WHEREAS: Application 16611 was filed with the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) on behalf of the Edmund Burke School on July 7, 2000, using BZA Certification Form 1, Zoning Self-Certification Form; and

WHEREAS: Application 16611 requests a special exception for use as a private school of Lots 27, 28, and 65 in Square 2243, addressed at 4101 and 4103 Connecticut Avenue and 2969 Upton Street NW and said application indicates that this is the only relief required under the zoning regulations; and

WHEREAS: these lots are currently zoned R-5-D and are located at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Upton Street; and

WHEREAS: representatives of the Edmund Burke School appeared at duly noticed public meetings of ANC3F on March 13 and October 11, 2000, a quorum being present at each meeting, and presented information in support of the application and nearby residents presented their views on the proposed expansion; and

WHEREAS: the applicant furnished ANC 3F with its Pre-hearing Statement which includes a proposed construction operations plan, traffic impact analysis, traffic management plan, plans for the proposed addition and existing and proposed automobile circulation and stacking plans; and

WHEREAS: the proposed plans provide for a new 24,000 square foot building on the northeast corner of Connecticut Avenue and Upton Street and a new driveway on the east side of the existing school building at 2955 Upton Street; and

WHEREAS: Section 206 of the Zoning Regulations provide that a special exception for use as a private school may be granted if said school “is not likely to become objectionable to adjoining and nearby property because of noise, traffic, number of students, or otherwise objectionable conditions” and ample parking space is provided as required in chapter 21 of the zoning regulations, and

WHEREAS: the Edmund Burke School, Howard University Law School, and the Levine School of Music are all located within approximately one half mile to the east of the Connecticut Avenue and Upton Street intersection; and

WHEREAS: several thousand ANC 3F residents live within a short distance of these institutions which already generate very heavy traffic and parking demands on Upton Street, Van Ness Street, Tilden Street, and 29th Street east of Connecticut Avenue as well as on Connecticut Avenue itself; and

WHEREAS: granting this exception could produce negative impacts relating to traffic, parking, and quality of life for several thousand residents by adding to the already heavy flow of traffic and further limiting parking in this overburdened area thereby creating objectionable conditions within the meaning of the zoning code; and

WHEREAS: the applicant proposes an elaborate site traffic plan without including further effort to reduce vehicular traffic at the site; and

WHEREAS: the traffic queuing “loop” plan proposed in support of this application will result in paving over and regrading the side yard which supplies green space between Burke School and the residential neighborhood; and

WHEREAS: the subject application proposes 48 on site parking spaces which falls short of the 72 parking spaces that are the minimum required under the zoning code; and

WHEREAS: the subject application has not received the appropriate reviews from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs and other District of Columbia agencies; and

WHEREAS: the Edmund Burke School has failed to comply with the conditions of BZA Order 13986 issued October 4, 1983, and has exceeded the caps set in condition 4 of said Order by 29 students (10%) and 24 faculty/staff (67%) and has exceeded the maximum three events per month.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: ANC 3F recommends that the BZA deny the application for a special exception for the Burke School; and

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: ANC 3F authorizes Commissioners Karen Perry and Phil Kogan to formally represent ANC 3F in order to present the views of ANC 3F on this matter in proceedings before the BZA.
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Approved by vote of 5-1-0 at a duly noticed meeting on October 16, 2000 with a quorum present.
Commissioner Bardin recused from consideration and vote.
 

/s/ David J. Bardin__________             /s/ Robert V. Maudlin_________ Chair                                                                  Secretary