Massive home addition causes confusion in Fairfax County neighborhood

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How long til the county makes a decision on the variance? And what happened to the argument that bc he poured a new foundation that the setback changed so he would still be out of compliance

There was a news clip last night saying he had a meeting last night with the county, and has to get a new survey of the property. Depending on the results he can either proceed or apply for a variance. Applying for a variance can take several months and it sounds like the immediate neighbors can choose whether or not to sign it.

https://wjla.com/news/local/fairfax-county-marble-lane-construction-three-story-media-county-leaders-survey-propery-zoning-land-development-impact-herrity-neighborhood-greenbriar-chantilly-culture-parents-restrictions

We had to apply for a variance a number of years ago because we wanted to expand our one car garage to two car, and that put us about 8” over the required setback. The process is long and involved. We had to file a separate application from our “regular” building permits, with an additional and not-inexpensive fee. Significant documentation, including land surveys, had to be included and they contacted us several times for additional information. Once we were scheduled for the required public hearing before the zoning board, we had to send certified mail to the 10 closest homeowners notifying them of 1) our intent, and 2) their right to speak at that hearing. From start to finish it took about 9 months for all of this to happen. And this was with us clearing it with our next door neighbor before we ever started the project. Somebody, either the home owner or the contractor, dropped the ball here by either not understanding/verifying the setback (which is from the closest point on the structure, so whatever edge of that awful roof overhang is nearest the property line) or by knowing they were too close and proceeding anyway in hopes nobody noticed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This entire situation is so weird. The owners are in fact the parents of the 50+ yr old man who attacked Connolly's staffers. So I'm going to out on a wild limb here and say based on how young the "owner" in the tv interview looks, that guy is probably not the brother of the attacker or the son of the owners.

So why is he, his wife and their kids living in the house and posing as the owners? And if the owners aiready live there, what set of "grandparents" is the owner referring to when he says his culture doesn't put them in nursing homes so he needs to build this large addition for them. It seems 6 people already live there (the owners, the man, his wife and 2 kids).

His story doesn't make any sense and I really don't think he is related to the real owners. Why is he living there? How did he convince the owners to do all this? Is this some sort of elder scam?

Per property records, ownership has bounced between last name Nguyen and last name Pham. Pham is the current owner, same last name as the Connolly attacker. The guy giving the interview is Mike Ngyuen who is likely related to (or is the same person not using his legal name) as the previous Nguyen owner. It's unclear how the Phams and Nguyens are related.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How long til the county makes a decision on the variance? And what happened to the argument that bc he poured a new foundation that the setback changed so he would still be out of compliance

There was a news clip last night saying he had a meeting last night with the county, and has to get a new survey of the property. Depending on the results he can either proceed or apply for a variance. Applying for a variance can take several months and it sounds like the immediate neighbors can choose whether or not to sign it.

https://wjla.com/news/local/fairfax-county-marble-lane-construction-three-story-media-county-leaders-survey-propery-zoning-land-development-impact-herrity-neighborhood-greenbriar-chantilly-culture-parents-restrictions

So if he gets a laser survey and metal property point makers plus ground paint stakes strings...Who's doing the survey?
Google maps has historical imagery. The addition appears to be wider than the 1 car garage converted to a room. It also extends into the driveway so that could be a front yard setback issue.

How did this get so far with a new foundation, framing, plywood on a 3 story addition with no stop from the county? Knew of FX County situation where someone 's contractor digging foundation - visual too close-county came , measured, stop work.

Found a great house zoned for Rocky Run /Chantilly- similar to the original of this. Added front dormers and a uitlity room behind garage with master suite above garage- great rooflines and lovely home.

Currently for sale?

No it is not so I didn't post the link to the address, That house showed up on images when I searched the address of the weird addition house. Under contract in less than 1 week and sold over list. Area over the 1 car garage is 299 sq feet- master bedroom, bath, walk in closet, FR addition, 3 bed up, 2 main level. Not smoothest cape conversion without teardown but looks great as you cruise the street on google st view. 2 big dormers on the cape portion have same roofline as addition. Guess chimney gets extended up. Happens when adding height on split level/ranch/capes. We bookmark houses that are great redos on them without teardown.

