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BZA approves Meta rooftop exception, community‑residence expansion and a slate of variances and special exceptions
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Summary
At its Nov. 12, 2025 meeting the Board of Zoning Adjustment approved multiple applications including a penthouse‑screening exception for Meta Platforms (575 7th St NW), an increase in licensed residents at a community residence (3328 5th St SE) and approvals for accessory‑dwelling and deck projects. Most votes were recorded 3–0–2.
The Board of Zoning Adjustment voted on a series of special‑exception and variance requests on Nov. 12, 2025 and recorded unanimous votes among members present for the items considered.
Meta Platforms (application 21363) sought relief from penthouse screening requirements for a rooftop mechanical unit at 575 7th Street NW. Land‑use counsel Lawrence Farris told the board the mechanical unit is set back and “not visible from the public realm,” so the applicant requested relief from the required screening; OP recommended approval. The BZA approved application 21363 on a 3–0–2 roll call.
Application 21367 (Community Works LLC) proposed increasing licensed occupancy at an existing community residence at 3328 5th Street SE from six residents to 15. Applicant Toya King said the property is an existing detached dwelling and no structural changes were proposed. OP recommended approval and reported DDOT had no objection; the board voted to approve the increase, leaving the record open for one week so the applicant could file the ANC letter that the board referenced.
The BZA also approved several more routine special‑exception and variance requests: application 21369 to replace a dilapidated garage with a two‑story accessory building containing a garage and an accessory dwelling unit; application 21370 to allow two new three‑story semi‑detached principal dwellings with first‑floor ADUs; and application 21371 for a modest rear‑deck addition at 1755 Hobart Street NW. Office of Planning recommended approval on each of these matters, and the board recorded votes of 3–0–2 in favor on the same day.
Chairman Fred Hill noted that OP reports and ANC input were considered in the board’s deliberations and that final orders would be posted on the Office of Zoning website. Where the board left the record open (for example, for the ANC report on 21367), it set a one‑week window for filing.
Next steps: BZA staff will draft and post final orders for each approved application; interested parties have statutory windows to seek reconsideration or appeal according to D.C. law.
