Section 10-A1908. AW-1.1 GUIDING GROWTH AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION

 

1908.1The following general policies and actions should guide growth and neighborhood conservation decisions in the Lower Anacostia Waterfront and Near Southwest area. These policies and actions should be considered in tandem with those in the citywide elements of the Comprehensive Plan. 1908.1

 

1908.2Policy AW-1.1.1: Conservation of Established Waterfront Neighborhoods

 

Revitalize and preserve established neighborhoods in the Waterfront Planning Area. Continued investment in the existing housing stock and in established local commercial areas should be strongly encouraged. 1908.2

 

1908.3  Policy AW-1.1.2: New Waterfront Neighborhoods

 

Create new mixed use neighborhoods on vacant or underutilized waterfront lands, particularly on large contiguous publicly-owned waterfront sites.  Within the Lower Anacostia Waterfront/ Near Southwest Planning Area, new neighborhoods should be developed at the Southwest Waterfront, Buzzard Point, Poplar Point, Southeast Federal Center and Carrollsburg areas.  These neighborhoods should be linked to new neighborhoods upriver at Reservation 13, and Kenilworth-Parkside.  A substantial amount of new housing and commercial space should be developed in these areas, reaching households of all incomes, types, sizes, and needs.  

 

1908.4Policy AW-1.1.3: Waterfront Area Commercial Development

 

Encourage commercial development in the Waterfront Area in a manner that is consistent with the Future Land Use Map. Such development should bring more retail services and choices to the Anacostia Waterfront as well as space for government and private sector activities, such as offices and hotels. Commercial development should be focused along key corridors, particularly along Maine Avenue and M Street Southeast, along South Canoeing on the Anacostia Capitol Street; and near the Waterfront/SEU and Navy Yard metrorail stations. Maritime activities such as cruise ship operations should be maintained and supported as the waterfront redevelops. 1908.4

 

1908.5Policy AW-1.1.4: Waterfront Development Amenities

 

Leverage new development in the Waterfront Planning area to create amenities and benefits that serve existing and new residents. These amenities should include parks, job training and educational opportunities, new community services, and transportation and infrastructure improvements. 1908.5

 

1908.6Policy AW-1.1.5: River Basins as a Planning Guide

 

Recognize and be responsive to the distinct settings and environments created by varying conditions along the shoreline. Consistent with the Anacostia Framework Plan, the river should be viewed as a series of “basins,” each defined by their unique physical and visual characteristics. In general, there should be a progression from a more urban environment on the lower basins (Washington Channel and the river gateway) to a more natural environment on the upper basins (Kingman and Heritage Islands, Arboretum, etc.) 1908.6

 

1908.7Policy AW-1.1.6: Pedestrian Orientation of Waterfront Uses

 

Provide a high level of pedestrian amenities along the shoreline, including informational and interpretive signs, benches and street furniture, and public art. 1908.7

 

1908.8Policy AW-1.1.7: Multi-modal Waterfront Streets

 

Design streets along the waterfront to be truly multi-modal, meeting the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users as well as motor vehicles. Safe pedestrian crossings, including overpasses and underpasses, should be provided to improve waterfront access. 1908.8

 

1908.9Policy AW-1.1.8: Barriers to Shoreline Access

 

Minimize the visual and accessibility impacts of railroad and highway infrastructure, surface parking, and industrial uses along the Anacostia River shoreline. In particular, the impacts of freeways on waterfront access should be mitigated by supporting the redesign of these facilities as tunnels or landscaped boulevards. 1908.9

 

1908.10Policy AW-1.1.9: Strengthening the M Street and Maine Avenue Corridors

 

Strengthen the connection between Central Washington and the Anacostia Waterfront by rebuilding Maine Avenue and M Street SE as graciously landscaped urban boulevards. These streets should be designed with generous pedestrian amenities, public transit improvements, landscaping, and ground floor uses that create a vibrant street environment. 1908.10

 

1908.11Policy AW-1.1.10: Upgrading the Bridges

 

Upgrade the bridges across the Anacostia River to better manage transportation flows, facilitate pedestrian and bicycle travel across the river, and provide attractive and distinctive civic landmarks. 1908.11

 

1908.12Action AW-1.1.A: Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan

 

Implement the recommendations of the Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan through interagency coordination, ongoing activities of the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation, and continued cooperative efforts with the federal government. 1908.12

 

1908.13Action AW-1.1.B: River Crossing Improvements

 

Implement the recommendations of the Middle Anacostia River Transportation Crossings Study that seek to improve local and regional traffic mobility. 1908.13

 

See the Citywide Elements for additional policies and actions related to the waterfront, including Land Use Element Section LU-1.2 on large sites, Transportation Sections T-2.5 on improvements to the Anacostia River bridges and T-2.1 on water taxis and streetcars, Environmental Protection Element Section E-3 on sustainability, and Urban Design Element Section UD-1.3 on Washington’s identity as a waterfront city.

 

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, 929 (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.