There's original build Ashley models capes for Greenbriar West ES- not sure if that's the original Marble model. Those were 2 beds on main-hall bath. 2nd floor 2 beds , hall bath. So whatever the original model- add dormers mimicking addition over garage roofline and put in a master suite.

Yes, the model being added onto is an Ashley. It is one of the smallest of the original models, but it is a cape cod with 4 br and 2 ba. I have seen it renovated in many different ways. We know multiple people who have added on a room or two in the back. I also have a friend who renovated one to be a 5 br without looking ridiculous - wound up looking like a colonial.

There is one by GBW on plaza that looks a lot like what you are describing. I will have to look at the street view on Marble to see the one you are talking about-I don’t go over that direction often enough to know it by heart. East vs West, M vs P ;p

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is what you get when you have "No HOA!!"

Most neighborhoods don't have an HOA.

??? Where? In northern Virginia, many many neighborhoods have HOAs, especially the further west you go into the suburbs.

This is my fifth house in Northern Virginia and all of them have had an HOA. And I prefer it that way so stuff like this won't happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is WILD to me. I am from the Western US (live in DC now) and before I left my hometown I worked for my families construction business for years. The area we lived in had very liberal zoning laws (part of the the somewhat libertarian culture there) and this would never fly. The biggest issue is the set back -- building a three story structure less than 10 feet from a shared property line would just never pass approval in a suburban neighborhood like this. The only place you could do that would be in an urban neighborhood designed for townhome construction where setbacks are intentionally narrow and people assume high density and minimal space between houses when they buy in.

I could see a three story structure getting approval if it was at the back of the property and at least 25 feet from another structure. I could also see an addition right up against the set back (not the property line but whatever the setback requirement is for the structures on property -- it's crazy to me that the set backs in this neighborhood either don't exist or are less than 10 feet, I've never seen that before) but never more than two stories) but not three stories. I can think of 4 or 5 ways this family could get the same square footage and functionality as this addition without building three stories right on the property line. Also as someone with a lot of experience with custom layouts of additions, this looks like an awful layout. I'm guessing the plan is essentially to turn the upper two stories of the addition into 1 or 2 bedroom apartments for the additional family living there, likely with kitchenettes. This is essentially a multi-family dwelling. It's crazy this was allowed.

If I were the neighbor, I'd be working with a lawyer to identify any deficiencies in their permitting, and I'd be watching construction like a hawk and documenting every irregularity, and reporting it to authorities. I'd also be digging into property taxes to see if she can find an irregularities. Basically I'd go nuclear on this. It sounds like they had lax zoning laws simply because no one had ever tried anything this hostile before, so she is going to have to do everything else in her power. Going to the news was a start but I'd be looking for other regulatory and legal avenues for shutting this down. I would be shocked if the contractor is properly bonded, for instance, because I can't imagine many legitimate contractors would agree to this. I'd also be looking at their labor practices. Report it all.

What can you find from property taxes? What would be irregular? I mean you pay or you get fined, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This entire situation is so weird. The owners are in fact the parents of the 50+ yr old man who attacked Connolly's staffers. So I'm going to out on a wild limb here and say based on how young the "owner" in the tv interview looks, that guy is probably not the brother of the attacker or the son of the owners.

So why is he, his wife and their kids living in the house and posing as the owners? And if the owners aiready live there, what set of "grandparents" is the owner referring to when he says his culture doesn't put them in nursing homes so he needs to build this large addition for them. It seems 6 people already live there (the owners, the man, his wife and 2 kids).

His story doesn't make any sense and I really don't think he is related to the real owners. Why is he living there? How did he convince the owners to do all this? Is this some sort of elder scam?

