On behalf of firm client Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH), a nonprofit organization committed to developing and managing committed affordable apartments in the DC metro area, Venable obtained unanimous approval from the Arlington County Board for a new special exception site plan, permitting partial redevelopment of the Marbella Apartments property. The approved development consists of two 12-story, multifamily residential buildings in the Fort Myer Heights neighborhood that will provide 100% committed affordable units for residents earning less than the area median income (AMI).
The two buildings, with a total of 555 units, would replace the existing three-story, garden-style complex located at 1300 and 1305 N. Pierce, north of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. About two-thirds of the units in both buildings will be affordable for those earning up to 60% AMI, and more than half of the units will be family-sized, with two to three bedrooms. The rest of the units will be affordable for people earning up to 30% to 50% of AMI.
The new units will be committed as affordable for a term of 75 years. APAH will employ a “zero displacement” approach to lease-up of the buildings, providing relocation assistance for current residents during the interim construction period in addition to prioritizing their return to the new buildings upon completion.
The Venable team was led by Matthew Allman. Matthew and his fellow members of the Tysons Land Use Practice Group represented APAH through a complex zoning entitlement process that included substantial public engagement and negotiation with county staff over the course of several months.
The project was covered by ARLnow.