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Alexandria BAR approves exterior renovations at 518 South Fairfax, asks to retain visible chimney remnant
Summary
The Board of Architectural Review approved exterior alterations and partial encapsulation at 518 South Fairfax Street with a condition that the applicant work with staff to retain a visible portion of the chimney and verify its age; the vote was unanimous.
The Alexandria Board of Architectural Review on Feb. 19 approved exterior renovations and a partial encapsulation at 518 South Fairfax Street, contingent on the applicant working with staff to retain a visible remnant of the property's chimney and verify its age.
The application, filed for property owners Joseph Crosby and Lauren Dorogazy and represented in the hearing by architect/representatives, proposed moving a front-door opening one bay to the left, infilling the existing window with masonry, replacing windows with true-divided-light putty-set sash, and rebuilding shutters. The board heard precedent examples of off-center doors in Old Town and images from the National Register to support the design choice.
"I couldn't be more pleased to see this project come to us," said Mr. Adams, a member of the board, praising the design and the quality of the applicant's work. Presentation materials traced the building's evolution, noting a major re-facading about 1936 and further additions later in the 20th century.
Board discussion focused on whether the chimney is a historic feature worth preserving. Harry Braswell, speaking during deliberations, described the chimney as a mid-20th-century, cinder-block boiler stack and said, "to me, it doesn't really make the composition any better," arguing it lacked clear historic fabric. Other members urged caution and proposed a compromise: retain a portion that remains visible above the roofline so the house's history continues to be legible.
A motion to approve the application with a condition that the applicant "work with staff to retain some portion of the chimney" and verify its age passed on a roll call vote: Miss Sandia, Mr. Adams, Mr. Spencer and Mr. Scott all voted "Aye" (4-0). The applicant indicated willingness to coordinate a staff site visit for verification and follow-up.
The board's conditions instruct staff and the applicant to confirm the chimney's construction date and, if appropriate, preserve a visible remnant above the roofline; if the chimney proves to be non-historic, the board discussed reconstruction of a simplified form to preserve the roofline profile. The board's action applies to BAR items 2020-58 and 2020-59 for 518 South Fairfax Street.
The board did not set additional deadlines; staff will work with the applicant on verification and any follow-up documentation required for final administrative sign-off.