Putting the rumor to rest. The owners of the Marble house are not directly related to the Connolly attacker. The attacker lived about a half mile away, also in the Greenbrier neighborhood. The incident in the originally linked article took place on Maylock Ln, not Marble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This entire situation is so weird. The owners are in fact the parents of the 50+ yr old man who attacked Connolly's staffers. So I'm going to out on a wild limb here and say based on how young the "owner" in the tv interview looks, that guy is probably not the brother of the attacker or the son of the owners.

So why is he, his wife and their kids living in the house and posing as the owners? And if the owners aiready live there, what set of "grandparents" is the owner referring to when he says his culture doesn't put them in nursing homes so he needs to build this large addition for them. It seems 6 people already live there (the owners, the man, his wife and 2 kids).

His story doesn't make any sense and I really don't think he is related to the real owners. Why is he living there? How did he convince the owners to do all this? Is this some sort of elder scam?

Per property records, ownership has bounced between last name Nguyen and last name Pham. Pham is the current owner, same last name as the Connolly attacker. The guy giving the interview is Mike Ngyuen who is likely related to (or is the same person not using his legal name) as the previous Nguyen owner. It's unclear how the Phams and Nguyens are related.

I think Mike is the son in law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This entire situation is so weird. The owners are in fact the parents of the 50+ yr old man who attacked Connolly's staffers. So I'm going to out on a wild limb here and say based on how young the "owner" in the tv interview looks, that guy is probably not the brother of the attacker or the son of the owners.

So why is he, his wife and their kids living in the house and posing as the owners? And if the owners aiready live there, what set of "grandparents" is the owner referring to when he says his culture doesn't put them in nursing homes so he needs to build this large addition for them. It seems 6 people already live there (the owners, the man, his wife and 2 kids).

His story doesn't make any sense and I really don't think he is related to the real owners. Why is he living there? How did he convince the owners to do all this? Is this some sort of elder scam?

Per property records, ownership has bounced between last name Nguyen and last name Pham. Pham is the current owner, same last name as the Connolly attacker. The guy giving the interview is Mike Ngyuen who is likely related to (or is the same person not using his legal name) as the previous Nguyen owner. It's unclear how the Phams and Nguyens are related.

I think Mike is the son in law.

So then all the people he’s been talking about in interviews already live there. This is so confusing re why he wants such a large addition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This entire situation is so weird. The owners are in fact the parents of the 50+ yr old man who attacked Connolly's staffers. So I'm going to out on a wild limb here and say based on how young the "owner" in the tv interview looks, that guy is probably not the brother of the attacker or the son of the owners.

So why is he, his wife and their kids living in the house and posing as the owners? And if the owners aiready live there, what set of "grandparents" is the owner referring to when he says his culture doesn't put them in nursing homes so he needs to build this large addition for them. It seems 6 people already live there (the owners, the man, his wife and 2 kids).

His story doesn't make any sense and I really don't think he is related to the real owners. Why is he living there? How did he convince the owners to do all this? Is this some sort of elder scam?

Per property records, ownership has bounced between last name Nguyen and last name Pham. Pham is the current owner, same last name as the Connolly attacker. The guy giving the interview is Mike Ngyuen who is likely related to (or is the same person not using his legal name) as the previous Nguyen owner. It's unclear how the Phams and Nguyens are related.

I think Mike is the son in law.

So then all the people he’s been talking about in interviews already live there. This is so confusing re why he wants such a large addition.

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This entire situation is so weird. The owners are in fact the parents of the 50+ yr old man who attacked Connolly's staffers. So I'm going to out on a wild limb here and say based on how young the "owner" in the tv interview looks, that guy is probably not the brother of the attacker or the son of the owners.

So why is he, his wife and their kids living in the house and posing as the owners? And if the owners aiready live there, what set of "grandparents" is the owner referring to when he says his culture doesn't put them in nursing homes so he needs to build this large addition for them. It seems 6 people already live there (the owners, the man, his wife and 2 kids).

His story doesn't make any sense and I really don't think he is related to the real owners. Why is he living there? How did he convince the owners to do all this? Is this some sort of elder scam?

