Board of Zoning Appeals Public Hearing – January 12, 2026

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) held a public hearing on January 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chambers at Del Pepper Community Resource Center, Alexandria, Virginia. Four members were present (Mr. Liu, Mr. Burke, Mr. Foley, Mr. Justice), constituting a quorum. Vice Chair Bauman, Secretary Eveland, and Mr. Patel were absent. The board considered two zoning applications, approved minutes from the prior meeting, and deferred the election of officers.

Public Comments & Testimony

• For BZA #2025-00011 (2807 Ridge Road Drive), no public comment forms were submitted. The public comment period was closed without any speakers.
• For BZA #2025-00012 (408 East Monroe Avenue), the public comment period was opened, but the only speaker was the applicant’s architect, who spoke during the applicant’s allotted time. No separate public commenters addressed the board.

Discussion Items

BZA #2025-00011 – 2807 Ridge Road Drive (Special Exception)

• Applicant: John DiCalogero, represented by architect Kim Robbert.
• Request: A special exception to construct a one-story rear addition extending into the required side yard (requesting a one-foot reduction in the eight-foot side yard setback) in the R-8 residential zone.
• Staff Presentation: Bill Cook (Planning & Zoning) explained that the existing house has a non-conforming seven-foot side yard. The proposed addition would match the existing structure’s height and wall plane. Staff found the application met the special exception standards and recommended approval.
• Board Questions: One member asked about the connection to the existing house; the applicant described a hallway from the kitchen.
• Outcome: The board voted unanimously (4-0) to approve the special exception as submitted, based on staff’s recommendation.

BZA #2025-00012 – 408 East Monroe Avenue (Variance for ADU)

• Applicants: Jared and Olivia Griffin (property owners), represented by architect Brian Glassman.
• Request: A variance to construct a one-story accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with basement storage forward of the front building wall of the principal dwelling, in the R-B (residential townhouse) zone. The existing house is set only 8.1 feet from the rear property line, leaving no room to place the ADU behind the house.
• Staff Presentation: Planning staff noted that the house predates the 1932 zoning ordinance and is a non-conforming structure. The applicants propose to replace an existing non-compliant shed with an ADU in the same location. The ADU would sit two feet from the side property line, meeting height requirements. Staff also addressed a parking concern raised by the Del Ray Land Use Committee: the proposed parking area uses 49.42% of the required front yard, within the 50% allowance. Staff recommended approval with a condition that the existing six-foot solid fence in the front yard (which is non-compliant) be replaced with a four-foot open fence in compliance with zoning. Staff noted that the applicants had voluntarily agreed to add landscaping to screen the parking area.
• Board Discussion: Several members questioned the applicants’ good faith in purchasing the property, given the obvious lack of a backyard. Staff clarified that the ADU location rule is obscure and that an existing shed already occupied the same spot. The board discussed the fence condition extensively. A member proposed adding a condition requiring the applicants to work with city staff to obtain a recommendation on landscaping (evergreen shrubs, four to six feet tall) for screening. Another member argued that landscaping is not a zoning requirement and should not be imposed, but other members felt it was justified given the site’s location on a busy street. The board ultimately agreed to require the applicants to seek a landscaping recommendation from city staff, but not to mandate specific plantings.
• Applicant’s Statement: Olivia Griffin explained that the ADU would allow her retired parents to live with the family, providing childcare for her toddler (she is an emergency veterinarian working 12-hour shifts; her husband is a commercial airline pilot). She acknowledged not fully researching the ADU location rules and agreed to remove the non-compliant fence and shed.
• Outcome: The board voted unanimously (4-0) to approve the variance with two conditions: (1) all fencing on the property under the applicants’ control must be brought into full compliance with zoning regulations; (2) the applicants must work with city staff to obtain a recommendation on landscaping (planting) for screening as shown in their plans.

Key Outcomes

• BZA #2025-00011 – Approved 4-0 (motion by Mr. Foley, second by Mr. Coleman).
• BZA #2025-00012 – Approved 4-0 as amended (motion by Mr. Foley, second by Mr. Coleman) with conditions: fence compliance and landscaping consultation with city staff.
• Minutes of November 10, 2025 – Approved 4-0 (motion by Mr. Foley, second by Mr. Justus).
• Election of Board Officers – Deferred 4-0 to the February 2026 meeting (motion by Mr. Coleman, second by Mr. Foley) because only four members were present and two absent officers (Vice Chair Bauman and Secretary Eveland) could not accept nominations.
• Other Business: The board discussed a proposed training session from the city attorney’s office. Staff suggested holding it before the March 16, 2026 hearing, but some members noted difficulty arriving early. Staff will explore holding it after the meeting instead.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 PM (motion by Mr. Foley, second by Mr. Justus).