Update on Sycamore Structure
May 2003

Developments continue to unfold in the case of the controversial structure on the corner of Sycamore and 27th Street:

• In November 2001, the BZA turned down the owner's request for an additional variance. See Materials on November 2001 BZA Meeting.
• In May 2002, the owner of the structure signed a Settlement modifying the decision that the Board of Zoning Appeals had made on 14 November 2001. In the Settlement, which was between the owner and the Arlington County Board of Zoning Appeals, the owner agreed to landscape the front yard and to free it of construction materials and debris within six month.
• The owner failed to meet the terms of that settlement. As a result, the Arlington County Zoning Office sent the owner a letter stating he must bring his house into compliance with the Board of Zoning Appeals decision of February 1999. The owner then appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals, claiming he had met the conditions.
• The Board of Zoning Appeals met on 12 February to consider the owner's appeal. Prior to the hearing, the Williamsburg Civic Association, as well as many neighbors wrote and called the Board, requesting that it turn down the owner's appeal. At the meeting, nine neighbors spoke, requesting that the appeal be denied. The Board denied the appeal. See 7 February 2003 WCA Letter to BZA
• The owner then appealed to the Circuit Court. Williamsburg Civic Association wrote a letter to County officials urging denial of this appeal. A hearing will be scheduled before a Circuit Court judge, who will make a decision. That hearing is open and citizens can attend, but will not get a chance to testify. If the judge denies the appeal, the owner must bring his structure into compliance with the 1999 variance or appeal to the State Supreme Court. See 7 April 2003 WCA Letter to County Officials
  

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