From: HistoricWashington@groups.io
On Behalf Of Bruce Yarnall (OP)
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2020 3:59 PM
Subject: [HistoricWashingtonDC] Raze Application Report - March
30, 2020
_______
The
following raze applications were recently filed at the Department of
Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA):
ANC Address
3E
4611 41st Street NW ( two story commercial building, PUD project
area)
3E
4615 41st Street NW (one story commercial building, PUD project
area)
5E 1706 1st Street NW (one story brick
attached roofless garage – Bloomingdale HD)
8E
1309 Alabama Avenue SE (three story apartment building – previously noticed in
2018)
8E
1331-1333 Alabama Avenue SE (three story apartment building – previously
noticed in 2018)
8E
3210 13th Street (three story apartment building – previously
noticed in 2018)
________
Historic
Preservation Clearance of Raze Permit Applications
All
raze permit applications in the District of Columbia are submitted to the
Historic Preservation Office (HPO) for clearance. The Department of Consumer
and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) gives applicants a blank clearance letter to
submit to HPO for this purpose.
Why
does HPO review all raze permit applications?
HPO
clearance of raze applications safeguards against demolition of historic
properties by accident or without proper public notice. HPO also ensures that
raze applications subject to review under the DC historic preservation law are
processed appropriately.
Why
is public notice of raze applications important?
District
law requires public notice of raze permit applications for both historic and
non-historic property. This is because building demolition is often a matter of
interest to affected residents and communities. In addition, the DC historic
preservation law allows community groups to seek temporary and permanent
protection for any property that may meet the criteria for historic landmark
designation.
What
is the public notice requirement?
Two
types of public notice are required for raze applications before a permit is
issued:
•
The DC Building Code requires the permit applicant to post and maintain a
notice of the application on the property for 30 days (12A DCMR § 105.7.1).
•
The Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) Act requires DCRA to give ANCs a
notice of 30 working days, which is usually about 45 days (D.C. Official Code §
1-309.10(c)). DCRA sends this notice by email.
The
public notice of raze permit applications establishes a review period during
which communities may seek information and consider historic preservation
concerns about a property proposed for demolition.
How
can I determine when the public review period ends?
HPO
posts copies of pending raze permit applications on the Office of Planning
website . This posting includes a copy of the DCRA notice to ANCs. The public
review period expires 30 working days after the date of the DCRA notice.
How
long does the HPO review take?
HPO
reviews raze applications promptly and in accordance with public notice
requirements. The procedures and timing are different for historic and
non-historic property.
For
non-historic property, HPO typically holds applications for the length of the
required ANC notice period. HPO may also request photographs to confirm posting
of the notice placard on the property. If an application clearly raises no
historic preservation concerns, HPO may use its discretion to sign off on the
application before the notice period expires.
For
historic property, HPO reviews the application according to the procedures
required in the DC historic preservation law. The law discourages demolition of
historic landmarks and properties contributing to the character of historic
districts. Typically, an application to raze a historic property must be
referred to the Historic Preservation Review Board for a recommendation, and to
the Mayor’s Agent for a public hearing.
What
if applications to raze and designate a property as historic are on file at the
same time?
The
DC historic preservation law allows ANCs and community groups with a
demonstrated interest in historic preservation to file applications for
historic designation at any time. Once an application to designate a historic
landmark is filed with HPO, the property is protected by law for 90 days to
allow HPRB time to determine whether the property meets historic landmark
designation criteria. This protection does not apply to properties covered by
historic district applications.
During
this 90-day temporary protection period, the District may not issue the raze
permit for the property. If HPRB determines after a public hearing that the
property meets the designation criteria, it becomes a historic landmark and
receives permanent protection under the preservation law. If HPRB determines
that the property does not meet the criteria, HPO completes the preservation
review by clearing the raze application.
How
does HPO clear raze applications?
HPO
clears the raze application by signing the DCRA clearance letter attached to
the application. The clearance means either the property is not subject to the
preservation law, or the demolition has been authorized under the preservation
law.
HPO
notifies the raze permit applicant once the HPO clearance letter is signed. Cleared
applications are available for pick-up at the front reception desk in the
Office of Planning during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am –
5:30 pm).
For
More Information
|
|
Bruce
Yarnall • Historic
Preservation Operations Manager
DC
Office of Planning
1100
4th Street SW, Suite E650 • Washington, DC 20024
202.442.8835
|
