Still No Word on Reason Behind Murphy, Taylor Resignations

Details from resignation letters of Board of Zoning Appeals Chair John Murphy and fellow board member Kent Taylor have not been released.

Susan Finarelli, spokeswoman for the City of Falls Church said those details won’t be released to the public, either.

"We regret the resignations of BZA members John Murphy and Kent Taylor and we thank them for their years of service,” Finarelli said in a statement. “City board and commission members are considered to be personnel under Virginia law, and it is city policy to not comment on personnel matters."

Finarelli confirmed the two resignations Thursday morning. Phone messages left for Murphy and Taylor were not immediately returned Thursday. Board Vice Chair Howard Stoodley said the resignations were unwarranted. The BZA must now replace two of the five seats on the board.

According to the city, Murphy was appointed to the BZA as an alternate in February in 2006 and appointed full time in November 2006. Taylor was appointed as an alternate to the BZA in December of 2007 and was appointed full time in November 2009, according to the city.