Board of Architectural Review

Town of Vienna 127 Center Street South Vienna, Virginia 22180 p: 703.255.6341 TTY 7111 Meeting Minutes Board of Architectural Review Thursday, April 20, 2023 7:30 PM Council Chambers- Vienna Town Hall Roll Call The Board of Architectural Review met in a regular session on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 7:30 pm in Town Hall located at 127 Center St S, Vienna, VA 22180. Chair Mr. Baldwin called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. Roll Call: Mr. Layer, Ms. Hanley, Ms. van Doorn, Mr. Cheselka & Mr. Baldwin were all present. Staff present: Planner Sharmaine Abaied and Board Clerk Yaska Camacho Castillo. Approval of Minutes The March 16, 2023, meeting minutes were accepted into the record as submitted. Regular Business Town of Vienna Page 1 Printed on 5/23/2023 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes April 20, 2023 BAR23-390 Courthouse Cottages -117 Courthouse Rd SW - Exterior Modification Item No 1: Request for approval of revisions to exterior modifications for new construction, 12 duplex units & clubhouse, for the Courthouse Cottages development, located at 117 Courthouse Rd SW., Docket No. PF-652604-BAR, in the RM-2 Multi-Family Low-Density zoning district, filed by Jordan Rice, project contact. Applicant Present: Jordan Rice- 112 Pleasant St NW. Ms. Hanley recused herself from this item. Ms. Rice reviewed the exterior modification revisions that included the garage doors, clubhouse, railings, retaining wall, landscaping, steps, side elevation, and elevation A. After explaining all the proposed revisions, the board members made comments and asked questions. Mr. Layer was in favor of the color change on the garage doors. He stated that since the doors are prefinished, they will be better for longevity. Ms. Rice noted that they wouldn’t need any maintenance. Mr. Layer asked about the windows in the clubhouse. He wondered why the centered window was the only one that did not have to be replaced with a shutter. Ms. Rice responded that she is under the impression that there is a limit to the amount of the perimeter of the building that can have openings. The discussion continued. Ms. van Doorn asked if the term metal for the railings meant powder-coated aluminum or steel. Ms. Rice stated that the side door rails are metal and noted that the ones for the balconies are aluminum (Trex Signature in black). The discussion on the railings continued. Ms. van Doorn then asked why the change from brick-facing to stamped concrete. Ms. Rice stated a few reasons: structural integrity was becoming a challenge with the brick. She also noted that the change would be consistent with what is already in the community, and the retaining wall would be behind dozens of trees. The goal is that the wall will never be seen as the trees grow wide and grow up. Ms. van Doorn asked if there was any input from the neighbors who would see the wall. Ms. Rice replied that they wouldn’t see the wall because a fence (white vinyl privacy fence) would be placed, and they have also planted trees on the neighbor’s property at no cost to them. Mr. Baldwin inquired about the side door stairs. He asked if it would be Trex in the Spiced Rum. Ms. Rice said yes and stated that they would be built out of pressure-treated lumber and that the face would be a white riser. Mr. Baldwin asked what it would be comprised of, and Ms. Rice said from a composite material like PVC. There was a discussion on the landscaping, retaining wall, and railings. After the brief discussion a motion was in order. Mr. Layer made a motion to approve the request for approval of revisions to exterior modifications for new construction, 12 duplex units & clubhouse, for the Courthouse Cottages development, located at 117 Courthouse Rd SW., Docket No. PF-652604-BAR, with the following stipulation: • That the rails that may be needed per grading finalization be the same as the Trex rails that are on the balconies. Motion: Mr. Layer Second: Ms. van Doorn Ayes 4 Town of Vienna Page 2 Printed on 5/23/2023 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes April 20, 2023 Nays 0 One recuse – Ms. Hanley Motion Carried Town of Vienna Page 3 Printed on 5/23/2023 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes April 20, 2023 BAR23-391 Council Square Townhouse - 516 Council Ct NE - Exterior Modifications Item No. 2: Request approval for exterior modifications at 516 Council Ct NE., Docket No. PF-986424-BAR, in the RTH Townhouse zoning district; filed by Tamara Razin, Property Owner. Applicants Present: Deborah Byrd – Council Square Homeowners Association, Tamara Razin Homeowner & Scott Byrd. Ms. Byrd stated that they are requesting consideration for using ecologically friendly architectural shakes instead of cedar shakes. She said that when the townhouse development was built, the first stage was built with cedar shakes on all 19 units. She noted that the founding documents for the construction dictated that any change to the roof material would have to be cedar shakes. Ms. Byrd explained that the cost of cedar had increased tremendously, and the quality of the material was different from before. Therefore, they decided to go with Davinci, which is still expensive but costs about $5,000 - $10,000 less than the cedar shakes. Ms. Tamara Razin (homeowner) stated that she paid $8,000 for her roof ten years ago and recently got a quote of $20,000 for her garage. The prices have increased in the past ten years. Mr. Byrd stated that it is not only the issue of the quality of the old growth versus the newer growth from the source for the cedar stakes but also the suppliers decreasing from five to six in North America to only two in Canada. He briefly discussed the quality of products from different manufacturers like Davinci and Costar. Mr. Cheselka asked if the materials were recycled, to which Mr. Byrd replied that they were. Ms. van Doorn asked if this request was for one homeowner or the entire complex. Ms. Byrd replied that, at the moment, the request is for one homeowner. Ms. van Doorn wondered which manufacturer and color they were moving forward with from the four options they provided. Ms. Byrd stated that they had chosen Davinci for this particular application and had no preference for the color. They are ok with any of the four colors listed on the