OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Board of Architectural Review Public Hearing - May 22, 2026

Public MeetingsFriday, May 22, 2026
BodyAlexandria, Virginia
SessionPublic Meetings
DateFriday, May 22, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

I had that home.

0:03

It was, you know, it didn't age over.

0:06

Okay.

0:07

Sorry.

0:07

We have there are like over 100 euro metal roofs in Old Town.

0:12

Um I think it depends on the material.

0:15

All right.

0:16

I think that's we can do it.

0:18

We can so if you ask for a deferral, then we'll we'll vote on that and then you can come back.

0:22

Okay.

0:22

I think that's what we would like to do then.

0:24

Okay.

0:25

So we have a motion on the applicant's request to defer.

0:28

So move.

0:29

Do we have a second?

0:30

Second.

0:31

All those in favor of granting the applicant's request to defer, say hi.

0:34

Aye.

0:35

Aye.

0:35

Any opposed?

0:37

Okay, we'll see you again soon.

0:39

Yes.

0:39

Thank you.

0:40

Thank you.

0:41

Welcome to Alexander.

0:51

Okay.

0:53

We now have.

0:54

Is this the pool?

0:55

Yes.

0:57

12 and 13.

0:59

Is it time for a break, or do you want to live in the pool?

1:01

So do you have the pool now?

1:04

Okay, let's leave the pool.

1:06

I mean we can't of the market then is item number 12 and 13th.

1:13

B AR 2026-00120, parkour gray request for construction 1609 Cameron Street.

1:21

Parcel address 1503.

1:25

Represented by Sophia Topping Zim Zimmerman agent.

1:29

And BR 2026-00133 Park of Reg.

1:33

Request for complete demolition encapsulation at 1609 Cameron Street, the parcel address 15 Cameron Street Africa City Relizator, by Sophia Topping Zip Zimmerman agent.

1:44

Hi everybody, good to see you again.

1:46

My name is Chao Joy with Tess, and uh I'm the project manager of the Old Town Replacement Project.

1:52

We're happy here to present you the update of the project and hope to receive approval um of the department to demolish and um the certificate of this estimate.

2:04

And we presented the project to you guys, the concept plans in January, and it was well received, and we got some positive and insightful feedback and comments, and the design team continued to advance the design with intention of addressing all the barn comments.

2:20

And um the project has been endorsed by the parking rights commission, the climate commission, and last week just by the uh uh city councils.

2:29

And the design team is working diligently um advancing the project to 90% and hope to submit uh the package this Friday.

2:38

Nine percent final cycle.

2:40

So the project is moving forward smoothly and um hopefully um quickly as well.

2:45

So and I also have uh keep here will be presented with me tonight.

2:49

So next is the agenda.

2:51

So tonight I'm gonna go over the project background quickly and follow by the site plan, and we'll delve into the back house and present you with the materials.

2:58

Um then we will wrap up the presentation questions and comments.

3:02

Next as project team quickly, Chow Joy again.

3:06

I'm the manager department project manager uh with Hess, and we have Jack Balwan, who's the sponsor department project manager with RPCA, and we have two consultant team currently on board with us.

3:15

O and A is the Michael Baker, who's not here tonight, and we have the design consultant consultant RM Keith Learner, who's the design principal.

3:24

We also have uh project architect uh Sufi Zimmand here with us.

3:28

So next.

3:29

As you are pretty familiar with the project, um the project um old house located on Camera Street within the parcel uh or Jeffson Houston and the uh distorted project areas a little bit over one acre, and as all you know, the proof and bathhouse was they were built in 1975 and has gone through major and minor renovations at the end of life cycle.

3:53

It's ready to be replaced.

3:54

The pool size right now is about 73,000 uh 100 square feet, including a lap pool, a dive dive well, and a family pool.

4:03

Um the bathhouse is dated, not cold compliance, and the pump house is small, dated, also a lack of storage space.

4:12

Um the bay below is about 250 people, and uh the new project will be uh upping that current uh project uh the facility programming who is competition, uh practices, meat lessons, and uh recommends your uses.

4:25

And as you can see, half the site is green space, it's about half an acre, and we're trying to maintain it as well for um the proposal facility.

4:33

So you move on.

4:35

Yeah.

4:37

Thank you.

4:38

Um I I don't want to bore anyone.

4:42

Would you like me to run through the whole context and everything like we did last time, or do you want to get to the let's just we've all heard the context and we all know where the school is.

4:52

Thanks, yes.

4:53

So why don't we just scroll up here and I'll tell you uh let's sell on the site plan for a minute.

