Zoning Commission OKs So Others Might Eat plan to modernize Jeremiah House, cites bike‑parking tradeoffs

The Zoning Commission on Monday voted 5‑0‑0 to approve voluntary design review for So Others Might Eat’s proposal to convert and modestly expand Jeremiah House, a vacant former single‑room‑occupancy building at 18th Street and East Capitol SE, into about 61 efficiency apartments for residents earning at or below 50% of area median income.

The commission’s approval followed presentations from the applicant, support from the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Planning, and a DDOT report that recommended the project provide 20 long‑term bicycle spaces inside the building. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized preserving housing units and said they preferred the project not sacrifice any living units to add bike parking.

So Others Might Eat (SOME) senior housing development project manager Amani Woodby told the commission the building, constructed in 1925 and used as a rooming house since 1993, is currently vacant and that residents were relocated to other SOME properties. “We will also provide them with a $500 relocation stipend so that we can help them come back into the unit,” Woodby said, adding that relocated residents will be offered the option to return once construction is complete.

Architect Mark Feinstein explained why the applicant seeks one additional story to preserve unit count: without the extra floor, the project could yield roughly 47 studio units rather than the roughly 61 efficiencies proposed. Feinstein said providing DDOT’s recommended 20 long‑term bicycle spaces would require about 250 square feet—roughly the footprint of an apartment—and therefore could reduce available units. “That’s why we’re looking to only provide the zoning‑mandated five permanent spaces,” he told the commission, while saying the team would explore exterior bike lockers or other fittings to add a small number of additional spaces if feasible.

DDOT’s Eric Knottberg told the commission the agency supports the VDR but recommended one condition: that the building include 20 long‑term bicycle parking spaces. “We recommended approval with one condition, providing the 20 long‑term bicycle parking spaces within the building,” Knottberg said, while acknowledging that the recommendation is not a “show stopper” and that space tradeoffs are common in dense affordable projects.

Office of the Attorney General attorney Noelle Wurst testified that the proposal advances Comprehensive Plan goals for affordable housing and transit‑oriented development and noted the project’s proposed height (about 46 feet) is below the RF‑1 zone maximum of 50 feet. The Office of Planning’s Shipper Beeman recommended approval with conditions, including a requirement that the unit count not fall below the existing total of 59 units.

Commissioners asked for clarifications on landscaping and materiality; architect Feinstein said the new story would use a cementitious cladding (a hardy‑panel type system) to distinguish the addition from the existing masonry while retaining compatible scale. Commissioners also probed Inclusionary Zoning treatment; counsel and the applicant said the project uses public financing with an affordability covenant recorded to secure permanent affordability and therefore follows a different IZ scheme.

Vice Chair Miller moved to approve the application (Z.C. Case No. 25‑03, Square 1110, Lot 86, 218 18th Street SE). Commissioner Stidham seconded, and the commission approved final action by roll call: Miller yes; Stidham yes; Hood yes; Wright yes; Imamura yes.

The commission closed the record and will issue a summary order consistent with the vote. The applicant remains available for any follow‑up during the required administrative reviews (public space approval and any permitting).