I'm calling to order this hearing a round table.

This is a public round table of the community as a whole of the council of the District of Columbia.

I am Phil Mendelssohn, Chair of the Council Chair of the Committee as a whole.

Today is Wednesday, June 24th, 2026.

The time is 1124 in the morning.

We are in room 412 of the Johnny Wilson building.

The subject of this round table is PR 26-744, entitled to Board of Zoning Adjustment.

Robin Wells confirmation resolution of 2026.

The stated purpose of this resolution is to confirm the mayor's nomination to appoint Robin Wells to the Board of Zoning Adjustment.

Replacing Lorna John for the remainder of an unexpired term ending September 30th, 2027.

The Board of Zoning Adjustment is an independent quasi-judicial body with the ability to grant relief from the strict application of the district zoning regulations in the form of variances, and also to grant special exceptions where authorized under the zoning regulations, and also to hear appeals from actions taken by the zoning administrator of the Department of Buildings.

The purpose of this hearing is to receive testimony from the government and public witnesses as to the fitness of the nominee for appointment to the commission.

Just to say a little bit more, I believe that when the committee as a whole is able to do this to schedule this, to have hearings on all nominations that come to the committee as a whole, it's an opportunity for us to understand the nomination, but also to give the public an opportunity to speak out if they wish.

As it happens, we have one witness who's on the witness list today, and that's to nominee yourself.

So put how the record in this matter will be open for two weeks.

That is, it will close at 5 p.m.

on Wednesday, July 8th, 2026.

So if there's anybody who's watching or becomes aware of this hearing and wishes to submit comments for the committee to consider, they have two weeks to do so.

With that, Miss Wells, why don't you come forward?

And I believe you have a statement.

Yes, good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning, Chairperson Mendelson, and members of the committee.

My name is Robin Jackson Wells, and I am grateful for the opportunity to testify in support of my nomination to serve on the Board of Zoning Adjustment.

I want to thank the committee for holding this hearing and Mayor Muriel E.

Bowser for nominating me.

I'm honored by the opportunity to be considered for service to the residents of the District of Columbia.

By way of background, I'm a civil engineer by education and training.

I currently serve as a program manager at Atkins Realis, where I focus on project coordination, design management, and construction management for complex infrastructure initiatives.

In that role, I manage multidisciplinary teams, interpret technical plans, and help balance regulatory requirements with practical project constraints.

Prior to joining Atkins Realis, I spent more than eight years with the District Department of Transportation, serving in several formative roles, including deputy program manager in the infrastructure and project administration, project management administration, and street light branch manager.

Most relevant to this nomination, I began my DDAC career in the development review branch, where I viewed zoning cases and helped prepare DDOT recommendations.

That experience introduced me directly to the zoning process and it helped me understand why zoning is such a critical tool for balancing neighborhood vitality, growth, density, and the district's unique federal presence.

I am also a longtime Ward 7 resident, and my connection to the district is personal as well as professional.

My past community involvement includes service with the Divicks Deanwood Civic Association, where I saw firsthand how zoning decisions affect neighborhood context, public space, and underserved communities.

Today, much of my civic focus is centered on participating in my children's PTO, which keeps me grounded in the day-to-day realities of families and neighborhoods.

I was raised by parents who devoted their careers to public service as a firefighter and a teacher, and they instilled in me the importance of civic duty and meaningful contribution.

This nomination is especially meaningful because the district is where I live, work, and raise my family and call home.

I am eager to volunteer my time for the Board of Zoning Adjustment because I believe the board plays an important role in how the district grows while maintaining the character, function, and livability of its neighborhoods.

Zoning decisions are not abstract.

They affect how residents experience their blocks, how businesses operate, how families move through the city, and how public space serves a community.

My professional background is directly relevant to this work because it brings together technical review, district government experience, and practical judgment.

During my eight years at Dida, I learned how to read site plans, evaluate transportation and infrastructure impacts, and understand how proposed development affects access, safety, curbside activity, and the public realm.

That experience taught me that the public right away is one of the district's most important shared resources, and that decisions about land use must account for both regulatory requirements and real world conditions.

That perspective would matter on the board because many zoning cases require more than narrow reading of plans or regulations.

They require understanding of how a variance, special exception, or appeal may affect the surrounding neighborhood in practical terms.

I can look at site plan and see not only the zoning text, but also the potential effects on traffic circulation, pedestrian access, loading, parking, stormwater, public space, and adjacent properties.

My background allows me to bridge civil engineering, planning, and operations in a way that would help the board evaluate cases carefully and efficiently.

My personal background is equally important.

As a Ward 7 resident, a parent, and someone who has been involved in civic and school communities, I understand that zoning decisions are felt at the neighborhood level.

Residents want growth and investment, but they also want stability, safety, access, and respect for character of their communities.

I believe I can bring both technical rigor and neighborhood awareness to this role.

The combination will allow me to support the board's core responsibility, applying zoning regulations fairly while allowing the flexibility the district needs to grow in a thoughtful and responsible way.

My vision for the board of zoning adjustment is centered on fairness, transparency, efficiency, and careful stewardship of the district's neighborhoods.

I understand the board's role is not to rewrite zoning policy, but to apply the zoning regulations thoughtfully and consistently to the facts of each case.

The responsibility requires preparation, discipline, and appreciation for both the technical record and lived experiences of residents.

First, I would focus on transparency and predictability in the board's decision making.

Applicants, advisory neighborhood commissions, and residents should be able to understand the standards being applied, the information the board needs, the reasons behind the board's decisions.

Predictability does not mean that every application receives the same outcome.