5:01

Um so we were here in January.

5:03

We've got a lot of great feedback from you, and we've incorporated it.

5:12

And we got a lot of input from neighbors and people in the city who used that lawn as a park.

5:18

Um, we had a pathway sort of cutting it at the third point.

5:22

We've shifted that all that uh walkway all the way to the east to maximize the amount of lawn that's there.

5:30

Um, we've kept the major existing trees on Cameron Street.

5:35

We've planted a lot of new trees to just sort of make up a plaza or a park there.

5:41

Um the flexible event space that is adjacent to the bathhouse has been developed a little more with some fencing.

5:49

We all talked about variety of fencing heights, and we'll get to that.

5:52

Um so that's sort of what we done at the site.

5:57

You want to go to the bathhouse floor plan.

6:00

I think when you saw this, it was a much bigger building, and because of budget issues, we've had to oops, sorry.

6:08

We've had to shrink it a little bit.

6:10

Um, but it's still essentially the same building.

6:13

It's got uh men's and women's changing rooms, it's got two universal changing rooms, and then the pool equipment room on the east side of the building.

6:21

Uh it's symbol.

6:22

We've created a nicer uh sort of a rival plaza here with a lot of furniture and a nice site wall, a flagpole.

6:30

Um, because what happens when this pool is at overflow capacity?

6:37

People, not water.

6:38

Um people have to cue outside and wait to get in.

6:41

So we wanted to create a plaza there in front for them to do that.

6:45

Um let's go to the elevation.

6:49

Um so one of the things we heard from you all in the previous design.

6:55

We had brick up to 10 feet, like you see here, and then we had a sort of pretty industrial um ground face concrete macery unit.

7:04

It was a it was a gray, and we were covering it with wood slats, um sort of cypress or something like that.

7:12

We hadn't quite decided.

7:14

And we got a lot of input from you on on the gray and on the wood slats, and essentially what we've done is we've removed those wood slats.

7:22

We've gone to the door is it flush with the uh the rest of the facade.

8:19

It sticks out half an inch.

8:20

Okay, so we're trying to create um some shadows for those things pop up.

8:29

Is this what's in the center block?

8:32

It is uh cinder block is a common name for that concrete masonry unit, yes, but it's ground face, so it's not um it's not like a stock piece, it's it's got a nice ground finish to it.

8:46

I like this.

8:47

Thank you.

8:49

Um, let's go to the next slide.

8:54

So this is just sort of a recap of what I've just talked about.

8:58

Um the masonry materials and where they're used.

9:02

We are using um matching mortar.

9:08

That mortar there goes with the field router, and this mortar would go with you've got the uh ground phase.

9:20

All right, next slide, please.

9:24

So that's a perspective as you arrive at the building on that curved walkway.

9:35

Okay, don't tell us that's my fault.

9:40

Okay, well no sense.

9:42

Um of the things that you asked us to look into was some sort of canopy that sort of called out the main entrance, and we've done that there.

9:53

You can see this uh gray canopy that says old town pool on it.

9:57

Just beyond that is the check-in window.

10:00

So people approach the building, they'll check in and they'll either go to the men's and women's through the locker room into the pool or through that um universal changing room that you saw on the plan.

10:12

Okay.

10:16

There's another perspective, sort of looking head on as if you were standing at the sidewalk on Cameron Street.

10:26

So we talked with you all last time about shade structures on the pool.

10:31

And we spent a lot of time with staff um sort of exhaustively studying shade structures.

10:37

We moved them all over the pool.

10:39

Um, but in effect, we settled on uh three shade structures for seating area, and then we put a shade structure over top of a zero entry area for the pool.

10:49

And if you advance the slide, uh see the shade structures on the side on the side, but there's an aerial view where I want to show you.

11:03

Okay, so that is um standing at the entry to the zero entry portion of the pool.

11:09

That shade structure is gonna cover that whole portion of the pool.

11:12

And the way that the solar angles and everything work in the sort of hot afternoon, that area is shaded.

11:19

Um go one more.

11:21

Are these removable canopy?

11:23

Like are they fabric?

11:24

Yes, or if they're fabric canopies, they're gonna be that tannish uh off-white color with uh black posts to match the black fencing and uh black benches.

11:36

Is it removable?

11:37

Is it something you take down at the end of the season?

11:39

Take down the end of the season, absolutely.

11:41

Yep.

11:41

Yep.

11:42

So it's just strung um there are tensioned cables strung between the posts, and then the fabric sort of slips onto those tension cables.

