Alexandria zoning board approves special exception to restore front-facing garage at 605 East Timber Branch Parkway

The Board of Zoning Appeals on May 20 approved a special exception that will allow the property owner at 605 East Timber Branch Parkway to convert an existing enclosed addition back into a front-facing, one-car garage located closer than the required 8-foot setback from the front building wall.

City staff told the board the property is zoned R-8 and that much of the lot lies within a Resource Protection Area. Staff said the structure had originally been a carport that a previous owner enclosed; the existing enclosure made the structure compliant when used as living space, and converting it back to a vehicle opening would recreate a nonconforming forward-facing garage. Staff said the city’s STAC committee recommends approval and that the request meets the criteria for a special exception.

The applicant, Lauren Gavenly, said she purchased the house last September and believes the space was a carport previously. She told the board she will pursue ‘‘whatever it takes necessary to go through the proper permit process,’’ remove the pergola and address any prior unpermitted work, and install a single metal one-car garage door. Gavenly described a French drain along the rear and side of the addition that, she said, makes recessing the garage opening difficult.

Board members who spoke during deliberations said converting the area back to parking appeared least disruptive to the neighborhood and consistent with other homes on the block that have forward-facing garages. One board member suggested the owner consider adding a compliant side door for practical access if the city allows it. A motion to approve the special exception, made based on staff’s recommendation, was seconded and approved by the board; the Chair declared the application passed.

Votes at a glance - Special exception, 605 East Timber Branch Parkway: Motion to approve based on staff recommendation; seconded and approved by the board (Chair called the ayes and, with no opposition, declared the application passed). - Approval of minutes, April 7, 2025: Motion and second approved by voice vote.

What the rule means The board discussed the city’s residential infill policy adopted following a 2008 Infill Task Force recommendation that generally discourages forward-facing garages in order to emphasize detached or rear garages and preserve neighborhood character. Staff said the policy includes a special-exception pathway for blocks where forward-facing garages are common; the applicant met the criteria for that exception except for the 8-foot setback, which is the specific relief requested.

Next steps The applicant is required to obtain all applicable building permits for the conversion and to address any prior unpermitted work before completing construction. City staff noted a September meeting is expected for other cases and for the annual report review.

Quotes "STAC recommends approval of the special exception as it meets the conditions," City staff said during the presentation. "We just wanna put a 1 car garage door ... and go about it the right way with the proper permits," Lauren Gavenly said.

Reporting note: The transcript records speakers by turn numbers; where individual board members who moved or seconded motions are not identified by name in the spoken record, this article attributes quoted material to the speaker role (Chair, City staff, applicant) or to an unidentified board member as noted.