Whittle School
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Anonymous
| Apparently they have now applied for a permit --meaning one was required in the first place. |
Anonymous
| This school is guaranteed to go bust. |
Anonymous
I looked at DCRA web site for permits for the 2 addresses, not sure what adress they are are using, but I don't see any permits, but I see that the site was nominated as a landmark a few years ago, but it seems to have stalled. If the preservation groups are still looking to fight about the level of protection for this site, don't pay your full tuition just yet. These are the two addresses, no permits filed. 4000 CONNECTICUT AVE NW 3007 TILDEN ST NW Also they are zoned residential R-1-B. Not sure if they then have to make a special application to Zoning to put a school in there. If so that will take a few month to get to a hearing. |
Anonymous
If they are R-1-B, then yes they will absolutely have to go through a BZA process to get a special exception to put a private school in a residential zone, which could take a year or more. I have gone through the process when working at a school that applied in an R-1-B. Neighbors typically rally against it and it drags on even longer. However, Intelsat operated there for years and they were a commercial entity - so either they had a special exception or it is not an R-1-B. Or maybe something to do with it being Federal land as mentioned in the Post article that exempts them from zoning. Maybe someone who knows more about zoning laws can clarify |
Anonymous
Too strong a statement for me, but I agree that the chances of failure seem fairly high. |
Anonymous
| Wait, so the school didn't think it needed to apply for ANY construction permits???? |
Anonymous
That seems to be the case. Form the WAPO story. Super weird because on their DC staff they have someone who used to run the facilities for a large DC charter school. The argument was that it was some sort of Federal land existing under embassy rules, but so dumb because embassies also have to get building permits. And some of the Square seems to be owned by an LLC and some is Federal land, according to the DC Zoning Maps. I bet they also think they don't have to pay taxes... |
Anonymous
Keep calling illegal construction line for DC. Every time! They do a really good job for enforcing. |
Anonymous
| I wonder if that is how they were found out. I know that folks reported them for doing work off hours. Another attempt not to play by the rules. |
Anonymous
Yes, calling the 311 line and reporting is the best way. But they would be crazy to start doing anything without a permit. The Stop Work order will probably be in force until permits are issued, so they may even be banned from entering the work site without permission from the city. |
Anonymous
Click on this and you will get to the zoning information for that Square. The map shows that R-1-B. I think you are right that they would get the permission from BZA to put a school there, especially given there is already a small kindergarten in there, but still they will have to meet all the parking requirements for schools ect under the zoning rules., and go through the ANC for comments, and show they are meeting concerns about traffic bla bla bla. And they need to go through the proper legal process. No short cuts for that. Then they can pay to fast track their permits. I think they will now be trying to pay council members to pass some special law that speeds them along. http://maps.dcoz.dc.gov/zr16/#l=15&x=-8578919.307720592&y=4713500.229349471&mms=18!26!4!8!1!2!23!19!22!13&dcb=0 |
Anonymous
| The Council has oversight of the overall zoning code, but not for spot zoning, and further, given what is happening with Jack Evans right now, I highly doubt any Councilmember would risk bribery. And even further, Mary Cheh is pretty ethical when it comes to this sort of stuff. |
Anonymous
No bet. But I'd bet that there's no way it's going to open in September of 2019. |
Anonymous
And are they trying to build dormitories on the same R-1-B site? There is the possibility to get a "special exception" for a private school under the zoning regulations for R -1_b zones but dorms for students are a different matter, there is not a provision for that in the zoning regulation for this zone. I think this means that they have to also apply for a "use variance". Check in here, but posted below it shows that Private Schools can be approved, but they have to follow the process, apply, consult, wait, have a public hearing, then comply. https://dcregs.dc.gov/Common/DCMR/SectionList.aspx?SectionNumber=11-U203 (l) Private schools and residences for teachers and staff of a private school, but not including a trade school, subject to the following conditions: (1) Shall be located so that it is not likely to become objectionable to adjoining and nearby property because of noise, traffic, number of students, or otherwise objectionable conditions; (2) Ample parking space, but not less than that required by this title, shall be provided to accommodate the students, teachers, and visitors likely to come to the site by automobile; and (3) After hearing all evidence, the Board of Zoning Adjustment may require additional parking to that required by this title |
Anonymous
| I too was surprised by how quickly this school got up and running, especially compared to the GDS/roster of aces saga. Bottom line: don’t mess with DC. |