How a Map Amendment Could Bring Mixed-Use Development to Site of NoMa Rowhouses

• May 29th 2018

by Nena Perry-Brown

✉️ Want to forward this article? Click here.

Earlier this year, a proposal to bring a mixed-use development with up to 100 residential units to the corner of 2nd and K Streets NE (map) was presented to the local ANC planning committee. Now, if a new zoning application is successful, those plans (or something similar) could be on the road to implementation.

The owners of the rowhouses on that corner have applied to seek a map amendment (Case #18-07) for the four lots to have them rezoned from PDR-1 to MU-4 and MU-5A. That rezoning would enable them to apply for a planned-unit development (PUD) which, as previously proffered by architect SGA Companies, could contain 60-100 apartments above ground-floor neighborhood-serving commercial space.

The application states that the requested rezoning is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan's Future Land Use Map, which designated the site for mixed-use low density commercial and moderate density residential. The existing PDR designation refers to the somewhat industrial uses of production, distribution and repair.

Application documents identify the northern half of the site as being prime for MU-4 zoning, allowing by-right moderate density mixed-use development with a maximum height of 50 feet. The southern half of the site is identified as prime for MU-5A zoning, allowing by-right medium density mixed-use development with a maximum height of 65 feet. 

The application also envisions the existing rowhouse façades along K Street being incorporated into the development and hints that the project could trigger inclusionary zoning requirements, which means that the 88 foot-tall building floated for the site earlier this year could very well come to fruition.

A zoning hearing has not yet been scheduled; the applicant continues to work with the Office of Planning in the meantime.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/map-amendment-could-bring-mixed-use-development-to-noma-rowhouses/14036.