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However, the developer, Penzance Management, LLC, seeks to modify the Clarendon Sector Plan to build 364 underground office parking spaces, 125 spaces less than required, according to documents.

The sector plan allows for modifications and easements if the developer offers “extraordinary community benefits,” according to planners at the meeting Monday night.

In return for less parking, Penzance will contribute money to several county funds including $1.2 million to the Affordable Housing Investment Fund and $75,000 to the Public Art Fund. The developer is also complying with the Historical Affairs Landmark Review Board’s request to preserve the historic limestone building façade along N. 11th St.

Penzance will also distribute $65 SmartTrip cards to new building employees during the initial leases. Additionally, Penzance will contribute $150,000 towards transportation improvements--such as bicycle lanes and bicycle racks--that encourage alternative forms of transportation in the Clarendon neighborhood along with other annual payments over the next 15 and 30 years.

At the commission meeting, the developer said these public benefits came from months of negotiating with the county and community groups.

The bottom three floors of the garage will be reserved parking for office employees during business hours. During the evenings and weekends three floors of the garage will be available for the public. The commission requested Penzance implement a valet service that can pack cars into the garage space.

The Clarendon-Courthouse Civic Association believes that Penzance has been working in good faith, but also believes that the benefits provided are not enough to warrant a modification to the sector plan.

“While the benefits are nice, the benefits are good, the benefits are not ‘extraordinary,’” said Matthew Asada, a spokesperson for the CCCA.

According the Clarendon Sector Plan, underground parking spaces are worth approximately $35,000 each. Asada and the CCCA believe the developer’s benefits should be equal to the costs of all 125 excluded spaces, and he said he believes they cost closer to $40,000 or $5 million total.

“Where are the ‘extraordinary community benefits’ for that?” he said. “The question is extraordinary and the question is the five million dollar question.”

Plans which will preserve the historic limestone façade on the Eleventh Street Restaurant and make the window display of the of Potomac Crossfit gym look like the original McQueens Sporting Goods store provide extraordinary benefits, according to commission member Terry Savela.

The site will be downgraded in the county’s historic resources inventory because the original building will be demolished and rebuilt with remodeled interiors and new, but historically accurate, window displays along 11th St. North.

The project next moves to the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board before proceding to the county board for final approval.

Related: Read other Development stories.