11:52

Yeah, you don't want to leave it at all.

11:55

Um so there's a view of the whole site, but go one more.

12:01

I think we have a there's a view of the back of the pool so you can get an idea of how those canopies lay out on the pool deck.

12:10

Um we're we're sort of trying to balance shade with that a lot of patrons want with sun that a lot of other patrons want.

12:22

We have seating with uh umbrellas and whatnot around the perimeter.

12:26

So trying to get more shade than there's there today.

12:29

That's one of the big complaints of the pool is that it's just it's hard to get shade.

12:33

Um go to the next slide.

12:34

And I asked, I know I asked this before, but what's the empty rectangle that's fenced in?

12:39

Oh right.

12:40

Let me let me talk about that.

12:42

The empty rectangle that's fenced in is uh storage area okay for it's sort of mostly off-season storage.

12:50

Tables and chairs would go there, lane lines, and just things that don't have room for in the building.

12:55

Now a lot of the stuff will get stored quite honestly in the locker rooms themselves in the off-seasons.

13:00

We don't envision a ton of stuff being out there, but um one thing I wanted to point out was the discussion we had about fencing.

13:09

Um I think last time we just had a six-foot perimeter fence around the whole site.

13:15

We hadn't articulated anything.

13:17

Uh I'm afraid to step up the X because I won't go.

13:21

If you're going too much.

13:25

So we have a six-foot perimeter fence around the whole site, but here we've created a three foot six uh fence with sliding gates so that this vent area can be used for private function and closed off, or when the pool is over capacity, those gates are gonna be opened up, and that becomes more deck space for for bay.

13:46

Um also created a three foot six tall uh fence there.

13:51

That's in the pool.

13:54

No, it's on this peninsula, it sticks out and it's for a little bit of variety, but it's also safety feature so that um you know your toddlers here, you don't want them running across the peninsula into the 12-foot deep end that also has a 12-foot sliding game.

14:13

Close that off if there's an event um that wants to sort of separate the zero entry from this end of the pool, or if you have a swim beam, imagine opening that up so people can circuit with more green.

14:25

What is it made of?

14:27

It's uh picket fence just like what's out there.

14:30

Okay, it's metal or it's aluminum is the base metal, painted black.

14:34

Can I ask on our empty fence rectangle?

14:38

Could you maybe incorporate some of that flexibility into that area so that the interior fence is a little bit smaller and it's not just reading as like fence on fence on fence from outside?

14:51

Yes, and you could put the sliding door because if it's you're just using that for off-season storage, you might want to have access to that to put a DJ or whatever.

15:03

Um, or to put some lawn chairs or something, and that way you're offering a little bit of visual variety in terms of the interior fence versus the perimeter fence.

15:17

Okay.

15:20

Yep.

15:20

Is there any way to add notes made around the perimeter?

15:23

Or is that in the city's project?

15:26

It's not the staff's preference.

15:28

Um, deputy director with recreation parks.

15:32

We can bring in a variety, yeah.

15:33

Same idea.

15:34

Um we can bring in a variety of movable um shape.

15:39

I mean, what we want to do is map.

15:40

We tried to balance, as Keith said, you know, sun worshipers versus shape.

15:45

So we can, for example, over the event space, we can it's large enough to bring in a tent if necessary.

15:50

Um we can we're also still exploring potentially the drop-in um sort of recess type large umbrellas that can then be removed for maximum flexibility on the deck, so we can you know add more and or detract um movable shade throughout the site.

16:06

Okay.

16:06

But the fixed structures will be the four, those will be fixed structures um with regard to while providing shade.

16:12

Okay.

16:15

And if you go one more slide, there's some images of what these things would look like.

16:19

So the three that are around the perimeter of the pool here, here and here are these candy for structures, and then the bigger one goes across the zero entry sort of uh called a high bar signal.

16:35

Uh looks something like that.

16:36

So that yeah, just have a little curved.

16:43

And I think there's one more, two more sides.

16:48

Oh, lighting.

16:49

Um, this is in the staff report, the front lawn all along that curved path and all the sidewalks on the perimeter, are using these very low bollards just to light the light the grass and light the bench areas.

17:02

There are bollards next to each bench and all along the perimeter of the wall race.

17:08

And then in the pool deck itself, we're using these larger uh pole lights to light that up at night for a night event that may happen.

17:19

They're pretty infrequent, but really for security.

17:24

And it's very similar to what's there today.

17:31

There is um we don't have a terribly good rendering of it, we don't have any rendering.

17:36

Uh, but if you go back to the um elevations, actually, go back here.

