Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals Public Hearing - July 22, 2026
Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals Public Hearing - July 22, 2026
The Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) held a public hearing on July 22, 2026, at 7:01 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Del Pepper Community Resource Center. The board addressed two agenda items: a variance request for an after-the-fact pergola at 2500 Dewitt Avenue and a special exception request for a rear-yard addition at 414 Duke Street. The meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
Consent Calendar
- The board unanimously approved the minutes from the June 8, 2026, BZA public hearing by a vote of 5-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- BZA2026-00008 (2500 Dewitt Avenue): One member of the public spoke in support of the applicant's variance request. The speaker, a neighbor, argued that the pergola provides greater aesthetic value to the community than the previous tree, noted that it is a heavily traveled corner for families walking to school and the farmers market, and stated that the two 5.5-inch posts are easily seen through, unlike the previous tree. The speaker also noted that a seven-foot-tall solid fence on the opposite corner is a greater obstruction.
- BZA2026-00009 (414 Duke Street): No public comments were offered.
Discussion Items
- BZA2026-00008 – Variance for Pergola at 2500 Dewitt Avenue: The applicant, Geoff Jacobi, requested a variance to permit an after-the-fact 126.26-square-foot, 9-foot-tall pergola to remain within the required 30-foot vision clearance triangle at the intersection of Dewitt Avenue and Mount Ida Avenue. The relief sought was 6.11 feet (from 23.89 feet provided to the required 30 feet). The city staff recommended denial, finding the variance did not meet all four criteria. During deliberations, board members debated each of the four variance criteria: (1) the unique shape of the lot (acute angle) and the open nature of the pergola; (2) whether strict application would unreasonably restrict property utilization – board members were divided, with some noting the pergola could be relocated at modest cost; (3) whether the hardship was created by the applicant – staff noted the structure was built after the fact, but some board members argued the hardship was not intentionally created; (4) whether the variance would be detrimental to adjacent properties – most board members saw no detriment, despite a comment from the Traffic and Environmental Services division that the structure could create sight-distance challenges. A motion to approve was made by Mr. Foley and seconded by Secretary Eveland. The motion failed 3-2 (Chair Liu and Vice Chair Justus voted against), so the variance was denied.
- BZA2026-00009 – Special Exception for Addition at 414 Duke Street: The applicant, John Linam Architect PLLC, requested a special exception to construct a one-story addition to an existing mudroom in the required rear yard (zoned RM/Residential Townhouse). The property line is 2.1 feet from the alley, and under the ordinance, the applicant can apply half the alley width (9 feet) toward the setback, resulting in a requested relief of 4.90 feet (11.10 feet provided vs. 16 feet required). Staff recommended approval, noting the proposal meets all criteria. A motion to approve was made by Mr. Foley, seconded by Mr. Burke, and passed 5-0.
Key Outcomes
- BZA2026-00008 (2500 Dewitt Avenue): Denied. The motion to approve the variance failed 3-2. The applicant cannot reapply for one year unless a deferral had been granted (no deferral was requested by the applicant).
- BZA2026-00009 (414 Duke Street): Approved. The motion carried 5-0.
- Meeting Adjourned: The BZA confirmed the next meeting will be September 14, 2026, with no August meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, so it's uh seven oh two. Let's get started. Welcome to the July twenty second. Meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals. Um for those who have not been to a meeting um of the BZA, here is a brief procedural overview. So when a case is called, the city staff will have up to five minutes to present their case, after which their applicant and their representatives will also have up to five a total of up to um five minutes to present their position as well. And then finally, the case will be open to public comments with each speaker limited to five minutes. Members of the public must fill out a speaker form for the record, and you can fill um you can find those forms um outside this room. The board may ask questions during any of these presentations, and the response to board questions do not count against your five minutes. However, speakers are asked to only respond to the question and refrain from elaborating, restating their position, or asking questions of the board. Once public comment is closed, the board will deliberate on the case during which the board may ask additional questions to staff or the applicant. As always, speakers are asked to only respond to the question and refrain from discussion. Um the Board of Zoning Appeals is a seven-member board with a four-member quorum requirement. And all motions must have four affirmative votes to pass, regardless of the number of board members in attendance. Uh so with that being said, Miss Christmason, please call the roll. Mr. Liu? Here. Mr. Justice? Here. Miss Eveland? Here. Mr. Burke? Here. Mr. Foley. Here. We do have a quorum. The first item on the docket is BZA 2026, 0008, 2500 DeWitt Avenue public hearing in consideration of a request for a variance of an after-the-fact accessory structure and the required vision clearance area. Zoned R two five residential. Staff may begin their presentation whenever you're ready. Thank you. And I have the pleasure of going over 2500 Duet Avenue. Uh the variance request. Next, no one managed to difficulties, folks. I was wondering why it wasn't full screen, but I was like, well, okay, everyone's cool. Yep. Um sorry, can myself refocused here. So the request for the variance is to allow an after-the-fact pergola to remain within the vision clearance. Um key elements at the discussion is obviously the vision clearance requirements and also for permitted obstructions that are required within required yards. Next. As you can see on the left, that is the photo of the proposed pergola, and on the right is a diagram of the height diagram. It's a hundred and twenty-six point two six square foot pergola, and it measures nine feet in height. Um it does comply with the permitted obstruction section, which we'll go over later to be allowed within any required yard. That's why it can be allowed to be located forward of the front building wall of the house. It just cannot be located within the vision clearance, which we'll get into. So tonight's there. The vision clearance requirement is a 30 by 30 uh foot triangle that comes out of um the curb.
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