Craig, the constant line of developers is that they shouldn’t have tot provide
parking because 20-somethings and 30-somethings don’t buy cars anymore. Often,
that just isn’t so. And people who can afford to rent in that overpriced
building can also afford to buy cars. So then they need to park on our
streets. It’s easier for you and me because we have parking places – a little
harder for our neighbors on the other side of Lanier who don’t, and for our
neighbors who have two cars but only one parking place
Now, that building is having trouble filling their apartments because they
created crappy apartments (Nancy and I both went in to look, and the places are
crap – superficially nice, but with cheap materials that won’t last – not
nearly as nice as the AdMo, for example, or the Ontario 17), and few building
amenities). I see no need to help them just because they planned their
construction badly
From: lanierheights-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <lanierheights-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
On Behalf Of Craig Karp
Sent: Tuesday, June 2, 2020 11:21 AM
To: lanierheights@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; lanierheights@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [lanierheights] Re: 1767-1777 Columbia Rd NW
I think they should get the zoning relief, the space will look better with the
addition proposed, and the new folks probably wont have cars anyway. Apartment
development is what we want in this neighborhood to take pressure off the
single family houses.
Craig
In a message dated 6/1/2020 9:55:36 PM Eastern Standard Time,
suzanne.p.allan@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:suzanne.p.allan@xxxxxxxxx> writes:
Meg,
I have sent an email as advised.
Suzanne
On Mon, Jun 1, 2020 at 2:55 PM Meg Staines
<meglh032218@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:meglh032218@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Below is the response from DCOZ BZA's Robert Reid. They won't commit at this
time to postpone the hearing, but if enough people tell them that they were not
properly notified, then it sounds like they may postpone to give us a little
time to respond to the requested zoning relief. I think a real simple short
email to bzasubmissions@xxxxxx<mailto:bzasubmissions@xxxxxx> re: Case # 20244
saying you weren't notified (by tomorrow morning) is all you need to do. So
anyone who has a few minutes to do this, please do. Not a single person has
told me that they got the 2/13/20 letter, so this is a very legitimate request.
On the surface, not having a commercial-sized garage across the alley from my
house sounds like it may be better (for me), but I don't know the details; need
time to consider.
Thanks,
Meg
Good afternoon Ms. Staines,
Thank you for your communication regarding BZA Application No. 20244. The
concerns you have raised have been forwarded to the Director. Additionally, if
you wish to participate in the Virtual Public Hearing on Wednesday, you may
sign up to testify via the link below;
https://app.dcoz.dc.gov/Kiosk/Kiosk.aspx
It is also recommended that you submit written comments in either opposition or
support to bzasubmissions@xxxxxx<mailto:bzasubmissions@xxxxxx> . Per Subtitle
Y-504.3 of the Municipal Zoning Regulations, while “a technical defect in the
notice of public hearing shall not deprive the Board of jurisdiction over the
case…the Board may determine whether to postpone, continue or hold the public
hearing as scheduled”. In your written comments to the Board, please be sure to
address it to the attention of Frederick Hill, Chairman, Board of Zoning
Adjustment, and include the BZA Application No. 20244. Any written comments
must be sent to bzasubmisssions@xxxxxx<mailto:bzasubmisssions@xxxxxx> not less
than 24 hours before the date of hearing.
Please let me know if I can assist you further.
On Mon, Jun 1, 2020 at 1:21 PM Japer Bowles
<japerbowles@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:japerbowles@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Hello neighbors!
This is an application from the AdMo Heights development.
BZA claims to have notified residents within 200 feet 2/13/2020. Our chair,
Amir Irani was also notified to the application and the ANC notified the
commission and considered it in March,
5-0<https://app.dcoz.dc.gov/Content/Search/Download.aspx?exhibitid=198727>. The
most updated notice on how to participate in the BZA hearing to neighbors came
out on 5/22/2020, so it should be in your possession.
They are beginning to start phase
2<https://app.dcoz.dc.gov/Content/Search/Download.aspx?exhibitid=193001> (early
2021 if COVID-19 doesn't further postpone) and are seeking permission from BZA
to limit construction to just a new building; i.e. they are asking for a
special exception under Subtitle C § 703.2, from the minimum parking
requirements. This
memo<https://app.dcoz.dc.gov/Content/Search/Download.aspx?exhibitid=199416>
from DCOP does a good job explaining the specifics of the relief.
I agreed to the exemption for a few reasons:
1. Neighbors I spoke to on Lanier had concerns with additional traffic in the
ally (something I personally experienced when living on Lanier)
2. Less construction typically means less disruption on neighbors and smaller
environmental concerns
3. Tenants in the current AdMo Heights building don't use the parking garage;
of 31 spots, 10-13 are consistently contracted by tenants; and relief is for 18
total spots
4. Developers shouldn't be encouraging tenants to have vehicles and cause
traffic in our neighborhood, especially in our highly walk-able neighborhood
I am happy to chat with any neighbors about any additional concerns about this
project or anything else on your mind!
Hope everyone is staying safe and continuing to wear a mask in public!
Best regards,
Japer
On Mon, Jun 1, 2020 at 11:37 AM Meg Staines
<meglh032218@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:meglh032218@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Did anyone on my block of Lanier (I'm 1768) receive the attached letter from
BZA? I never received it, then received a letter in late May saying that the
hearing was postponed (and now virtual of course) to Wed June 2, and when I
talked to DCOZ they told me they had sent the attached letter. Did anyone else
receive it? Didn't these folks flood out the basements around ~1790 Lanier with
the first building?
Thanks,
Meg Staines