17:41

Go there.

17:42

I'm sorry, go forward to the last slide, which is the rendering.

17:47

So what we're doing is we're concentrating the exterior lighting on this canopy.

17:53

So canopy will have down lights that light up the entrance.

17:57

We're also using a very thin LED strip.

18:01

There's a top of this has a roadlock force that projects about two inches.

18:07

So there's a shadow line.

18:09

We're putting this very little LED, but it's about one inch by one inch that at night will just wash that wall and light the thing up.

18:17

Very subtle with a warm light, like a 2700 kelvin light, and it'll go around the front side of the two front facade and the two side facade.

18:28

So like that theory.

18:32

My concern is I don't want to see some picture.

18:36

There's a I know you're talking about a robot that there's a way to recess it so that it's not visible from looking straight on.

18:43

Okay.

18:44

There'll be a nice detail so it looks like a wall wash, and where the little LED strip kind of just attached to the bottom of the brick.

18:53

Got it.

18:54

I mean, I think the way to do that would be to almost have to use some sort of cast stone.

19:03

You know, or very special brick shape.

19:07

Or even just the aluminum paint called something simple to see that.

19:12

Okay.

19:16

If you want to you explain, we are gonna be the green building policy, you know, it's gonna be a zero um, you know, uh building, but if you can explain that we are going to be designing and have funding to put solar bags on the roof, yeah, the roof will be um almost all solar panels.

19:34

Um it'll be generating the electricity for the building.

19:37

The building will achieve lead gold status, which is a requirement of the 2019 rebuilding policy, and then a variety of other sub boxes you have to check, dealing with stormwater and the like, and we're on track to get all of those.

19:56

That's all I had for questions.

20:00

Do we have any public speakers on this?

20:02

I don't know.

20:04

No, okay, we'll close the public comment.

20:07

Maybe I'd like to open it up for comments from the board.

20:12

Nothing from me.

20:13

Ms.

20:14

Delma.

20:15

I think it's gonna be great.

20:17

I just a suggestion about um, you know, the signage that seems small.

20:24

The old town pool.

20:30

We can look into it's pretty far.

20:33

The pool is pretty far from Cameron Street.

20:36

Yeah.

20:36

So I think there are signs on corner at Cameron Street where you turn onto the property sort of the standard city signs, and you've seen them at Rec Center all the time.

20:46

Those are there makes any difference.

20:49

My comment is on the fence.

20:50

You got that.

20:51

Yep.

20:53

Uh I think the warmer time with scene we tiles really makes a nice difference in the grading the whole wow space, a lot of a better word with the school with the dormant center.

21:05

Just one question about the brick selection.

21:08

This requires sort of a subjective analysis.

21:11

But you know, the Durant Center versus Jeff Houston has sort of a different colored rig.

21:18

Have you taken the rig selection and sort of compared it to those buildings?

21:22

Is it closer to closer to Durant?

21:25

But Jefferson Houston is a more orangey red.

21:29

Yeah.

21:33

Also on the brain.

21:34

I was wondering if uh we're talking about your brother.

21:39

I really like whole project.

21:41

The black bricks is an accent element.

21:43

Is there enough contrast to the brand ring?

21:48

Asking this.

21:51

So you because it's such a nice way you've particularly well it's interesting.

21:57

We're standing in a building I designed, and you probably don't know.

22:01

There's brick patterning on all these sides, and it's so subtle that it just goes away.

22:07

So when I was doing this, I was thinking I really want to punch it, and that's why I use the black.

22:12

So I think it will, but I think we were also wondering if there never take a little bit of light of color.

22:23

So I just kind of just like a uniform as opposed to being brick ball.

22:33

Okay.

22:35

Okay.

22:39

LED.

22:41

Yeah.

22:42

What was the nature of that L comment?

22:44

Just so that you can't see the strip itself.

22:46

Yeah.

22:46

Yeah.

22:46

We want the L the LED show.

22:49

The fixture to be invisible and just see the light.

22:51

See the light without some fixture itself.

22:56

Anyone else?

23:02

Would anyone like to do a motion on this?

23:05

I'm not the motion.

23:08

Make a motion to approve for staff recommendations and with the recommendations that the lower the brain color or the water color.

23:23

Also to adjust the fencing on the interior side, so that's everything between the storage area and the exterior fencing would be wrong.

23:46

Yeah, a recommendation to explore the size of the wording on the hotel.

23:50

I think work with staff on the side.

23:52

Yeah.

23:52

I think a lot of people look with staff.

23:54

Yeah, it's work with staff model this.

