Eastbanc Updates Plans For 120-Unit Development at Scottish Rite in Adams Morgan

• February 18, 2016

by Nena Perry-Brown

An aerial rendering of the development site. The proposed building is in the center.

On Wednesday night, Eastbanc representatives presented revised plans for their 120-unit residential development on the boards at the Scottish Rite in Adams Morgan to the ANC 1C Planning, Zoning and Transportation Committee. Eastbanc plans to demolish the parking garage at 2800 16th Street NW (map) to make way for a horseshoe-shaped 9-story apartment building.

In response to the committee’s earlier concerns regarding the placement of the building’s loading dock and parking entrance on Mozart Place NW, which would restrict parking during the day, the developers said the curb cut will be widened to salvage some parking spots. The loading dock will now be underground as part of a two-level parking garage with up to 90 spaces.

An aerial rendering of Columbia Road and Mozart Place NW.

The entrance has now been situated on Mozart Place as well, and the facade will have angled sawtooth-style windows facing toward the street, so residents won’t directly face other apartments. Because no retail is allowed by-right, any cafe on the site will be a private amenity.

A rendering of the view from Columbia Road NW.

Eastbanc representatives stated that the 140,000 square-foot matter-of-right development will not maximize the floor area ratio (FAR) on the site. The height will be comparable to The Argonne across Columbia Road, with half that building’s width.

A rendering of the view from the Columbia Road and 16th Street NW intersection.

Residents in attendance noted that they are interested in seeing what the view would be from the opposite side of 16th Street and whether it would loom over the Unitarian Church. They also took issue with the designations that formed the basis for the building’s size, particularly in light of Eastbanc’s recent zoning request for a change in the planned-unit development restrictions.

An aerial rendering from 16th Street NW.

The developer is preparing to present more detailed plans to the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) in March, but would like the ANC’s support at its full February meeting. Committee chairperson JonMarc Buffa cautioned Eastbanc representatives that if the plans remained as-is, the ANC is likely to oppose the development based on HPRB guidelines. He offered to meet with the developers privately to discuss the points of contention in further detail and perhaps work toward a compromise.

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/eastbanc_updates_plans_for_120_unit_development/10883