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Alexandria approves five townhouses in Parker-Gray historic district

Alexandria approves five townhouses in Parker-Gray historic district

Built World Alexandria, VA local

City Council approved the project on Oct. 17 over three dissenting votes, with a condition on transformer placement

October 17th, 2026: City Council approves five townhouses

Overview

Updated Oct 21

The Alexandria City Council approved a permit on October 17 for five four-story townhouses at 724, 726 and 728 N. Patrick Street, clearing the way for Another Level Hair Studio & Barbershop and two vacant lots to be redeveloped. Three council members voted against the project, including John Taylor Chapman, who wanted to keep commercial space on the block.

The Planning Commission had recommended approval 6-0. Council delayed the decision in September to talk with the property owner about keeping a storefront, then approved the project with one condition: shifting Dominion Virginia Power transformers about 8 to 10 feet south to create a public access easement beside the Madison Street sidewalk. The project will add $54,119 to the city's Housing Trust Fund, wider sidewalks, street trees and an enhanced bus stop.

Why it matters

Alexandria let a developer replace a longtime barbershop with five townhomes, testing how much commercial space Parker-Gray can lose.

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Key Indicators

5
Approved townhouses
Four-bedroom homes with four and a half bathrooms, one-car garages, and roof decks.
1
Business facing displacement
Another Level Hair Studio & Barbershop has operated at 728 N. Patrick for 17 years.
CSL
Current zoning
Commercial Service Low; the cluster development permit modifies it for this site.
$1.23M
Combined assessed value
The three parcels were assessed at $430,500, $630,600, and $164,000 in January 2026.
$54,119
Housing Trust Fund contribution
Payment the developer agreed to make under the approved project.

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People Involved

YW
Yvonne Wanzer
Owner, Another Level Hair Studio & Barbershop
Her barbershop is slated for demolition after the city approved the townhouses on Oct. 17
 Jeffrey Schonberger
Jeffrey Schonberger
Principal, Alturas Real Estate Interests LLC
Owner of the three parcels; the city approved the townhouse project on Oct. 17
EB
Eric Bernstein
Reported buyer with Kirby Holdings
Reportedly buying the property with Kirby Holdings; the city approved the townhouse project on Oct. 17

Organizations Involved

Alexandria Planning Commission
Alexandria Planning Commission
City advisory body
Recommended approval 6-0 on Sept. 1; City Council approved the permit with a condition on Oct. 17

The appointed body that reviews development proposals and makes recommendations to City Council.
PG
Parker-Gray One, LLC
Development Company
Applicant; received City Council approval on Oct. 17

The entity that applied for the development special use permit for the five townhouses.

Timeline

March 2026 October 2026

6 events Latest: October 17th, 2026 · 4 weeks ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. City Council approves five townhouses

    Latest Decision

    Council approved Development Special Use Permit #2026-10007 with a condition to shift Dominion Virginia Power transformers about 8 to 10 feet south, creating a public access easement beside the Madison Street sidewalk. Three council members voted against the project.

  2. City Council defers townhouse vote to October

    Decision

    Council voted 5-2 to defer until the October public hearing after Councilman John Taylor Chapman raised concerns about losing the barbershop and a storefront. Mayor Alyia Gaskins and Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley voted against the delay.

  3. Planning Commission recommends approval 6-0

    Hearing

    The commission held its public hearing on Development Special Use Permit #2026-10007 and recommended approval 6-0, sending it to City Council.

  4. Agenda published with September 1 hearing

    Scheduling

    Planning Commission agenda lists the development special use permit for a public hearing.

  5. Board of Architectural Review hears concept

    Review

    A public hearing on the concept review at Charles Houston Recreation Center.

  6. Development proposed for Parker-Gray site

    Proposal

    Eric Bernstein and Kirby Holdings pitch five townhouses on a vacant lot and barbershop site.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

May 2026

Old Town Pool Replacement (2026)

The Planning Commission reviewed a permit for a $12.55 million pool replacement at 1609 Cameron Street. The project would demolish a 1977 facility and rebuild with a competition pool, family pool, and larger bathhouse. Staff recommended approval.

Then

The commission forwarded the permit to City Council with conditions.

Now

The pool is expected to reopen for the summer 2028 season, increasing bather load from 278 to 284.

Why this matters now

Shows how Alexandria balances public infrastructure against historic district constraints, similar to the Parker-Gray townhouse review.

May 2026

Backyard Beekeeping Zoning Text Amendment (2026)

Alexandria proposed its first-ever rules for backyard hives. The text amendment capped hive numbers by lot size and required 10-foot setbacks from lot lines, with reductions behind flyway barriers.

Then

The commission initiated the amendment and recommended approval.

Now

The rules created a standardized framework for urban agriculture, part of the city's effort to modernize its zoning code.

Why this matters now

Demonstrates the Planning Commission's current push to update legacy zoning provisions, including the 1940s-era cluster development rules the townhouse project relies on.

Sources

(8)
+2
City of Alexandria ALXnow Alexandria Brief City of Alexandria City of Alexandria Docket City ALXnow Alexandria Brief