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Alexandria board to hear Woodland Terrace side yard addition request

Alexandria board to hear Woodland Terrace side yard addition request

Rule Changes Alexandria, VA local

Bryan and Elizabeth Millett seek special exception to build addition in required side yard

Today: BZA agenda published with Woodland Terrace case

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Alexandria's Board of Zoning Appeals will hear a request Monday from Bryan and Elizabeth Millett to build an addition in the required side yard of their home at 207 Woodland Terrace. The property is zoned R-8.

The special exception, if granted, would let the Milletts build closer to the side property line than the zoning ordinance allows. Neighbors can speak at the hearing before the board decides.

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.

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Key Indicators

Sept 14, 2026
Hearing date
BZA public hearing for 207 Woodland Terrace
R-8
Zoning district
Residential district with side yard setback rules
BZA2026-00014
Case number
14th BZA application of 2026

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

2 events Latest: Today
  1. BZA public hearing on Woodland Terrace addition

    Upcoming Hearing

    The board will hear testimony on the Milletts' request for a special exception to build in the required side yard.

  2. BZA agenda published with Woodland Terrace case

    Today Notice

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

Historical Context

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

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.

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.

Sources

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