Section 5-8-3(h) of the City Code allows the Board to consider processes related to traffic and parking where review and approval are delegated to staff. The Board has previously approved three administrative procedures: the removal of parking at bus stops for ADA compliance, the addition of ‘No Turn on Red’ signage at intersections for pedestrian safety, and the removal of parking at crosswalks to improve driver sightlines.

At the November 2023 Board meeting, staff presented the concept of an administrative procedure to add and remove pickup/drop-off loading zones if certain criteria are met, and the Board provided feedback.

At the February 2024 Board meeting, the Board approved an administrative procedure to allow the Director of Transportation and Environmental Services to add and remove pickup/drop-off loading zones that meet the approved criteria.

The permanent program for the new curbside loading and pick-up/drop-off zones began July 1, 2022. The new pickup/drop-off loading zones are meant and designed to accommodate the striking increase in curbside rideshare and delivery/take-out business since their inception in the 2010s and their significant growth since the pandemic. Drivers of all vehicles with any purpose can use these zones for quickly loading and unloading passengers and goods at all times of day and night, whereas traditional loading zones are meant to be used primarily by freight trucks to supply goods to street-fronting businesses that have limited to no off-street parking or loading space, usually in the mornings and early afternoons.

Strategically reallocating valuable curbside space to accommodate the significant increase in pickup and drop-off activity in Alexandria can help to reduce double-parking, prevent the obstruction of fire hydrants, and mitigate the prevalence of blocked crosswalks. Providing a variety of ways to access businesses also supports the Curb Space Prioritization Framework and helps to designate areas along the curb that address the needs of the adjacent land uses. Since the pickup/drop-off zones were first created as a way to support businesses during the pandemic, the City has received numerous requests for these zones.

In the past, staff would bring requests for pickup/drop-off loading zones before the Board in a piecemeal fashion, however, the demand for pickup and drop-off continues to grow as a result of the increase in food and online shopping deliveries, taxi/rideshare trips, parking-free schools and daycares, and carry-out pickups, as well as general freight loading and unloading. To more efficiently implement pickup/drop-off loading zones in appropriate and desired locations, staff garnered approval for this administrative process. Requests for zones that do not meet this process may still be considered through a public hearing before the Board at a regular meeting.

Are you interested in the new curbside loading and pick-up/drop-off signage for your business? Please see the criteria for eligible locations below:

Eligible Locations:

• Prohibited within 50 feet of a bus stop / cannot hinder bus nor bike lanes
• No off-street parking/loading within 150 feet of the applicant’s front door/entrance
• No other loading zone exists on the same side of the block on which the zone is being requested
• The block on which the zone is being requested is 85% occupied by parked vehicles by any survey
• The block on which the zone is being requested meets one of the following criteria:
  • Features at least one primarily carryout/pickup business
  • Features at least one healthcare or senior citizen-focused business and/or facility
  • Features at least one school and/or daycare (Pickup/Drop-off Plan approved by the Department of Planning & Zoning as well)
  • Features at least one major destination (e.g., performing arts theatre, movie theater)
• If the block does not feature a carryout/pickup business, a senior-citizen-focused business or facility, a school/daycare, or major destination, the block must be occupied by at least five street-fronting businesses

Zone Location and Length

• The proposed zone must be at the start of the block or parking lane
  • Exceptions:
    • Layby (e.g., 730 East Glebe Road)
    • In between two curb cuts (e.g., 205 East Howell Avenue)
• Staff would determine the length of the zone based on:
  • The applicant’s business model and estimated number of trips generated
  • The roadway and block on which the zone is being requested (i.e., average vehicular speed, number of businesses, etc.)
  • The location of the zone (i.e., presence of curb cuts and fire hydrants, and location of the business itself relative to the start or end of the block)
  • The presence of other pickup/drop-off and traditional loading zones nearby

Application Process:

• Applicant completes the PUDO Zone Request Form, which will include signatures of support from all property owners and tenants directly fronted by the requested zone
• Staff will review and notify the applicant of approval or denial per the criteria.
  • If approved, Staff would notify the Board of new zones via written updates and post a public notice of the new zone at the approved location for two weeks prior to signage installation.
  • If denied, the applicant may request the zone be docketed for a future meeting with the Board. 

Annual Recertification:  

• Conducted every January; staff will review to determine if the zone is still needed and if modifications should be made
  • Staff are tracking all existing pickup/drop-off loading zones throughout the city and maintaining the contact information of the applicant
    • Original applicant must confirm applicant’s business is still open and still in favor of pickup/drop-off zone
    • If the applicant has moved on, staff will contact the new occupant or others on the block
  • Staff will notify past applicants to reapply to recertify their pickup/drop-off loading zone by sending each past applicant the recertification form
    • If no response, staff will post a notice for 5 days noting the zone will be removed
• Staff provide a written update of which pickup/drop-off zones were recertified and which were removed

Zone Removal:

• Administrative approval for removing underutilized pickup/drop-off zones
  • Staff would notify the Board of pickup/drop-off zones being removed via written updates
  • Applicants/other occupants of the block may ask City staff to reconsider their decision to remove the zone, which will be brought before the Board for consideration.
• The zone can be removed by staff if a staff review of the zone finds that the following criteria are met:
  • Annual recertification survey finds that the applicant’s business is no longer open or the applicant no longer wants the zone, OR;
  • The zone’s utilization data from either staff or other third-party consultant/contractor finds that drivers are using the zone for an average of more than 15 minutes by any survey, AND;
  • Outreach to the businesses on the block about zone removal has been conducted.

Simply follow the instructions on and fill out this form and submit it to Max Devilliers at max.devilliers@alexandriava.gov.