Zoning commissioners hear contested transportation review for Wesley Seminary campus plan; DDOT recommends conditions

The Zoning Commission held a continuation hearing on the Wesley Theological Seminary campus plan focused solely on the project’s comprehensive transportation review (CTR). Applicant consultant Daniel Solomon of Grove Slade summarized the CTR updates and the project’s transportation demand management (TDM) and performance monitoring plan (PMP). Erkin Osberg, development review program manager for the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), told the commission DDOT “is supportive of the applicant's proposal in our 05/01/2025 supplemental report.” Opponents including Tom Smith and Blaine Carter of neighborhood organizations urged the commission to require a new, campus‑wide CTR with current parking and trip data. Chair Anthony Hood closed the record except for a limited submission and set the case for the commission’s consideration on July 31 at 4:00 p.m.

The hearing mattered because the CTR and its mitigation commitments determine whether the campus plan meets Subtitle X standards for not creating conditions “objectionable to neighboring property” because of traffic or parking. Neighborhood representatives argued the record before the commission lacks current, campus‑wide data on commuter students and on parking utilization; the applicant and DDOT said the revised CTR, updated access plan and the TDM/PMP commitments address DDOT standards and local concerns.

Solomon told commissioners the transportation analysis shows no net increase in campus population relative to prior approvals once earlier and newer counting methods are reconciled. “As shown here, there is no effective change in the number of students or staff under the proposed campus…