Massive home addition causes confusion in Fairfax County neighborhood

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't see the issue in this. They basically took the house and added two stories onto the side part of the house. If you look at the drone images they all have that long side, including the complaining neighbor. Our neighbors did horrible remodels that impacted us but their property and their right to do it.

Did your neighbor's remodel reduce your property value by 25%? Just because something is legal and you CAN do it, doesn't mean you should.

[Anonymous]

This is a myth. A grading runoff plan is required and must be approved by the county. We had an approved plan, and although the neighbors complained that water was getting into their yard, it was confirmed that our plan was valid. The natural flow of water went toward their property, and the real issue was their own poor grading, which they needed to fix. They were trying to use our new home as leverage to make us pay for their existing drainage problem.

Some neighbors in older tear down homes, including elderly people (Gen X, boomers) or people scraping by who want to minimize their own expenses, sometimes try to shift responsibility for their problems onto anyone they think has more resources.

Fairfax County does a poor job of evaluating the land disturbance vis a vis drainage and "clear cutting" of existing properties.

If you take down 4 (or more) 50+ year old trees and clear cut significant landscaping/vegetation that was mitigating all of that water, there are going to be issues. This is not rocket science - put a flat slab somewhere and where is the water going to go? Driving a Bobcat around for an hour, flattening some dirt and then planting some popsicle trees that have a 50/50 shot of surviving longer than 6 months isn't addressing the drainage, nor is the 15x10 pit you can put grass over once the final inspection is done.

That's not to mention a 1200 sq ft roof area is now replaced with a structure that is 2.5 times as tall and has significantly more surface area. Where is the water to go? The water will find a way, and the rubber stampers in the approvals division don't really care. That's clear. They're punch drunk on the increased tax revenue.

While your plan may "be valid," is it really? Is the dirt resloped so that there is no standing water on your property? Doubtful. Does it look pretty? Probably. Are you really keeping up that landscaping and watering the trees so they have a good chance to help your (now passed along) drainage issues in the coming years? When your new home is inching up on the lot line, even you have to admit there's way less yard, grass and tree canopy than there once was - and that means something. Especially when it comes to water.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't see the issue in this. They basically took the house and added two stories onto the side part of the house. If you look at the drone images they all have that long side, including the complaining neighbor. Our neighbors did horrible remodels that impacted us but their property and their right to do it.

Stop posing as a regular homeowner. You're a developer or a real estate agent guaranteed. There should be no right to destroy your neighbor's property with an oversized, ugly addition. Plus there's no way that addition is for his family. He's building a flophouse.

[Anonymous]

Jesus. That thing is awful.

[Anonymous]

The addition is a flat roof while every house around has sloped roofs. Whats going to happen in heavy storms?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The link above to the building application is not working. Try this link https://plus.fairfaxcounty.gov/CitizenAccess/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=Building&TabName=Building&capID1=REC25&capID2=00000&capID3=00RB7&agencyCode=FFX&IsToShowInspection=

Under record details, more details and then click additional details. That is where the answer to the question about an ADU can be found.

Thanks for fixing the link that I quoted from much earlier in the thread. I see that it's on hold now. I was just curious because there's no info on here on who approved and all the other mentions on the thread that it has to fit in with the neighborhood, etc. etc. that's not part of the approval process....

Stamp Type:2500-DISTURBANCE NOT TO EXCEED 2500
Stamp Type:ESMT-NO ENCROACHMENT OF EASEMENTS
Stamp Type:EDR-ENGINEER DESIGN REQUIRED
Stamp Type:FFE-FOOTINGS MUST BE EXTENDED


Is/will there be an Accessory Living Unit or Accessory Dwelling Unit?:No

Are you the Property Owner?:NoIs the displayed owner information accurate?:Yes

Is the property owner acting as the contractor for the project?:Yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The link above to the building application is not working. Try this link https://plus.fairfaxcounty.gov/CitizenAccess/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=Building&TabName=Building&capID1=REC25&capID2=00000&capID3=00RB7&agencyCode=FFX&IsToShowInspection=

Under record details, more details and then click additional details. That is where the answer to the question about an ADU can be found.

