Tag: M. Catharine Puskar

Team Spotlight: City of Alexandria, Land Use & Zoning Team

Posted on by The Land Lawyers

In this month’s Employee Spotlight we would like to highlight and congratulate the City of Alexandria Land Use & Zoning team.

The dynamic team, Cathy Puskar, Bob Brant, and Caroline Herre, received unanimous approval for the redevelopment of the existing Potomac Yard Regal Cinema site into the Virginia Tech/North Potomac Yard Innovation District. They each took on key roles in the project and ensured that every step represented the client’s best interests through the approval process.

Congratulations Cathy, Bob, and Caroline!

Cathy Puskar
Having joined Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh in November 1998, Cathy Puskar’s practice focuses on land use and zoning matters in the City of Alexandria and Arlington County. With an in-depth knowledge of the law, process, politics, and people required to achieve her clients’ goals, Cathy has successfully represented a number of clients in obtaining the necessary entitlements for a variety of projects including major residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments. Cathy represents major landowners with development approvals in significant planning areas within the City of Alexandria, including North Potomac Yard, Potomac Yard/Potomac Greens, Beauregard, and Eisenhower East. In addition, Cathy has the distinction of having represented clients in the approval process for the majority of the Arlington County Columbia Pike Commercial Revitalization and Neighborhoods Form Based Code Projects that have been developed to date.

Bob Brant
A long-time resident of Northern Virginia, Bob joined the firm in 2015 and works in the firm’s Land Use & Zoning practice group. His practice focuses on securing zoning and land use entitlements including rezonings, special permits, and special exceptions.

Caroline Herre
Caroline joined the Firm as a Land Use Planner in 2017 after completing her graduate degree in Urban and Environmental Planning at the University of Virginia.

 

Alexandria City Council Approves Redevelopment of the WMATA Bus Barn

Posted on by Brigitte Flores

On February 23, 2019, Alexandria City Council approved an application submitted by Trammell Crow Residential to allow the long-anticipated redevelopment of the WMATA Bus Barn located at 600 N. Royal Street.

Land Use attorneys Cathy Puskar and Bob Brant guided the Development Special Use Permit application through the development review process, coordinating with the development team, negotiating with City staff, and conducting significant community outreach.  The approval will allow the development of a 287 unit multifamily building located in the heart of Old Town North.  Cathy and Bob worked closely with the project design team and staff to ensure that the building is in alignment with the recently adopted Old Town North Small Area Plan (SAP) and the Old Town North Urban Design Standards and Guidelines, ultimately receiving the endorsement of the City’s Urban Design Advisory Committee.  The development will replace the aging industrial Bus Barn and surface parking lot with a vibrant residential building that is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and consistent with the vision of the SAP.

The project will provide a number of benefits to the City, including the provision of twelve on-site affordable dwelling units, monetary contributions to the City’s Housing Trust Fund and Old Town North Streetscape and Open Space Fund, streetscape improvements and the implementation of “Green Streets” as recommended by the SAP, and the addition of at-grade open space.  This approval represents the culmination of nearly five years of community-driven planning for the Bus Barn, and is yet another step towards the transformation of Old Town North.

 

Arlington County Board Approves First Developments Under Columbia Pike Neighborhoods Form Based Code

Posted on by M. Catharine Puskar
Source: KGD Architecture
Source: KGD Architecture

Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C., is the region’s leading law firm for redevelopment along Columbia Pike, having successfully represented a number of clients in every 4.1.2 Special Exception Use Permit Commercial Centers Form Based Code approval to date and in two 4.1 Special Exception Site Plan approvals on the Pike that were informed by the requirements of the Form Based Code. Most recently, on February 24, 2015, Cathy Puskar achieved another notable milestone, securing approval of the first two development projects under the Columbia Pike Neighborhoods Form Based Code. The purpose of the Neighborhoods Code, adopted in November 2013, is to encourage redevelopment with an emphasis on preserving and creating affordable housing, providing quality housing for a diverse population at varying income levels, promoting sustainable and energy-efficient buildings, and promoting enhanced architecture, sidewalks, and open spaces. The two recent approvals, the George Washington Carver Homes project on the east end and the Columbia Hills project on the west end, have generated a total of 302 new housing units on Columbia Pike, including 235 committed Affordable Dwelling Units, thereby achieving the goals outlined in the Neighborhoods Plan.

