Section 10-A1712. FNS-2.2 DEANWOOD

 

1712.1Deanwood is one of Far Northeast and Southeast’s oldest communities; much of its housing stock dates from the early 20th century. Several wellknown African-American architects, including W. Sidney Pittman and Howard D. Woodson, and many skilled local craftsmen designed and built many of its homes. The neighborhood was once home to Nannie Helen Burroughs, an early civil rights leader and the founder of the National Training School for Women and Girls, an independent boarding school for African-American girls founded in 1909 and located on 50th Street NE. From 1921 to 1940, Deanwood was also home to Suburban Gardens (50th and Hayes NE), a black-owned amusement park that served thousands of African-American residents during a time of racial segregation. 1712.1

 

1712.2Deanwood’s relatively low density, small wood-frame and brick homes, and dense tree cover give it a small town character that is unique in the District of Columbia. At the same time, there are hundreds of vacant single family lots in the community, creating the potential for future infill housing on many blocks. Some of the vacant properties have caused problems in the past, attracting crime, dumping, and neighborhood blight. Non-conforming uses, including an illegal trash transfer station, further challenge neighborhood integrity and environmental quality. 1712.2

 

1712.3While new housing is encouraged in the Deanwood and adjacent Burrville neighborhoods, density and design should complement prevailing community character. Rehabilitation of existing housing is also strongly encouraged, as much of Deanwood has suffered from disinvestment over the past 40 years. The neighborhood’s main commercial streets-Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue and Division Avenue—have strong potential for infill and revitalization. The intersection of these two streets in particular should be strengthened as a neighborhood hub, with new retail and service businesses strongly encouraged. 1712.3

 

1712.4Deanwood also suffers from land use and transportation conflicts, particularly on its western edge along Kenilworth Avenue. An industrial area along the CSX line provides jobs and services, but also creates noise, truck traffic, and visual blight. Improved buffering of this area from the adjacent neighborhood and additional development around the Deanwood Metro station can reduce future conflicts while improving overall community appearance. 1712.4

 

1712.5Policy FNS-2.2.1: Deanwood’s Residential Character

 

Strongly encourage infill development on vacant lots in the Deanwood community. This development should respect and perpetuate the lowdensity, single family character of the neighborhood, with new one and two-family homes that complement existing architectural traditions and community character. 1712.5

 

1712.6Policy FNS-2.2.2: Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue

 

Focus neighborhood-serving commercial development in Deanwood along the Nannie Helen Burroughs Corridor, with the intersection of Division and Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenues restored as a community hub. 1712.6

 

1712.7Policy FNS-2.2.3: Kenilworth Industrial Area

 

Upgrade and expand the commercial and industrial area along Kenilworth Avenue, particularly the Kenilworth Industrial Park, and provide for additional employment in this industrial corridor. Improve the appearance of this area through design standards, building maintenance, and public space and street improvements. Encourage local businesses and entrepreneurs to use the business incubator in this corridor in order to create increased job opportunities for area residents. 1712.7

 

1712.8Policy FNS-2.2.4: Deanwood Metro Station

 

Provide for new moderate density housing in the vicinity of the Deanwood Metrorail Station, and expanded neighborhood-serving commercial uses along Kenilworth Avenue NE. Ensure that appropriate buffers are provided between new development and the adjacent residential areas. 1712.8

 

1712.9Policy FNS-2.2.5: Deanwood Industrial Buffers

 

Improve buffers between the industrial and residential uses in the Deanwood and Central Northeast neighborhoods, particularly where the proximity of these uses to one another is creating conflicts. 1712.9

 

1712.10 Action FNS-2.2.A: Deanwood Small Area Plan

 

Prepare a Small Area Plan for the Deanwood neighborhood, including the Metro station area, the Nannie Helen Burroughs and Division Avenue business districts, and the surrounding residential community. 1712.10

 

1712.11Action FNS-2.2.B: Division and Nannie Helen Burroughs Commercial

 

Explore the option of acquiring underused land from DCPS for commercial development at the intersection of Division and Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenues NE. 1712.11

 

1712.12Action FNS-2.2.C: Minnesota Avenue Extension

 

Extend Minnesota Avenue from Sheriff Road to Meade Street NE to improve access to the Deanwood Metrorail Station and to eliminate the private bus company’s encroachment on public space. 1712.12

 

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.