2712 11th Street: Dry Cleaner Joins Mid-block Laundromat

JK Enterprises LLC, owner of a mid-block laundromat on 11th Street NW, wants to open a dry cleaner in the adjoining building. To do so, they will need a use variance from D.C.'s Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA), because the lot is zoned residential. The Design Review Committee of ANC 1B/U Street voted unanimously to endorse the use variance request of JK Enterprises.

(Google Street View)

2712 11th Street is located on a public alley between Fairmont and Gerard Streets.

No dry cleaning will be done on the premises -- only pick up and drop off. There will also be alterations and shoe repair available.
 
Although it is zoned residential, documents submitted to the BZA indicate there has been some type of business there for more than 40 years. Before 1968, a grocery store operated in the location. From 1969 until the 1980's, it was also a dry cleaner, with cleaning done on the premises. At the meeting, a representative of JK Enterprises said an upholstery shop operated there before he bought the property in 1998. More recently, the building has been used as storage for the laundromat.

There are three parking spaces behind the laundromat. However, documents submitted to the BZA indicate most of clients of the laundry go there on foot, and JK Enterprises thinks the dry cleaner will be largely the same.

At the meeting, the presenter claimed neighbors supported the opening of the dry cleaners.

Documents relating to JK Enterprise's BZA case can be viewed at the Interactive Zoning Information System of Office of Zoning by entering case number 18699 into the search bar.

The full ANC will probably vote on the Design Review Committee's recommendation at the next meeting of the full ANC, scheduled for Thursday, March 6, at 7pm, at the Reeves Center (14th and U Streets).