The Alexandria Brief: Wednesday, December 3
A busy night for Planning Commission; Warner warns of AI job losses; Alexandria earns national recognition
Good morning, Alexandria. I’m Ryan Belmore, publisher of The Alexandria Brief.
The Planning Commission wrapped up a marathon session shortly before midnight Tuesday, approving a slate of projects. Meanwhile, Sen. Mark Warner kicked off his reelection campaign with a warning about AI displacing American workers, and Alexandria earned national recognition for its National Night Out participation as crime continues to decline.
Here’s what you need to know today.
1️⃣ Crisp, clear day sets the stage for Alexandria’s winter events
Bundle up and head out; Wednesday offers ideal conditions for exploring Alexandria’s growing slate of holiday activities. Skies will be sunny with a high near 43 degrees, though northwest winds gusting up to 21 mph may add a bite to the afternoon air. Tonight brings mostly clear skies and a low around 27 degrees.
The Winter Village at Cameron Run opens its gates at 5 p.m., offering Ice & Lights for those ready to embrace the season. Families can also catch a holiday magic show at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum at 7 p.m. For those seeking indoor warmth, Matt & Tony’s hosts “The History of the Cocktail: A Spirited Progression” at 5 p.m., while live music options range from bluegrass at Port City Brewing Company to Tab Benoit and Jesse Dayton at The Birchmere.
City business continues with several public meetings on the calendar, including the Board of Architectural Review public hearing and the Independent Community Policing Review Board, both at 7 p.m.
2️⃣ Planning Commission approves zoning changes to cut red tape for restaurants, businesses
The Alexandria Planning Commission unanimously approved sweeping zoning changes Tuesday night that will make it easier for restaurants to open and small live entertainment venues to operate without special permits. Under the new rules, restaurants become a permitted use rather than requiring administrative approval, venues up to 2,000 square feet can offer live entertainment by right, and change-of-ownership approvals drop from 30 days to two weeks.
“What we’re seeing are efficiencies, transparencies, and elements of fairness,” Chair Melissa McMahon said, praising the amendments for establishing consistent standards businesses can easily find rather than requirements buried in individual special use permits. The changes also allow barber shops, salons and spas with more than 30 feet of frontage in the King Street and Mount Vernon overlay zones by right.
The commission also voted 7-0 to approve a 145-unit affordable housing development at 598 S. Alfred St., a project by Alfred Street Baptist Church and The Community Builders Inc. that will replace 34 existing affordable units with a new building. In other news from the meeting, Commissioner David Brown announced he will resign in February 2026 after more than 40 years in Alexandria. Both zoning items head to City Council for final approval on Dec. 13.
3️⃣ Commission greenlights 640 units to complete final vacant sites in South Potomac Yard
The Alexandria Planning Commission approved three development projects Tuesday that will bring 640 residential units, 13,000 square feet of retail and new public open space to the final vacant parcels in South Potomac Yard. The projects along Main Line Boulevard, Potomac Avenue, and East Glebe Road include a 432-unit mixed-use building with a 20,000-square-foot town green, an 88-unit affordable housing building, and 120 townhouses.
The townhouse component proved most contentious, passing 4-2-1 with Vice Chair Stephen Koenig and Commissioner Holly Lennihan opposed. Koenig argued the design was inappropriate given the city’s $300 million investment in the nearby Metro station. “I don’t think we should see the townhouse configuration that looks like that two blocks from the Metro station,” he said. Chair Melissa McMahon supported the project despite preferring higher density, noting it maximizes the number of units on the block.
The affordable housing building drew the most praise from commissioners. Wesley Housing Development Corporation will receive donated land from JBG Smith and Toll Brothers, eliminating the need for city funding, an arrangement that saves an estimated $11 million. All three projects now head to the City Council for final approval on Dec. 13.
4️⃣ Sen. Mark Warner launches reelection bid with warning on AI job losses
Sen. Mark Warner, who resides in Alexandria, announced his campaign for a fourth term Tuesday with a stark warning about artificial intelligence displacing American workers. In a video launching his reelection bid, the Democrat argued that the link between a booming stock market and job creation has broken in the AI era — and proposed that tech companies profiting from automation help pay for the economic fallout.
“Washington right now hasn’t got a damn idea what to do about it,” Warner said, criticizing both parties and the Trump administration for failing to address the challenge. “And the president doesn’t even seem to care.” The senator, who serves as the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, called for universal health care coverage and “a complete overhaul of affordable housing and child care” to help families struggling with rising costs.
Warner, a former technology entrepreneur who co-founded Nextel, framed the disruption as an opportunity rather than a threat. “Trust me when I say if you think we’ve seen massive technological change over the past two decades, you ain’t seen nothing yet,” he said. “America’s never been afraid of the future.” All four members of Alexandria’s state delegation, Sen. Adam Ebbin and Dels. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Charniele Herring, and Alfonso Lopez have endorsed Warner’s reelection bid.
5️⃣ Alexandria ranks 15th nationally for National Night Out participation
Alexandria placed 15th in its population category for participation in National Night Out, the National Association of Town Watch announced this week. The city was among more than 400 communities with populations between 100,000 and 300,000, with Virginia landing four localities in the top 15 — Hanover County (4th), Suffolk (7th), Stafford County (13th), and Alexandria.
The Aug. 5 event drew approximately 50 registered gatherings across the city, from block parties in Del Ray and Old Town to cookouts at ARHA public housing sites and West End apartment communities. Activities ranged from ice cream socials to a blood drive and soccer tournament at Mason at Van Dorn. “National Night Out is about more than just a single evening; it’s a reflection of the ongoing partnership between our officers and the community we serve,” said Police Chief Tarrick McGuire.
The recognition comes as Alexandria continues to see significant improvements in public safety, with Part 1 crime offenses down roughly 33% year-over-year according to the police department’s crime dashboard. The Alexandria Brief is working on a deeper look at the city’s community policing strategy and its connection to these outcomes.
Extra Extra!
Nine Alexandria deputy sheriffs graduated Monday from the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy, marking the completion of Session 153’s Deputy School. (The Alexandria Brief)
Virginia Tech’s Graduate School will hold a recognition ceremony and reception for students earning master’s and doctoral degrees at 6 p.m. Dec. 15 at the university’s Academic Building One in Alexandria. (The Alexandria Brief)
The city opened its Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Program application window on Monday, giving residents and businesses until Feb. 15 to submit applications. Property owners who install and maintain eligible stormwater management practices may qualify for up to a 50% reduction on their stormwater utility fee. (The Alexandria Brief)
The U.S. Military will conduct an Aircraft Flyover in the NCR over Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, December 3, at approximately 11:08 a.m. (AlertDC)
Purple Tutu is expanding what inclusion looks like in ballet. (WUSA9)
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial was featured in a promo for NBC’s Sunday Night Football during the Washington Commanders vs. Denver Broncos game. (George Washington Masonic National Memorial Facebook)
Luke Nathan Phillips, a freelance tour guide, is running as a Republican against Rep. Don Beyer in Virginia’s 8th congressional district. (Annandale Today)
Virginia lawmakers took another decisive step Tuesday toward launching a legal cannabis retail market in 2026, unveiling a revised legislative blueprint that scraps local opt-outs, tightens ownership rules and aims to favor small, independent operators over deep-pocketed national brands. (Virginia Mercury)