Tuesday, August 05, 2014

more info on the DC Office of Planning's proposed pop-up zoning regulations and Conservation District

Click on the link to read the * entire * Short Articles about Long Meetings post.

DC Office made a presentation last night to ANC 1A and ANC 1B.  I was unable to attend, soI am glad that SALM took some notes and posted them.

The proposed pop-up zoning regulation would impact Bloomingdale, which is zoned R-4.

And Bloomingdale could entertain the concept of the proposed Conservation District.

I have included some highlights below from this SALM post.


Covering Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) in Dupont Circle / Logan Circle / U Street / Shaw


Office of Planning Proposal 

Steingasser briefed on an Office of Planning proposal (Case Number 14-11, a nine-page .pdf document here) to limit both pop-ups as well as conversions of rowhouses to multi-family units.
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The proposed regulations would
  • reduce the height to which houses could be expanded "by right" (i.e., without applying for zoning permission) from 40 feet to 35 feet (measured from the sidewalk)
  • allow height up to 40 feet if the homeowner has obtained a special exception from the Board of Zoning Adjustment(BZA)
  • place severe restrictions on the circumstances under which a rowhouse could be converted into an apartment house.
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Historic Preservation on Conservation Districts

Steve Caldcott reported that the idea of conservation districts was moving forward. The legislation is still in draft form, Caldcott said, but he expected the legislation to be "wrapped up this month" and ready for presentation to the DC Council this fall.

A conservation district would be similar to a historic district, but the level of protection for buildings would be lower. Once a conservation district had been established, however, any proposed demolition or major alteration of a building would have to come before the HPO. Additions to a building that "fundamentally expand" a building would also be subject to review. Front alterations would also be investigated by HPO, but Caldcott said the office would not get into as much detail as they might in a full-fledged historic district. Finally, all new construction would be subject to review.

A community would have to petition to be considered a conservation district, in much the same way as areas today petition to be historic districts.
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