60-Unit Development Adjacent to Howard Theatre Garners ANC Support

• October 7th 2015

by Nena Perry-Brown

ANC 6E voted Tuesday night to support Monument Realty’s slimmed down plans to redevelop the buildings adjacent to the Howard Theatre.

In July, UrbanTurf learned that Monument and PGN Architects had plans on the boards for a six-story project with approximately 110 residential units, 8,000 square feet of retail and 50 parking spaces near the corner of Wiltberger and T Streets NW (map). The development plans have since evolved and the new project in the works will have 50 to 60 residential units with ground-floor retail and 36 to 38 underground parking spaces in a seven-story building. The four properties fronting Ellington Plaza from 608-618 T Street NW will be combined to create the new development, but an adjacent warehouse is no longer part of the plans.

In the new plans, Monument relocated the parking garage entrance from the alley, widely reported as congested, to Wiltberger Street NW. Shadow studies, which simulate the shadows that the building would cast over surrounding areas, appear to show minimal-to-no impact on existing residences, and Monument Realty has volunteered to maintain Ellington Plaza going forward.

The ANC voted unanimously in support of Monument’s plan, which included a desire to pursue three specific allowances to develop the project. First, Monument wishes to preserve the facades and one side of 610-618 T Street NW. Second, the developer would request that the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) allow the height of the building to be measured to the top of the roof as opposed to the top of the parapet, typically a foot or so above the roof. This concession, which Monument representatives anticipate will be the new standard in light of recent changes to the zoning laws, would allow the project to meet DC’s green roof requirements. Lastly, developers would like BZA to exempt the project from current loading dock requirements.

A Monument representative told UrbanTurf earlier this week that the current plan is for the project to be for-sale units rather than rentals.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/60-unit_development_planned_adjacent_to_howard_theatre_garners_anc_support/10424.