By Jane Christenson
Alexandria, VA – Few topics can get Alexandrians talking quite like housing and development. How much growth can the city accommodate? Will new zoning rules make housing more affordable? What happens to the character of established neighborhoods? And perhaps most importantly, how much say will residents have in what comes next?
Those questions, and plenty more, will take center stage Monday, November 16, when Agenda presents “Zoning for Housing: What’s the Latest and What’s Next?” at the Minnie Howard campus of Alexandria City High School.
The discussion comes as Alexandria continues implementing its ambitious Zoning for Housing/Housing for All initiative, a series of reforms approved by City Council in 2023 to expand housing opportunities, address affordability, and remove longstanding barriers to housing access.
Among the changes are provisions allowing up to four residential units in areas previously restricted to single-family or two-unit housing. According to the city’s February 2026 implementation figures, 96 new accessory dwelling units had also received approval.
Changing zoning rules is one thing; understanding how they affect those who live, work, and own property in Alexandria is another.
Supporters see opportunities to expand housing choices in a city where affordability remains a concern. Critics have raised questions about neighborhood character, development impacts, and whether residents have sufficient influence over major land-use decisions.
To explore these issues, Agenda has assembled a four-member panel bringing different professional and community perspectives to the conversation.
Paul Stoddard, Alexandria’s director of Planning & Zoning, joined the city in 2025 after serving as planning director in Falls Church. He will bring the city’s planning perspective and insight into how the reforms are being implemented.
Jennifer “Jenn” Ayers, executive director of ALIVE!, brings firsthand experience with the challenges facing Alexandrians struggling with food insecurity, housing instability, and the rising cost of living.
Roy Byrd, co-founder of the Coalition for a Livable Alexandria and a former City Council candidate, will represent a perspective emphasizing neighborhood quality of life, government transparency, and meaningful public participation in development decisions.
Mark Jinks, Alexandria’s former city manager and current chairman of the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners, brings decades of experience in local government, public finance, and housing policy.
Together, the panelists will examine what the zoning changes have accomplished, what could come next, and how residents can participate in shaping future decisions.
The program begins with food, refreshments, and conversation at 6:30 p.m., followed by the panel discussion at 7 p.m. Audience questions are encouraged, and the evening concludes by 8:30 p.m.
The event takes place at The Forum, Minnie Howard campus, 3775 W. Braddock Road. Admission is free for Agenda members and $10 at the door for nonmembers. Annual memberships are $50 for individuals and $80 for families.
For additional information or to join, visit www.agendaalexandria.org.
About Agenda:Alexandria: Founded in 1998, Agenda is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to encouraging informed public discussion about issues affecting the City of Alexandria. Through moderated forums featuring diverse viewpoints, the organization gives residents opportunities to hear different perspectives, ask questions, and form their own opinions. Its guiding philosophy is simple: “Taking a look at the issues without taking sides.”
