BZA Delays Decision On Washington Highlands Library

For Immediate Release: September 2, 2009
Contact: Robin Diener, Library Renaissance Project
202 387-8030; 202 431-9254 cell, rdiener@savedclibraries.org

BZA Delays Decision On Washington Highlands Library
Seeks Further Input from Ward Eight ANC's

Tuesday September 2, 2009 -- Washington, DC: Ward 8, Washington Highlands/Bellevue

Members of the Ward Eight community had the ear of the Board of Zoning Adjustment for five hours yesterday concerning a controversial design for a replacement branch library at Washington Highlands. BZA Chair Marc Loud commended Theresa Jones, Chair of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8D, for “a wonderful job of bringing witnesses.”

The hearing technically concerned two narrow and specific requests for zoning variances: 1) to permit smaller than required “courts” to be constructed, and 2) to reduce the number of parking spaces required for the new library.

Public witnesses, all but one of whom disliked the new design, took the opportunity to question underlying assumptions about the DC Public Library’s building program and planning processes generally. For instance, it is DCPL’s intention to give the neighborhood an “iconic” building, but witnesses questioned whether “one-of-a-kind” architecture was even desirable for a branch library in a residential neighborhood.

One of the variances concerned the new building’s distinctive pods. DCPL seemed unable to meet the test for the variance -- namely that the design was the only one possible to achieve the building program on the site.

DCPL was also unable to defend the requested parking variance. Library representatives could not enumerate the exact number of parking places provided at the existing Washington Highlands Library, ostensibly because “the current lot does not have lines painted on it.” When BZA members asked for the overall size of the lot, back of the envelope estimates were hastily offered, making the library seem unprepared to present basic information germane to their variance request.

Initially, ANC 8D had asked for a continuance, which was debated for an hour and a half, before being denied. The subsequent three hours of the hearing, however, only raised more questions, leading BZA members to agree to leave the record open and defer their deliberations until October 6, to allow the ANC's, many of which do not meet in August, to consult their constituents and bring forward any resolutions at their regular September meetings.

View drawings of the designs for new Washington Highlands at the DCPL website:
http:www.tinyurl.com/dcpl-washhigh

****
The Library Renaissance Project is a non profit organization founded by Ralph Nader in 2002 to protect and promote the public interest in the District’s library system. It is not affiliated with and does not represent the trustees or administration of the DC Public Library. This message is provided for the media and other parties who have requested updates about developments affecting the public interest in the DC Library. If you do not wish to receive messages from us, please contact: rdiener@savedclibraries.org

/press_releases/