23:57

And then we break blue chair, which is a work with stack on it.

24:05

When you say the brick detail, the detail for the recessing of the bike.

24:08

Yeah, it's screening the LHURS.

24:12

Yes.

24:13

I think that's it for that motion.

24:15

Who would like to second?

24:18

Second.

24:19

Mr.

24:20

Condue a roll call.

24:22

Yes, it does include the demolition uh story.

24:25

Okay.

24:30

Um Ms.

24:31

Miller.

24:32

Hi.

24:33

Mr.

24:34

Petri.

24:34

Hi.

24:36

Mr.

24:36

Adams?

24:37

Hi.

24:41

Ms.

24:41

Robinson?

24:42

Hi.

24:43

Mr.

24:43

Scott.

24:45

Thank you.

24:45

Thank you.

24:51

We'll see you when the bulletin.

24:55

Summer of Twilight.

24:57

That's one city hall is.

24:58

That's going to be a big year.

25:33

Sorry, I know you've been waiting for you.

33:50

I want to give you everything.

34:17

Yeah.

34:18

Yes.

34:19

I can see that.

34:33

Yes.

34:33

But it has been produced.

34:36

Okay.

34:38

Um, is it is our applicant back for uh is it item fourteen and fifteen?

34:45

Next item is number fourteen.

34:52

I'm I'm not sure.

34:56

Uh B R twenty four six dash Zero Zero Two.

35:00

Oldest work district request for edition at 425 North Columbus Street.

35:04

Now we can prominent and BR246-00153.

35:09

Oldest door district of a partial done.

35:12

425 North Columbus Street.

35:16

I'm William Problem, the project designer.

35:18

I live at 426 North Columbus Street.

35:20

I'm representing that's uh right across the street from me.

35:26

And I gotta say, in 30 years of presenting, I've always wanted to say this.

35:30

Would you like to see this across the street from your house?

35:33

And I'm gonna say yes.

35:35

So um we took our cues for well for school.

35:39

Let me just say that Zach and his wife.

35:40

Delightful couple with two delightful children, and it's a bit of my experience in the city of space.

35:46

People have their first or second kids, they move out, and I'm happy for the zoning for for housing or zoning that is allowed additions to be a little bit bigger, relaxed there to make it um comparable to the other side of town, and that's allowed people to stay.

36:02

Really appreciate that.

36:03

I'm glad they kept certain researches on open space because it's that that's that's important as well.

36:10

Anyway, we took our cues.

36:11

We we needed a certain amount of space for them to stay.

36:16

But we did what the well other people for me have done, and that is sort of hide it in the roof by by putting it into uh uh an attic space with doors.

36:26

We took our cues in this particular block from all specifically building to put the rear elevation uh block alley.

36:39

Two to a left of this, which that's exactly what they did, but I think they did it in sort of a heavy-handed way to sort of a block.

36:46

So one of my pet peeves is is when you see something blocking on the you know something that's breaks up the mass more.

36:55

So we decided to do more traditional Alexander flounder form and and add uh a an expressed uh porch if if you're in in this case to break up the mouse that didn't look so bulky as the two to the to the south.

37:13

Um I have people as long like unrelieved walls, and so if you look at the north elevation, we did a pretty elaborate um uh diaper pattern on a on a uh X reward for diamond um and and uh thick lattice uh on the north elevation so that it wasn't so pressed to the neighbor.

37:37

But sure you've got lots of uh examples of people proposing long blind 30 foot by 50 foot long unrelieved walls, and sometimes you know with shutters, but in this particular case, we thought because he's a gardener and he's a delightful 80-year-old uh ritual resident because the family has been 40s, and we've all tell him and love him that we wanted to do something really special for his side as opposed to just something for fun.

38:03

So that's uh something I did actually 20 years ago in uh in uh Fairfax Street is so uh I'll open up to questions if you have any.

38:16

Do we have any public speakers on this one?

38:19

Anyone want to talk about this game?

38:21

Sure.

38:21

Okay, we'll close the public comment um portion of this document item.

38:27

Who would like to?

38:30

I'd be happy to start.

38:32

Uh this is I think this is trying to done an excellent job.

38:36

I think you've done just a thoughtful job of planning and incorporating details to make it work with the neighbor really little of this is visible, but the the pieces that are visible are attractive and thoughtful, and I have no comments other than I'd be very happy to look there.

38:54

So I'm sure your clients will too.

38:56

Thank you very much.

38:58

Mr.

38:58

Spencer.

39:04

Does anyone want to offer anything before we ask the second?

