Alexandria council set for final vote on Kent Place street vacation

Overview

Updated 9 hours ago

A strip of unbuilt street at the southern end of Kent Place in Alexandria is about to leave public hands. City Council takes final passage Sept. 19 on an ordinance vacating the right-of-way next to 2702 Russell Road — the last step for a vacation approved 4-2 in April.

A vacation abandons the city's claim to a street it never paved. The adjacent owner absorbs the land and pays its appraised value, and the parcel leaves the public map. Neighbors in North Ridge opposed the transfer, and two council members voted no, saying the city's lack of a plan for a parcel is a weak reason to give it away.

Why it matters

If the ordinance passes, a never-built public street becomes private land at 2702 Russell Road — the city's claim ends for good.

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Key Indicators

$64,147

Appraised value of the 2702 Russell Road vacated parcel

One of two Russell Road parcels appraised after final plats shifted the boundaries.

$68,612

Appraised value of the adjacent 2800 Russell Road vacated parcel

The companion vacation on the same docket, moving toward final passage Sept. 19.

4-2

April council vote approving the Russell Road vacations

Chapman and Elnoubi cast the two no votes over handing land to owners with no city plan.

+1 sq ft

Growth in total vacated area after final plats

Boundary shifts nudged total vacated area up one square foot and reset valuations.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Ever wondered what historical figures would say about today's headlines?

People Involved

John Taylor Chapman

Alexandria City Council member

Voted against the Russell Road vacations in April; faces final vote Sept. 19

Elnoubi

Alexandria City Council member

Voted against the Russell Road vacations in April; faces final vote Sept. 19

Organizations Involved

Alexandria City Council

Municipal legislative body

Taking final passage on the vacation ordinance Sept. 19

The seven-member body that approves right-of-way vacations by ordinance after two readings.

Alexandria Department of Planning and Zoning

Municipal agency

The department that processes vacation applications, runs appraisals, and advises the council on land-use decisions.

Timeline

April 2026 September 2026

3 events Latest: Today

September 2026
Public hearing and final passage vote
Upcoming Decision

City Council convenes at 9:30 a.m. at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center to take public comment and a final vote on the ordinance vacating the southern end of Kent Place.
In 4 days • 9:30 AM
Sept. 19 hearing agenda published
Today Procedural

City publishes the public hearing agenda listing second reading and final passage of the Kent Place vacation ordinance for 2702 Russell Road.
Today
April 2026
Council approves Russell Road vacations 4-2
Decision

City Council approves the right-of-way vacations at 2702 and 2800 Russell Road over North Ridge objections; Chapman and Elnoubi vote no.
April 18th, 2026

Scenarios

Council finalizes Kent Place vacation for 2702 Russell Road

Likely Resolves by Sep 19, 2026

Discussed by: City staff recommendation and the April 4-2 majority

The ordinance already cleared first reading at Tuesday's legislative meeting. Final passage at the Sept. 19 public hearing completes the vacation, and the city conveys the parcel to the adjacent owner upon payment of the appraised value.

Council defers the vacation to a later meeting

Possible Resolves by Sep 19, 2026

Discussed by: North Ridge neighbors and the two April no votes

If neighbor opposition resurfaces during public comment, a council member could move to defer. That would push final passage to a later meeting and reopen discussion on whether the city should give up land it has no plan to use.

Council rejects the vacation ordinance

Unlikely Resolves by Sep 19, 2026

Discussed by: Council members Chapman and Elnoubi, who voted no in April

A failed second reading stops the vacation in its tracks, leaving the right-of-way in public hands. That would require one of the April majority votes to flip after hearing neighbors at the public hearing.

Historical Context

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

2000–2019

Washington-area alley vacation disputes (2000s–2010s)

Across the Washington metro area, property owners and developers sought to vacate alleys and side streets to expand lots, add parking, or build. The requests routinely drew neighbor objections and split local councils.

Then

Many vacated parcels went to private owners after contested votes; some requests were withdrawn.

Now

The pattern established a familiar template: staff recommend, neighbors object, councils divide.

Why this matters now

The Russell Road vote echoes that pattern — a 4-2 council split and neighborhood opposition over a small parcel that most residents never use.

20th century

Municipal street vacations (20th century–present)

Cities have long stripped unbuilt or surplus streets and alleys from public maps, transferring the land to adjacent owners for cash. The practice returns idle parcels to the tax roll and sheds public maintenance costs, and it has funded countless infill projects.

Then

Adjacent owners absorb the parcels and cities take the compensation.

Now

Vacation became a routine, rule-bound process in most jurisdictions, requiring appraisals, public hearings, and a council vote.

Why this matters now

The Kent Place vacation runs on exactly this machinery — appraisal, public hearing, city vote. The only real dispute is whether the city should give up land it has no plan to use.