Council Approves Ordinance Incorporating Waterfront Small Area Plan

The Alexandria City Council approved an ordinance Saturday officially adopting the city’s controversial Waterfront Small Area Plan into the city’s Master Plan.

A second ordinance, which is required to implement the proposed waterfront zoning code changes, will not be considered until the resolution of a .

The ordiance passed on a 4-2 vote, with Council members Alicia Hughes and Frank Fannon voting against it.

Mayor Bill Euille left Saturday’s public hearing at 1 p.m. for a business trip and was not present for the vote on the waterfront ordinance.

Hughes offered a failed motion to defer the vote on the small area plan ordinance until the appeal decision on the second ordinance.

The hearing offered another opportunity for citizens opposing the plan to voice their discontent at .

“We’re all losers today,” said Andrew Macdonald, cofounder of the Citizens for an Alternative Alexandria Waterfront Plan. “This plan is fiscally irresponsible, but it’s much more than that: It’s simply wrong.” 

Boyd Walker, who cofounded CAAWP but left the group when he announced his candidacy for council as a Democrat, said it is “the wrong plan for lifetimes to come.”

Councilman Rob Krupicka said he appreciated the passion of opponents who wanted to make their point on Saturday, but he said he believed the master plan amendment stood on its own without the zoning ordiance. He also said he believed some of the concerns with the plan will be addressed in implementation. 

“It’s OK to have differences of opinion,” Vice Mayor Kerry Donley said. “I don’t agree with everything in the plan, but I support it.”

Many of those expressing opposition said they felt citizens didn’t have adequate inupt in the plan and criticized council and city staff for not listening to their concerns.

“There’s a big difference between listening and agreement,” Donley said.