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BOE confirms county's assessment for narrow-lot property after debate over comparables
Summary
After hearing the owner's concerns about lot width, small setbacks and comparability, the board confirmed the county's 2026 assessment 4–1 for RPC03073040; some members favored a neighborhood-average alternative but the majority adopted staff's recommendation.
The Arlington County Board of Equalization confirmed the county's recommended 2026 assessment of $2,690,000 for RPC03073040 after hearing owner Brian Barry's appeal about lot width and comparability. The vote was 4–1.
Barry argued that his narrow lot, small setbacks, an overhead power line and smaller backyard made the property less valuable than the county's comparables (which include larger lots inside Country Club Hills). He said the assessor removed distant comps and substituted closer—unsold—properties inside Country Club Hills, and that the assessor did not adjust for the lack of privacy, setback, and canopy.
County staff described an interior and exterior inspection, confirmed the quality assignment and explained the land valuation method (base rate with excess land adjustments). Staff said the subject's assessment is equalized with similar homes in the neighborhood and that, while some sales have assessment-to-sale ratios above 100%, the overall neighborhood analysis for 2026 supports the recommended value. The board discussed alternatives (including using the neighborhood average increase of 6.2%) but ultimately voted 4–1 to confirm the county's assessment. The hearing adjourned and the board will reconvene next Tuesday, June 2, at 9:00 a.m.
