Section 10-A1608. CW-1.1 GUIDING GROWTH AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION

 

1608.1The following general policies and actions should guide growth and neighborhood conservation decisions in Central Washington. These policies and actions should be considered in tandem with those in the citywide elements of the Comprehensive Plan. 1608.1

 

1608.2Policy CW-1.1.1: Promoting Mixed Use Development

 

Expand the mix of land uses in Central Washington to attract a broader variety of activities and sustain the area as the hub of the metropolitan area. Central Washington should be strengthened as a dynamic employment center, a high-quality regional retail center, an internationally-renowned cultural center, a world-class visitor and convention destination, a vibrant urban neighborhood, and the focus of the regional transportation network. New office and retail space, hotels, arts and entertainment uses, housing, and open space should be encouraged through strategic incentives so that the area remains attractive, exciting, and economically productive. 1608.2

 

See also the Urban Design and Land Use Elements for additional policies related to Downtown growth.

 

1608.3Policy CW-1.1.2: Central Washington Office Growth

 

Retain Central Washington as the premier office location in the Greater Washington region. Office development should generally be guided eastward from its current area of concentration, filling in the gap between 3rd Street NW and North Capitol Street (south of Massachusetts Avenue), and capitalizing on the growing demand for office space along North and South Capitol Streets and in the vicinity of the New York Avenue Metro station. A range of office space should be planned to meet the needs of highend, mid-range, and low-end office space users. 1608.3

 

See also the Economic Development Element for additional policies related to growth of the office economy. Seventh Street NW

 

1608.4Policy CW-1.1.3: Incentives for Non-Office Uses

 

Because market forces tend to favor office development over other land uses in Central Washington, take action to attract the other desired land uses within the area. For example, the District’s zoning regulations should include incentives for mixed use development, including housing, ground floor retail, educational uses, and arts facilities, in locations consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. 1608.4

 

1608.5  Policy CW-1.1.5:  New Housing Development in Central Washington

 

Encourage the development of new high-density housing in Central Washington, particularly in the area north of Massachusetts Avenue, east of Mount Vernon Square, and the L’Enfant Plaza/Near Southwest.  This area includes Mount Vernon Triangle, Northwest One, NoMA, and the L’Enfant Plaza/Near Southwest.  Ground floor retail space and similar uses should be strongly encouraged within these areas to create street-life and provide neighborhood services for residents.  A strong Downtown residential community can create pedestrian traffic, meet local-housing needs, support local businesses in the evenings and on weekends, and increase neighborhood safety and security.

 

1608.6Policy CW-1.1.5: Central Washington Housing Diversity

 

Preserve Central Washington’s existing low- to moderate-income housing, including public housing, Section 8 housing-both contracts and vouchers- and other subsidized units. While this will be expensive, it is important to keep Central Washington a mixed income community and avoid the displacement of lower income residents. 1608.6

 

1608.7Policy CW-1.1.6: Capturing Visitor and Employee Spending

 

Capture a greater share of the demand for goods and services generated by the more than 400,000 persons working in Central Washington, and the millions of tourists who visit the area each year by supporting additional retail and restaurant development. This will generate substantial jobs, tax revenues, and social and economic benefits for the city. 1608.7

 

1608.8Policy CW-1.1.7: Central Washington Arts and Entertainment Uses

 

Retain, enhance, and expand Central Washington’s arts and entertainment uses, including theaters, cinemas, galleries, studios, museums, and related services. Cultural uses should be actively encouraged in the area along 7th Street NW (between the National Mall and the Convention Center), and along the E Street corridor (between 5th and 15th Streets NW). The clustering of arts uses in these areas should complement the significant cultural institutions already present or planned, such as the Smithsonian museums (including the renovated National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum), the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Newseum, and the numerous Downtown theaters. 1608.8

 

See also the Economic Development Element for further policies relating to growth of the tourism and hospitality economy, and policies in the Arts and Culture Element on the promotion of Downtown arts and live-work housing for artists.