Thanks for fixing the link that I quoted from much earlier in the thread. I see that it's on hold now. I was just curious because there's no info on here on who approved and all the other mentions on the thread that it has to fit in with the neighborhood, etc. etc. that's not part of the approval process....

Stamp Type:2500-DISTURBANCE NOT TO EXCEED 2500
Stamp Type:ESMT-NO ENCROACHMENT OF EASEMENTS
Stamp Type:EDR-ENGINEER DESIGN REQUIRED
Stamp Type:FFE-FOOTINGS MUST BE EXTENDED


Is/will there be an Accessory Living Unit or Accessory Dwelling Unit?:No

Are you the Property Owner?:NoIs the displayed owner information accurate?:Yes

Is the property owner acting as the contractor for the project?:Yes

Is there an engineer design? I would like to see that. So far we have just been speculating on floorplans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The link above to the building application is not working. Try this link https://plus.fairfaxcounty.gov/CitizenAccess/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=Building&TabName=Building&capID1=REC25&capID2=00000&capID3=00RB7&agencyCode=FFX&IsToShowInspection=

Under record details, more details and then click additional details. That is where the answer to the question about an ADU can be found.

Thanks for fixing the link that I quoted from much earlier in the thread. I see that it's on hold now. I was just curious because there's no info on here on who approved and all the other mentions on the thread that it has to fit in with the neighborhood, etc. etc. that's not part of the approval process....

Stamp Type:2500-DISTURBANCE NOT TO EXCEED 2500
Stamp Type:ESMT-NO ENCROACHMENT OF EASEMENTS
Stamp Type:EDR-ENGINEER DESIGN REQUIRED
Stamp Type:FFE-FOOTINGS MUST BE EXTENDED


Is/will there be an Accessory Living Unit or Accessory Dwelling Unit?:No

Are you the Property Owner?:NoIs the displayed owner information accurate?:Yes

Is the property owner acting as the contractor for the project?:Yes

This confirms that the owner is not really the owner, the grandparents are the owner and that Mike is acting as his own general contractor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This is a myth. A grading runoff plan is required and must be approved by the county. We had an approved plan, and although the neighbors complained that water was getting into their yard, it was confirmed that our plan was valid. The natural flow of water went toward their property, and the real issue was their own poor grading, which they needed to fix. They were trying to use our new home as leverage to make us pay for their existing drainage problem.

Some neighbors in older tear down homes, including elderly people (Gen X, boomers) or people scraping by who want to minimize their own expenses, sometimes try to shift responsibility for their problems onto anyone they think has more resources.

Fairfax County does a poor job of evaluating the land disturbance vis a vis drainage and "clear cutting" of existing properties.

If you take down 4 (or more) 50+ year old trees and clear cut significant landscaping/vegetation that was mitigating all of that water, there are going to be issues. This is not rocket science - put a flat slab somewhere and where is the water going to go? Driving a Bobcat around for an hour, flattening some dirt and then planting some popsicle trees that have a 50/50 shot of surviving longer than 6 months isn't addressing the drainage, nor is the 15x10 pit you can put grass over once the final inspection is done.

That's not to mention a 1200 sq ft roof area is now replaced with a structure that is 2.5 times as tall and has significantly more surface area. Where is the water to go? The water will find a way, and the rubber stampers in the approvals division don't really care. That's clear. They're punch drunk on the increased tax revenue.

While your plan may "be valid," is it really? Is the dirt resloped so that there is no standing water on your property? Doubtful. Does it look pretty? Probably. Are you really keeping up that landscaping and watering the trees so they have a good chance to help your (now passed along) drainage issues in the coming years? When your new home is inching up on the lot line, even you have to admit there's way less yard, grass and tree canopy than there once was - and that means something. Especially when it comes to water.

