Alexandria Board of Architectural Review Public Hearing - March 19, 2026

Note: The agenda and minutes for this meeting list the date as Wednesday, March 18, 2026, but the instruction for this summary specifies March 19, 2026. The summary below uses the instructed date; refer to original documents for the actual meeting date.

The Board of Architectural Review (BAR) met at 7:00 PM on March 19, 2026, at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (though the agenda and minutes state the location as the Del Pepper Community Resource Center at 4850 Mark Center Drive). The board considered a consent calendar, two new business items, and two concept reviews, approving one demolition and one combined alteration/demolition, and providing feedback on infill designs. Board members present were Chair Scott, Mr. Spencer, Vice Chair Zandian, and Mr. Adams; Ms. del Ninno and Ms. Miller were absent.

Consent Calendar

• BAR#2026-00030 (214 & 216 South Peyton Street): Request for alterations by Melwood, Inc. Approved 4-0 as submitted.
• BAR#2026-00032 (913 South Alfred Street): Request for alterations by Ronald Southwick. Approved 4-0 as submitted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• BAR#2026-00033 (Concept Review at 330 North Washington Street):
  • Mike Gaffney (317 North Columbus Street): Opposed the proposed sideways orientation of six townhouses toward an internal parking lot, arguing it violates design guidelines for street-facing frontage. He stated the developer’s reliance on discretionary parking preferences (24 spaces for tenants, with only 11 contractually required for Wells Fargo) creates a self-imposed hardship, and that the site is in an enhanced transit area with a minimum of only 6 required spaces. He urged the board not to compromise historic streetscape for excess parking.
  • Julie (319 North Columbus Street): Echoed concerns about orientation, noting guidelines require front entrances to face primary streets. She also objected to the proposed four-story height, stating it overshadows adjacent historic homes (e.g., 711 Princess Street, built 1797). She requested the board require a street elevation view and a building massing study to assess compatibility.
  • Edward Rodin (325 North Columbus Street): Expressed support for a street-facing design and a “muse style” layout, emphasizing the need for the project to fit the character of the area.
• BAR#2026-00035 (Concept Review at 1019 Cameron Street): No public speakers; a speaker form was submitted by Christine who had to leave, and the board asked her to submit written comments.

Discussion Items

• BAR#2026-00014 & BAR#2026-00024 (632 North Columbus Street) – Combined Alteration and Partial Demolition: The applicant (represented by Peter VanderPoel) proposed three roof slope options for a rear addition. Staff recommended the lowest slope “flat” option (depicted in photo four of the staff report). The board agreed, and the applicant accepted. The board approved the application as amended, with a clarification to work with staff on finalizing the siding material.
• BAR#2026-00034 (330 North Washington Street) – Partial Demolition and Encapsulation (Carport): The applicant (330 N Washington LLC) sought to demolish two of three drive-through aisles at the rear of the Wells Fargo building, retaining one canopy. The board approved the demolition 4-0, with a condition that the edge finish detail be submitted at the certificate of appropriateness stage.
• BAR#2026-00033 (330 North Washington Street) – Concept Review (Six Townhouses): The project would infill a surface parking lot with six townhouses oriented east-west, with parking on three sides. The applicant’s architect (Rodney Williams) presented a transitional design with masonry, varied brick colors, and dormers. Board members raised several concerns during deliberation:
  • The layout is “suburban” with excessive parking surrounding the buildings; a better urban solution would be to have three townhouses facing Princess Street and three facing inward (as suggested by a neighbor’s illustration).
  • Dormers are oversized and visually busy; they should be reduced or refined to better match historic proportions. Roof decks on the top level are highly visible and should be concealed behind parapets or moved to lower levels—a reversed gable could hide the deck.
  • The building should have brick wrapping all façades (not just front) since it is visible from multiple streets. The current rear siding is inappropriate.
  • Provide a street section with dimensions and a massing study to evaluate height relative to neighboring structures (the proposed main roof height is under 35 feet, peak ~38 feet). Units should appear as individually constructed over time, with variations in brick, window styles, and widths.
  • The parking lot should be better landscaped and buffered with greenery and fencing.
  • The board encouraged the applicant to explore the alternative “three and three” muse layout presented by the public and to work with staff before returning for a second concept review.
• BAR#2026-00035 (1019 Cameron Street) – Concept Review (Office Addition): The applicant (Robert T. Pizzano Contractors, Inc., represented by M. Catharine Puskar and architect Steve Kalinski) proposed a 4,400 sq ft modern addition atop a one-story warehouse behind a historic 1921 building. The addition would convert warehouse space to office, eliminating loading-dock traffic on Henry Street. The board generally praised the design but suggested:
  • Tying the modern addition more explicitly to the building’s industrial history (e.g., using metal tracery or industrial materials).
  • Differentiating the new addition from the historic building through color or material (e.g., exposing original brick or using a warmer cladding).
  • The project is close to approval and likely does not need another concept review; staff coordination is sufficient.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved (February 18, 2026): Motion carried 4-0.
• Consent Calendar Items 3 & 4 approved 4-0.
• BAR#2026-00014 & BAR#2026-00024 (632 North Columbus Street): Approved as amended (4-0), with a condition to work with staff on siding material.
• BAR#2026-00034 (330 North Washington Street – Demolition): Approved 4-0.
• BAR#2026-00033 (Concept Review – 330 North Washington Street): No vote taken; board provided extensive design feedback. Applicant to continue working with staff and return for further concept review.
• BAR#2026-00035 (Concept Review – 1019 Cameron Street): No vote taken; board gave positive feedback with minor suggestions. Applicant to work with staff toward certificate of appropriateness, likely without another concept review.
• Discussion on Fiber Cement: Postponed to a future meeting with fuller attendance.
• The next BAR hearing is scheduled for April 8, 2026, at the Charles Houston Recreation Center.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM.