Reply to Soooo, how is high-density looking to everyone now?

Forum Index » Metropolitan DC Local Politics

Reply to "Soooo, how is high-density looking to everyone now?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

This is why zoning is important.  Folks, if you don’t want to see SFH zoning ended, write to Mary Cheh and tell her that the mayor’s comp plan, “upFLUMming  and “gentle density” plans should be DOA in NW[/quote]

Please link to the proposal to end exclusive zoning for single-family-detached houses?[/quote]

Here you are.  The mayor and her Office of Planning last month released their report and proposal to modify single family home zones to add soothing-sounding "gentle density development. The proposal, including the illustration on page 7 and the partial map of affected neighborhoods in Figure 8 make clear that "gentle density" could have significant impacts on a number of single family neighborhoods.  The impacts go beyond zoning, planning, traffic and parking, to include enrollment demand in already over-capacity school areas.

https://plandc.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/Comprehensiveplan/007_Single%20Family%20Housing%20Report.pdf

The report asserts: "The District can accommodate additional housing options in its single-family zones using a targeted “gentle density” approach that recognizes the need for more housing in high-cost, high-opportunity neighborhoods, as well as near high-capacity transit. Gentle density refers to allowing additional housing density through context-sensitive development. The Mayor’s Comp Plan Proposal incorporates gentle density throughout its policies by encouraging development that respects neighborhood character, [note that the mayor waters down the existing requirement that new development "protect neighborhood character"] while considering neighborhood priorities, such as affordable housing and public facilities.  The types of housing that could fit within a single- family neighborhood will vary but could include many different types of missing middle housing that are compatible in scale and design with single-family homes....For example, duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, residential flats, or accessory apartments can be nearly indistinguishable in a detached single-family neighborhood and a small multi-unit building may not be out of context in an attached single-family neighborhood."

A map of single family neighborhoods as defined as near "high capacity transit" is at Figure 8.  "High-cost, high-opportunity" (for developers?) neighborhoods are not mapped in the document.

The concept of what the mayor and OP mean by "gentle density" is shown on page 7.  If implemented, the OP's proposals would modify SFH zoning categories in the neighborhoods shown in Figure 8 (and the  TBD "high cost, high opportunity" neighborhoods)  to permit the heights and densities shown, well beyond the major arterial roadways where transit is located.  [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics