I will hold a Single Member District meeting for residents of 5B05 on Wednesday, January 19, at 6:30pm. We will discuss the following items:
BZA Case 20648 / 824 Taylor St NE: A zoning special exception request for 824 Taylor Street NE (located in Single Member District 5A03, across the boundary line with 5B05). Please see below for details.
DDOT Proposed Alley Changes: A proposal by DDOT to amend the use of the alleys behind Shining Stars Montessori Academy. This proposal may be of particular interest to residents of the 1200 block of Randolph Street NE, the 1200 block of Michigan Avenue, and the 4000-4100 blocks of 13th Street NE. Please see below for details.
We will also discuss any other matters residents might wish to bring up.
How to Join the Meeting
On a Computer
Click here: Zoom meeting link
Meeting ID: 883 1668 3545
Passcode: 792200
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+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 883 1668 3545
Passcode: 792200
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Click on this link from your phone to dial into the meeting automatically, without having to enter the phone number and passcode: +13017158592,,88316683545#,,,,*792200#
Zoning Case: Special exception request for 824 Taylor Street NE (BZA Case No. 20648)
824 Taylor Street NE is a property located on the north side of Taylor Street, in SMD 5A03. Although it is not located in ANC 5B, the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) is required to give “great weight” to affected ANCs. It must also consider the views of residents residing within 200’ of the property, including those who live across the street from this property in SMD 5B05. Accordingly, I have invited the developer to present on the project to 5B05 residents. (Commissioner Singer Lucio of 5A03 will hold a separate meeting with her constituents.)
The builder proposes to modify the existing four-unit building to add four new units. The new construction would be in conformity with existing requirements for building height, lot occupancy, side and rear yard space, parking, and other zoning requirements.
However, under D.C. law, any new multifamily development in an RA-1 zone must obtain a ”special exception” from the BZA before it can be approved.
When deciding whether to approve a “special exception” request, the BZA will consider whether the property will be in harmony with the purpose and intent of the zoning regulations and maps and/or adversely affect the use of neighboring property.
Residents can view images of the existing structure and proposed development, as well as the developer’s application, below. Supporting documents are available here.
Aerial view of existing property.
Rendering of proposed development.
DDOT Proposed Alley Changes
Prior to the start of the 2021-22 school year, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) issued COVID-19 health and safety guidance to schools. In that guidance, it recommended that schools try to keep student/teacher cohorts separate during arrival and dismissal by:
staggering arrival and departure times;
utilizing multiple points of entry/exit; and/or
creating clear space delineations for students to line up to enter/exit the school.
Pursuant to these suggestions, Shining Stars Montessori Academy (SSMA) designated the school doors facing the alley behind the school as the drop-off/pick up location for its younger students. The vehicular traffic associated with the use of the alley for school drop-off/pick-ups has created some challenges for residents seeking to leave and return to their homes.
To address these concerns, DDOT has proposed to amend the traffic flow of the alley that runs parallel to the 1200 block of Randolph Street, as well as the alley that runs parallel to the 1200 block of Michigan Avenue, in order to accommodate school drop-off and pick-up traffic for SSMA.
Specifically, DDOT proposes to restrict alley access in both alleys between the hours of 8-9am and 2:30-4pm Monday through Friday. The east-west alley that runs parallel to Randolph Street would be one-way eastbound during those timeframes. The alley that runs parallel to Michigan Avenue would be one-way southbound during those times.
Alternative Options: DDOT considered two other alternatives (shown below) prior to proposing the option above. The first was to maintain the status quo: allowing drop-off/pick-up to continue in the alley without traffic restrictions. The second was to allow the west side of 13th Street to be used for school drop-off and pick-up instead of the alley.
Alternative 1 (Status Quo): Allow the alley to continue to be used for drop-off and pick-up without any traffic restrictions. This would allow vehicles to travel in either alley in both directions, space permitting.
Alternative 2 (13th Street): Another option DDOT considered was to allow SSMA to use west side of 13th Street, between Randolph and Shepherd Streets, as a drop-off/pick-up zone for students instead of the alley. This option would restrict parking on 13th Street from 7-9am and 3-5pm on school days.