DC's Office of Zoning Seeks Six-Month Extension of Expiring Approvals

• April 8th 2020

by Nena Perry-Brown

To alleviate disruption caused by hearings being postponed throughout the public health emergency, the Office of Zoning (OZ) is seeking a blanket six-month extension for zoning approvals. 

OZ has applied for a text amendment that would automatically extend any Zoning Commission or Board of Zoning Adjustment orders that were set to expire between April 27th-December 31st of this year. Those orders would be valid for an additional six months after the expected expiration date, and any date requirements for construction to begin or permits acquired would also be extended for six months.

"This pandemic has kept businesses from operating as usual, with many having to cease operating altogether," the application states. "This text amendment would avoid potential expiration of orders and approvals of the Commission and BZA caused by administrative disruptions due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, with the associated risk to the District’s economic state."

OZ is requesting the extension to be considered as an emergency action at the Zoning Commission's April 27th public hearing, giving shorter than 30-day notice for the hearing. It is unclear whether zoning hearings will resume on that day; zoning staff is working remotely until at least April 27th, and the case calendar has been shifted accordingly.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/office-of-zoning-seeks-six-month-extension-of-expiring-approvals/16691.