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BZA grants party status to neighbors opposing accessory-apartment plan at 3253 P St. NW
Summary
The Board of Zoning Adjustment granted party status to a group of nearby property owners opposing a CBJ Investments LLC application for an accessory apartment and accessory structure at 3253 P Street NW. The decision was procedural only; the underlying application remains scheduled for hearing.
The District of Columbia Board of Zoning Adjustment voted 4–0–1 on July 16 to grant party status to a group of nearby property owners opposing application 21325, a self‑certified request by CBJ Investments LLC to add a second‑story accessory apartment and modify a rear accessory building at 3253 P Street NW.
The board’s vote recognized a group of 10 property owners who authorized Andrea Furster to represent them for the upcoming hearing, which the chair said is scheduled for July 23. “I represent the 10 individuals, property owners who live within 200 feet of the property,” Andrea Furster said when introduced to the record.
The decision grants the neighbors the procedural right to oppose and present evidence at the scheduled hearing; it does not decide the merits of the zoning relief sought. Chairman Fred Hill made the motion to grant party status and noted the board prefers a single point‑person for groups of neighbors during hearings; Vice Chair Carl Blake seconded the motion. The secretary recorded the roll call as Chairman Hill — yes; Vice Chair Blake — yes; Board Member Kershawn Smith — yes; Commissioner Gwen Wright — yes. The board described the vote as 4 to 0 to 1 to grant party status.
Board members also advised the applicant to confirm that the applicant’s self‑certification form properly requests any waiver required under Subtitle U-253 and the related point‑10 waiver pathway ahead of next week’s hearing. Vice Chair Blake said staff should notify the applicant to address whether a waiver was requested in the self‑certification form.
The board closed the procedural action and left the underlying zoning request on the July 23 hearing docket. No substantive hearing or vote on the accessory‑apartment request occurred on July 16.
The board’s action was strictly on standing; any later votes on the application will be taken at the full hearing, where both the applicant and the new party in opposition may present evidence and testimony.