39:07

Uh-huh.

39:08

Second.

39:09

Oops, El Nino might have something.

39:12

I'm sorry.

39:13

Give you the highest crazy compliment, but it's a matter of I'm just saying.

39:18

Yeah, it's very nice.

39:19

And usually I would have an issue because the edition is taller than the original building.

39:26

And I mean I know that's one of your uh concerns, and it actually cannot be seen from because it's so far back.

39:33

I think you know that's we actually have perspectives of showing that if you want to say that it can't be seen.

39:37

The only place that can be seen is from my second story windows, but that's not a the public way.

39:41

So I think it's a nice solution, and I just bring that up because I wanted it to be in the records edition.

39:54

Is an exception, but I think we could end this.

40:16

Okay so we have a motion on the table do we have a second second we have a second uh do we need we do need to do a roll call yes we do okay let's do it is Bill yes John Ms.

40:34

Spencer I'd Robinson hi Mr Scott I thank you very much thank you all right we got we've got four minutes left we know we can stay as long as we need but in my mind we have four minutes left um who's our next uh what's our next topic out okay uh next item on the document uh is 16 and 17 uh 2026 dash 00124 parking gray question encapsulation at 11th street applicant is case design and model incorporated represented by Michael Silas contractor and we are 2026 dash 00125 parker gray partition and alterations of 1109 queen street applicant is case design and model incorporated represented by Michael Styles contractor hello uh I'll scrap my 45 minute presentation very simple uh sorry you're your Michael Sack sorry I'm Michael Sack fine what's your address or any address for the records 701 Clark Avenue in Paul's church okay great now go ahead uh so on this home we are essentially filling in the northeast corner of the home where it's kind of notched out for like a patio um it's a two story edition uh we are taking the shed roof that's on the back portion of the home because that won't work with the addition turning it into a gable roof as you can see in that elevation um we are improving the historic nature of it a bit like on the back side of the home right now there's a party panel we are or hardy claim sorry we're putting the um that's lap siding that's just on the front of the home we're carrying that all the way around to the back so we're is that the same as German lap yeah okay yeah no we're we're basically in front of the house is historically correct and we're really just and it actually continues to the right side which is the east side and that's where we're building the addition continuing that wood all the way around but then wrapping it around the back okay as well the back is opened up facing the alley there on the front we are going to be on window replacements we're using Lincoln windows with wood exteriors um on the back here um we are using a clad um door there in Anderson uh French sliding door and then above that is uh Lincoln windows did you see the staff note on the full frame installation versus um uh for your window replacement versus the insert versus the insert window uh no I give you would you be comfortable doing on the front south elevation doing a full frame installation rather than an insert window we historically have had some problems with insert windows okay so that's it's a triple no I guess it's two double hungs and then a picture in the front are you talking about the front oh I believe so it's the staff the front front windows when you replace them use a uh a full frame installation oh yeah yeah that's totally yeah yeah that makes sense oh yeah yeah we never do inserts yeah we don't either okay okay sorry it's not really my lexicon and then updated Mr.

43:45

Punk I do want to ask you you say here the applicant shall work with staff to submit updated material specification for the rear north window of the edition what what materials did you feel like I think it's unclear I'm not remembering what this one was I believe it was on unclear exactly what the um planning was I think um did you see that the initial four is a final exterior climbing I think was concerned that we were concerned that the final exterior climbing and we would like to see a line of exterior instead of uh I believe the 400 series is a little extra it was unclear to us so we have only standard conditions that recommendation be no bind correct and it's what's to have to aluminum wood fiberglass these are all real it's not mine okay no problem okay uh do we have any public comments on this okay we'll close public comment mr adams the floor is yours I just wanted to comment on the window on the stream picture windows period is like I wonder if you could do three double yeah double hung that we seem to have done that's totally fine I'm one or two guys are okay with that instead of the casement that's in the seven picture there's I believe it's a picture blank by two double hungry I think three matching windows yes we've done that okay yeah okay you good is no I'm good this almino I'm good too I'm good too who wants to make a motion I'd like to make a motion to approve as per staff recommendation I'm sorry in the three and

45:00

There's I believe it's a picture blank by two double hung.

45:03

I think three matching windows.

45:05

Yes.

45:06

We've done that.

45:07

Okay.

45:10

Okay.

45:12

You good, Miss Miller?

45:14

I'm good.

45:14

Ms.

45:15

Del Nino.

45:16

I'm good too.

45:17

I'm good too.

45:18

Who wants to make a motion?

45:21

I'd like to make a motion to approve as per staff recommendation.

