Pull to refresh
Logo
Alexandria board approves Woodland Terrace side yard addition request

Alexandria board approves Woodland Terrace side yard addition request

Rule Changes Alexandria, VA local

The board granted the request 6-0, letting the Milletts build in the required side yard.

September 14th, 2026: BZA public hearing on Woodland Terrace addition

Overview

Updated Oct 18

Alexandria's Board of Zoning Appeals approved a request from Bryan and Elizabeth Millett to build an addition in the required side yard of their home at 207 Woodland Terrace. The board voted 6-0 on Sept. 14 to grant the special exception as submitted, according to the meeting's action docket.

The property is zoned R-8, a residential district with side yard setback rules. The vote lets the Milletts move ahead with construction. The board's decision can be appealed to circuit court.

Why it matters

The board's decision will determine whether the Milletts can expand their home and how Alexandria weighs property owner requests against neighborhood zoning rules.

Monday: what changed in Alexandria, VA

One short email a week with the openings, closings, permits and council votes we covered. Free. Unsubscribe in one click.

Questions about this story

Free account needed to ask — your question is kept and asked for you right after sign-up. Answers are public.

No questions yet — be the first to ask.

Key Indicators

6-0
Approval vote
Board granted the special exception as submitted on Sept. 14
R-8
Zoning district
Residential district with side yard setback rules
BZA2026-00014
Case number
14th BZA application of 2026

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Ever wondered what historical figures would say about today's headlines?

Sign up to generate historical perspectives on this story.

People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

3 events Latest: September 14th, 2026 · 1 month ago
  1. BZA public hearing on Woodland Terrace addition

    Latest Hearing

    The board heard testimony on the Milletts' request and voted 6-0 to grant the special exception as submitted.

  2. Board approves Woodland Terrace side yard addition

    Decision

    The BZA approved BZA2026-00014 as submitted; the motion carried 6-0.

  3. BZA agenda published with Woodland Terrace case

    Notice

    The Board of Zoning Appeals public hearing agenda lists BZA2026-00014 for 207 Woodland Terrace.

Scenarios

1

BZA approves Woodland Terrace side yard addition

Deadline passed (Sep 14, 2026)

Discussed by: Common outcome in Alexandria BZA cases where applicants meet special exception criteria

The board finds the addition meets the special exception standards in the Alexandria zoning ordinance and grants the request. The Milletts can proceed with construction, subject to any conditions the board imposes.

2

BZA denies Woodland Terrace side yard addition

Deadline passed (Sep 14, 2026)

Discussed by: Common outcome when special exception requests face neighbor opposition or fail to meet criteria

The board finds the addition doesn't meet the special exception standards and denies the request. The Milletts would need to modify their plans, seek a variance, or appeal the decision to circuit court.

3

Woodland Terrace hearing deferred or withdrawn

Deadline passed (Sep 14, 2026)

Discussed by: The event summary notes agenda items are regularly deferred, withdrawn, or moved

The item is continued to a later BZA meeting, or the applicants withdraw the request. This could happen if the applicants need more time, if there are procedural issues, or if the board lacks a quorum.

4

Appeal challenges Woodland Terrace approval

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Neighbors who spoke at the hearing; Virginia law allows BZA decisions to be appealed to circuit court

A neighbor could appeal the 6-0 approval to circuit court. The court could uphold, reverse, or remand the board's decision. No appeal has been reported as of Oct. 18.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

November 1926

Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. (1926)

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of zoning, ruling that cities could regulate land use by district. The case involved a challenge to Euclid, Ohio's zoning ordinance that restricted industrial development in residential areas.

Then

Established zoning as a valid exercise of police power, leading to widespread adoption of zoning ordinances across the U.S.

Now

Created the legal framework for modern land use regulation, including the special exception and variance mechanisms used by boards of zoning appeals.

Why this matters now

The BZA's authority to review the Milletts' special exception request derives from the zoning framework that Euclid established.

1922

Standard State Zoning Enabling Act (1922)

The U.S. Department of Commerce published a model law for states to adopt, providing a template for zoning enabling legislation. The act included provisions for boards of adjustment to hear requests for relief from zoning rules.

Then

Most states, including Virginia, adopted zoning enabling acts based on this model.

Now

Created the standard structure for local zoning boards, including their power to grant variances and special exceptions.

Why this matters now

Virginia's zoning enabling act, which created Alexandria's BZA, is based on this model. The Milletts' special exception request is an example of the board's standard function.

Sources

(2)