County Board Approves New Housing Near Four Mile Run

Published on May 17, 2016

155 committed affordable units

257 multi-family housing units with access to transit

Earthcraft Gold green building certification

The Arlington County Board today approved The Berkeley, at 2900-2910 S. Glebe Road, a redevelopment project proposed by nonprofit housing developer AHC, Inc. One hundred and fifty-five of The Berkeley's 257 apartments will remain affordable for decades. A majority of the affordable units will be family-sized, with two bedrooms or more.

"This project will add high-quality housing — both market rate and committed affordable — to Four Mile Run," said County Board Chair Libby Garvey. "Two older apartment buildings will be replaced, and we will gain a total of 45 affordable units — most of them big enough for families."

The Board also approved a partial rezoning of the property from "R-6" to "RA8-18," consistent with the rest of the parcel. The Board voted 5 to 0 to approve the site plan and rezoning.

To read the staff report on this project, visit the County website. Scroll down to Item #35 on the Agenda for the Tues., May 17, 2016 Recessed County Board Meeting.

Affordable housing near Four Mile Run, transit

The 4.6-acre site, located between Four Mile Run and the Shirley Park Shopping Center, has two existing apartment buildings, with 137 apartments, built in the 1960s. One hundred and ten of the existing units are committed affordable units (CAFs) — units that are contractually obligated to remain affordable for decades. The existing buildings will be replaced with two new five-story buildings and create a net gain in total housing units, including 45 new CAFs.

The location offers easy access to transit and neighborhood amenities. Several Metrobus routes link the site to Metro stations, including Pentagon City, Crystal City, Ballston and Braddock Road. The site is across the street from a shopping center that includes a grocery store, restaurants and banks.

The developer earned bonus density by committing to provide onsite affordable units well above County requirements, and for a commitment to achieve Earthcraft Gold green building certification.

Applicant will seek Affordable Housing Investment Fund loan

AHC Inc., the applicant, intends to file an application for funding from the County's Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF) to assist with redevelopment. During the financial underwriting process, the applicant hopes to increase the number of CAFs from 70 percent to at least 80 percent of the total units. The AHIF request is anticipated to be considered by the County Board in late 2016 or early 2017.

For more information, visit the project page on the County website.

Community process

The project underwent a community-based review process that included six Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC) meetings. The Tenant-Landlord, Housing, Transportation and Planning Commissions also reviewed the site plan application and recommended approval.

Project at a Glance

Project:

Located within boundary of Four Mile Run Restoration Master Plan and Design Guidelines

Two 5-story multi-family apartment buildings

Up to 257 new housing units
- 155 committed affordable units (CAFs)
- 140 of CAFs will be family-sized

Underground parking structure and four ground-level visitor parking spaces; 241 parking spaces total

Earthcraft Gold level green building certification

Community Benefits

$75,000 public art contribution

Utility Underground Fund Contribution

Four Mile Run trail expanded from 8' to 12'

155 on-site affordable housing units committed for a minimum of 60 years, affordable to households earning 60% or less of the area median income.
- A majority (140 units, or 90%) of the affordable units will be family-sized units (two bedrooms or more).