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Alexandria BZA approves three special exceptions, defers Potomac Court case
Summary
At its Sept. 8 meeting the Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals deferred a Potomac Court case and approved special exceptions for a Holly Street addition, an ADU conversion at 109 Ashby Street, and a rear porch at 105 East Howell (the porch approval included a drainage condition). The board also approved its FY2025 annual report after discussing past appeals and minutes accuracy.
The Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals on Sept. 8 deferred one case and approved three special exceptions, while voting to adopt its fiscal year 2025 annual report.
City staff opened the meeting by reviewing procedures for the Board of Zoning Appeals, and Ms. Christensen called the roll to confirm a quorum. The Board first granted a deferral for BZA2025-99 (8 Potomac Court) at the applicant’s request; C. Barry moved to defer and the Board approved the deferral.
On 3106 Holly Street, staff described a request for a special exception to construct a two‑story addition and an open deck in the required side yard. Staff said the addition would extend an existing, nonconforming north side wall and noted that the two lots of record must be consolidated before a building permit is issued. ‘‘Staff is recommending approval of the special exception,’’ the planner said. Board members agreed the addition was in keeping with neighboring properties. Mr. Foley moved to approve the special exception on the basis of staff recommendations; Mr. Justice seconded and the motion passed.
The Board then considered BZA2025-7109 (109 Ashby Street), a request to convert an existing detached accessory structure into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that exceeds the ordinance floor‑area limit. Planning staff explained the city’s ADU floor area limit is 500 square feet but that the existing structure measures 948 square feet; staff recommended a special exception to allow the larger existing structure to be used as an ADU. Bill Cook of Planning and Zoning said the application meets the standards for a special exception and recommended approval. Several members cited the city’s 2021 ADU policy and the goal of increasing housing supply; the Board approved the special exception.
At 105 East Howell the applicant sought permission to replace a pergola with a covered rear porch that would sit 0.3 feet from the west property line. Staff reported the porch would align with an existing, noncompliant west wall and recommended approval. Board members expressed concern that the immediately adjacent neighbor had not submitted written support and worried about potential maintenance and drainage impacts from a roof so close to the property line. Mr. Foley moved to approve with a condition asking the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services to ensure stormwater runoff is contained on the subject property (gutters/downspouts directed onto the lot). The Board approved the porch special exception with that drainage condition.
The Board also approved the minutes of the July 14 meeting (one minor correction) and voted to adopt its FY2025 annual report. During discussion of the annual report staff summarized an appeal history in which a prior BZA decision was appealed (circuit court decision in 2023), affirmed by the Virginia Court of Appeals in Sept. 2024, and for which the Supreme Court of Virginia declined review in April 2025; staff said a zoning‑ordinance update to create a relief process for curb cuts in historic districts is being drafted.
The meeting closed after the annual‑report vote. No other items remained on the docket.
Votes at a glance: Potomac Court — deferral (motion passed); Holly Street (3106) — special exception approved (motion passed; consolidation of lots required before permit); Ashby Street (109) — ADU conversion special exception approved (motion passed); 105 East Howell — porch special exception approved with drainage condition (motion passed); FY2025 annual report — approved.
