The Decision That Could Lead To More Alley Homes In DC May Be Coming Next Week

• March 6th

by UrbanTurf Staff

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A zoning change that would result in more alley homes being built around DC could get a key approval next week.

On Thursday, the Zoning Commission will consider text amendments aimed at making it easier to build in alleys around the city. Specifically, the amendments would allow residential development on alley lots in R-1 and R-2 zones, and allow a second residential unit to be built within an alley lot building based on the lot size. 

In a memo earlier this month, DC's Office of Planning recommended that the Commission approve the amendments, with some changes that include:

• Eliminating parking requirements for most alley lot uses, specifically those permitted as matter-of-right or by special exception. Larger uses like apartment buildings, offices, and retail would still require parking.
• Increasing the maximum allowable building height as-of-right from 20 feet to 25 feet in residential, production/distribution/repair, and certain mixed-use zones.
• Clarifying that penthouses are permitted on alley buildings. Matter-of-right penthouses may not extend above the 25-foot height limit; anything higher would require Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) approval.

The amendments are a follow-up or sorts for measures that were unanimously approved several years ago which were focused on spurring more alley dwellings to be built in DC. The Office of Planning estimates that around 500 vacant alley lots around the city could permit residential development under the change.

As zoning changes in the city go, this one has received a great deal of support from DC residents. In the filing, there are over 200 letters of support and only two in opposition. 

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/the_decision_that_could_lead_to_more_alley_homes_in_dc_may_be_coming_next_w/24392.