45:27

Oh, I'm sorry, in the three and three and double home windows.

45:32

Double home windows.

45:34

Identical.

45:36

Three equally proportioned.

45:39

No problem.

45:40

Do we have a second?

45:41

Sorry.

45:43

I think we probably need a roll call, right?

45:45

Indeed.

45:52

Hi.

45:53

Mr.

45:54

Spencer.

45:55

Hi.

45:56

Mr.

45:56

Adams.

45:57

I'm Sonia.

46:00

Hi.

46:02

Ms.

46:02

Robert.

46:03

Hi.

46:04

Mrs.

46:04

Craig.

46:05

Aye.

46:07

Congratulations, guys.

46:08

Thanks for waiting.

46:10

Thank you very much.

46:12

Is that the end of our business for today?

46:14

I have one item that's to bring up on the record.

46:17

I think we've had a lot of discussions for years, really, but concluding today on building.

46:25

And there's a uniform building height in old town about 50 feet.

46:31

What I would propose is that we do some kind of workshop on building heights.

46:37

And this would be more like giving the staff or the board an orientation of different blocks and different urban settings in old town.

46:48

And even like historical periods and showing us, you know, where and when building heights vary a lot, when it's generally more appropriate when it's not.

46:59

I just think because I think the public might benefit from a board discussion on heights.

47:06

Yeah, I mean so like what is a what is a 20-foot next to a 40-foot look like?

47:10

What does that mean when you say it's an example examples of meaning because one thing one thing for the number is another thing to see them in uh context?

47:17

But even also showing us like architectural uh detailing that can be used to reduce the visual impact of uh I mean we got a lot of architects here who you're gonna be preaching to the choir, but just for the public interest and for just so the board is on the same page, just you know, just so it doesn't have to be a long look, right?

47:39

10 or 15 minutes on showing some pictures and just having a board discussion in the open about heights without having to talk about a specific build.

47:50

Well, you're yeah, yeah.

47:51

Yeah, I'm absolutely absolutely happy to put something in the open.

47:54

Okay, good.

47:54

Anybody else have anything else?

48:00

Prince Street is back or those.

48:01

It is I would like to just thank everybody for reviewing the materials in advance and encourage everybody can you site as it's in advance of the meetings, and uh thanks for all your hard work.

48:14

Really appreciate it.

48:15

And with that, the meeting.

48:22

I would probably like to hear one address.

48:24

You said something that we're gonna say about the change of that.

48:32

Okay.

48:33

We got it.

48:34

I'm not combining her if you're

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████████████████████51%
Planning And Zoning██████████████████████████30%
Procedural█████████████████19%
Summary of Proceedings

Board of Architectural Review Public Hearing - May 22, 2026

Note: The agenda lists the meeting as May 20, 2026, while the provided instructions state the meeting took place on May 22, 2026. This summary uses the date provided (May 22, 2026). The meeting was conducted in person at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, Alexandria, Virginia.

The Board of Architectural Review (BAR) held a public hearing to consider several applications for alterations, new construction, demolitions, and signage in the Old and Historic Alexandria District (OHAD) and Parker Gray districts. The board approved all items brought to a vote, granted one applicant's request for deferral, and discussed a future workshop on building heights.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 3–5 on the agenda (BAR2026-00108 signage at 506 King Street, BAR2026-00119 alterations at 320 North Alfred Street, and BAR2026-00126 alterations at 719 Prince Street) were listed on the consent calendar. The transcript does not indicate discussion or a vote on these items; they were presumably approved as a consent agenda prior to the recorded portion of the hearing.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public speakers testified on any of the items discussed in the transcript. The board chair asked for public comment on each item and received none.