George Washington Carver Homes Project

The Carver Homes were built by the federal government in 1945 as temporary replacement housing for residents of Freedman’s Village displaced during the construction of the Pentagon and surrounding road network. The development was designed by noted African-American architect Albert Cassell. Many of the units are still owned by the original residents or their families. Because of the Carver Homes residents’ deep ties to the property and to Arlington County, Cathy and Matt worked closely with the residents, their neighbors, and County planning staff to develop a project that respects the history of Carver Homes and is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. The redevelopment of Carver Homes will include construction of 50 townhouses and stacked townhouses containing a total of 73 residential units. Six of the units will be Affordable Dwelling Units. In addition, the development will feature amenities such as:

  •  a new public road and upgraded sidewalks
  • utility undergrounding
  • a public mini-park with benches, a water feature, and bike parking
  • two historic markers dedicated to the history of Carver Homes and the legacy of Albert Cassell.

It is only fitting that the redevelopment of this significant property was the first to be approved under the Neighborhoods Code.

Columbia Hills Project

The Columbia Hills project, located on the site of the existing Columbia Grove apartment complex, will consist of construction of a new eight-story building with 229 apartment units and three levels of underground parking. The development will also include:

  •  enlargement of other surface parking lots on the Columbia Grove site
  • relocation of an existing tot lot
  • Earthcraft Platinum construction
  • a rooftop terrace and other amenity spaces for use by Columbia Hills and Columbia Grove residents
  • upgraded streetscape, sidewalks, and landscaping
  • improvements to existing bus stops on South Frederick Street
  • utility undergrounding along South Frederick Street
  • bicycle parking
  • private open space

The development’s unique financing structure will allow all 229 units to be Affordable Dwelling Units, making the Columbia Hills development one of the Neighborhoods Code’s major success stories. The development will be owned and maintained by the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing, a non-profit organization with a long track record of success in creating much-needed affordable housing in Arlington County. Cathy and Matt assisted their client in navigating the complex public review and approval process that culminated in unanimous County Board approval following a four-hour public hearing featuring 43 public speakers with a variety of comments on the development.

Cathy and Matt are currently representing additional Commercial Centers and Neighborhoods Form Based Code developments along Columbia Pike.

Cathy Puskar Wins Approval for City of Alexandria Senior Living Facility

Posted on by Amy Friedlander
Site Drawing
Source: Urban, Ltd.

On February 21, 2015, after more than two years of development review and a six-hour public hearing including 53 speakers representing both sides of the issue, the Alexandria City Council approved a rezoning and development special use permit for the 66-unit Alexandria Memory Care Center by a required 6–1 supermajority vote. The Center, adjacent to the Woodbine Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility on King Street, will serve as a senior living facility specifically designed to provide care for 66 residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.

WCL&W shareholder Cathy Puskar represented the applicant, 2811 King Street, Inc., and led the development team through the long and controversial review process. Cathy and the development team worked with City staff and the community to address issues associated with the applications including building mass and scale, architecture, site design, tree preservation, affordability, and other technical items.

The approved Center meets the high bar set by City staff and the community to ensure compatibility with the adjacent residential neighborhood while addressing the critical need for senior assisted living facilities set forth in the City’s Strategic Plan on Aging. In consideration of Alexandria’s strong commitment to its seniors and the provision of affordable housing, two beds at the Center will be provided at a 40% subsidy for the life of the facility. Cathy’s counsel and determination brought this arduous and contentious process to a successful conclusion.

Arlington County Board Green-lights Gables North Rolfe Street Project

Posted on by thelandlawyers
Rolfe Street Building
Source: Gables Residential

WCL&W Shareholders Evan Pritchard and Cathy Puskar worked closely with Gables Residential and Arlington County to win redevelopment approval for the Gables North Rolfe Street project. The development involves an exchange of land parcels between Gables Residential and the County that allows for redevelopment of the entire block, and the provision of a new replacement facility for Independence House, a County-run transitional living facility that has operated on the site since 1993. The project advances the vision for the area set forth in the Fort Myer Heights North Plan with the construction of two new LEED Gold residential buildings that will include 395 residential units, 39 of which will be committed affordable units, and a new public park at the corner of 14th Street North and North Rhodes Street.

Concept Illustrative
Source: Gables Residential