The city is one of a growing list to eliminate single-family zoning.
Alexandria became the second Virginia jurisdiction to eliminate single-family only zoning as part of a package of zoning reforms, report Morgan Baskin and Margaret Barthel in DCist. “Alexandria will now allow four-unit buildings on lots currently zoned for only single-family dwellings, which represent one third of the city’s land.”
The article points out that the city estimates “only 66 of 9,000 single-family lots will convert into denser dwellings.” “Taken as a whole, city staff estimate the Zoning For Housing changes could result in more than 2,800 new units in the next decade, a modest but significant increase. Of those, the vast majority — roughly 1,800 units — are expected to come from Residential Multi-Family projects.” The change to single-family zoning is expected to produce just 175 new units.
“For now, new multi-unit buildings will be required to sit within the existing footprint for single-family dwellings. In the future, the city might research how changing height and bulk requirements could incentivize more multi-unit buildings in residential areas.” Zoning for Housing also scales back parking requirements, removes rules about site density and unit size, simplifies townhouse design standards, and encourages transit-oriented development.
FULL STORY: Alexandria Lawmakers Unanimously Vote To Eliminate Single-Family-Only Zoning, In Bid To Boost Housing Supply
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Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association