Discussion Items

  • Item 6 – BAR2025-00549 (601 Wythe Street): The applicant requested a deferral. The board granted the request unanimously, allowing the applicant to return at a later date.
  • Items 12&13 – BAR2026-00120 & BAR2026-00133 (1609 Cameron Street – Old Town Pool Replacement): The applicant (City of Alexandria, represented by Sophie Topping Zimmerman and Chow Joy of HESS) presented updated plans for a new bathhouse and pool facilities at the Charles Houston Recreation Center site. Key design changes from the previous concept included shifting a walkway to the east to maximize lawn space, removal of wood slats in favor of ground-face concrete masonry units (CMU) with black brick accents, addition of a canopy over the main entrance with signage, and four shade structures (three fabric canopies around seating and one large canopy over the zero-entry area). The building is designed to achieve LEED Gold status and will have solar panels. Board members discussed fencing, the need to recess LED lighting strips so they are not visible, the brick color (suggesting a warmer tone that complements the Durant Center and Jefferson-Houston School), and the size of the "Old Town Pool" sign. The board requested that the applicant work with staff on these details.
  • Items 14&15 – BAR2026-00122 & BAR2026-00123 (425 North Columbus Street): Applicant William Cromley presented plans for an addition and partial demolition/encapsulation at a residence across the street from his own home. The addition is tucked into the roof and features a rear porch to break up mass, a diaper pattern brick detail on the north elevation to avoid a blank wall, and careful consideration of the neighbor’s garden. Board members praised the design as thoughtful and noted that while the addition is taller than the original building, it is not visible from the public right-of-way. The item was approved unanimously.
  • Items 16&17 – BAR2026-00124 & BAR2026-00125 (1109 Queen Street): Michael Sack of Case Design/Remodeling presented plans for a two-story addition filling in a notched corner of the home, converting a shed roof to a gable, and extending lapped wood siding to the rear and east elevations. Window replacements on the front elevation were discussed; staff recommended full-frame installation rather than insert windows. Board member Adams suggested replacing a planned picture window with three equally proportioned double-hung windows, which the applicant accepted. The board also noted that the rear sliding door material should be clarified with staff. The motion to approve included these conditions.

Key Outcomes

  • Deferral granted for BAR2025-00549 (601 Wythe Street) on applicant’s request. Motion carried unanimously.
  • Approval with conditions for BAR2026-00120 & BAR2026-00133 (1609 Cameron Street). Conditions included: working with staff to adjust the brick color to a warmer tone, to modify fencing around the storage area for visual variety, to explore the size of the pool signage, and to recess the LED lighting strip so it is not visible. Unanimous approval via roll call (Ms. Miller, Mr. Petri, Mr. Adams, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Scott all voted aye).
  • Approval without conditions for BAR2026-00122 & BAR2026-00123 (425 North Columbus Street). Unanimous roll call (Mr. Crane, Ms. Spencer, Mr. Adams, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Scott all voted aye).
  • Approval with conditions for BAR2026-00124 & BAR2026-00125 (1109 Queen Street). Conditions: full-frame window installation on front elevation, replacement of the picture window with three matching double-hung windows, and clarification of rear window/door materials with staff. Unanimous roll call (Mr. Crane, Ms. Spencer, Mr. Adams, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Scott all voted aye).
  • Future workshop: The board agreed to hold a workshop on building heights in Old Town, allowing staff to present examples of heights and detailing to inform public discussion. Staff will arrange the session.

Meeting Transcript

I had that home. It was, you know, it didn't age over. Okay. Sorry. We have there are like over 100 euro metal roofs in Old Town. Um I think it depends on the material. All right. I think that's we can do it. We can so if you ask for a deferral, then we'll we'll vote on that and then you can come back. Okay. I think that's what we would like to do then. Okay. So we have a motion on the applicant's request to defer. So move. Do we have a second? Second. All those in favor of granting the applicant's request to defer, say hi. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, we'll see you again soon. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Welcome to Alexander. Okay. We now have. Is this the pool? Yes. 12 and 13. Is it time for a break, or do you want to live in the pool? So do you have the pool now? Okay, let's leave the pool. I mean we can't of the market then is item number 12 and 13th. B AR 2026-00120, parkour gray request for construction 1609 Cameron Street. Parcel address 1503. Represented by Sophia Topping Zim Zimmerman agent. And BR 2026-00133 Park of Reg. Request for complete demolition encapsulation at 1609 Cameron Street, the parcel address 15 Cameron Street Africa City Relizator, by Sophia Topping Zip Zimmerman agent. Hi everybody, good to see you again. My name is Chao Joy with Tess, and uh I'm the project manager of the Old Town Replacement Project. We're happy here to present you the update of the project and hope to receive approval um of the department to demolish and um the certificate of this estimate. And we presented the project to you guys, the concept plans in January, and it was well received, and we got some positive and insightful feedback and comments, and the design team continued to advance the design with intention of addressing all the barn comments. And um the project has been endorsed by the parking rights commission, the climate commission, and last week just by the uh uh city councils. And the design team is working diligently um advancing the project to 90% and hope to submit uh the package this Friday. Nine percent final cycle. So the project is moving forward smoothly and um hopefully um quickly as well. So and I also have uh keep here will be presented with me tonight. So next is the agenda. So tonight I'm gonna go over the project background quickly and follow by the site plan, and we'll delve into the back house and present you with the materials.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com