interested in watching the design-guidelines committee’s work on accessibility, storefronts and paving may attend Sept. 23, but should not expect a public-comment period.
For disability accommodations at either meeting, the City asks residents to contact Graciela Moreno at 703-746-3808 or use Virginia Relay 711.
