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Record of Proceedings

Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals Public Hearing - September 14, 2026

Public Meetings — Monday, September 14, 2026
BodyAlexandria, Virginia
SessionPublic Meetings
DateMonday, September 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 6:00:01

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0:00

We're waiting for one more board member, so please excuse the delay.

0:05

Thank you.

2:38

Okay, all board members are here, so let's get started.

2:42

Welcome to the September 14th meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals.

2:46

For those who have not been to a meeting, uh, here is a brief procedural overview.

2:51

So when a case is called, the city staff will present for up to five minutes their case, after which the applicant and their representatives will also have up to a total of five minutes to present their position.

3:06

And finally, the case will be open to public comments, with each speaker also limited to five minutes per speaker.

3:13

Members of the public must fill out a speaker form for the record.

3:17

And you can find those forms outside outside the room.

3:21

The board may ask questions during any of these presentations, and the response to the board's questions do not count against your five minutes.

3:30

However, speakers are asked to only respond to the question and refrain from elaborating, uh restating the position or asking questions of the board.

3:40

Once public comment is closed, the board will deliberate on the case during which the board may ask additional questions of staff or the applicant.

3:50

As always, during this time, speakers are asked to only respond to the question and refrain from discussion.

3:57

The Board of Zoning Appeals is a seven-member board with a four-member quorum requirement.

4:03

All motions must have four affirmative votes to pass, regardless of the number of board members in attendance.

4:11

So with that being said, Ms.

4:12

Christmason, please call the roll.

4:15

Mr.

4:16

Liu?

4:16

Here.

4:17

Mr.

4:17

Justice.

4:18

Here.

4:18

Miss Evelyn?

4:19

Here.

4:19

Ms.

4:20

Brahm Bashir?

4:21

Here.

4:21

Mr.

4:21

Burke.

4:22

Here.

4:23

Mr.

4:23

Foley.

4:24

Here.

4:24

We do have a quorum.

4:27

We do have an update to the docket.

4:29

Um the BZA case 2026 zero zero zero one zero.

4:35

Nine Potomac Court has requested a deferral.

4:41

I make a motion to grant the deferral.

4:44

Seconded.

4:46

Okay.

4:46

All those in favor of deferring that case, please say aye.

4:51

Aye.

4:52

All those against?

4:54

Aye.

4:56

Okay.

4:56

Uh the motion is passed.

4:58

Um five to one.

5:01

Okay.

5:02

Next item.

5:02

The next item on the docket is BZA 2026 00013 908 Beverly Drive.

5:09

Public hearing in consideration of a request for a special exception to construct an addition in the required side yard zoned R8 residential.

5:17

Okay.

5:17

Staff may begin their presentation whenever you're ready.

5:20

Sure.

5:21

Good evening, members of the BZA.

5:23

My name is Bill Cook with the Planning and Zoning Land Use Preservation Division.

5:28

This application is for special exception to construct the second story addition in the required west side yard.

5:35

The addition simply extends the vertical plane up with no change to the building to the building footprint.

5:42

The R8 zone requires a minimum eight foot side yard.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Budget Equity Analysis███████████11%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Historic Preservation██████████10%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Public Safety████████8%
Planning And Zoning███████7%
Public Transportation███████7%
Farmers Markets██████6%
Energy And Water Management████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals Public Hearing - September 14, 2026

The Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals held a public hearing on Monday, September 14, 2026, starting at 7:03 PM and adjourning at 7:36 PM, chaired by Mr. Liu. All six members present considered two Special Exception requests, one Variance request, a deferral, the FY2026 Annual Report, and approval of minutes from a prior hearing. The meeting was conducted in Council Chambers at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center.

Consent Calendar

  • No consent calendar items were included on this docket.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were offered during the hearing speakers from the public did not address the board beyond the applicants themselves.

