Reply to Massive home addition causes confusion in Fairfax County neighborhood

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[quote=Anonymous]Negligence on the part of the owner is not an accepted reason to allow a hardship variance. This is a 100% self created issue on the part of the owner due to his failure to undertake proper surveys, have the site staked out pre-construction, and then confirmatory measurements once the slab had been laid down. The irony here is tremendous in that the owner's cost cutting has now spiraled their costs out of control and put the project at significant risk of being torn down. To think, had the owner been willing to spend $15k on survey work, they would not be in this position.

Setbacks exist for a reason, and in this case they are especially pertinent for good reason - fire safety. Just because the setback limit is 8 feet, does not mean one needs to build up to the 8 foot line - doing so opens up the greater possibility of setback violations when you consider things such as roof eaves, siding, gutters, etc.

The owner also has their hands full on remedying the items uncovered in the wind bracing inspecting. While inspection failures are common amongst all types of projects, including ones done by premier contractors, the wind bracing inspection report for this project does show some serious deficiencies.

The report comments are public on the Fairfax access portal:

"Work is incomplete and does not match approved plans. OK to install temporary weatherproofing to protect materials. While temporary weatherproofing may be installed; all weatherproofing must be removed prior to the next wind bracing inspection. Additional deficiencies have been identified. A Stop Work Order will be issued. Deficiencies Identified: 1. Foundation anchors missing in various locations throughout. 2. Not all fastening of sheathing complete. Some panels still loose. 3. Nail pattern incorrect at majority of braced wall panels throughout. 4. Interior braced walls not complete missing sheathing in various locations. 5. Header has not been installed at first floor front opening. 6. Strong wall panels not installed. 7. Opening layout has changed from approved plans. 8. Need to install blocking at seams of sheathing to fasten sheathing. 9. Unable to access upper floors and cannot verify wall to roof attachment or upper interior braced walls. 10. With respect to zoning compliance, based on the wall check survey prepared by Larry N. Scartz and dated October 29, 2025, the northwest corner of the addition is located only 7.4 feet from the northern side property line, where an 8-foot side yard setback is required for the R-3 Cluster District pursuant to Section 2102.6.B. of the Zoning Ordinance."[/quote]

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