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.