Section 10-A2108. NNW-1.1 GUIDING GROWTH AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION

 

2108.1The following general policies and actions should guide growth and neighborhood conservation decisions in Near Northwest. These policies and actions should be considered in tandem with those in the citywide elements of the Comprehensive Plan. 2108.1

 

2108.2Policy NNW-1.1.1: Residential Neighborhoods

 

Maintain and enhance the historic, architecturally distinctive mixed density character of Near Northwest residential neighborhoods, including Burleith, Georgetown, Foggy Bottom, Dupont Circle, Sheridan-Kalorama, Logan Circle, Mount Vernon Square, and Shaw. Ensure that infill development within these areas is architecturally compatible with its surroundings and positively contributes to the identity and quality of each neighborhood. 2108.2

 

2108.3Policy NNW-1.1.2: Directing Growth

 

Generally direct growth within the Near Northwest Planning Area to the eastern side of the Planning Area (Logan Circle and Shaw), given the strong market demand and limited land available on the west side, and the need for reinvestment and renovation on the east side. 2108.3

 

2108.4Policy NNW-1.1.3: Enhancing Stable Commercial Areas

 

Sustain and enhance the neighborhood, community, and regional shopping areas of Near Northwest, including M Street, P Street, Wisconsin Avenue, Connecticut Avenue, Florida Avenue, 18th Street NW, 17th Street NW, and 14th Street NW. Sustain these areas as diverse, unique, pedestrian-oriented shopping streets that meet the needs of area residents, workers, and visitors. 2108.4

 

2108.5Policy NNW-1.1.4: Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization

 

Improve the neighborhood shopping areas along 7th, 9th, and 11th Streets NW. The success of the established businesses on these streets should be strongly encouraged, and new businesses that provide needed goods and services to area residents should be attracted. 2108.5

 

2108.6Policy NNW-1.1.5: Over Concentration of Liquor-Licensed Establishments

 

Discourage the excessive concentrations of liquor-licensed establishments on local shopping streets, especially in the Georgetown and Dupont Circle areas. 2108.6

 

2108.7Policy NNW-1.1.6: Non-Profits and Private Service Organizations

 

Work with private service organizations and non-profit organizations in the Near Northwest area to ensure that their locations and operations do not create objectionable impacts on neighboring properties. In particular, the development plans of Georgetown and George Washington Universities should avoid impacts likely to become objectionable to surrounding residential areas and should aspire to improve such areas through improved landscaping, better lighting, safer pedestrian connections, and enhanced community policing. 2108.7

 

2108.8Policy NNW-1.1.7: Loss of Housing

 

Strongly discourage the demolition of viable housing or the conversion of occupied housing units to non-residential uses such as medical offices, hotels, and institutions. Maintain zoning regulations that limit the encroachment of non-residential uses into Near Northwest neighborhoods, particularly around the new Convention Center, along the west side of Connecticut Avenue, and in Foggy Bottom. 2108.8

 

2108.9Policy NNW-1.1.8: Student Housing

 

Support and promote efforts by the area’s universities to develop on-campus dormitories in order to reduce pressure on housing in nearby neighborhoods. 2108.9

 

2108.10Policy NNW-1.1.9: Affordable Housing

 

Protect the existing stock of affordable housing in the Near Northwest Planning Area, particularly in the Shaw and Logan Circle neighborhoods. Sustain measures to avoid displacement, such as tax relief and rent control, and to encourage the production of new affordable housing throughout the community. 2108.10

 

2108.11Policy NNW-1.1.10: Parking Management

 

Continue to develop and implement programs to improve parking management in the commercial districts along Wisconsin Avenue, M Street, Connecticut Avenue, P Street, 17th Street, 14th Street, 9th Street, and 7th Street. Innovative methods for providing additional parking such as expanding the residential permit parking program, and leasing parking spaces at public facilities to parking operators for evening and weekend use, should be explored. 2108.11

 

2108.12Policy NNW-1.1.11: Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety

 

Improve safety for pedestrians and bicycles, and the security of parked bicycles, throughout the Near Northwest, especially in the Dupont Circle area. 2108.12

 

2108.13Policy NNW-1.1.12: Pedestrian Connections

 

Improve pedestrian connections through Near Northwest, especially along M Street between Connecticut Avenue and Georgetown, between the Dupont/Logan Circle areas and Downtown, and along the waterfronts in the Georgetown and Foggy Bottom areas. Create a continuous tree canopy along the area’s streets to create more comfortable conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists. 2108.13

 

2108.14Policy NNW-1.1.13: Managing Transportation Demand

 

Strongly support buses, private shuttles, and other transit solutions that address travel needs within the Near Northwest area, including connections between Metrorail and the universities and the Georgetown commercial district, and connections between the Connecticut Avenue and Embassy Row hotels and the National Mall and downtown areas. Also, promote the formation of Transportation Management Associations to assist hotel operators, employers, and large apartment managers with efforts to promote transit use and alternatives to car ownership. 2108.14

 

2108.15Policy NNW-1.1.14: Transit to Georgetown

 

Connect Georgetown to the regional Metrorail system via light rail/streetcar or bus rapid transit, consistent with WMATA’s long-range plans. 2108.15

 

2108.16Action NNW-1.1.A: Retail Strategies for Foggy Bottom and Shaw

 

Complete market studies of West End/Foggy Bottom and the area between New Jersey Avenue and North Capitol Street to assess unmet retail market demand, evaluate strategies for retaining local retailers, identify potential locations for new neighborhood serving retail, and develop strategies for attracting the appropriate mix of retail to each area. 2108.16

 

2108.17Action NNW-1.1.B: Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws

 

Analyze the patterns of alcohol beverage control (ABC) licensed establishments in the Near Northwest area, and the regulations and procedures that guide the siting and operation of these establishments. Identify possible changes to improve enforcement of ABC regulations and to reduce the problems associated with high concentrations of bars and night clubs in the area’s commercial districts. 2108.17

 

2108.18Action NNW-1.1.C: Expanding Mass Transit

 

Alleviate parking and traffic congestion in neighborhoods by providing a dedicated lane for mass transit on K Street. The feasibility of expanding service on the DC Circulator bus to connect Mount Vernon Square to Foggy Bottom, West End, and Georgetown also should be explored. 2108.18

 

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.