Well said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This is a myth. A grading runoff plan is required and must be approved by the county. We had an approved plan, and although the neighbors complained that water was getting into their yard, it was confirmed that our plan was valid. The natural flow of water went toward their property, and the real issue was their own poor grading, which they needed to fix. They were trying to use our new home as leverage to make us pay for their existing drainage problem.

Some neighbors in older tear down homes, including elderly people (Gen X, boomers) or people scraping by who want to minimize their own expenses, sometimes try to shift responsibility for their problems onto anyone they think has more resources.

Fairfax County does a poor job of evaluating the land disturbance vis a vis drainage and "clear cutting" of existing properties.

If you take down 4 (or more) 50+ year old trees and clear cut significant landscaping/vegetation that was mitigating all of that water, there are going to be issues. This is not rocket science - put a flat slab somewhere and where is the water going to go? Driving a Bobcat around for an hour, flattening some dirt and then planting some popsicle trees that have a 50/50 shot of surviving longer than 6 months isn't addressing the drainage, nor is the 15x10 pit you can put grass over once the final inspection is done.

That's not to mention a 1200 sq ft roof area is now replaced with a structure that is 2.5 times as tall and has significantly more surface area. Where is the water to go? The water will find a way, and the rubber stampers in the approvals division don't really care. That's clear. They're punch drunk on the increased tax revenue.

While your plan may "be valid," is it really? Is the dirt resloped so that there is no standing water on your property? Doubtful. Does it look pretty? Probably. Are you really keeping up that landscaping and watering the trees so they have a good chance to help your (now passed along) drainage issues in the coming years? When your new home is inching up on the lot line, even you have to admit there's way less yard, grass and tree canopy than there once was - and that means something. Especially when it comes to water.

Well said.

Everyone thinks they are an expert, but they are wrong when actual engineers approve the grading plan. At the end of the day, your so-called McMansion neighbor (disgusting term by jealous nimby people) is following all the laws, rules, and updated runoff laws. I would bet the original shack dwellers aren't complying with the most up-to-date building codes, run off / drainage laws, etc, cause they don't have to comply as their homes are too old. f u and go live in china if you want communist laws

[Anonymous]

Everyone thinks they are an expert, but they are wrong when actual engineers approve the grading plan. At the end of the day, your so-called McMansion neighbor (disgusting term by jealous nimby people) is following all the laws, rules, and updated runoff laws. I would bet the original shack dwellers aren't complying with the most up-to-date building codes, run off / drainage laws, etc, cause they don't have to comply as their homes are too old. f u and go live in china if you want communist laws

You really are an idiot. The original "shack dwellers" aren't complying with the most up-to-date building codes because you're right - they are conforming to the codes that were valid when the house was built. And unless you change something on your plot of land, there's no requirement to do anything. Is someone going to voluntarily re-grade their lot just because codes have changed? No. Did you rewire your house to make sure it was up to code if you switched out one socket? Surely you didn't.

The point is when the property next door makes drastic changes a long-existing drainage pattern there are going to be ramifications. And Fairfax County is acting like each lot and each project is an island, and it absolutely is not. I challenge you to find a new build or lot that was clear cut whose neighbors on the perimeter aren't affected. If you can't understand that, you're just being obtuse. It's not communism, it's science (and in some sense, nature).

The *right* thing to do here would be to assess how each new build is going to affect the drainage of the lot it's on based on structure size and runoff of the new roofline, and the surrounding lots. And call me a tree hugger, but maybe also for Fairfax County to start putting some regulations around clear cutting lots. All they are worried about is the land disturbance....and having gone through a remodel, they definitely don't care about what you're doing to mitigate water. You can even buy land credits somewhere to offset the impact, or pay a steep fine to just turn a blind eye. And guess which one the developers are doing......and passing along to the new owners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This is a myth. A grading runoff plan is required and must be approved by the county. We had an approved plan, and although the neighbors complained that water was getting into their yard, it was confirmed that our plan was valid. The natural flow of water went toward their property, and the real issue was their own poor grading, which they needed to fix. They were trying to use our new home as leverage to make us pay for their existing drainage problem.

