Board approves construction of single‑family home on historic alley lot; neighbors and Edgewood nonprofit object

The Board of Zoning Adjustment voted to approve application No. 21288 on June 25 to allow a new two‑story detached single‑family home on an alley lot at 321 Rear Channing Street NE after the Office of Planning recommended approval and ANC 5F submitted a letter of support.

The applicant’s counsel, Alex Wilson of Sullivan & Barros, told the board the alley lot was created in 1931, is similar in size to the street‑facing lots and will be used by owner Shilja Nair as a principal residence; Wilson said the Office of Planning recommended approval and both DDOT and FEMS had no objections. “OP recommends approval,” Wilson said, and noted the applicant will create an easement through an adjacent street‑facing lot to provide additional assurance of emergency access.

Why it matters: the application sought special‑exception relief under Subtitle X §901.2 and Subtitle U §601.1(f) because the alley narrows below the 15‑foot width required for by‑right alley‑lot development. The board must weigh public‑safety access, neighborhood character and agency responses when approving alley‑lot homes.

Opponents, including Paige Lieberman and Jessica Sarstedt of Edgewood Alley Green, testified that the parcel and adjacent lots function as a shared neighborhood green, were restored by residents since 2020, and contribute to cooling, stormwater mitigation and crime reduction. Lieberman said community volunteers had invested “significant financial resources and time to form Edgewood Alley Green” and warned that additional structures would “drastically alter the character of this green space.” Sarstedt cited tree canopy and heat‑island data and argued the proposed home would not provide affordable housing and would remove valuable green space.

Board members acknowledged community concerns but emphasized private property rights and the record of agency support. Chairman Fred Hill said the applicant owned the lot and met the special‑exception criteria supported by the Office of Planning and ANC 5F. Board Member Kershawn Smith noted the agencies typically concerned with alley construction had no objections and that ANC 5F supported the application.

The board motion to approve was made by Chairman Hill and seconded by Vice Chair Carl Blake. The board recorded a 4‑0‑1 vote in favor (Chairman Hill, Vice Chair Blake, Board Member Kershawn Smith and Dr. Joe Imamura voting yes). The board noted the applicant’s plan exceeds pervious‑surface requirements, meets setbacks and proposes an easement for egress; parking will be satisfied using a separately owned lot to the south and a parking agreement at permitting if required.

What’s next: the applicant may proceed with permitting and must follow any conditions in the Office of Planning report and permitting requirements related to parking documentation and emergency access.