 

1608.9Policy CW-1.1.8: Promote Central Washington Retail

 

Develop and promote Central Washington as a regional retail destination. Particular emphasis should be placed on sustaining a concentrated regional shopping area at

 

a.The F and G Street corridors between 7th and 15th Streets NW;

 

b.Seventh Street NW in the Gallery Place and Penn Quarter neighborhoods; and

 

c.The Old Convention Center site.

 

The design of streets and facades in these areas should be conducive to pedestrian-oriented shopping, with wide sidewalks, window displays, well managed on-street vending activities, outdoor seating areas, and other shopper amenities. A mix of traditional large-format retail anchors and specialty shops should be encouraged. In particular, support should be provided to attract one or two additional boutique department stores to these areas. 1608.9

 

See also the Economic Development and Urban Design Elements for additional policies relating to the retail sector.

 

1608.10Policy CW-1.1.9: Neighborhood-Serving Retail in Central Washington

 

Ensure that Central Washington’s retail uses serve not only the regional market, but also the local neighborhood market created by residential development within the area. This should include basic consumer goods like drug stores, hardware stores, and grocery stores, to supplement the major anchors and specialty shops. 1608.10

 

1608.11Policy CW-1.1.10: Central Washington Hotels and Hospitality Services

 

Encourage the development of additional hotels in Central Washington, especially in the areas around the new Convention Center and Gallery Place, along Pennsylvania Avenue NW and Massachusetts Avenue NW, in the Thomas Circle area, and in the area east of Third Street NW. A range of hotel types, including moderately priced hotels, and hotels oriented to family travelers as well as business travelers, should be encouraged. Hotels generate jobs for District residents and revenues for the general fund and should be granted incentives when necessary. Retain existing hotel uses by allowing and encouraging the expansion of those uses, including the addition of one floor, approximately 16 feet in height subject to coordination with federal security needs, to the Hay-Adams Hotel. 1608.11

 

1608.12Policy CW-1.1.11: Leveraging Public Development Sites

 

Use publicly-owned development sites, such as urban renewal sites, WMATA joint development sites, and the former Washington Convention Center site to implement key objectives and policies of the Central Washington Area Element, especially with respect to land use and urban design. These sites should be viewed as a portfolio of assets that must be strategically managed to meet the long term needs of the District. 1608.12

 

1608.13Policy CW-1.1.12: Reinforcing Central Washington’s Characteristic Design Features

 

Reinforce the physical qualities that set Central Washington apart from all other major American city centers, including the L’Enfant framework of diagonal avenues and park reservations, relatively low building heights, the great open spaces of the National Mall and Tidal Basin, the large number of historic and/or monumental buildings, and the blending of historic and contemporary architecture. 1608.13

 

1608.14Policy CW-1.1.13: Creating Active Street Life and Public Spaces

 

Promote active street life throughout Central Washington through the design of buildings, streets, and public spaces. This should include:

 

a.Discouraging second-level pedestrian bridges or underground walkways that drain activity from Central Washington streets;

 

b.Encouraging multiple entrances in large projects to increase street level activity;

 

c.Managing certain streets so they can be easily closed to traffic on special occasions for use by pedestrians;

 

d.Providing streetscape improvements that make Downtown streets more comfortable and attractive;

 

e.Encouraging active ground floor uses, and discouraging wide building entrances, large internal lobbies, and street-facing garage entrances and loading areas;

 

f.Creating and managing well designed public spaces that provide space for spontaneous performances, programmed entertainment, and social interaction;

 

g.Supporting collaboration with the National Park Service on measures to allow for recreation space as well as local and federal monuments and national memorials on federally-owned parks in the heart of the central business district such as Pershing Park, and Franklin, McPherson, and Farragut Squares; and

h.Continuing the effort started more than 45 years ago to revitalize Pennsylvania Avenue through measures such as improved lighting, landscaping, and better use of Freedom Plaza. 1608.14

 

See also the Urban Design Element for additional policies relating to improving the public realm and creating active Downtown street environments.