It means that every applicant in every community can trust the processes fair, the records carefully reviewed, and the zoning standards are applied consistently.

Second, I would bring my program management experience in the board's work for supporting a review process that is efficient without sacrificing rigor.

Delays in zoning decisions can create real burdens for homeowners, small businesses, housing providers, and community organizations.

In many cases, delays can be reduced when issues are identified earlier, agency comments are coordinated more clearly, and applicants understand what information is needed before a hearing.

My experience managing complex infrastructure projects has taught me the value of early coordination, clear communication, and discipline follow-through.

I'll bring this same approach to my service on the board.

Third, I would like to support balanced growth while representing, while respecting neighborhood context.

The district must continue to respond to housing demands, changing household needs, and economic growth.

At the same time, zoning relief can have a very real impact on adjacent properties, public space, access, parking, transportation, stormwater, and the character of a block.

My goal would be to evaluate each request carefully, with attention to the flexibility allowed under the zoning regulations and the practical effects on the surrounding community.

I believe the board can support reasonable, well-designed growth while protecting the health, safety, and stability of neighborhoods.

Fourth, I would place a strong emphasis on meaningful community engagement and statutory role of advisory neighborhood commissions.

ANCs bring forward detailed knowledge of local conditions that may not always be clear from plans and reports alone.

The recommendations deserve serious consideration and clear response.

As a board member, I like it, I would like to make it a priority to ensure that the ANC concerns are addressed directly and that applicants are encouraged to engage with affected communities early and constructively.

I also believe the board can continue building on what already works well, a public hearing process that allows evidence to be presented, questions to be asked, and community concerns to be heard.

Whether process can improve, I would like for ways to make exception expectations clearer, reduce unnecessary continuances, and helps ensure that decisions are grounded in complete and reliable record.

Ultimately, my mission will be to help the board make decisions that are fair, timely, technically sound, and respectful of district diverse neighborhoods.

I bring to this work the perspective of a civil engineer, a former district transportation official, a program manager, a ward seven resident, and a parent.

Most importantly, I would bring a commitment to preparation, fairness, and public service.

Thank you, Chairperson Middlesocent and members of the committee for the opportunity to testify today.

I appreciate your consideration of my nomination and would be happy to answer any questions.

Thank you, Miss Wells.

Um thank you for your testimony.

Thank you also for your willingness to serve.

I do have a few questions I want to ask.

Um I asked a source of nominations of nominees.

Um do you have a sense of how much time will be involved?

I do have a sense.

Um I'm here it's a full day on a Wednesday typically, um, especially now that uh the cases are a little bit behind.

So there's a little bit of a backlog.

Um, and then prior to that, um I believe the board also meets um in preparation to the Wednesday um hearings.

So I do understand the time commitment for that.

Yes, and it could be two days a month.

Um, and if I say two, I could be wrong.

When there are a lot of hearings, then there will be a second, a second day, and maybe even a third.

I that I don't know for sure.

And I don't know when the board meets to make decisions.

But so you do have some sense you've talked with the office of zoning.

I have, yes.

I met with them maybe a couple weeks ago.

I spoke to the director, and she gave me a sense of the of the timing for it.

And so do you have the commitment to put the time in that's necessary?

I do.

Um do you have any sense of whether there might be a conflict of interest that could come up?

Um, not at the time, not at this moment.

Um I did clear with my company my participation here on the board.

Um, and so with my company, I update update my complicated interest form.

And um, if there's anything that arises in any cases, you know, I will inform my company and recuse myself if necessary, and also inform the board or the board staff and recuse yourself.

Correct.

Um, are you current in your taxes and liabilities to the district government or federal government or any other state and local governments?

Yes.

Has uh the Office of Zoning uh given you training yet or offered you training?

If confirmed, yes, they will.

Okay, it's gonna be like jumping into the fire.

You know the board um very unusual, but the board uh has been unable to act for several months because there have been three vacancies of the mayoral appointments.

The NCPC member has uh also been vacant.

National Planning Commission may be making their appointments soon.

I'm being told hopefully soon.

And uh we just confirmed two other nominees to mayor's nominees.

So there's a rotating member from the zoning commission, the two mayoral nominees, you would be the third.

Uh waiting for NCPC.

So there are five members, so there is a backlog.

Okay.

Let me see.

Um, time to serve.

Um I asked you uh whether you've gotten training.

You said that will happen if you're if you're confirmed.

Yes.

Um you mentioned uh that you're active in your child child or children's PTO.

What school, if I may ask?

Um LC Whitlow Stokes, the East End Campus on East Capitol Street.

Okay.

Um good.

We like folks who are active in their PTOs.

Um how will you measure the success of your work on the board?

That's a good question.

I would measure the success by making sure um, you know, we're we apply the same um rigor to each case's um, predictability of how we roll in these cases, um, and you know, making sure we don't have a backlog getting through a backlog.

Um that's how it measure success on this board.

Um, making sure that that, you know, I'm being fair that the board is being fair, and we're applying the um the the rules consistently from case to case, and we can be predictable.

Okay.

Any follow-up questions?

I don't have any other questions for you at this time.

Okay.

Um, thank you for your willingness to serve.

And thank you as well for being here in person.

We like people who are in person at our hearings.

Thank you.

So you're excused.

Um, I indicated before the record in this matter will close at five PM on Wednesday, July eighth, and tentatively we're looking to mark this up on July fourteenth.

So you may discover how you're spending your summer.

Thank you.

Um I'm going to conclude this hearing or round table now.

The time is eleven thirty nine A.

M.

and this round table is adjourned.