D.C. Board of Zoning Adjustments approves broad June 24 docket including housing, church expansion and lot variances

The District of Columbia Board of Zoning Adjustments approved most items on a full June 24 docket, ranging from neighborhood lot‑width variances to the construction of an eight‑unit apartment intended to include one income‑restricted (IZ) unit.

In a series of roll‑call votes the board recorded staff tallies of 4–0–1 on contested motions to approve individual applications, with members citing Office of Planning recommendations, neighborhood engagement and minimal projected adverse impacts as key reasons for support.

Why it matters: the approvals clear the way for a range of projects across the city — from small accessory garages in alley lots to a modest affordable‑housing development — that together reflect both routine zoning relief and the kinds of neighborhood debates that follow projects seeking additional density or conversions of existing lots.

Board procedures and a closed‑session vote

Chair Michelle Pousson opened the hearing with standard instructions for WebEx and YouTube participation and noted the board had previously voted to hold a closed meeting to receive legal advice and deliberate on contested matters. The board then voted to authorize a closed session on June 30, citing the District Administrative Procedure Act and the need to preserve attorney‑client privilege.

Highlights of decisions

• Application 21329 (1128 4th Street NE) — rooftop element alteration: After reviewing the Office of Planning report and neighbor letters, the board found the applicant’s retroactive special‑exception request met the E‑204 standard for not “substantially visually intrud[ing]” on the block’s character. Commissioner Rob Miller moved to approve; the motion passed on a 4‑0‑1 tally.

• Application 20974A (503–517 H Street NW) — time extension for Chinatown hotel: The board granted a two‑year extension of a previously issued order, with members citing financing delays across the local development sector as good cause to extend validity. The motion carried 4‑0‑1.

• Application 21435 (1754/1756 W Street SE) — subdivision & lot‑width variances: Applicant Yossef Asmalash described a complicated sequence of tax‑lot subdivision, historic lot widths and fire damage that, he said, created practical obstacles to rebuilding without variances. The Office of Planning recommended approval on grounds that historic lot patterns and exceptional circumstances justified modest relief; ANC materials were uploaded during the hearing. The board approved the variances 4‑0‑1.

• Application 21436 (St. Joseph’s on Capitol Hill) — parish hall and theoretical‑lot approval: St. Joseph’s presented a project to consolidate multiple record/tax lots and expand its parish hall. The application carried approvals or no‑objection reports from the Historic Preservation Review Board, Commission of Fine Arts referral agencies and the Office of Planning; ANC 6C had voted unanimously in support but its signed report arrived late. The board approved the special exceptions and variances 4‑0‑1.

• Application 21439 (1908 Irving Street NE) — eight‑unit apartment with one IZ unit (contentious): The owner and architect described an eight‑unit, family‑oriented apartment project, including a voluntary IZ unit and planned accommodations for larger households using housing vouchers. The applicant said it had reduced bedroom counts and revised the façade after ANC and community review. The Office of Planning recommended approval; ANC 5B provided conditional support. Several neighbors objected in public comment, arguing unit sizes, alley/trash arrangements and impacts on parking and livability were not adequately addressed. Felicia Barber told the board, “No family would want to live like that... They’re smaller than a jail cell.” After extended deliberation about community outreach and the applicant’s concessions the board approved the project 4‑0‑1, while urging continued good‑neighbor agreements and careful construction management.

• Application 21444 (alley lot at Roland Place NW) — record‑lot conversion and private garage: A small pre‑2016 alley tax lot owner sought conversion to a record lot and construction of a one‑story garage. Office of Planning, Historic Preservation Office and ANC 3C registered no objection; a nearby neighbor raised questions about a long history of a dilapidated structure on the lot and about enforcement and timelines. The owner committed on the record to use a sectional (roll‑up) garage door that would not swing into the public alley. The board approved the conversions and special exceptions 4‑0‑1.

• Application 21445 (1729 Lamont Street NW) — rear addition and accessory garage with rooftop deck: Owners proposed a modest rear kitchen expansion and a one‑story accessory garage with a rooftop deck in the Mount Pleasant historic district. Office of Planning supported the request, and the ANC submitted a supportive report. Commissioners concluded the scale was compatible with the block and approved the relief 4‑0‑1.

Voices from the hearing

Vice Chair Paul Goldstein, emphasizing the record and Office of Planning findings, said the projects generally met the special‑exception criteria and that community outreach and design concessions influenced support for approvals.

Opponents at the Irving Street hearing raised strong concerns about unit size and neighborhood impacts. Felicia Barber, a local resident, told the board, “No family would want to live like that. ... They’re smaller than a jail cell,” reflecting the visceral worry some neighbors voiced about unit design and density.

What comes next

Approvals clear the way for final permitting and construction subject to building permits and any standard conditions the board attaches in written orders. In several cases commissioners urged applicants to continue negotiating good‑neighbor agreements, to follow through on trash/parking management plans and to use licensed contractors and appropriate permitting to protect adjoining properties during work.

Votes at a glance (recorded board tallies)

- Motion to hold closed meeting (June 30): 4–0–1 (approved) - Application 21329 (Stephen Jackson): 4–0–1 (approved) - Application 20974A (DC Chinatown Hotel) time extension: 4–0–1 (approved) - Application 21435 (Asmalash/Mary LLC): 4–0–1 (approved) - Application 21436 (St. Joseph’s on Capitol Hill): 4–0–1 (approved) - Application 21439 (1908 Irving St. LLC — 8‑unit apartment, IZ): 4–0–1 (approved) - Application 21444 (G. Seagrave — alley garage): 4–0–1 (approved) - Application 21445 (1729 Lamont St. NW — addition & accessory garage): 4–0–1 (approved)

The board closed the hearing after deliberations and instructed staff to upload late ANC filings and the hearing transcript into the record where appropriate. Several applicants were urged to follow up with neighbors and provide details during the building‑permit process.