BZA grants variance for two‑story addition at 523 Tennessee Ave.

The Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance to permit a two‑story addition at 523 Tennessee Ave., voting 5–0 to support the staff recommendation.

A staff presenter summarized that the lot is narrow and the existing house has nonconforming side yards and front‑yard conditions in the R‑8 zone. The applicant proposes to build over an existing garage foundation and convert an unusable rear porch into living space; the rear portion currently complies while the porch sits within a required side yard.

Staff said the addition would reach about 23.9 feet and that the side yard is currently about 7.37 feet; the applicant requested approximately 4.53 feet of variance to reach the proposed height. Because the nonconforming wall portion represents roughly 36.8% of the wall length it is ineligible for a special exception under the zoning ordinance and must proceed as a variance, staff said.

The applicant, Conrad Simmer, the property owner, said the change responds to an unusable porch and was intended to provide more living space for his family while staying in the city. "We decided to go through with this variance request because it made the most sense to stay in this residence, stay in the city of Alexandria, raise my family here," Simmer said.

Staff recommended approval and noted the project minimizes new encroachment by building on existing foundations. Board members moved and seconded the staff‑recommended approval; the motion carried on a 5–0 voice vote. The board also thanked the applicant for submitting a neighbor support letter, which staff noted was helpful to the record.

The variance approval allows the applicant to continue with permit applications subject to standard permitting and inspection requirements.