Slaying Monster Homes.

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Author: Pakonis, Kristen

VIRGINIA

Is bigger better? Not when it comes to the encroachment of "McMansions," or oversize, mass-produced suburban houses. Last November, after two years of lobbying by the Sierra Club's Mount Vernon Group, the Arlington County Board adopted northern Virginia's toughest size restrictions on new single-family homes and renovations. Depending on lot size, a house, garage, and driveway can now occupy only 25 to 45 percent of the property, down from the previous limit of 56 percent for the residence alone. The limits will leave more room for shade trees, which lessen air-conditioning needs, improve air quality, and reduce polluting stormwater runoff. Rob Swennes, secretary of the Mount Vemon Group, hopes other communities will "use the Arlington victory as a model." So far, the nearby city of Alexandria and neighboring Fairfax County are studying the issue. For more information, go to www.arlingtonva.us/lotcoverage.

A modern colonial in Arlington, Virginia, towers over its neighbors.

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By Kristen Pakonis