Per property records, ownership has bounced between last name Nguyen and last name Pham. Pham is the current owner, same last name as the Connolly attacker. The guy giving the interview is Mike Ngyuen who is likely related to (or is the same person not using his legal name) as the previous Nguyen owner. It's unclear how the Phams and Nguyens are related.

I think Mike is the son in law.

So then all the people he’s been talking about in interviews already live there. This is so confusing re why he wants such a large addition.

The aging parents live in a coveted FCPS pyramid. Mike has young school aged kids. By living with grandma and grandpa they can help out around the house and access good schools. The house is small. They build their own compound on the property so they can live separately but together.

Now, are they trying to sneak in an income property in there too? Maybe. But for the most part their story makes sense.

[Anonymous]

The best argument for an HOA I've ever seen. The neighbors will never be able to sell their house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This entire situation is so weird. The owners are in fact the parents of the 50+ yr old man who attacked Connolly's staffers. So I'm going to out on a wild limb here and say based on how young the "owner" in the tv interview looks, that guy is probably not the brother of the attacker or the son of the owners.

So why is he, his wife and their kids living in the house and posing as the owners? And if the owners aiready live there, what set of "grandparents" is the owner referring to when he says his culture doesn't put them in nursing homes so he needs to build this large addition for them. It seems 6 people already live there (the owners, the man, his wife and 2 kids).

His story doesn't make any sense and I really don't think he is related to the real owners. Why is he living there? How did he convince the owners to do all this? Is this some sort of elder scam?

Per property records, ownership has bounced between last name Nguyen and last name Pham. Pham is the current owner, same last name as the Connolly attacker. The guy giving the interview is Mike Ngyuen who is likely related to (or is the same person not using his legal name) as the previous Nguyen owner. It's unclear how the Phams and Nguyens are related.

I think Mike is the son in law.

So then all the people he’s been talking about in interviews already live there. This is so confusing re why he wants such a large addition.

The aging parents live in a coveted FCPS pyramid. Mike has young school aged kids. By living with grandma and grandpa they can help out around the house and access good schools. The house is small. They build their own compound on the property so they can live separately but together.

Now, are they trying to sneak in an income property in there too? Maybe. But for the most part their story makes sense.

So according to Zillow the house is over 2,000 sq ft and 4 bedrooms. That would be 1 for grandma and grandpa, 1 for Mike and Mrs Mike, and 1 for each of the kids (I think the thread says they're are 2). How much extra space are they actually building? The interviews are sketchy. The situation is so dire for the grandparents who are also the owners that Mike would need to put them in a nursing home except he won't because his culture doesn't do that. But then it's great because if he builds this space the grandparents can keep living, in their own house, and help out with the kids (but I thought they needed a nursing home). Also it's great room for his kids' families. But he has young kids.

Just tell the truth, whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This entire situation is so weird. The owners are in fact the parents of the 50+ yr old man who attacked Connolly's staffers. So I'm going to out on a wild limb here and say based on how young the "owner" in the tv interview looks, that guy is probably not the brother of the attacker or the son of the owners.

So why is he, his wife and their kids living in the house and posing as the owners? And if the owners aiready live there, what set of "grandparents" is the owner referring to when he says his culture doesn't put them in nursing homes so he needs to build this large addition for them. It seems 6 people already live there (the owners, the man, his wife and 2 kids).

His story doesn't make any sense and I really don't think he is related to the real owners. Why is he living there? How did he convince the owners to do all this? Is this some sort of elder scam?

Per property records, ownership has bounced between last name Nguyen and last name Pham. Pham is the current owner, same last name as the Connolly attacker. The guy giving the interview is Mike Ngyuen who is likely related to (or is the same person not using his legal name) as the previous Nguyen owner. It's unclear how the Phams and Nguyens are related.

I think Mike is the son in law.

So then all the people he’s been talking about in interviews already live there. This is so confusing re why he wants such a large addition.

The aging parents live in a coveted FCPS pyramid. Mike has young school aged kids. By living with grandma and grandpa they can help out around the house and access good schools. The house is small. They build their own compound on the property so they can live separately but together.