Some neighbors in older tear down homes, including elderly people (Gen X, boomers) or people scraping by who want to minimize their own expenses, sometimes try to shift responsibility for their problems onto anyone they think has more resources.

Fairfax County does a poor job of evaluating the land disturbance vis a vis drainage and "clear cutting" of existing properties.

If you take down 4 (or more) 50+ year old trees and clear cut significant landscaping/vegetation that was mitigating all of that water, there are going to be issues. This is not rocket science - put a flat slab somewhere and where is the water going to go? Driving a Bobcat around for an hour, flattening some dirt and then planting some popsicle trees that have a 50/50 shot of surviving longer than 6 months isn't addressing the drainage, nor is the 15x10 pit you can put grass over once the final inspection is done.

That's not to mention a 1200 sq ft roof area is now replaced with a structure that is 2.5 times as tall and has significantly more surface area. Where is the water to go? The water will find a way, and the rubber stampers in the approvals division don't really care. That's clear. They're punch drunk on the increased tax revenue.

While your plan may "be valid," is it really? Is the dirt resloped so that there is no standing water on your property? Doubtful. Does it look pretty? Probably. Are you really keeping up that landscaping and watering the trees so they have a good chance to help your (now passed along) drainage issues in the coming years? When your new home is inching up on the lot line, even you have to admit there's way less yard, grass and tree canopy than there once was - and that means something. Especially when it comes to water.

Well said.

Everyone thinks they are an expert, but they are wrong when actual engineers approve the grading plan. At the end of the day, your so-called McMansion neighbor (disgusting term by jealous nimby people) is following all the laws, rules, and updated runoff laws. I would bet the original shack dwellers aren't complying with the most up-to-date building codes, run off / drainage laws, etc, cause they don't have to comply as their homes are too old. f u and go live in china if you want communist laws

Whoa, Holy Hyperbolic Hypocrite 🤣. But overall this thread has made me glad, maybe for the first time ever, to say that I am glad I live in an (disgusting trigger word warning) HOA where this monstrosity would have been DOA.

[Anonymous]

This happens in many metro areas across the country. We have seen it in Chicago, Cleveland, NJ, and especially SE Michigan where folks add hideous additions to their homes. In every case it’s almost always someone who might be an immigrant or newer to the country and may not understand how neighborly consideration works in this country.

[Anonymous]

So according to the permits Mike is his own general contractor, which would mean when he said in the interviews that the contractor used the fence as the property line that means him. He used the fence as the property line. It’s his fault.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I have Vietnamese in-laws. The family and extended relatives are essentially thought of as one large family unit. You do things for family because they're family. For example, my husband sends money to Vietnam for relatives that's he's never met, because that's what his family does (there's a bit of guilt over who got out a generation ago during the War and who didn't and therefore relatives still in Vietnam get a little help from relatives living abroad). If a relative calls us that they're coming to visit DC and needs a place to sleep for a couple of nights, my husband offers the basement bedroom. Our house is too small to accommodate longer stays, but other relatives have welcomed extended family for months at a time.

I am 100% against this monstrous addition. Anyone with any ethics and morals should have known that sometimes the law allows you something that common sense does not (and as it turns out, the setback calculation was off by 6 inches). These people are extremely disrespectful to their neighbors, and they should do not receive the variance allowing them to continue construction. I hope they will be forced to tear it down.

But I just wanted to explain the family culture of many people of Vietnamese extraction, who considers themselves the owner, the desire to live multigenerationally, etc.

They can go back to n Vietnam

None of your business how they help their families. It is an Asian tax, just like the black tax.