BZA approves expansion of home child development program from 9 to 12 children; neighbors and parents voice support

The District of Columbia Board of Zoning Adjustment on Sept. 10 approved application No. 21327 to expand an existing child development home at 4433 19th Place NE from nine to 12 children and to permit associated operations that include limited outside activity areas. The board voted 3–0–2 to approve the special exception after hearing testimony from the operator, Office of Planning staff and a sizable group of neighbors and parents who urged approval.

The applicant, Mulorka Kenya, told the board the program serves working families, provides nontraditional hours for hospital and emergency services workers, and has a waiting list that motivated the request. “We need to extend our day care for 9 to 12,” Kenya said during the hearing, describing the family‑run program’s services and accreditation efforts. Multiple neighbors and parents testified in support; Camilla Williams, a working parent, told the board: “I am here to express my strong support for the proposal to extend day care hours for families like mine who work nontraditional and extended schedules.”

Office of Planning staff recommended approval and confirmed the application met the development and operational standards for an expanded child development home under Subtitle U. DDOT reported no objection and the applicant submitted supplemental materials including a site plan and a requested waiver for certain outdoor equipment/operations, which OP said it could address. ANC 5B submitted a letter of support and several neighbors also filed letters supporting the expansion.

Board action and reasoning: Vice Chair Carl Blake moved to approve application 21327, citing OP’s analysis that the proposal would not cause undue adverse impacts to neighboring properties—OP had reviewed square‑foot and indoor/outdoor spacing requirements, circulation and parking arrangements and concluded the facility met the 35 square‑feet‑per‑child standard. Board member Krishawn Smith seconded the motion. Staff recorded the vote as 3–0–2 in favor with Chairman Hill not participating. The board also noted the operator’s existing operations (including driveway and alley pick‑up procedures and an on‑site outdoor play area) and attached standard conditions used for child development home approvals.

Community context: Multiple parents and local child‑care operators spoke in favor during public testimony, describing the program as culturally responsive, serving low‑income families and providing nontraditional hours for essential workers. The board acknowledged the broad community support and OP and DDOT’s lack of objection in announcing its decision.

What stays in the record: The board allowed the applicant to file small clarifying exhibits and confirmed the outdoor operation waiver (subtitle U §251.3(f)) that was requested would be considered and that OP and the ZA would coordinate any final language in the order. No party sought to reopen or remand the decision at the hearing.