Agenda - Planning Commission - 03/01/2018

Home

January 25, 2018 I Volume 12 I Issue 2 Zoning Bulletin the court found that such an interpretation of the term "campsite," including attendant recreational activities such as live music, was "con- sistent with the record evidence." Here, the court determined that there was "substantial evidence that the Property was used for recreational activities and as a campsite prior to the adoption of the zoning ordinance." Such evidence included: an affidavit of a former Frost Ridge employee as to recreational activities on the Property in the 1960s, including live music; the testimony of several neighbors that there was a "history of live music on the Property," including "live, amplified bands played every summer weekend during the 1970s and 1980s," See also: Toys R Us v. Silva, 89 N.Y.2d 411, 654 N.Y.S.2d 100, 676 N.E.2d 862 (1996). Variance —Church challenges District of Columbia's grant of an area variance to synagogue Church contends three -prong test for area variance is not met by synagogue Citation: St. Mary's Episcopal Church v. District of Columbia Zon- ing Commission, 2017 WL 6044242 (D. C. 2017) DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (12/7/17)—This case addressed the is- sue of whether sufficient evidence supported a zoning commission's findings that a synagogue was affected by "exceptional condition" and "practical difficulties" such that an area variance was warranted. The Background/Facts: Hillel at the George Washington University ("Hillel") is a synagogue that has the mission of providing for the needs of Jewish students at George Washington University ("GW") in the District of Columbia. In 2014, Hillel sought to demolish its existing campus religious structure and to construct a new four-story building. Hillel asserted that it needed such a new facility to meet institutional and religious needs. Hillel's proposed new facility would contain: a basement with a sanctuary, dining hall, and two kosher kitchens — separating meat and dairy; a second floor dedicated to staff offices, a student lounge, gathering space, a study area, and a library; and a third and fourth floor to be leased to GW. Hillel's existing campus structure (to be demolished and replaced) was located on a narrow, rectangular corner lot with a total area of 4,575 square feet. The lot was located in a "high height and medium 8 © 201 8 Thomson Reuters