Background
On July 23, 2007 the Board of Supervisors approved a motion directing staff from the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services and the Department of Planning and Zoning to report back to the Board with recommended changes to the definition of building height to address the following issues:
- Construction of homes that tower above existing neighboring homes;
- The artificial elevating of lots by adding fill dirt to raise the effective height of homes.
At the January 14, 2008 Development Process Committee meeting, the Board of Supervisors directed staff to also evaluate a lot coverage regulation to further address compatibility of single family dwelling infill construction. The Board directed staff to work with community representatives and industry regarding these proposed regulations and report back to them in March of this year.
A series of three stakeholder meetings were coordinated by staff in late February and early March of this year. The stakeholder meetings were attended by citizen and industry representatives and attention was primarily focused on the proposed use of an angle of bulk plane and adjustments to how single family residential building height is measured.
On March 17, 2008, staff briefed the Board’s Development Process Committee on the results of the stakeholders’ meetings and presented information on how a lot coverage approach might be used to complement current and proposed residential infill regulations.
A public meeting was held on June 24, 2008, at which time staff presented proposed methods of using bulk plane angles and a method for applying certain grade elevations when measuring residential building height.
On August 1, 2008, staff made a presentation to the Board's Development Process committee that included responses to questions that were raised at the June 24th public meeting. The presentation also expanded upon the details that were first provided at the previous March 17th Development Process Committee meeting.
Related Documents
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Maintaining Neighborhood Character Power Point presentation - June 24, 2008 (PDF, Large File)
Maintaining Neighborhood Character Power Point presentation - August 1, 2008 (PDF, Large File)
Additional Information
Further information regarding this topic may be obtained by contacting Jack Reale or Lorrie Kirst of the Zoning Administration Division at 703-324-1314 or by email at OrdAdmin@fairfaxcounty.gov. The next steps in the process include the preparation of a staff report and obtaining the Board of Supervisors’ authorization of an amendment for public hearings. It is currently expected that the Board’s authorization of public hearings will occur in September 22, 2008.