Massive home addition causes confusion in Fairfax County neighborhood

[Anonymous]

Worst-case scenario, you realize it is still going to be cheaper for the homeowner to reframe than to give up, right?

I suspect they ultimately get the setback modification, though. But it might take a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

They knew exactly what was meant. They just weren't going to administratively approve a controversial project. The homeowner needs to demonstrate he's willing to go to court.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

They knew exactly what was meant. They just weren't going to administratively approve a controversial project. The homeowner needs to demonstrate he's willing to go to court.

How could they know what was meant without any exact measurements to examine? How do you know what the board knows?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

They knew exactly what was meant. They just weren't going to administratively approve a controversial project. The homeowner needs to demonstrate he's willing to go to court.

How could they know what was meant without any exact measurements to examine? How do you know what the board knows?

Don't be obtuse. We all know what the homeowner intends to install. And if they were going to install foamboard, it would have been on the permit application.

But no one installs foamboard on an addition, and certainly not at this price point. Separate from that, the width differences between vinyl siding options is negligible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

They knew exactly what was meant. They just weren't going to administratively approve a controversial project. The homeowner needs to demonstrate he's willing to go to court.

How could they know what was meant without any exact measurements to examine? How do you know what the board knows?

Don't be obtuse. We all know what the homeowner intends to install. And if they were going to install foamboard, it would have been on the permit application.

But no one installs foamboard on an addition, and certainly not at this price point. Separate from that, the width differences between vinyl siding options is negligible.

No one installs siding anymore without the extra layer of insulation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

They knew exactly what was meant. They just weren't going to administratively approve a controversial project. The homeowner needs to demonstrate he's willing to go to court.

How could they know what was meant without any exact measurements to examine? How do you know what the board knows?

Don't be obtuse. We all know what the homeowner intends to install. And if they were going to install foamboard, it would have been on the permit application.

But no one installs foamboard on an addition, and certainly not at this price point. Separate from that, the width differences between vinyl siding options is negligible.

No one installs siding anymore without the extra layer of insulation.

That's definitely false. For a new build you might expect it, but not on an addition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

They knew exactly what was meant. They just weren't going to administratively approve a controversial project. The homeowner needs to demonstrate he's willing to go to court.

How could they know what was meant without any exact measurements to examine? How do you know what the board knows?

Don't be obtuse. We all know what the homeowner intends to install. And if they were going to install foamboard, it would have been on the permit application.

But no one installs foamboard on an addition, and certainly not at this price point. Separate from that, the width differences between vinyl siding options is negligible.

No one installs siding anymore without the extra layer of insulation.

That's definitely false. For a new build you might expect it, but not on an addition.

I think on an addition people expect to find what is standard at the time it is built. So, yes, most additions would have the foam board under the siding. Why build to a lower standard from an earlier time? Especially so much square footage- wouldn’t you want to save on heat and air conditioning? Cheaping out on the insulation would be penny wise and pound foolish for such a large addition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

They knew exactly what was meant. They just weren't going to administratively approve a controversial project. The homeowner needs to demonstrate he's willing to go to court.

How could they know what was meant without any exact measurements to examine? How do you know what the board knows?

Don't be obtuse. We all know what the homeowner intends to install. And if they were going to install foamboard, it would have been on the permit application.

But no one installs foamboard on an addition, and certainly not at this price point. Separate from that, the width differences between vinyl siding options is negligible.

Then the builder should be able to supply exact measurements, not approximations. At the very least, a drawing should have been supplied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

They knew exactly what was meant. They just weren't going to administratively approve a controversial project. The homeowner needs to demonstrate he's willing to go to court.

How could they know what was meant without any exact measurements to examine? How do you know what the board knows?

Don't be obtuse. We all know what the homeowner intends to install. And if they were going to install foamboard, it would have been on the permit application.

But no one installs foamboard on an addition, and certainly not at this price point. Separate from that, the width differences between vinyl siding options is negligible.

No one installs siding anymore without the extra layer of insulation.

That's definitely false. For a new build you might expect it, but not on an addition.

I think on an addition people expect to find what is standard at the time it is built. So, yes, most additions would have the foam board under the siding. Why build to a lower standard from an earlier time? Especially so much square footage- wouldn’t you want to save on heat and air conditioning? Cheaping out on the insulation would be penny wise and pound foolish for such a large addition.

I disagree about what you'd expect to find, but the whole point is silly. If they intended to do it, it would have been on the original application.

And, obviously, they're not going to install if it would mean having to tear down the structure. That's clearly not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

They knew exactly what was meant. They just weren't going to administratively approve a controversial project. The homeowner needs to demonstrate he's willing to go to court.

How could they know what was meant without any exact measurements to examine? How do you know what the board knows?

