Zoning Approval Clears Way For Residential Project Near Howard Theatre

• March 21st 2016

by Nena Perry-Brown

The approval of a loading dock variance by the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) has cleared the way for the planned 59 to 79-unit development adjacent to the Howard Theatre.

The requested variance would allow for a 30-foot loading dock rather than the required 55 feet. The approval is contingent upon developer Monument Realty meeting a few conditions set forth by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT). The development team also requested and received permission to proceed with interior plans as they see fit, as long as those plans meet the inclusionary zoning and other general requirements associated with the site.

The location of the garage entrance and the size and positioning of the loading berth were of great concern to neighbors in the community. An earlier version of the plans placed the loading area and parking along the alleyway, which residents along 6th Street objected to as it would interfere with their use of the alley. The loading and parking berth will now be parallel to the alley, allowing vehicles to access from either Florida Avenue or Wiltberger Street and making way for trucks to back into the loading area.

As UrbanTurf reported earlier this month, the planned development at 608-618 T Street NW (map) will combine the pre-existing facades of those properties to produce a 7-story building consisting of 59-79 residential units and 7,420 square feet of retail. There will also be 26-43 parking spaces in an underground garage.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/zoning_approval_clears_way_for_residential_project_near_howard_theatre/11000.