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BZA approves time extension, nonprofit use and several variances; dismisses rehearing motion amid appeal
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Summary
The District of Columbia Board of Zoning Adjustment on Oct. 22, 2025 dismissed a motion for reconsideration in a case now on appeal and approved time extensions and multiple special-exception and variance requests, voting largely along a 3–0–2 roll-call pattern.
The District of Columbia Board of Zoning Adjustment on Oct. 22, 2025 took a string of procedural and final votes, dismissing a motion for reconsideration in a case that is the subject of a pending appeal and approving time extensions, special exceptions and area variances for several applicants.
Why it matters: The approvals keep projects moving in the city while the board and Office of Planning (OP) weigh competing neighborhood concerns on conversions and additions. The dismissal of the motion for reconsideration halted further consideration while the Court of Appeals reviews the order.
Key votes and outcomes - Motion to dismiss motion for reconsideration in application 21157A (34280 Street NW): Motion to dismiss made by Chairman Fred Hill and seconded by Chairman Anthony Hood. Staff recorded the vote as 3–0–2 to dismiss the motion for reconsideration. The board said the earlier order is under appeal and the board may not act while an appeal is pending.
- Time extension for application 20943A (1207 H Street NE): Motion to approve a 2‑year time extension (new expiration 10/03/2027) made by Chairman Hill and seconded by Vice Chair Carl Blake; vote recorded 3–0–2 in favor. The Office of Planning’s report (Exhibit 6) was entered into the record and board members said they found “good cause” in the applicant’s filings, including a statement that the project has expended approximately $325,000 to date.
- Party status in application 21361 (1253 Moore Street NE): The board granted advanced party status to three neighbors—Natalie Martinez, Andrew Carey and Don Boutel—on a self-certified conversion application. Motion made by Chairman Hill and seconded by Vice Chair Blake; staff recorded the vote as 3–0–2 to grant party status. The board also declined an ANC request to postpone to a distant date and scheduled the hearing for the next session so the ANC could participate.
- Approvals of special exception / variance requests: The board approved several contested or contested-adjacent applications by roll call (each vote recorded 3–0–2): application 21354 (National Bankers Association, 1513 P St. NW) for nonprofit use and variance from the 10,000 sq. ft. requirement; application 21355 (front porch addition at 916 D St. NE); and application 21303 (creation of two basement units at 1631 A St. SE). In all three cases members said they gave great weight to the Office of Planning and to supporting ANC reports where present.
What the board said: Board members repeatedly noted they were giving "great weight" to the Office of Planning recommendations in each of these matters and stressed that the board treats each case on its facts. At least one item (application 21303) required the board to recess for a brief, closed emergency meeting with counsel before returning to deliberations and voting.
Next steps: For items continued or scheduled for further hearing (including cases with party status granted), the board set follow-up hearing dates in the next public session. Several pending and continued matters were scheduled for decision at the board’s next meeting.
Votes at a glance (motions as recorded in the hearing) - 21157A: Motion to dismiss motion for reconsideration (made by Chairman Hill; seconded by Chairman Hood). Outcome: dismissed, staff recorded 3–0–2. - 20943A: Motion to approve two-year time extension through 10/03/2027 (made by Chairman Hill; seconded by Vice Chair Blake). Outcome: approved, staff recorded 3–0–2. - 21361: Motion to grant party status to Natalie Martinez, Andrew Carey and Don Boutel (made by Chairman Hill; seconded by Vice Chair Blake). Outcome: granted, staff recorded 3–0–2. - 21354: Motion to approve special exception and area variance to allow nonprofit use at 1513 P St. NW (made by Chairman Hill; seconded by Vice Chair Blake). Outcome: approved, staff recorded 3–0–2. - 21355: Motion to approve special exception for front porch addition at 916 D St. NE (made by Chairman Hill; seconded by Vice Chair Blake). Outcome: approved, staff recorded 3–0–2. - 21303: Motion to approve area variance and special exception to legalize / add two cellar units at 1631 A St. SE (made by Chairman Hill; seconded by Vice Chair Blake). Outcome: approved, staff recorded 3–0–2.
No contested ordinance or text amendments were decided at the session. Several hearings were continued and several decisions were scheduled for the board’s next public session.