Don't be obtuse. We all know what the homeowner intends to install. And if they were going to install foamboard, it would have been on the permit application.

But no one installs foamboard on an addition, and certainly not at this price point. Separate from that, the width differences between vinyl siding options is negligible.

Then the builder should be able to supply exact measurements, not approximations. At the very least, a drawing should have been supplied.

How many building applications do think include such measurements?

The county knows if foamboard was in the plan or not. And they know how thick vinyl siding is.

I don't blame them for not administratively approving this, but the "siding thickness" rationale is absurd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

They knew exactly what was meant. They just weren't going to administratively approve a controversial project. The homeowner needs to demonstrate he's willing to go to court.

How could they know what was meant without any exact measurements to examine? How do you know what the board knows?

Don't be obtuse. We all know what the homeowner intends to install. And if they were going to install foamboard, it would have been on the permit application.

But no one installs foamboard on an addition, and certainly not at this price point. Separate from that, the width differences between vinyl siding options is negligible.

Then the builder should be able to supply exact measurements, not approximations. At the very least, a drawing should have been supplied.

How many building applications do think include such measurements?

The county knows if foamboard was in the plan or not. And they know how thick vinyl siding is.

I don't blame them for not administratively approving this, but the "siding thickness" rationale is absurd.

If it's not in the application, the county doesn't know.

BTW, how thick is vinyl siding?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

They knew exactly what was meant. They just weren't going to administratively approve a controversial project. The homeowner needs to demonstrate he's willing to go to court.

How could they know what was meant without any exact measurements to examine? How do you know what the board knows?

Don't be obtuse. We all know what the homeowner intends to install. And if they were going to install foamboard, it would have been on the permit application.

But no one installs foamboard on an addition, and certainly not at this price point. Separate from that, the width differences between vinyl siding options is negligible.

No one installs siding anymore without the extra layer of insulation.

That's definitely false. For a new build you might expect it, but not on an addition.

I think on an addition people expect to find what is standard at the time it is built. So, yes, most additions would have the foam board under the siding. Why build to a lower standard from an earlier time? Especially so much square footage- wouldn’t you want to save on heat and air conditioning? Cheaping out on the insulation would be penny wise and pound foolish for such a large addition.

I disagree about what you'd expect to find, but the whole point is silly. If they intended to do it, it would have been on the original application.

And, obviously, they're not going to install if it would mean having to tear down the structure. That's clearly not worth it.

Disagree. This homeowner has a history of submitting plans, getting them approved, and then deviating from said plans - eg plans have a garage and then didn’t build to those plans.

So it’s NOT so obvious that if he intended to do something he would have submitted it in the plans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

They knew exactly what was meant. They just weren't going to administratively approve a controversial project. The homeowner needs to demonstrate he's willing to go to court.

How could they know what was meant without any exact measurements to examine? How do you know what the board knows?

Don't be obtuse. We all know what the homeowner intends to install. And if they were going to install foamboard, it would have been on the permit application.

But no one installs foamboard on an addition, and certainly not at this price point. Separate from that, the width differences between vinyl siding options is negligible.

Then the builder should be able to supply exact measurements, not approximations. At the very least, a drawing should have been supplied.

How many building applications do think include such measurements?

The county knows if foamboard was in the plan or not. And they know how thick vinyl siding is.

I don't blame them for not administratively approving this, but the "siding thickness" rationale is absurd.

If it's not in the application, the county doesn't know.

BTW, how thick is vinyl siding?

As installed, 1" +/- a quarter inch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

They knew exactly what was meant. They just weren't going to administratively approve a controversial project. The homeowner needs to demonstrate he's willing to go to court.

How could they know what was meant without any exact measurements to examine? How do you know what the board knows?

Don't be obtuse. We all know what the homeowner intends to install. And if they were going to install foamboard, it would have been on the permit application.

But no one installs foamboard on an addition, and certainly not at this price point. Separate from that, the width differences between vinyl siding options is negligible.

Then the builder should be able to supply exact measurements, not approximations. At the very least, a drawing should have been supplied.

How many building applications do think include such measurements?

The county knows if foamboard was in the plan or not. And they know how thick vinyl siding is.

I don't blame them for not administratively approving this, but the "siding thickness" rationale is absurd.

If it's not in the application, the county doesn't know.

BTW, how thick is vinyl siding?

As installed, 1" +/- a quarter inch.

Welcome, fellow engineer/architect. A statement like this is far better than approximately 1". Including a diagram of the final asbuilt assembly would be even more convincing that you were certain about your projection into the setback.

[Anonymous]

More documents are now available in the zoning section of the FFX county permit site.

The whole set of building plans (which include the garage that was never built) are on there.

The appeal letter and statement of aggrieved person look like they were written with Chat GPT.