Reply to Massive home addition causes confusion in Fairfax County neighborhood

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]In a news interview the homeowner said they now have to review their options, and they said something about hiring an attorney.

So is this saga likely to drag on for a long time, maybe deep into 2027?

I’d also think this already shoddy addition would be compromised/the wood would be all warped after being exposed to rain, snow and ice since last fall.[/quote]

Hiring an attorney now? Should have done that in the fall and certainly brought on to the Dec meetings with the county. HO mentioned in the hearing that no attorney would take his case. Why would one take it now? Or did he not want to spend the money on a lawyer then?

The HO has a history of twisting the truth. Made accusations against the county of having deadlines in December to get his request for variance paperwork turned in with supporting documentation: The deadline pressure was why he couldn’t provide sufficient documentation like product spec sheets or detailed documentation on the hardship (eg figures to the various options).He thought it was up to the county or anyone else to google siding to ascertain the siding width he was going to use. It was to be obvious to everyone he was only going to add an additional 1/2 inch width.

County rebutted that they did not give deadlines. They met with HO and told him his options to move forward. The HO was the one who rushed it because they were living through/at the project, according to the county. They did not have a deadline. The county also got called out for not addressing the back yard porch project that went unpermitted by one of the BZA members.

HO also kept stating he built according to the plans. Plans the county approved so therefore the county is liable not him. County’s position is that his plans, as the permittee, were wrong. Plans he claims the contractor drew up, but he filed as general contractor. County reviewed for zoning compliance but if he submitted something that was wrong, it’s on him.

It was also untruthful of the HO to say he built to the plans because he significantly modified the floor plans over the fall without amending his permit. He flipped the 2nd and 3rd floor, and removed the garage from what was originally permitted. Thats not a minor change of moving a toilet two inches.

And let’s not mention the structural and safety issues that caused the stop work order. This project is a disaster all around.

HO thought he could get away with this project, completing it however he wanted  on the cheap. Similar to his other projects. Unfortunately for him, he chose a controversial project that has gained national attention.[/quote]

This is helpful analysis. So, what happens now? Does the homeowner have a deadline to either tear the addition down or bring it into compliance?[/quote]

It will definitely be appealed. That's been clear ever since they made this a political issue.[/quote]

On what basis? There are 7 criteria that need to be used. As stated in the hearing, if any ONE of those criteria are not met, the appeal can be denied. The county applied the criteria, found several not met, and made its decision. BZA upheld the decision that the process was followed properly. And the 7 criteria give greater scrutiny to the project, like adverse effects on the neighbors.

What would be the basis for appeal? Just don’t like the decision? Thought modifying the project was such a hardship but able to find more money to hire a lawyer to fight?

Its time to stop throwing more money on bad decisions the HO made and move forward.[/quote]

How many other setback permits did they grant that day?[/quote]

And how many of those requests were well prepared and provided the appropriate documentation - vice telling the county to Google the width of siding.[/quote]

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