 

1608.15Policy CW-1.1.14: Central Washington Multi-modal Transportation System

 

Develop and maintain a balanced multi-modal transportation system for Central Washington which makes optimal use of the existing street network, the Metrorail and commuter rail networks, the bus system, and public spaces including sidewalks and alleys. Mass transit should be supported as the dominant form of transportation to, from, and around the area. 1608.15

 

1608.16Policy CW-1.1.15: Increasing Central Washington’s Transit Mode Share

 

Improve public transit and other means of non-automobile access to Central Washington to the point where 70 percent of all peak hour trips into the area are made by a mode other than a single occupant vehicle. Based on 2000 Census data, the split for the Central Washington Planning Area was 60/40, with 40 percent of all commuters driving to work alone. Public transit should be emphasized as the preferred means of access to and around Central Washington by:

 

a.Giving priority to public transit vehicles on the area’s streets;

 

b.Promoting the use of public transit for commuting;

 

c.Encouraging direct connections from Metrorail stations to adjacent development;

 

d.Improving the availability of information and signage about public transit service;

 

e.Developing new forms of transit such as circulators and trolleys; and

 

f.Improving public transit service, particularly during off peak hours. 1608.16

 

1608.17Policy CW-1.1.16: Central Washington Parking Management

 

Develop creative, effective solutions to manage Downtown parking demand. These solutions should be responsive to the needs of local retailers and businesses without inducing excessive auto traffic or discouraging transit use. Incentives for short-term parking within private garages, the sharing of parking by multiple uses with different demand characteristics, and better parking signage are all strongly encouraged. 1608.17

 

See also the Transportation Element for additional policies on shared parking and parking management.

 

1608.18Policy CW-1.1.17: Making Central Washington’s Streets More Pedestrian-Friendly

 

Enhance Central Washington’s pedestrian network and improve pedestrian safety. This should be achieved through such measures as:

 

a.Improving certain streets for pedestrian use;

 

b.Providing safe and accessible pedestrian waiting space on the widest thoroughfares;

 

c.Maintaining sufficiently wide sidewalks and regulating sidewalk obstructions;

 

d.Restricting curb cuts and parking garage access along major streets;

 

e.Providing safe and accessible pedestrian detours at construction sites;

 

f.Encouraging sidewalk widening within private development; and

 

g.Enforcement of traffic and parking laws, such as no parking zones. 1608.18

 

1608.19Policy CW-1.1.18: Cross-town Circulation

 

Strengthen transportation connections between Central Washington and the rest of the city by improving east-west connections such as F Street NW and north-south connections such as 7th and 9th Streets. 1608.19

 

See also policies in the Land Use, Urban Design, and Transportation Elements discouraging street closures in and around the District.

 

1608.20Policy CW-1.1.19: Goods Movement and Service Delivery within Central Washington

 

Strongly discourage the obstruction of public rights-of-way by goods and service delivery activities. Provide for the efficient and convenient movement of goods and delivery of services within Central Washington by:

 

a.Maintaining and improving interior alleys where needed to provide for off street loading facilities and minimize curb cuts on streets;

 

b.Encouraging the consolidation of loading areas within new development and limiting on-street service deliveries;

 

c.Requiring adequate off-street or below grade loading and service parking areas;

 

d.Converting on-street loading facilities to off-street facilities whenever possible; and

 

e.Managing goods and service delivery times. 1608.20

 

See the Transportation Element for additional policies on goods delivery. Street vendor, North Capitol Street

 

1608.21Policy CW-1.1.20: Wayfinding Signage

 

Maintain, upgrade, and manage pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular signage within Central Washington to improve connections within the area, and between the area and the rest of the city. Street signs, directional signs, and maps should provide clear information on travel routes, emergency routes and procedures, parking, and transit operations. 1608.21

 

See the Urban Design Element for additional policies on signage.

