A Planned 16-Unit Kalorama Condo Project Struggles With ANC

• April 18th 2013

by Shilpi Paul

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On Wednesday evening, ANC 1C’s Planning, Zoning and Transportation committee voted to oppose the concept for a 16-unit condo project planned for 2012-2014 Kalorama Road NW (map) in advance of a hearing with the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB).

The project, from Lock 7 Development, seeks to restore two currently existing rowhouse structures and build an addition on the back of each. Eight two-bedroom condo units would exist at each address.

Unfortunately for the developers, several neighbors and ANC commissioners spoke out in opposition to the concept on Wednesday, some registering heated disapproval.

The ire for the project began last fall shortly after Lock 7 gained HPRB approval for their concept, prior to meeting with neighbors. The neighbors rose up in opposition, so Lock 7 started fresh, talking with residents at 2101 Connecticut Avenue Cooperative Apartments and The Stratford at 2010 Kalorama Road NW.

Since the meetings began, the design for the new project has been adjusted, the height of the additions dropped, and the buildings set back further. The attorney representing 2101 Connecticut expressed that there had been “a lot of communication” and that the community felt that there were constructive improvements to the plan.

However, many on Wednesday night opposed the size of the additions, which exceed the size of the existing buildings. Neighbors worried that the project would set a precedent that would lead to condo-filled additions filling up all the empty lot space in the neighborhood.

“What is going to stop all the neighbors from having their backyards filled with structures like this?” asked a neighbor.

Still, as several people brought up, this project is a by-right plan that fits in with the specifications of the zoning code for that neighborhood. Thus, the problem is with zoning, rather than with the choices of the developers.

While many of the ANC commissioners praised Lock 7 for reaching out to the community, they voted 4-2 to oppose the concept. The project will be going before the HPRB during the next set of hearings, either April 25th or May 2nd.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/16-unit_kalorama_condo_project_struggles_with_anc/6948.