Alexandria BAR Public Hearing Summary - May 21, 2026 (Note: Agenda/ Minutes show May 20, 2026)

Alexandria Board of Architectural Review Public Hearing – May 21, 2026

Note: The agenda and minutes date the meeting as Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The instruction provided for this summary states the meeting took place on May 21, 2026. This discrepancy is noted below; the summary follows the source documents (agenda and minutes) where possible, but the title reflects the instructed date.

The Board of Architectural Review (BAR) held a public hearing on May 20, 2026, commencing at 7:02 p.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center. Chair Scott, Ms. Miller, Ms. del Ninno, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Spencer, and Mr. Adams were present. Vice Chair Zandian was absent. Sixteen agenda items were considered, including consent calendar approvals, one deferral, and multiple new business items. The meeting lasted approximately two hours and four minutes, adjourning at 9:06 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• BAR2026-00108 (506 King Street): Approved 6-0 for signage.
• BAR2026-00119 (320 North Alfred Street): Approved 6-0 for alterations.
• BAR2026-00126 (719 Prince Street): Approved 6-0 for alterations.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 7 (806 N Columbus Street): Kate Zarns, a resident at 814 N Columbus Street, spoke in opposition. She argued that the proposed four-story townhouses are out of harmony with the surrounding two-story historic homes, noting that the board had previously requested height reductions that the applicant only partially addressed (lowering by three feet instead of a more substantial step-down). She stated the project is an anomaly on the block and asked the board to adhere to its earlier recommendations.
• No other public comments were made on any other agenda items.

Discussion Items

Item 6 – Deferral of 601 Wythe Street (BAR2025-00549): The applicant requested a deferral to continue working on brick staining samples for a residential conversion. The board unanimously approved the deferral (6-0).

Item 7 – New Construction at 806 N Columbus Street (BAR2026-00134) – Parker Gray: The applicant (732 and 806 Development LLC, represented by Kenneth Wire) presented revised plans for three townhouses, including a reduced height (42.5 feet total, down from 44.5 after concept review), a fourth-floor setback, and material samples (white Arctic brick, cast stone, hardie panels). Discussion focused on:

• Height and massing relative to neighboring two-story homes. Some board members (Robinson, Miller) felt the building was too tall and out of scale, while others (Spencer, Adams) noted the height conforms to zoning and that the applicant already lowered it by three feet.
• Material contrasts: Suggestions to add contrasting brick detailing (soldier courses), use horizontal siding on the fourth floor, and reduce the prominence of the parapet wall.
• Bay window height: The board proposed lowering the side bays to two stories (leaving the center at three) to better align with neighboring rooflines.
• A motion was made to approve with six conditions: (1) introduce contrasting brick elements, (2) use horizontal siding with trim on the fourth floor, (3) adjust the transom window detail, (4) reduce side bays to two stories, (5) make cornice molding more substantial at bay tops and less so at the parapet, and (6) use brick on all facades (except fourth floor hardie). The motion passed 4-2 (Robinson and Miller dissenting).

Items 8 & 9 – Reapproval of Expired Plans at 333 Green Street (BAR2026-00106 & 107) – OHAD: Applicant Paul O'Sullivan requested reapproval of previously approved alterations (expired after one year). He reported minor tweaks: pulling in engineered siding, reducing an HVAC unit, and adding a rooftop screen. Chairman Scott noted that a city council proposal to extend certificate-of-appropriateness validity to three years for homeowners (currently one year) is pending. The board approved both items 4-2 (Robinson and Miller dissenting).

Items 10 & 11 – Partial Demolition and Addition at 428 N Union Street (BAR2026-00116 & 117) – OHAD: Applicant Julia and John Acker (represented by Karen Conkey) proposed replacing doors, adding a bay window, replacing three small dormers with a single large shed dormer, and adding a roof terrace with a cable railing. Board members expressed concerns about the massive dormer and the high glass-to-wall ratio on the front facade. Suggestions included reducing the dormer width (e.g., from five windows to four), lowering window height, and using metal roofing to match the shed. The applicants did not fully agree. The board voted unanimously (6-0) to defer the items to allow the applicant to work with staff on revised designs.

Items 12 & 13 – New Construction and Demolition at 1609 Cameron Street (BAR2026-00120 & 133) – Parker Gray: The City of Alexandria (represented by Sophie Topping Zimmerman) requested approval for new construction and complete demolition/encapsulation. The board approved both as amended (6-0).

Items 14 & 15 – Addition and Partial Demolition at 425 N Columbus Street (BAR2026-00122 & 123) – OHAD: Applicant William Cromley requested approval. The board approved both as submitted (6-0).

Items 16 & 17 – Partial Demolition and Addition at 1109 Queen Street (BAR2026-00124 & 125) – Parker Gray: Applicant Case Design/Remodeling Inc. (represented by Michael Sass) requested approval. The board approved both as amended (6-0).

Key Outcomes

• Approvals with conditions: 806 N Columbus St (4-2), 333 Green St (4-2), 1609 Cameron St (6-0), 425 N Columbus St (6-0), 1109 Queen St (6-0).
• Deferrals: 601 Wythe St (6-0) at applicant’s request; 428 N Union St (6-0) to allow redesign of dormer and fenestration.
• Consent calendar approved 6-0 for three items.
• Minutes of May 6, 2026 approved 6-0.
• Next steps: Applicants for deferred or conditioned items will return to a future BAR meeting; the 428 N Union St applicant is expected to present revised plans in approximately one month. A city council proposal to extend certificate-of-appropriateness validity for homeowners to three years is pending.