Section 10-A307. LU-1.4 NEIGHBORHOOD INFILL DEVELOPMENT

 

307.1There are hundreds of small vacant lots across the District of Columbia located away from transit stations and off of the major boulevards. Analysis conducted through the Comprehensive Plan revision determined that vacant, residentially-zoned lots totaled more than 400 acres in 2005.

 

Approximately 50 percent of this acreage was zoned for single family homes, 15 percent was zoned for townhomes and rowhomes, and 35 percent was zoned for multi-family development. Most of the sites were less than one acre in size. Some of this land may not be developable to the limits allowed by zoning due to site constraints such as poor access, awkward parcel shapes, and steep topography. 307.1

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307.2Infill development on vacant lots is strongly supported in the District of Columbia, provided that such development is compatible in scale with its surroundings and consistent with environmental protection and public safety objectives. In residential areas, infill sites present some of the best opportunities in the city for “family” housing and low- to moderate-density development. In commercial areas, infill development can fill gaps in the streetwall and create more cohesive and attractive neighborhood centers. Vacant lots in such settings may also present opportunities for public uses, such as pocket parks, job training facilities, and child care centers. 307.2

 

307.3In both residential and commercial settings, infill development must be sensitive to neighborhood context. High quality design standards should be required, the privacy of neighboring structures should be respected, and density and scale should reflect the desired character of the surrounding area. 307.3

 

307.4Infill development may also include the restoration of vacant and abandoned structures. In 2003, there were an estimated 2,700 vacant and abandoned residential properties in the District. While the number has declined since then, some parts of the city continue to have relatively high concentrations of vacant buildings. As noted in the Housing Element, the city’s Home Again Initiative was launched in 2003 to restore such properties to active use. 307.4

 

307.5Policy LU-1.4.1: Infill Development

 

Encourage infill development on vacant land within the city, particularly in areas where there are vacant lots that create “gaps” in the urban fabric and detract from the character of a commercial or residential street. Such development should complement the established character of the area and should not create sharp changes in the physical development pattern. 307.5

 

307.6Policy LU-1.4.2: Long-Term Vacant Sites

 

Facilitate the reuse of vacant lots that have historically been difficult to develop due to infrastructure or access problems, inadequate lot dimensions, fragmented or absentee ownership, or other constraints. Explore lot consolidation, acquisition, and other measures which would address these constraints. 307.6

 

307.7Policy LU-1.4.3: Zoning of Infill Sites

 

Ensure that the zoning of vacant infill sites is compatible with the prevailing development pattern in surrounding neighborhoods. This is particularly important in single family and row house neighborhoods that are currently zoned for multi-family development. 307.7

 

See the Housing Element for policies on the development of “New Communities” on the sites of aging public housing complexes and a discussion of the city’s “Home Again” program for rehabilitating vacant properties.

 

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.