Section 10-A1409. AC-3.1 HOUSING FOR THE CREATIVE WORKFORCE

 

1409.1According to Census 2000, the District has a higher percentage of artists in its workforce than any other state in the country. Yet the city’s ability to sustain its artists is threatened by a lack of affordable real estate and suitable locations for studios, live-work space, and production facilities. Some artistic enterprises have already left the city for cheaper space in the suburbs. Businesses in the cultural and non-profit sectors are particularly vulnerable to cost pressures due to their low profit margins, specialized needs, and entrepreneurial nature. 1409.1

 

1409.2Live-work spaces traditionally have consisted of converted warehouses and industrial buildings, with open floor plans that offer large, flexible workspaces. Such spaces may house activities like film processing, welding, amplified music, fired ceramics, and other uses that are not compatible with traditional residential development. This is problematic in the District, since the city has a limited supply of industrial buildings and the competition for these buildings is fierce. 1409.2

 

1409.3While the District clearly has many groups in dire need of affordable housing, the needs of the arts community should not be forgotten. Creative and effective solutions can be developed without diminishing the city’s resources for broader affordable housing programs.

 

1409.4Policy AC-3.1.1: Affordable Artist Housing

 

Include provisions for arts professionals in the District’s affordable housing programs. 1409.4

See also the Housing Element for additional policies and actions on affordable and workforce housing. The Mather Building in downtown DC is an example of an affordable livework space for artists. The building had been vacant for over a decade before the Cultural Development Corporation of DC and a private developer renovated it as condos, with the units on the building’s second two floors designated for artist live/work space. This development gave artists an opportunity to own their space at a very low cost and enabled them to remain in the District.

 

1409.5Policy AC-3.1.2: Live-Work Spaces

 

Ensure that the District’s zoning and land use regulations support the development of live-work space for artists in a variety of settings around the city. 1409.5

 

1409.6Action AC-3.1.A: Zoning Amendments

 

Conduct a review of planning, building, and zoning regulations as they relate to arts uses to:

 

(a)permit and/or create incentives for joint living and work quarters for artists in new and existing structures; and

 

(b)make it easier to use garages and accessory buildings on residential lots as studio spaces, provided that issues such as noise, fire safety, environmental protection, and parking can be addressed.

 

See the Land Use Element for additional policies on home-based businesses.

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.