Discussion Items

  • BZA2026-00013 (908 Beverley Drive): Staff presented a request for a Special Exception to construct a second-story addition in the required west side yard. The existing side yard is 7.9 feet, and the new height requires 10.75 feet, so 2.85 feet of relief is needed. Staff recommended approval, noting the addition extends the vertical plane without changing the footprint. Applicant Louise Muth (co-owner) stated that the walls would be above existing walls, that seven of the 18 houses on the street have already done similar additions, and that neighbors on all sides had agreed and offered support. The board approved the request unanimously (6-0).
  • BZA2026-00014 (207 Woodland Terrace): Staff presented a request for a Special Exception to construct a two-story addition in the required northwest side yard, extending an existing non-complying wall. The required setback is 11.91 feet; the applicant proposes 5 feet, seeking 6.91 feet of relief. Staff recommended approval. Applicant Elizabeth Millette (co-owner) stated that they are proud residents of six years, that the addition will allow them to reconfigure the second floor to accommodate their growing family, and that they have neighbor support. The board approved the request unanimously (6-0).
  • BZA2026-00012 (3333 Helen Street): Staff presented a request for a Variance to construct a two-story and second-story addition in the required rear yard. The property was rezoned from R25 to RB in 2025, which brought the lot into compliance. However, the existing house location requires a rear setback of 21 feet for the two-story addition and 17.5 feet for the second-story addition; the applicant seeks to match the existing 11-foot setback, requesting 10 feet and 6.5 feet of relief, respectively. Staff recommended approval. Applicant representative Scott Fleming (architect) explained that the lot is only 50 feet deep, making compliance difficult, and that the proposed addition essentially fills in space above existing roof forms. The board discussed the rezoning history and noted that the setback requirement would be the same under the previous zoning. The board approved the variance unanimously (6-0).
  • BZA2026-00010 (9 Potomac Court): The applicant requested a deferral of this case, which seeks Variances to construct a deck in the required rear yard and reduce required open space. The board voted 5-1 to accept the deferral (Mr. Foley voted against). The case was deferred to a future meeting.
  • Fiscal Year 2026 Board of Zoning Appeals Annual Report: Secretary Eveland moved to accept the FY2026 Annual Report and authorize Chair Liu to sign it. The board discussed the selection of case studies (accessory structures and fences on corner lots) and the process for addressing attendance issues. A member asked about former member Bauman, who was absent more than 25% of the time but is not listed among those with 75% or more unexcused absences; staff clarified that the list is for unexcused absences only, and that the rule may be changing in the coming year to count total absences. Staff also reported that two candidates applied for the vacant seventh BZA member seat but council did not appoint them, and the position is being re-advertised. The motion carried 6-0.
  • Minutes from July 22, 2026 Public Hearing: Chair Liu moved to approve the minutes as submitted, stating they were correct and accurate to the best of his recollection. The motion was seconded and carried 6-0.

Key Outcomes

  • BZA2026-00013 (908 Beverley Drive): Approved 6-0 (Special Exception for addition in side yard).
  • BZA2026-00014 (207 Woodland Terrace): Approved 6-0 (Special Exception for addition in side yard).
  • BZA2026-00012 (3333 Helen Street): Approved 6-0 (Variance for rear yard addition).
  • BZA2026-00010 (9 Potomac Court): Deferral granted 5-1, with Mr. Foley voting against.
  • FY2026 Annual Report: Accepted 6-0; Chair Liu authorized to sign.
  • Minutes (July 22, 2026): Approved 6-0.
  • The next meeting is scheduled for October 19, 2026 (third Monday due to the Columbus Day holiday). The board adjourned at 7:36 PM.

Meeting Transcript

We're waiting for one more board member, so please excuse the delay. Thank you. Okay, all board members are here, so let's get started. Welcome to the September 14th meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals. For those who have not been to a meeting, uh, here is a brief procedural overview. So when a case is called, the city staff will present for up to five minutes their case, after which the applicant and their representatives will also have up to a total of five minutes to present their position. And finally, the case will be open to public comments, with each speaker also limited to five minutes per speaker. Members of the public must fill out a speaker form for the record. And you can find those forms outside outside the room. The board may ask questions during any of these presentations, and the response to the board's questions do not count against your five minutes. However, speakers are asked to only respond to the question and refrain from elaborating, uh restating the 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 of staff or the applicant. As always, during this time, speakers are asked to only respond to the question and refrain from discussion. The Board of Zoning Appeals is a seven-member board with a four-member quorum requirement. All motions must have four affirmative votes to pass, regardless of the number of board members in attendance. So with that being said, Ms. Christmason, please call the roll. Mr. Liu? Here. Mr. Justice. Here. Miss Evelyn? Here. Ms. Brahm Bashir? Here. Mr. Burke. Here. Mr. Foley. Here. We do have a quorum. We do have an update to the docket. Um the BZA case 2026 zero zero zero one zero. Nine Potomac Court has requested a deferral. I make a motion to grant the deferral. Seconded. Okay. All those in favor of deferring that case, please say aye. Aye. All those against? Aye. Okay. Uh the motion is passed. Um five to one. Okay. Next item.

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