Section 10-A818. PROS-4.2 RECOGNIZING THE VALUE OF FUNCTIONAL OPEN SPACE

 

818.1Functional open space refers to undeveloped land used for purposes other than parks and conservation. Such space comprises hundreds of acres of public and private land in the District, including sites that are valued for their large trees, scenic vistas, and natural beauty. Some of these sites are regarded as public amenities, with features like hiking trails and lawns for picnics and other forms of recreation. Such spaces are particularly important in neighborhoods like Brookland, where conventional parks are in short supply. There and elsewhere in the District, the grounds of seminaries, hospitals, and cemeteries are informally serving some of the functions usually associated with a neighborhood park. 818.1

 

818.2Retaining public access to these assets is important to the well-being of surrounding neighborhoods. Even where public access is not possible, the role of these spaces in improving the physical environment and shaping the visual quality of our neighborhoods should be acknowledged. 818.2

 

818.3Policy PROS-4.2.1: Institutional Open Space

 

Encourage local institutions, such as private and parochial schools, colleges and universities, seminaries, hospitals, and churches and cemeteries, to allow the cooperative use of their open space lands for the benefit of District residents.

 

818.4Policy PROS-4.2.2: Utility Open Space

 

Recognize the value of undeveloped land associated with utilities, reservoirs, and other infrastructure facilities in providing visual buffers for adjacent neighborhoods and opportunities for recreational trails. 818.4

 

818.5Policy PROS-4.2.3: Parkways and Medians

 

Enhance the visual and open space qualities of Washington’s streets and highways through the landscaping of medians, traffic islands, and rights of way. 818.5

 

818.6Policy PROS-4.2.4: Freeway Joint Use

 

Where compatible with adjacent land uses, support the use of land under or adjacent to freeways or other limited access roadways for passive open space, public art, or other uses which enhance the usefulness and appearance of such land. 818.6

 

818.7Policy PROS-4.2.5: Podium Parks

 

Consider the development of “podium” type open spaces and parks in the air rights over below-grade freeways, including the I-395 Freeway through Downtown DC, and the Southeast-Southwest Freeway near Capitol Hill. 818.7

 

818.8Action PROS-4.2.A: Zoning Assessment of Institutional Land

 

Conduct a study of institutional land in the city to determine the appropriateness of existing zoning designations, given the extent of open space on each site. Among other things, this study should assess how current zoning policies, including large tract review, planned unit developments, and campus plans, work to protect open space. Recommend zoning changes as appropriate to conserve open space and avoid incompatible building or redevelopment on such sites. This study should include a “best practices” assessment of how other cities around the country achieve the goal of conserving functional open space without impairing economic growth or reducing development rights. 818.8

 

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.