What's Hot: 142-Unit Development At Inn of Rosslyn Site Moves Forward | Mortgage Rates Inch Closer To 7%
A Case for Commercial at DC's Self-Storage Facilities
✉️ Want to forward this article? Click here.
A proposed zoning text amendment would require new self-service storage facilities in DC's PDR (production, distribution, and repair) zones to activate the ground floor.
The Office of Planning has filed the amendment with the Zoning Commission, affirming self-service storage as a by-right use in PDR zones while seeking to mandate that self-service storage facilities include a ground-floor use that encourages foot traffic. The preferred uses include retail, office, medical, arts, pet care or dining establishments, or an apartment for a manager or caretaker to live on the premises.
To further activate the ground floor, the above uses would have to occupy at least half of the ground-floor square footage and 100% of the street frontage.
story continues below
loading...story continues above
"Although self-service storage facilities are a component of the industrial landscape and a desired use by many, as evidenced by their popularity for both residents and business owners in the District, the use results in a low-intensive utilization of the land, neither generating significant employment nor activating the street with other more active uses, such as manufacturing, retail commercial, service-commercial or office space, as anticipated by the zone," the application explains.
PDR zones tend to be more prevalent in the Northeast and Southeast quadrants of the city. Requiring an activated ground floor could make storage facilities more palatable in neighborhoods where PDR and residential uses coincide, such as in this recent case where a lot in Fairlawn was rezoned from PDR over resident concerns about a storage facility changing the residential character of their neighborhood.
The Zoning Commission is expected to consider the application next week.
See other articles related to: dc office of planning, office of planning, pdr, self-service storage, self-storage, text amendment, zoning, zoning changes, zoning commission, zoning text amendment
This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/a-case-for-commercial-at-self-storage-facilities/16360.
Most Popular... This Week • Last 30 Days • Ever
Buffett called the five-bedroom listing home when his father, Howard Buffett, was ser... read »
Estate taxes, also known as inheritance taxes or death duties, are taxes imposed on t... read »
The application may signal movement on the massive mixed-use project.... read »
Penzance has unveiled its striking new plans for Rosslyn.... read »
A new report finds that the current housing market is split into two groups.... read »
- The Oracle of Spring Valley: Warren Buffett's Childhood Home in DC Hits the Market
- What Are Estate Taxes and How Do They Work?
- Raze Application Filed For Site Of 900-Unit Development, Food Hall Along Anacostia River
- Three Buildings, 862 Units: The New Plans For Rosslyn's Skyline
- The Two Housing Markets
DC Real Estate Guides
Short guides to navigating the DC-area real estate market
We've collected all our helpful guides for buying, selling and renting in and around Washington, DC in one place. Start browsing below!
First-Timer Primers
Intro guides for first-time home buyers
Unique Spaces
Awesome and unusual real estate from across the DC Metro