The committe heard a presentation on one of the proposed zoning ordinance changes pending Board approval, an option to allow occupancy of a dwelling unit by two unrelated adults, with their dependent children.
As the full council was not planning to meet during July and August the committee voted to support the Fairfax County Federation of Civic Association's Executive Board request that the Supervisors' hearing be postponed until October.
The Committee itself agrees with the concept of the proposed change, as filling a definite need. However, since it is an change that will affect almost every home owners' association, the committee believes it is important to allow time to those who wish to study the change and take a position, which the requested postponement will allow.
The Committee was concerned in the matter of the need for practical means of enforcement of the existing ordinance provisions, as well as the proposed change. Almost all of the communities represented on the Committee can cite instances where the current ordinance has been abused. The chief problems have been the workload for Zoning Enforcement and the lack of authority of Zoning inspectors to challenge the statements of a home owner as to family relationships. The committee understands that Staff positions have been added, so perhaps the second problem is the only one that is current. The Committee recommends that consideration be given to adding ordinance language that would require homeowners claiming status under one of the provisions to provide documented proof when complaints are received by the County.
The committee requested that a letter be sent to Supervisor Frey outlining their position.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey M. Parnes
Chair, Sully District Council
Land Use and Transportation Committee
21 July 1994
Supervisor Michael Frey
Sully District
Fort Hill Center
5900 Centreville Road
Centreville, Virginia 22020
Dear Supervisor Frey:
As you know, one of the proposed zoning ordinance changes pending Board approval is an option to allow occupancy of a dwelling unit by two unrelated adults, with their dependent children.
The Sully District Council has not had a chance to develop a position on this ordinance change, nor will it before the Board hearing scheduled originally scheduled for August 8th. The full Council will not be meeting in July due to the absence of many members. For this reason, the Council's Zoning/ Land Use and Transportation Committee voted to support the Fairfax County Federation of Civic Association's Executive Board request that the Supervisors' hearing be postponed until October. We understand that the hearing will be postponed.
The Committee itself agrees with the concept of the proposed change, as filling a definite need. However, since it is an change that will affect almost every home owners' association, it is important to allow time to those who wish to study the change and take a position, which the postponement will allow.
There was a major point of concern expressed by the Committee which I believe will be supported by the full Council. This is the matter of the need for practical means of enforcement of the existing ordinance provisions, as well as the proposed change. Almost all of the communities represented on the Committee can cite instances where the current ordinance has been abused. The chief problems have been the workload for Zoning Enforcement and the lack of authority of Zoning inspectors to challenge the statements of a home owner as to family relationships. We understand that Staff positions have been added, so perhaps the second problem is the only one that is current. The Committee recommends that consideration be given to adding ordinance language that would require homeowners claiming status under one of the provisions to provide documented proof when complaints are received by the County.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey M. Parnes
Chair, Sully District Council
Land Use and Transportation Committee