Homeowner Rights in Arlington County
On July 19, 2008, the Arlington County Board approved (agenda item 47) a zoning ordinance amendment that allows “accessory dwellings in single-family homes and non-relatives to live in family/caregiver suites in single-family homes.” In addition, the Board limited the number of such dwellings to 28 per year. More information about such dwelling units is available at the county’s Planning Division website.
This week’s edition of the Arlington Sun Gazette will includes a letter to the editor in which the writer says that “(a)pparently, the accessory-dwelling-unit fiasco now infringes upon all single-family owners by restricting their, heretofore, right to these three basic features offered in Arlington homes since 1950.” The three components are “a full bath (tub or shower), an outside entrance, and a bar sink” and possibly microwaves. The letter-writer also points out:
“Sadly, common sense has given way to draconian political manipulation. When you politicize such basic features with poorly conceived accessory-dwelling guidelines, you will find the Arlington County government judging both the design and features you can have in your basement. In blunt term, don’t design and plan your house without involving Arlington County employees.
“The political assumption that everyone who has a particular basement design is guilty of something illegal is insulting. Unbelievably, the county government has begun moving against existing homeowners, demanding that their basements be modified to their imposed but unadvertised and unknown guidelines. In other words, your own existing home may not be grandfathered and guaranteed, even if constructed 20 years ago.
“These heavy-handed tactics taken against Arlington County homeowners are an insult against all of us and a blatant intrusion into the life of every residents. It shows our elected officials have lost touch with the people, and a “yes-man” county manager too eager to please the board.”
Don’t you just like how Arlington County taxpayers are treated? Stay tuned; we’re sure next week’s Sun Gazette will include a rebuttal by the Manager or County Board.