Now, are they trying to sneak in an income property in there too? Maybe. But for the most part their story makes sense.

So according to Zillow the house is over 2,000 sq ft and 4 bedrooms. That would be 1 for grandma and grandpa, 1 for Mike and Mrs Mike, and 1 for each of the kids (I think the thread says they're are 2). How much extra space are they actually building? The interviews are sketchy. The situation is so dire for the grandparents who are also the owners that Mike would need to put them in a nursing home except he won't because his culture doesn't do that. But then it's great because if he builds this space the grandparents can keep living, in their own house, and help out with the kids (but I thought they needed a nursing home). Also it's great room for his kids' families. But he has young kids.

Just tell the truth, whatever.

It has a basement already so it is 3,000 square feet. And if a garage that is also space to to convert. The town actually said if he did the third story over foot print of existing home would not have been a big issue as not moving on top of neighbor. He could of added 1,000 sf that way.

[Anonymous]

Growing up my old Italian Neighbor had a new neighbor who did this type of nonsense. An investor trying to build a massive house that was illegally going to be multi family ignoring set backs.

My old neighbor kept suing, using connections in building dept to drag it hoping guy would quit. He had the unfinished house for 10 years next to him.

Finally his lawyer met with neighbor and said look we give up. Just pay us $100,000 we will sign off on variances, drop lawsuits even tell town go ahead and approve. Under one condition you put in writing no more building permits can every be filled out on property. Nothing can ever be built on property again and put it in deed as a restriction. Guy said yes.

Was built my neighbor caught a flight to Miami, sat in front seat of restaurant on busy street with friends and right after house done it burned to ground while he was in Miami.

He returned and bought the plot mostly with his 100K check and put a nice garden and Bachi Ball court.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This entire situation is so weird. The owners are in fact the parents of the 50+ yr old man who attacked Connolly's staffers. So I'm going to out on a wild limb here and say based on how young the "owner" in the tv interview looks, that guy is probably not the brother of the attacker or the son of the owners.

So why is he, his wife and their kids living in the house and posing as the owners? And if the owners aiready live there, what set of "grandparents" is the owner referring to when he says his culture doesn't put them in nursing homes so he needs to build this large addition for them. It seems 6 people already live there (the owners, the man, his wife and 2 kids).

His story doesn't make any sense and I really don't think he is related to the real owners. Why is he living there? How did he convince the owners to do all this? Is this some sort of elder scam?

Per property records, ownership has bounced between last name Nguyen and last name Pham. Pham is the current owner, same last name as the Connolly attacker. The guy giving the interview is Mike Ngyuen who is likely related to (or is the same person not using his legal name) as the previous Nguyen owner. It's unclear how the Phams and Nguyens are related.

I think Mike is the son in law.

So then all the people he’s been talking about in interviews already live there. This is so confusing re why he wants such a large addition.

The aging parents live in a coveted FCPS pyramid. Mike has young school aged kids. By living with grandma and grandpa they can help out around the house and access good schools. The house is small. They build their own compound on the property so they can live separately but together.

Now, are they trying to sneak in an income property in there too? Maybe. But for the most part their story makes sense.

So according to Zillow the house is over 2,000 sq ft and 4 bedrooms. That would be 1 for grandma and grandpa, 1 for Mike and Mrs Mike, and 1 for each of the kids (I think the thread says they're are 2). How much extra space are they actually building? The interviews are sketchy. The situation is so dire for the grandparents who are also the owners that Mike would need to put them in a nursing home except he won't because his culture doesn't do that. But then it's great because if he builds this space the grandparents can keep living, in their own house, and help out with the kids (but I thought they needed a nursing home). Also it's great room for his kids' families. But he has young kids.

Just tell the truth, whatever.

It has a basement already so it is 3,000 square feet. And if a garage that is also space to to convert. The town actually said if he did the third story over foot print of existing home would not have been a big issue as not moving on top of neighbor. He could of added 1,000 sf that way.

Why do you think it has a basement? None of the original Greenbriar homes have basements.