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 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 . 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 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> 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> 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
