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Fence variance request for 3337 King Street was on the Alexandria zoning board's Nov. 9 agenda

Fence variance request for 3337 King Street was on the Alexandria zoning board's Nov. 9 agenda

Rule Changes Alexandria, VA local

The Board of Zoning Appeals was scheduled to hear the 6-foot front-yard fence request for a townhouse lot zoned RB/Townhouse on Nov. 9; the result is not yet posted

2 days ago: Public hearing scheduled; outcome not posted

Overview

Updated Oct 27

Alexandria's Board of Zoning Appeals will hear a request on November 9 to allow a 6-foot fence in the front yard of a townhouse at 3337 King Street. Applicant Joseph Delmontagne seeks a variance from the city's front-yard fence rules for the property, zoned RB/Townhouse.

The hearing was set for 7 p.m. at 4850 Mark Center Drive, Room 1305. As of Nov. 10, the board's decision had not been posted. Neighbors could speak at the hearing or send written comments to city planner Luke Cowan at luke.cowan@alexandriava.gov.

Why it matters

The board's ruling determines whether this King Street townhouse can build a 6-foot front-yard fence and how Alexandria weighs similar requests.

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Key Indicators

6 ft
Requested fence height
Variance sought for the front yard at 3337 King Street
7 p.m.
Hearing time
Board of Zoning Appeals hearing on November 9, per the city's 2026 BZA schedule

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People Involved

JD
Joseph Delmontagne
Applicant for variance BZA2026-00018
Variance request was scheduled for a Nov. 9, 2026 hearing; outcome not yet reported

Organizations Involved

City of Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals
City of Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals
Appointed city board
Was scheduled to hear variance request BZA2026-00018 on November 9, 2026; outcome not yet reported

The appointed board that hears requests to deviate from Alexandria's zoning ordinance.
Alexandria Department of Planning and Zoning
Alexandria Department of Planning and Zoning
City department
Staff support for BZA; accepts public comments

City staff who prepare BZA dockets and accept public comments on pending items.

Timeline

October 2026 November 2026

3 events Latest: 2 days ago

  1. Public hearing scheduled; outcome not posted

    Latest Hearing

    The Board of Zoning Appeals was scheduled to hear the variance request at 7 p.m. at 4850 Mark Center Drive, Room 1305. No decision was posted as of Nov. 10.

  2. Preliminary docket published

    Publication

    City posts preliminary docket for the November 9 Board of Zoning Appeals hearing.

  3. Fence variance case enters city record

    Publication

    The city's legislative record lists BZA2026-00018, the 3337 King Street fence variance, for the November 9 hearing.

Scenarios

1

Board approves 6-foot fence variance

Possible Resolves by Nov 30, 2026

Discussed by: No public analysis exists for this routine item; the outcome turns on the board's application of variance criteria.

The board grants the variance, allowing the 6-foot fence in the front yard. Approval typically requires a finding that the zoning code creates an unnecessary hardship unique to the property.

2

Board denies fence variance

Possible Resolves by Nov 30, 2026

Discussed by: No public analysis exists; denial would follow a finding that the hardship is self-created or the variance would alter the neighborhood's character.

The board denies the request, and the fence must comply with the zoning code's front-yard height limit. The applicant could appeal the decision to circuit court.

3

Hearing deferred to a later date

Possible Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Agenda items are regularly deferred, withdrawn, or moved, per the published agenda notice.

The board continues the item to a future hearing, either at the applicant's request or because the board wants more information. The variance remains pending.

Historical Context

One moment from history that rhymes with this story — and how it unfolded.

November 1926

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

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of zoning, ruling that a village could restrict how property was used by district. The decision validated comprehensive zoning ordinances across the country.

Then

Cities and towns gained clear legal authority to regulate land use through zoning.

Now

Zoning became standard practice in American municipalities, including the fence-height rules at issue in Alexandria.

Why this matters now

This case is the legal foundation for why Alexandria can require a variance for a front-yard fence at all.

Sources

(5)
+2
City of Alexandria City of Alexandria Docket City (Alexandria legislative record) City of Alexandria Docket City