Letter
Dear Mr. Khan:
In its meeting of 20 November, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a new design for the renovation of and additions to an existing residence at 1444 Taylor Street, NW (case number SL 14-151), a case that was submitted in September 2014 for permit but whose review as a concept design was deferred as requested. The Commission expressed support for the progress in the development of the design but did not take an action in order to allow consultation with the neighborhood interests. At your request, the Commission will defer action until a revised submission is forwarded for review at a future meeting.
The Commission noted that the project—which proposes the conversion of a two-story single-family modernist-style rowhouse adjoining Rock Creek Park into a four-unit multi-family residence with a new story and a substantial rear addition—is the subject of great concern on the part of many neighborhood residents and organizations, who have objected to the impact of the proposal on the existing house, on the context, and on the adjacent federal park. While the Commission members recognized that many of these objections relate to the District of Columbia’s zoning regulations, they supported engagement with the community on the design issues raised in the meeting, including the quality of materials and the integration of the proposed additions with the original modern brick structure.
The Commission expressed appreciation for the engagement of an architect for this development proposal and strongly encourages dialogue with concerned parties, including the National Park Service, to resolve the design issues before the project is reconsidered for approval. The Commission notes that its permit-level review for this project will require the submission of complete construction documents and drawings. As always, the Commission staff is available to assist you.
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Mubashir Khan
Metro Construction, Inc.
715 Eighth Street, SE, Suite 2-A
Washington, DC 20003
cc: Rabbiah Sabbakhan, D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Rickey Williams, ANC 4C Commissioner