ANC 5A Recommended Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan
As part of the amendment process for the Comprehensive Plan ANC 5A have submitted the following recommendations to Office of Planning:
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5A, in accordance with its previous resolution in opposition to the Brookland/CUA Metro Small Area Plan and in accordance with the City Council of the District of Columbia’s qualified approval of that Plan and the Council Chair’s recommendations, suggests the following amendments of the Comprehensive Plan.:
To UNE 1.1.6, add the following bolded words:
New pedestrian-oriented retail activity also should be encouraged around the
area’s Metro stations(, while continuing to enhance and promote existing neighborhood retail businesses). 2408.7
To UNE 1.11, add Michigan Park to the list of affected neighborhoods.
To UNE 2.6, add the following bolded words:
The goal of the study is to guide future development in the station vicinity in a manner
that respects the low density scale and provides buffering for the nearby residential area (particularly the area along 10th St NE and east of 10th Street NE), mitigates parking
and traffic impacts, and improves connections to nearby institutions and shopping areas. This should be accomplished by strengthening the zoning variance process and avoiding the use of Transferable Development Rights.
To UNE 2.6.1, add the following bolded words,
Encourage moderate-density, mixed use development on vacant and
underutilized property in the vicinity of the Brookland/CUA Metro station,
including the parking lot east of the station, but not the open green space between 10th, Newton, Otis and the parking lot. Special care should be taken to buffer and
protect the existing low-scale residential uses along and east of 10th Street NE by strengthening the zoning variance process and avoiding the use of Transferable Development Rights.
To UNE-2.6.2, add the following bolded words:
Improve pedestrian safety and access to the Brookland Metro station,
particularly eastward along Monroe Street (linking to the 12th Street NE
shopping area) and Michigan Avenue (linking to Catholic University). Surface transportation improvements (light rail or ride-on busses) would assist in linking retail areas, especially for the elderly.
To UNE 2.6.3, add the following bolded words:
Support long-term land use changes on industrially zoned land in the
station vicinity that respects the low density scale of the nearby residential area,
particularly in the area immediately north of Michigan
Avenue and in the area to the southwest along 8th Street
From UNE 2.6.3, delete the following phrase.:
Consistent with the Brookland Metro Station.
To UNE 2.6.3, add the following bolded words:
the industrially zoned area within ¼ mile of the Metro station may be considered appropriate for long-term transition to more intense uses, including housing, live-work lofts, artist’s studios, and similar uses that respect the low density scale of the nearby residential area.
These amendments are in accordance with the Commission’s previous objections to the Brookland/CUA Small Area Plan as stated in our resolution to the Council:
“Therefore be it resolved that ANC 5A requests that the Council of the District of Columbia not approve the Brookland/Catholic University Metro Station Small Area Plan as it now stands, that Council require that the plan be resubmitted for approval after the three conditions listed below are met, in order to achieve a Small Area Plan that the community can support; these three conditions are:
- that the community’s widely shared agreements on important issues (such as the preservation of the Brookland Green, removing plans for excessive density, and preservation of the character of the neighborhood) are incorporated into the documents;
- that a comprehensive transportation study is completed; and
- that the “decking” and “fill” alternatives are restudied with greater thoroughness and in light of the new economic situation of the country and the city.
These amendments are also in accordance with the Council Chair’s recommendation for further consultation between the director of the Office of Planning and the affected advisory neighborhood commissions.
Respectfully submitted by John Feeley, recording secretary for ANC 5A.
Related posts:
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- Brookland CDC’s Recommended Updates to the Comprehensive Plan Last Monday January 4th, the Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association (BNCA)...
- Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association Comprehensive Plan Amendment Meeting – 01/04/2010 Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association is hosting a meeting tomorrow 1/4/2010...
- ANC 5A: Planned Unit Development and Brookland Small Area Plan Implementation Discussion ANC 5A is sponsoring a community discussion this Saturday March...
- EYA Chancellor’s Row at Brookland Metro Update Coming Soon EYA Chancellor’s Row at Brookland Metro Adjacent...
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There are several references to Brookland as a “low density” neighborhood, but that seems like an inaccurate recommendation and an even worse goal. History, Brookland and it’s surrounding neighborhoods have always been MEDIUM density – hence the large number of rowhouses and semi-detached homes. We should aspire to maintain this character – it promotes walkability, is more environmentally friendly, and helps to prevent suburban sprawl while, at the same time, also allowing for more green space than found in high-density areas.
We aren’t a low-density suburb and shouldn’t aspire to be. I live in the city because I like the city.