City of Alexandria Board of Architectural Review Public Hearing

Date: October 22, 2026 (Note: The agenda and minutes list the meeting date as October 21, 2026; the provided metadata indicates October 22, 2026. The agenda lists the location as Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street), while the minutes list the City Council Chambers at Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Drive).)

The Board of Architectural Review met to consider two certificate of appropriateness applications and updates to eleven chapters of the Design Guidelines for the Parker-Gray and Old and Historic Alexandria Districts. Present were Chair Scott, Ms. Miller, Ms. Robinson, Ms. del Ninno, and Mr. Adams. Vice Chair Zandian and Mr. Spencer were absent. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM and adjourned at 9:02 PM.

Approval of Minutes

• The Board approved the minutes of the October 7, 2026 public hearing as amended (motion by Ms. del Ninno, seconded by Ms. Miller; vote 5-0). A correction was made to reference the correct name of a hotel.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Christine Roberts (private citizen) asked about the cornice material for the townhome project (Items 4&5) and urged use of high-quality materials.
• Christine Roberts (Historic Alexandria Foundation) made six preservation-focused recommendations during the design guidelines discussion, including stronger protections for early buildings, more rigorous visibility and reversibility standards, and better applicant documentation.
• Amanda Callahan (Old Town Civic Association) provided detailed comments on individual chapters of the proposed design guidelines, including requests to clarify definitions, update photographs, reduce the security camera size threshold from 1 cubic foot to 0.5 cubic foot, and cite specific code references. She asked the Board to defer adoption for further public input.
• Scott (representing an unspecified organization) offered minor suggestions on clarifying jurisdiction, updating photographs, and explaining differences in screening requirements between districts.

Discussion Items

Item 3: BAR2026-00380 – Gorjana, 726 King Street

The applicant, represented by Katie Gray, proposed interior and exterior alterations and illuminated signage. Staff recommended approval for the storefront work but denial of the internally illuminated canopy sign, blade sign, and backlit graphic. The Board discussed alternative lighting (halo-lit letters, external gooseneck lighting, uplighting) and approved the project with options: either halo-lit letters within the canopy or larger externally lit letters, plus external illumination for the blade sign. The motion carried 5-0.

Items 4 & 5: BAR2026-00354 and BAR2026-00355 – Steeple Home Company Townhomes, 724-728 N. Patrick Street

Architect Stephen Kulinski presented a warehouse-inspired design for five townhomes. The design included reduced parapet height, recessed entrances, setback to widen sidewalks, and detailed brickwork. Board members praised the improvements. Concerns were raised about the brick color and the PVC cornice material. The Board approved the projects with staff to finalize the cornice material. Motion by Ms. Miller, seconded by Ms. Robinson; vote 5-0.

Item 6 – Updates to Design Guidelines

Staff presented proposed updates to 11 chapters covering utility meters, mechanical equipment, exterior lighting, security features, planters, and others. The design guidelines committee had discussed the chapters in May, June, and July; a community meeting was held August 19. After public testimony, the Board discussed each chapter.

Key discussion points:

• Roof Decks and Railings: The Board agreed to add guidelines requiring minimally visible railings, require all rooftop railings to undergo Board review (removing administrative approval for cable and glass), and emphasize minimal disruption of historic materials. These changes will be drafted for a future vote.
• Security Features: The Board agreed to reduce the administrative approval threshold for cameras from 1 cubic foot to 0.5 cubic foot and to replace an inappropriate floodlight photo.
• Planters: The Board decided to strike a guideline stating permanent planters are inappropriate on early buildings, improve photographs, and add definitions of street-facing.
• Exterior Lighting, Porches+Porticos, Security Features, Planters, Infrastructure in the Public Right-of-Way, Small Cell Facilities+Antennas: Approved with modifications including adding definitions and better photos.
• Deferred Chapters: The Board deferred five chapters to a future public hearing: Utility Meters+Electric Vehicle Chargers, Mechanical Equipment+HVAC+Vents, Accessory Structures, Building Accessories, and Decks/Roof Decks/Balconies for further refinement, especially on roof deck and railing guidelines.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes from October 7, 2026: Approved as amended (5-0).
• BAR2026-00380 (Gorjana): Approved with modified signage (5-0).
• BAR2026-00354 & 00355 (Steeple Home Townhomes): Approved with staff to finalize cornice material (5-0).
• Design Guidelines (six chapters): Approved – Exterior Lighting, Porches+Porticos, Security Features, Planters, Infrastructure in the Public Right-of-Way, and Small Cell Facilities+Antennas (5-0).
• Design Guidelines (five chapters deferred): Utility Meters+Electric Vehicle Chargers, Mechanical Equipment+HVAC+Vents, Accessory Structures, Building Accessories, and Decks, Roof Decks+Balconies deferred to future hearing.
• Directives: Staff will incorporate board feedback on roof decks/railings, security camera size, planter photos, and definitions, and prepare revised drafts for the deferred chapters.