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Zoning panel hears Cedar Tree Academy design; waivers granted and final action set for March 27
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Summary
The Zoning Commission heard a design review for Cedar Tree Academy’s proposed new school at 701 Howard Road SE, accepted agency waiver requests tied to late transportation filings, and set a final action date after the applicant files a draft order in March.
Cedar Tree Academy, a public charter school that serves primarily Ward 8 students, presented a design review to the D.C. Zoning Commission on Feb. 20 for a proposed new school at 701 Howard Road SE. The commission accepted waiver requests related to a late comprehensive transportation review and set a final action for March 27, 2025, pending a draft order from the applicant and ANC response.
The applicant, led by Cedar Tree CEO Dr. Latonya Henderson and represented by Eric J. DeBert of Cozen O'Connor, described a multi-story school building with classroom space, a gym, cafeteria and a two-stage construction plan that would keep the existing school operating during construction. "Our mission is to provide an safe learning environment that enhances the emotional and, cognitive growth and development of our students while helping them become independent learners," Dr. Henderson said, noting the school currently enrolls 399 students with 89 full-time staff and is authorized by the DC Public Charter School Board to serve up to 600 students.
Architect Lou Boza and transportation consultant Nicole White reviewed site layout, circulation and materials. The applicant said the new building would be located where the existing playground sits, with the old building demolished after the new school opens and a parking lot installed on the old building footprint. Boza described the exterior materials as phenolic color panels, corrugated metal and an EIFS (exterior insulation and finish system). The applicant also showed roof photovoltaic panels to meet NHR-zone renewable energy requirements and said the design includes a two-story vestibule, gym with direct access to an outdoor play area and 22 classrooms (applicant-provided figures).
On transportation, DDOT recommended approval subject to implementation of the applicant’s Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan and a Performance Monitoring Plan. "DDOT is supportive of the applicant's, design review application for 701 Howard Road Southeast," said Noah Hoggins of the District Department of Transportation, while noting DDOT’s preference for a single two-way curb cut but agreeing the curb configuration can be resolved during the public-space permitting process. The applicant told the commission the circulation loop and pick-up/drop-off design provide queueing for roughly 24 vehicles and a small bus; the performance monitoring plan calls for semester monitoring beginning fall 2027 and for additional monitoring when the school reaches its proposed enrollment cap (applicant cited a cap of 680 students in the presentation materials).
Office of Planning staff told the commission that the proposal satisfies the Northern Howard Road (NHR) design-review criteria and is not inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan, recommending approval of both the design review and a special exception from the NHR residential FAR requirement (the NHR requires a minimum residential FAR of 2.5 that a school use would not meet). "We recommend that the Commission approve the application," said the Office of Planning presenter.
The commission granted the procedural waivers that allowed DDOT and the applicant's revised CTR materials to be entered into the record, with each commissioner who spoke expressing support for including the supplemental submissions in the record. Commissioners asked detailed questions about materials durability, daylighting and window dimensions, landscape and playground area, ADA access and phasing of construction. Multiple commissioners urged the applicant to revisit the landscape treatment—especially screening and planting around the parking area—and to explore ways to increase usable outdoor play space for young children. The applicant agreed to provide a draft zoning order by March 10, 2025; the ANC was given until March 12 to submit any response. The commission placed the case on the public meeting agenda for March 27, 2025, for final action.
Documents in the record include a DDOT report noting the applicant’s revised CTR (Exhibits 16, 18/18A, 23) and an Office of Planning report in support (Exhibit 17). ANC 8A submitted a letter of support (Exhibit 20). The record also contains the applicant’s renderings, a TDM plan with measures such as two preferential parking spaces, $100 smart-trip cards for staff, Capital Bikeshare memberships and partnership intent with GoDCGo, plus the performance monitoring schedule tied to enrollment thresholds.
The hearing closed with the commission thanking the applicant and staff; no final approval of the design was recorded that night. The transcripts and presentation materials remain part of the public record at the Office of Zoning and on the commission’s website.
