The McEnd of McMansions?

One of the more interesting phenomena during the real estate boon years has been buyers purchasing small lots and homes in desirable neighborhoods, only to tear down the older house to replace it with a boundary-busting big dream home. Well, it seems that one of these locales has had enough. Last week, the Alexandria City Council approved an emergency amendment specifically aimed at this practice of building steroid homes on small lots. The legislation, which for now only extends through 2006, limits the height of homes as well as how a lot can be subdivided. In a released statement on the amendment, Alexandria Mayor William Euille stated that the legislation would "address the 'mansionization' that threatens to undermine the harmony of several Alexandria neighborhoods" such as Del Ray and Rosemont (Old Town Alexandria is already protected by historic preservation regulations). Interested parties are closely monitoring the effects of this move ... stay tuned.