application. The board reviewed and discussed the palette colored submitted. The board suggested a master roof plan with the approved pallets to maintain consistency. The board discussed. Mr. Layer recommended having a fundamental understanding of roof fading. He suggested asking for proof of warranty from whichever manufacturer they decide to proceed with to ensure quality and durability. There was a conversation about how much the roof was visible from the street. Ms. Byrd stated that you would have to be far away to see the tops of the houses. The only thing that you could see were the external garages. Mr. Cheselka made a motion to approve the request for exterior modifications at 516 Council Ct NE., Docket No. PF-986424-BAR, in the RTH Townhouse zoning district with the following stipulation: • Material be the Davinci H Cedar tiles. Motion: Mr. Cheselka Second: Ms. Hanley Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion Carried Town of Vienna Page 4 Printed on 5/23/2023 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes April 20, 2023 BAR23-392 Windover Square- 203 Maple Ave W (106 Lawyers Rd NW-Legal Address) - Exterior Modifications Item No 3: Request for approval of exterior modifications at 203 Maple Ave W (106 Lawyers Rd NW- Legal Address), Docket No. PF-986104-BAR, in the C-2 General Commercial zoning district; filed by Carole Wolfand, Vienna Crossroads Co., LLC., Property Owner. Applicant Present: Carole Wolfand – 203 Maple Ave W Ms. Wolfand stated that over the years, Vienna has changed, and they have not met their obligation to maintain the look of the building. The proposed changes to the building include color changes and the addition of some aesthetic design to make the building look more up-to-date. Ms. Wolfand stated that the pictures provided to the board do not portray the actual change of colors. Mr. Layer indicated that it would be difficult to vote if the colors were not true. There was a discussion on the color palette. After reviewing what was provided and what was being proposed, the applicant stated it would be better to defer the application and return to the Board of Architectural Review at a later date with corrections to the application. Ms. van Doorn made a motion to defer the request for approval of exterior modifications at 203 Maple Ave W (106 Lawyers Rd NW- Legal Address), Docket No. PF-986104-BAR. Motion: Ms. van Doorn Second: Mr. Cheselka Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion Carried Town of Vienna Page 5 Printed on 5/23/2023 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes April 20, 2023 BAR23-393 Townhouse - 911 Moorefield Hill Grove SW- Exterior Modification Item No. 4: Request for approval of exterior modifications at 911 Moorefield Hill Grove SW., Docket No. PF-983526-BAR, in the RTH, Townhouse zoning district; filed by Jacob Greenspun of Steadfast Construction, Inc., Project Contact. Applicant Present: Jacob Greenspun – 111 Berry St SE #103 Mr. Greenspun stated that they are generally applying for a deck; however, the request is to replace an existing window with a standard 36-inch by 80-inch door. Ms. Hanley asked the staff why the deck did not come before the board if the deck was part of the structure. Ms. Abaied responded that the code states that decks are not included in the Board of Architectural Review regarding townhomes and RM2 RTH. The board discussed. Mr. Cheselka asked what part of the house the door would lead you to, and Mr. Greenspun replied to the living room. Ms. van Doorn asked if the homeowner’s association would require approval of the deck, to which the applicant responded yes. Ms. Hanley inquired about the outside light that is required. She wondered why it was not part of the application as well. The applicant stated that the light would go before the homeowner’s association. Mr. Baldwin asked if the HOA had approved the exterior modification. Mr. Greenspun replied that the homeowner’s association meeting is scheduled for May 8th. Ms. van Doorn made a motion to approve the request for exterior modifications at 911 Moorefield Hill Grove SW., Docket No. PF-983526-BAR, in the RTH, Townhouse zoning district, with the provisions: • Once the light is determined, the applicant returns to the board for approval. • Pending the approval of the HOA. Motion: Ms. van Doorn Second: Mr. Layer Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion Carried Town of Vienna Page 6 Printed on 5/23/2023 Board of Architectural Review Meeting Minutes April 20, 2023 BAR23-394 Dukas Properties - 527 Maple Ave E - Pylon Sign Item No 5: Request for approval of a new pylon sign in a new setting located at 527 Maple Ave E., PF-984587-BAR, in the C-1 Local Commercial zoning district; filed by Gary Brent of MG Permits, LLC., Project Contact. Applicant Present: Gary Brent – 19187 Foggy Bottom Rd, Bluemont VA 20135 Mr. Brent stated that the sign is fabricated aluminum, internally illuminated with acrylic faces. Each tenant has a tenant slot. There will be an aluminum divider between them. The support for the sign is a steel pole concrete footing with aluminum skirting. The sign measures 36 sq ft, the kelvin level is 3500, and the lumen level is 150. There was a brief discussion on colors. All board members were pleased with the sign. Ms. van Doorn made a motion to approve a new pylon sign in a new setting located at 527 Maple Ave E., PF-984587-BAR, in the C-1 Local Commercial zoning district. Motion: Ms. van Doorn Second: Ms. Hanley Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion Carried The board discussed the following: • Future work sessions • BAR Conditional Use Permit Process Meeting Adjournment Mr. Cheselka made a motion to adjourn the meeting, and Mr. Layer seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 9: 38 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Yaska Camacho Castillo Board Clerk THE TOWN OF VIENNA IS COMMITTED TO FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STANDARDS. TRANSLATION SERVICES, ASSISTANCE OR ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS FROM PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE TO BE REQUESTED NOT LESS THAN 3 WORKING DAYS BEFORE THE DAY OF THE EVENT. PLEASE CALL (703) 255-6304, OR 711 VIRGINIA RELAY SERVICE FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED. Town of Vienna Page 7 Printed on 5/23/2023