BZA approves conversion and third‑floor addition at 2710 Sherman Ave. NW; nearby resident voices sunlight concerns

The Board of Zoning Adjustment voted 4–0–1 on April 9 to grant Application 21256, approving a third‑floor addition, a three‑story rear addition and conversion of an existing two‑story semi‑detached dwelling to a three‑unit apartment house at 2710 Sherman Ave. NW in the RF‑1 zone.

Project architect Luke Daley (Stills Architecture) told the board the project meets all zoning bulk regulations except for the 10‑foot rule governing how far a rear wall may extend beyond an adjacent building; the applicant requested an additional nine feet beyond that rule. He also said the lot had the land area (3,000 sq. ft.) needed for three units. Karen Thomas of the Office of Planning recommended approval, saying the project would meet the intent of the zoning and that shadow studies showed limited additional shading compared with a matter‑of‑right build.

A nearby resident, Erwan Belpal of 2709 Sherman Ave., testified in opposition and said the proposed third floor would reduce afternoon and evening sunlight for several rooms in his home and other houses across the street. “This addition would take away not just from us, but from at least 3, possibly all 6 of the adjacent row houses across the street,” Belpal said. He asked the board to consider eliminating the third story or otherwise reducing the massing to preserve sunlight and neighborhood scale.

Board members reviewed OP’s shadow studies and noted Sherman Avenue is a wide right‑of‑way; they said the study did not show undue impacts to the homes across the street. Chairman Fred Hill said he was persuaded by OP’s analysis and by the evidence that the proposal met the special‑exception standards. Vice Chair Blake and other board members agreed and recorded votes in favor. The board directed staff to prepare an order consistent with OP’s report and the board’s findings.