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Westhaven Civic League urges review of zoning exception that residents say enables narrow-lot infill
Summary
Alexandra Westfall, president of the Westhaven Civic League, asked council to investigate a 2021 zoning change (section 40.2-535 B13) and its use by developers to obtain reduced side-yard setbacks on narrow lots, citing inconsistent lot-sales, perceived staff coaching of applicants, demolition before hearings, and requests for better neighbor notice.
Alexandra Westfall, president of the Westhaven Civic League, used the April 14 public comment period to request that council examine how zoning ordinance section 40.2-535 B13 has been applied since its 2021 adoption.
Westfall said the provision allowing a "special exception" on parcels 30 feet or less in width is being used to approve reductions in required side‑yard setbacks down to about 3 feet in some cases, where typical standards are 7–10 feet. She raised neighborhood concerns about scale, density and the character of infill homes and said many of the affected lots were city‑owned and have sold at widely varying prices (examples cited: $6,000; $13,000; $42,000).
She described procedural frustrations: adjacent homeowners often receive notice only a few weeks before a Board of Zoning Appeals hearing and residents perceive that staff are helping applicants refine cases before BZA consideration. Westfall also reported instances of demolition activity occurring before formal BZA review, which residents find disquieting.
Council responses: Vice Mayor Moody asked the city manager to follow up and requested that Westfall provide a written enumeration of her concerns; Councilwoman Thomas asked staff to return with the ordinance change history and examples to explain intent and consequences. The city manager said staff would research the ordinance changes and validate the residents’ claims.
Why this matters: Residents assert that administrative use of a narrow‑lot special‑exception pathway may be changing neighborhood character and causing perceived fairness issues in notice and property sales. The council tasked staff with researching the ordinance history, examples of applications and whether code changes or process adjustments are warranted.
What’s next: Staff will compile documentation on the ordinance change, recent BZA activity and neighborhood‑specific case examples and return to council with findings.
