Section 10-A2208. RCE-1.1 GUIDING GROWTH AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION

 

2208.1The following general policies and actions should guide growth and neighborhood conservation decisions in the Rock Creek East Planning Area. These policies and actions should be considered in tandem with those in the citywide elements of the Comprehensive Plan. 2208.1

 

2208.2Policy RCE-1.1.1: Conservation of Low Density Neighborhoods

 

Maintain and conserve the attractive, stable neighborhoods of the Rock Creek East Planning Area. Any new development in the Planning Area should be attractively designed and should contribute to the community’s positive physical identity. 2208.2

 

2208.3Policy RCE-1.1.2: Design Compatibility

 

Ensure that renovation, additions, and new construction in the area’s low density neighborhoods respects the scale and densities of adjacent properties, avoids sharp contrasts in height and mass, and preserves park like qualities such as dense tree cover and open space. 2208.3

 

See the Urban Design Element for additional policies on compatible building design and the Land Use Element for additional guidance on infill development.

 

2208.4Policy RCE-1.1.3: Directing Growth

 

Concentrate economic development activity and employment growth in Rock Creek East around the Georgia Avenue/Petworth Metrorail and Takoma station areas, along the Georgia Avenue corridor, along Kennedy Street, and on 14th Street NW between Allison and Decatur Streets. Provide improved pedestrian, transit, and bicycle access to these areas, and improve their visual and urban design qualities in order to create a unique destination for the local community to enjoy. 2208.4

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2208.5Policy RCE-1.1.4: Neighborhood Shopping Areas

 

Maintain and encourage the development of multi-use neighborhood shopping and services in those areas designated for commercial or mixed uses on the Future Land Use Map. The encroachment of commercial and other non-residential uses into the stable neighborhoods adjacent to these locations shall be strongly discouraged. 2208.5

 

Please consult the Land Use Element for policies addressing the mitigation of commercial development impacts, such as traffic, parking, litter and noise, on surrounding residential areas.

 

2208.6Policy RCE-1.1.5: Housing Renovation

 

Strongly encourage the rehabilitation and renovation of existing housing in Rock Creek East, taking steps to ensure that housing remains affordable for current and future residents. 2208.6

 

2208.7Policy RCE-1.1.6: Development of New Housing

 

Encourage the retention of existing subsidized housing units within the Rock Creek East Planning Area, along with other measures to increase housing choices and improve housing affordability for area residents. This should include the production of new mixed income housing along Georgia Avenue, and the encouragement of mixed income housing in the industrially zoned area west of Georgia Avenue between Upshur and Shepherd, and on District-owned land along Spring Road near the Petworth Metro Station. A particular emphasis should be placed on providing low cost affordable housing for seniors. 2208.7

 

2208.8Policy RCE-1.1.7: Cross Jurisdictional Coordination

 

Work closely with the Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission and the City of Takoma Park to guide development along the Maryland/District line, especially at the gateway areas along Eastern Avenue at 16th Street, Georgia Avenue and New Hampshire Avenue. 2208.8

 

2208.9Policy RCE-1.1.8: Industrial Zone Buffering

 

Provide improved buffering and screening along the interface between residential areas and industrial areas, especially along Blair Road, Chillum Place, and the CSX/Metrorail corridor. To protect nearby neighborhoods from noise and other industrial impacts, the expansion of industrial uses should be limited to areas designated for Production, Distribution, and Repair (PDR) on the Future Land Use Map. 2208.9

 

2208.10Policy RCE-1.1.9: Traffic Management Strategies

 

Establish traffic management strategies to keep through-traffic on major arterials, separate local traffic from commuter traffic, and keep trucks off of residential streets. These strategies should include improvements to buses, bicycle lanes, and sidewalks, as well as measures to coordinate traffic signal timing and improve traffic flow. Particular focus should be given to Georgia Avenue, North Capitol Street, Blair Road, 14th Street, Missouri Avenue, New Hampshire Avenue, Kennedy Street, and Piney Branch Road. 2208.10

 

See also the Transportation Element for policies on transportation demand management, transit, bicycles, and pedestrians, including pedestrian safety

 

2208.11Policy RCE-1.1.10: Parking For Neighborhood Retail Districts

 

Discourage the use of retail business and municipal building parking lots for long-term commuter parking through more aggressive enforcement and the provision of other parking and transportation options. 2208.11

 

2208.12Policy RCE-1.1.11: Bus Service Improvements

 

Promote more efficient bus service in the Planning Area, with a particular emphasis on connecting residents to the Metrorail stations, providing faster and more reliable service along Georgia Avenue, and improving circulation between the east and wide sides of Rock Creek Park. Explore the concept of jitneys and shuttles as a more economical alternative to additional bus routes. 2208.12

 

2208.13Policy RCE-1.1.12: Enforcement

 

Mitigate traffic, parking, noise, and related safety problems that result from nonresidential uses through strict enforcement of zoning, parking, and other municipal regulations. 2208.13

 

2208.14Action RCE-1.1.A: Small Area Plan Priorities

 

Prepare Small Area Plans for the following areas in Rock Creek East:

 

•Upper Georgia Avenue NW (between Decatur Street and Eastern Avenue) including the Brightwood neighborhood

 

•Kennedy Street NW

 

•Spring Road Public Facility Campus. 2208.14

 

2208.15Action RCE-1.1.B: Façade Improvements

 

Implement urban design and façade improvements in the established commercial districts along Georgia Avenue, Kennedy Street, and 14th Street. These improvements should be based on standards that can be enforced through city codes such as zoning and building regulations. 2208.15

 

2208.16Action RCE-1.1.C: Industrial Zone Buffers

 

Develop a design plan to implement buffering techniques that protect residential areas from adjacent industrial sites, especially along Blair Road and Chillum Place. 2208.16

 

2208.17Action RCE-1.1.D: Improving Traffic Flow

 

Improve traffic flow and safety through improved lighting, signage, pavement markings, traffic islands, truck route signs, and other transportation system management measures for Georgia Avenue, North Capitol Street, Missouri Avenue the 4th/Blair intersection, and New Hampshire Avenue. 2208.17

 

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.