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BZA approves 31 rooftop antennas at 1015 Half Street to support emergency operations, 4-1
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Summary
The Board of Zoning Adjustment approved a special-exception request allowing 31 roof-mounted antennas at 1015 Half Street SE to upgrade District emergency communications. The Office of Planning supported the application; one board member voted no citing federal view-shed concerns along South Capitol Street.
The Board of Zoning Adjustment on Feb. 12 approved a special-exception request to install 31 roof-mounted antennas on the penthouse of 1015 Half Street SE, a 10-story building, to support the District’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA).
The board voted 4-1-0 to grant relief from the penthouse setback and height requirements for roof-mounted antennas under the Zoning Regulations; board member Kershaw Smith cast the lone opposing vote. Jeff Utz, land-use counsel for HGIT 1015 Half Street LLC, said the array is intended to “augment, modernize, and supplement the existing communications equipment and capabilities of the district to address homeland security and emergency preparedness issues.”
The Office of Planning recommended approval, saying the antennas ‘‘would be barely visible from public space’’ given surrounding building heights. Tony Goodman of DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency described the operational need, saying during large emergency activations the agency can host “up to, 60, 70, 80 agencies that will all be in our space with us as liaisons back to their own agencies.” He said the antennas would help coordinate communications among those many partners.
Architect Karen Miller and counsel Jeff Utz presented site plans, elevations and photo simulations showing the antennas’ locations and minimal visibility from major streets. The application sought relief from Subtitle C §1304.1(a) (setback) and §1304.1(b) (height) and complied with the special-exception criteria in Subtitle C §312 and the general standards in Subtitle X §901, according to the applicant’s filings and OP’s report.
Board discussion noted that the antennas are largely shielded from most public vantage points. Smith said he was uncomfortable approving the project without additional sightlines demonstrating impacts on views along Northbound South Capitol Street; other members said the record and OP’s analysis showed minimal visual effect. The ANC reported support at its duly noticed meeting, and the applicant said the ANC voted in favor although a letter had not been uploaded to the record at hearing time.
Motion and vote: Chairman Fred Hill moved to approve; Vice Chair Lorna John seconded. The staff recorded the vote as 4–1–0 to approve application 21238, with board member Smith opposed.
The board closed the hearing and instructed staff to document the order and conditions required by the special-exception approval.
