BZA approves 600‑sq‑ft accessory dwelling unit at 1330 Kalmia Rd NW with limited fenestration flexibility

The Board of Zoning Adjustment approved application 21283 to permit a 600‑square‑foot, single‑story accessory building to be used as an accessory dwelling unit at 1330 Kalmia Road NW. The relief was granted as a special exception from Subtitle D §5003.1 to exceed the 450‑square‑foot maximum footprint for accessory buildings in the R‑1‑B zone.

Attorney Elizabeth Rogers, representing property owners Sarah Riley and Trevor Keck, told the board the unit is being designed as a single‑story dwelling for aging parents and in‑laws to allow “aging in place” without interior stairs. Rogers described the accessory building layout as a modest one‑bedroom unit with a kitchen/living area and one bathroom; the design follows the neighborhood’s Tudor cottage character and includes shadow studies the applicants said show minimal additional shading compared with a 450‑sq‑ft alternative.

Neighbors and ANC representatives participated in the hearing; ANC 4A submitted a recommendation in support (Exhibit 19) and the applicant provided letters of support from immediately adjacent neighbors (Exhibits 16 and 21). Board members focused on fenestration and privacy for the eastern‑facing elevation. The applicant added a set of eastern‑facing options — clerestory/transom windows, a skylight for bedroom daylighting, and a small window above the kitchen sink — and asked the board for limited flexibility to either include or omit those openings at building permit stage.

Chairman Fred Hill said he would allow flexibility to keep or remove any of the three skylights/transoms and the sink window on the eastern side but required that, if the sink window were kept, the fence between the two properties must be maintained to preserve privacy. Vice Chair Blake and Commissioner Stidham gave weight to OP’s recommendation and ANC support and voted to approve. The secretary recorded the vote as 3–0–2 to approve application 21283.