County fast-tracking 100% affordable housing project in Sterling

Proposal for 100% Affordable Housing Development in Loudoun County

At a Loudoun County Planning Commission meeting on April 23, Kim Hart, representing the affordable housing developer Good Works, urged everyone present to embrace some discomfort as they considered the application before them. The proposed project aims to construct an 80-unit apartment building in Sterling, utilizing various affordable housing funds to ensure that all units are priced below market rate. If approved, this development would be the first 100% affordable housing project in Loudoun County in the past 25 years. Hart emphasized that any delays in the approval process would have significant consequences, potentially pushing back the project’s completion by a year.

Fast-Tracking Affordable Housing Projects

This project also serves as a pilot program to expedite the approval process for entirely affordable housing projects. Typically, the land use application process can take several years from start to finish. However, through this pilot program, which was agreed upon by supervisors, planning commissioners, county staff, and the applicant, the project was accepted for review in December and presented to the commissioners just four months later. Hart acknowledged that this approach requires exceptional efforts from staff and commissioners but emphasized the need to incentivize the industry to provide more affordable housing.

Project Details

The proposed project, known as Atlantic Boulevard, involves rezoning three acres along Atlantic Boulevard and the Washington and Old Dominion Trail. Currently zoned for up to six homes per acre, the rezoning would increase the density to 24 units per acre. The development would consist of a four-story apartment building offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom units ranging from 650 to 1,225 square feet. These apartments would be specifically targeted towards individuals or households earning 80% or less of the area median income, which is $86,700 for a one-person household in Loudoun County.

The project also includes plans to extend an existing sidewalk along Atlantic Boulevard and construct a walking trail connecting the site to the W&OD Trail. Additionally, residents would have convenient access to an existing access point to the W&OD Trail, located approximately 750 feet away. The surrounding area consists of an office park owned by Northrop Grumman to the north, residential developments to the east across Atlantic Boulevard, and a shopping center to the west across Route 28.

Support and Opposition

Theo Stamatis, the government relations manager for Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, expressed support for the project during the public hearing. He highlighted the county’s urgent need for affordable housing and stated that this development would have a positive and significant impact on addressing this critical need.

However, residents of the nearby Dominion Station neighborhood voiced their opposition to the project. They raised concerns about parking, traffic, and noise, suggesting that the project should be relocated or have fewer units.

Planning Commission Decision

Despite the opposition, the Planning Commission unanimously voted to move the application forward to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation for approval. Commissioners commended county planners and the applicant for expediting the project, emphasizing the pressing need for affordable homes in the county. They acknowledged that it is essential to take action and not simply express support for affordable housing without accepting it in their own communities.

Commissioner Mark Miller (Catoctin) stated, “We can’t continue to say, ‘We want affordable housing — dot dot dot — but not here.” Commissioner Madhava Madireddy (Dulles) expressed optimism about moving forward with the project, stating, “I think we are close enough that we can move on to the next step so that the reality of 80 affordable houses can come to fruition.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article discusses the need for affordable housing, which is directly related to addressing poverty.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The article focuses on the development of affordable housing in Loudoun County, which contributes to creating sustainable and inclusive cities.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article mentions the collaboration between supervisors, planning commissioners, county staff, and the applicant to fast-track affordable housing projects, highlighting the importance of partnerships for achieving the SDGs.

2. Specific Targets Identified

• Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property – The article discusses the proposal for an 80-unit apartment building that would provide affordable housing to those making 80% or less of the area median income.
• Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums – The article highlights the need for affordable housing and the proposed project’s aim to provide 100% affordable housing units.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

• Indicator 1.4.1: Proportion of the population living in households with access to basic services – The article mentions the proposal for an apartment building that would provide affordable housing, indicating an effort to ensure access to basic services for the population.
• Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing – The article discusses the need for affordable housing and the project’s aim to upgrade the housing situation by providing 100% affordable units.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: loudountimes.com

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