Section 10-A2115. NNW-2.5 FOGGY BOTTOM/WEST END

 

2115.1Foggy Bottom is one of the District’s oldest residential neighborhoods. It includes a mix of 19th century alley houses, small-scale townhouses, mid rise apartments and condominiums, as well as the campus of George Washington University and GWU Hospital. Major federal uses, including the Department of State and the Kennedy Center, are located in the neighborhood. The neighborhood also includes Columbia Plaza and the Watergate, both mixed use complexes that are predominantly residential. There are also several hotels and office buildings in the area. 2115.1

 

2115.2The neighborhood has a shortage of usable parkland. The Potomac Freeway along the area’s western boundary restricts access between the neighborhood, adjacent parkland, the waterfront, and the Kennedy Center. George Washington Circle provides a large centrally located open space, but vehicular traffic around the circle makes it difficult to access. Rock Creek Park itself is cut off from the area by the freeway; moreover, there are inconsistencies between the Comprehensive Plan and zoning in the area, with the Comp Plan designating the public lands as parks and open space while zoning suggests high-density residential development. Open, green space is the preferred use where such conflicts exist (see Policy 2.5.4 below). 2115.2

 

2115.3The heart of the neighborhood, including the major concentration of 19th century townhouses, was designated a historic district in 1986. In 1992, the Foggy Bottom Overlay District was created to provide further protection to the area, and to maintain the residential development pattern. 2115.3

 

2115.4The West End, just north of Foggy Bottom, is a former industrial and residential area that has been undergoing major change since the late 1970s. The area was rezoned in 1975 to encourage mixed use development. Since that time there has been major office, hotel and residential development, and very few vacant sites remain. The opportunity remains to enhance the M Street corridor between Georgetown and Connecticut Avenue, and to strengthen Pennsylvania Avenue corridor, which currently defines the edge between Foggy Bottom and the West End. 2115.4

 

2115.5The expansion of George Washington University has been an ongoing issue of significant concern in Foggy Bottom and the West End, with neighbors expressing great concerns about the loss of housing stock and the changing character of the community. Continued commercial, hotel, and institutional expansion-coupled with increased regional commuter traffic-has caused major traffic and parking problems and concerns about air quality and disruption of the quality of life. The objectives for land use decisions in the Foggy Bottom/West End area are to conserve and enhance the existing residential neighborhood, maintain and improve existing parkland, and balance the needs of local residents with the needs of the university to carry out its academic mission. Efforts should continue to retain the residential balance of the area, ensure adherence to the Campus Plan, and proactively address neighborhood and university concerns. 2115.5

 

2115.6The area includes the Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro Station, one of the busiest in the system. This station has only one entrance and elevator. A second entrance would be desirable and is encouraged in the future. 2115.6

 

2115.7Policy NNW-2.5.1: GWU/Foggy Bottom Coordination

 

Encourage continued efforts to improve communication and coordination between George Washington University (GWU) and the Foggy Bottom and West End communities. Campus Plans for the university must demonstrate how the campus can manage its academic mission within its current boundaries and enrollment. These efforts must ensure protection of the residential character of Foggy Bottom. 2115.7

 

2115.8Policy NNW-2.5.2: Student Housing and Parking Issues

 

Support efforts by George Washington University to place students in residential facilities within the campus boundaries or at the Mount Vernon campus to alleviate pressure on the housing stock in Foggy Bottom/West End and to develop transportation demand management programs and facilities that reduce parking problems on residential streets in the campus area. 2115.8

 

2115.9Policy NNW-2.5.3: GWU Building Intensity

 

Consider in principle the concept of increasing density on the existing George Washington University campus for future space and facility needs (as measured by the enrollment, staff, and faculty limits set in the approved Campus Plan) provided that steps are taken to avoid sharp contrasts in height and bulk between the campus and the surrounding community, and to mitigate the effects of increased traffic, parking, and other impacts. 2115.9

 

2115.10Policy NNW-2.5.4: West End/Foggy Bottom Parkland

 

Protect and maximize the benefits of, all parks and open spaces in this area, including George Washington Circle, Juarez Circle and adjacent open space “islands,” Rock Creek Park, and Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway. The publicly-owned land between M Street and Virginia Avenue and 26th and 29th Street, which includes both federally-owned and District-owned land, shall be retained as parkland and shall not be used for development or highways. 2115.10

 

2115.11Action NNW-2.5.A: Foggy Bottom/West End Transportation Improvements

 

Conduct studies and implement appropriate changes to improve access and circulation between, through, and around the Foggy Bottom and West End neighborhoods, respecting the L’Enfant Plan street grid, protecting Juarez Circle and other parklands as open space, and better incorporating the transportation needs of various institutions and uses into the fabric of surrounding neighborhoods. 2115.11

 

2115.12Action NNW-2.5.B: Washington Circle

 

Design and implement pedestrian access improvements to the Washington

Circle open space. 2115.12

 

2115.13Action NNW-2.5.C: Zoning/Comp Plan Conflicts on Open Space

 

Apply the proposed “Open Space” zoning designation (see Action PROS- 1.3.A) to the publicly-owned properties north and south of K Street between 29th Street and Rock Creek Park. 2115.13

 

2115.14Action NNW-2.5.D: Metro Station Access

 

Support the development of an additional entry portal to the Foggy Bottom Metro station. 2115.14

 

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.