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Neighbors raise scale concerns as board approves addition at 821 South Lee Street
Summary
The board approved a stepped addition at 821 South Lee Street after debate over scale and rear-yard visibility; neighbors and Historic Alexandria Foundation raised concerns about footprint and compatibility while the applicant said the design steps down and meets zoning and open-space rules.
The Board of Architectural Review voted to approve a rear addition and associated partial demolition at 821 South Lee Street despite neighborhood concerns about scale and reduced open space.
Patrick Kamas of Studio Kamas, representing owners Alex and Sydney McCormick, described a stepped addition that the team said would be largely out of public view and compliant with open-space and zoning requirements. Christine Roberts of the Historic Alexandria Foundation voiced concern about visibility from neighboring public areas but otherwise supported the project's improvement over the current condition.
Neighbor Grama Alligood, whose property backs onto the site, said she was concerned about the addition’s scale compared with the historically smaller rear additions on the block and noted reduced open space and increased noise and privacy impacts for elderly neighbors. Kamas replied that the compound open space meets requirements because of shared parking ownership and that the addition will step down and be less imposing.
Board members debated massing and the visible elevations, with several members noting the board’s purview is limited to what is visible from the public right-of-way. The applicant agreed to staff recommendations. A motion to approve with staff recommendations carried by voice vote.
The approval includes staff-recommended conditions; the board emphasized that the decision is limited to public-right-of-way visibility rather than private backyard views.