 

1608.22Policy CW-1.1.21: Central Washington Capital Improvements

 

Invest in capital projects that improve the quality of Central Washington’s environment, stimulate private investment, accommodate projected growth, and set the stage for the area to achieve its full economic and quality of life potential. To create the necessary revenue stream for these improvements, a significant share of the tax revenues generated by development in Central Washington should be reinvested within the area. No less than three percent of Central Washington’s real property tax revenues should be directed to capital improvements in this area annually. 1608.22

 

1608.23Action CW-1.1.A: Downtown Action Agenda Update

 

Update the 2000 Downtown Action Agenda as a “Center City Action Agenda.” The updated agenda should include a five-year list of actions to ensure development of the center city into a dynamic mixed use area. Study area boundaries should extend from Georgetown to Capitol Hill on the west and east and Dupont Circle to Buzzard Point on the north and south, with a particular focus on NoMA and the areas south of I-395. The Action Agenda should include updated land use “targets” to guide future development and marketing strategies. It should also address the relationship between the Central Employment Area and the “ring” of residential neighborhoods on its perimeter. 1608.23

 

1608.24Action CW-1.1.B: Land Use and Transportation Planning for Central Washington

 

Conduct ongoing land use and transportation research and planning for Central Washington, including the collection and analysis of data on the area’s employment, population, housing, visitor, land use, development, travel pattern, and economic characteristics. This research and planning is necessary to monitor Central Washington’s competitive position in the nation and region and to make policy recommendations to maintain its health. This activity should be done in concert with the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), the DC Economic Partnership, and the local Business Improvement Districts. 1608.24

 

1608.25Action CW-1.1.C: Central Washington Urban Design Planning

Continue to develop plans and guidelines for the design of buildings, streets, and public spaces in Central Washington. Design guidelines should help implement the Comprehensive Plan by reinforcing the unique identity of Central Washington’s sub-areas and neighborhoods, improving connections to the National Mall, encouraging pedestrian movement, creating active street life, preserving historic resources, promoting green roofs and other sustainable design principles, and achieving high quality architectural design. 1608.25

 

1608.26Action CW-1.1.D: Focused Planning for “Catalytic” Sites

 

Develop detailed plans for “catalytic” sites with the potential to significantly shape the future of Central Washington. These sites include but are not limited to the Old Convention Center site, the I-395 air rights between D Street and Massachusetts Avenue NW, the Northwest One neighborhood, the air rights north of Union Station, and the former Carnegie Library on Mount Vernon Square. Encourage the federal government to prepare plans for similar sites under their jurisdiction such as Freedom Plaza, the old Post Office on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Old Naval Observatory Hill, and the area around the Kennedy Center. 1608.26

 

1608.27Action CW-1.1.E: Public Space Regulations

 

Simplify public space regulations for Downtown to avoid duplicative or inconsistent standards and overly complex permitting requirements. 1608.27

 

1608.28Action CW-1.1.F: Residential Development Incentives

 

Develop incentives for the conversion of lower-performing retail/office buildings into new housing or mixed use development throughout Central Washington. 1608.28

 

1608.29Action CW-1.1.G: Tax and Financial Incentives for “Preferred” Land Uses and Infrastructure Investments

 

Apply a range of tax and financial incentives to assist in achieving the land use objectives for Central Washington. These incentives could include such measures as reduced taxes and financial assistance for preferred land uses, tax increment financing, PILOTs (payments in lieu of taxes), the use of special tax districts, and the involvement of the Housing Finance Agency and other entities that produce affordable housing or provide other public benefits. 1608.29

 

1608.30Action CW-1.1.H: Congestion Task Force Report Recommendations

 

Implement the recommendations of the Mayor’s 2005 Downtown Congestion Task Force. 1608.30

 

authority

Pursuant to the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1-306.01 et seq.), the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital: District Elements of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (10 DCMR A300 through A2520) (“Comprehensive Plan”).

source

Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300) published at 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361) published at 58 DCR 908, 924 (February 4, 2011).

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.