Halycon House Reduces Number, Size of Events, Secures Approval

S&R Foundation's agreement to reduce the size and number of events planned for the historic Halcyon House, 3400 – 3410 Prospect St., NW, earned it's support fro the Georgetown Advisory Neighborhood Commission Tuesday. They endorsed a revised application for a non-profit seeking to operate at the busy corner of Prospect and 34th streets NW in Georgetown.

The owners of Halcyon House, Drs. Sachiko Kuno and Ryuji Ueno, are seeking a zoning exception to use the historic property for a non-profit. The zoning hearing is next, week, but first the proposal needed ANC review.

During the non-profit's first appearance at the ANC earlier this summer, the local government body opposed the plan to bring 10 or more events per month to the historic Halcyon House. But, after several "very productive" conversations with neighbors and the ANC, the non-profit agreed to reduce the number of events to 75 total.

One of the biggest issues for neighbors was the the owners' proposal to allow corporations or non-profits with a "similar mission or goal" to use the historic home to raise funds by holding events such as galas. 

In the new agreement, no such events by outside groups would be allowed, and the foundation will limit itself to a total of three events attended by as many as 350 people. The majority of events will be lectures and seminars attended by between 1 and 50 people. 

Alice Haase, an attorney for the S&R Foundation and International Institute of Global Relianc, told the ANC that she expects the planned events to have "very low impact on neighborhood."

A neighbor of the property said she was happy with the engagement and communication by Haase and said she trusted the level of "sincerity" in the organization's efforts. 

The ANC withrew its prior objection and "endorsed" the new proposed conditions.

The proposal will go before the Board of Zoning Adjustment Tuesday.