On Monday, June 26, 2023, the Mayor had expected the DC Zoning Commission to rubber-stamp upzoning of 1617 U Street to high-density, allowing a future building to be constructed at the site of the police station and fire station exceeding 100 feet in height and 80% lot occupancy.
As seen in the video above, the Zoning Commission instead postponed the hearing, resetting it down as a “contested case” after receiving comments from lawyers and neighbors alleging improper notice and an error in the administrative process. The next hearing on the matter will be on JANUARY 22, 2024 (new date).
Then on November 20, 2023, the Zoning Commission postponed the hearing again for a malformed notice that did not properly inform neighbors of their rights to participate as parties.
From: Schellin, Sharon (DCOZ) <sharon.schellin@dc.gov>
Subject: RE: Letter from the Coalition for Affordable Housing Not Luxury Housing to Anthony Hood, Chair DC Zoning Commission dated June 25, 2023
To: Ed Hanlon <ed.hanlon.3@gmail.com>
I got your voice mail. This will be decided at the beginning of the hearing. OP has made a recommendation; however, it will be up to the Commission to make the decision in how they want to proceed. I personally believe they will accept the recommendation, but I can’t make any guarantees. I will know when you know. I can tell you for certain that it will be taken up at the beginning of the hearing as a preliminary matter once the opening statement is read.
Thanks,
Sharon
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From: Ed Hanlon <ed.hanlon.3@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2023 11:52 AM
To: Schellin, Sharon (DCOZ) <sharon.schellin@dc.gov>
Subject: Re: Letter from the Coalition for Affordable Housing Not Luxury Housing to Anthony Hood, Chair DC Zoning Commission dated June 25, 2023
Good morning,
I am trying to find out whether the hearing this afternoon is being postponed at the recommendation of OP who was the Applicant. There appears to be widespread confusion among witnesses and potential witnesses. I have received calls from people not knowing what to do. I believe some who were planning on testifying think the hearing is being continued and may not appear. Do you have any update?
Thank you,
Edward Hanlon
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On Mon, Jun 26, 2023, 8:48 AM Schellin, Sharon (DCOZ) <sharon.schellin@dc.gov> wrote:
Mr. Hanlon,
Please be advised that the Commission does not directly respond to correspondence received into the record. That is why you have not received a response to your previously submitted document/comment. However, our Director, Sara Bardin, did respond to you on June 22nd via email. As she indicated in her email, the Commission will take up your issue, as well as any other issues, at the hearing today.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out to me.
Thanks,
SharonSharon S. Schellin
Secretary to the Zoning Commission
Office of Zoning| District of Columbia Government
441 4th Street, NW | Suite 200-S | Washington, DC 20001
(202) 727-0340 (direct) | (202) 727-6072 (fax)
www.dcoz.dc.gov| sharon.schellin@dc.gov
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