Hello Friends,

City Planning & Zoning Briefing: Wed, 2/6
At this briefing, this Wednesday, February 6, 6:30-8:30 PM, you can meet with the Office of Planning and discuss their ideas for updating the city's zoning laws.

This process, called the Comprehensive Zoning Review, is an essential ingredient in promoting the type of redevelopment we want to create a more vibrant Wisconsin Avenue.

Library RFP Meeting: Thurs, 2/28
Get ready to discuss the Tenley Library proposals! Developer presentations will take place on Thursday, February 28, at 6:30 PM at Janney Elementary.

The city received three proposals in response to the RFP. Now we have the opportunity to consider which proposal best leverages the value of the site for expanded community benefits. As we learn more about the process, we will let you know.

Please stay in touch! Please share any updates you may have, or let us know what's happening in your part of Ward 3.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Perring and Kristin Purdy
www.Ward3Vision.org

This Wednesday

Community Briefing
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
6:30-8:30pm
801 N. Capitol Street, N.E.
(intersection of N. Capitol & H Streets)
9th Floor Conference Room
Red Line, Union Station

RSVP: 202-442-7628 / jill.diskan@dc.gov

Stay up to date!

Don't miss out on events like the Tenley Library Developer Presentations on February 28th. Stay up to date with the Ward 3 Vision Calendar.

Comprehensive Zoning Review

Sounds boring, right? It's actually really important!

Planning for land use and development has two components. The first is our city's Comprehensive Plan, a long-range document that describes a vision for our city. It outlines how and where our city should grow. In late 2006, the city finished a thorough update of our Comprehensive Plan after three years of public outreach.

The second part is the set of laws that guide land use and development -- called zoning. Now that our Comprehensive Plan has been rewritten, it's time to update DC's zoning so it matches Comprehensive Plan's vision.

Our current zoning dates back to the 1950s and calls for suburban-style, pedestrian-unfriendly development along the Wisconsin Avenue corridor, including 1-3 story buildings and drive-thru businesses like banks and fast food restaurants. The current zoning doesn't promote mixed use development or allow creative uses of space, such as granny apartments.

The proposed Commerce Bank at Wisconsin and Ellicott is an example of why the outdated zoning no longer fits our growing city. The bank is allowed by matter of right zoning, meaning that there is virtually no opportunity for input from the community. If the zoning code reflected the pedestrian- and transit-oriented nature of our neighborhood, a drive-thru bank wouldn't be allowed.

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