D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 1712

FNS-2.2 Deanwood

Effective Aug 21, 2021Authority: Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)). Source: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).District of Columbia, Office of the Secretary

1712.1 Deanwood is one of Far Northeast and Southeast's oldest communities; much of its housing stock dates from the early 20th century. Several well-known Black architects, including W. Sidney Pittman and Howard D. Woodson, and many skilled local craftsmen designed and built many of its homes. The neighborhood was once home to Nannie Helen Burroughs, an early civil rights leader and the founder of the National Training School for Women and Girls, an independent boarding school for educated Black women founded in 1909 and located on 50th Street NE. From 1921 to 1940, Deanwood was also home to Suburban Gardens (50th and Hayes Streets NE), a Black-owned amusement park that served thousands of Black residents during a time of racial segregation.

1712.2 Deanwood's relatively low-density, small wood-frame and brick homes, and dense tree cover give it a small-town character that is unique in Washington, DC. At the same time, there are hundreds of vacant single-family lots in the community, creating the potential for future infill housing on many blocks. Some of the vacant properties were underused and caused problems in the past, attracting crime and dumping. Non-conforming uses further challenge neighborhood integrity and environmental quality. Progress is being made though: an illegal trash transfer station was decommissioned and has since been redeveloped into a residential development. Deanwood is a focal neighborhood in the District's Vacant to Vibrant Program, whereby vacant properties are auctioned off to provide moderate-income housing; participants in the District's Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) Program bid on contracts to turn-key vacant sites into moderate-income housing, and a tiny home demonstration project was launched.

1712.3 While new housing is encouraged in the Deanwood and adjacent Burrville neighborhoods, density and design should complement prevailing community character. Rehabilitation of existing housing is also strongly encouraged, as much of Deanwood has experienced disinvestment. The neighborhood's main commercial streets—Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, Sherriff Road, and Division Avenue—have strong potential for infill and revitalization. The intersection of these two streets in particular should be strengthened as a neighborhood hub, with new retail and service businesses strongly encouraged.

1712.4 Deanwood also experiences land use and transportation conflicts, particularly on its western edge along Kenilworth Avenue. An industrial area along the CSX line provides jobs and services but also creates noise and truck traffic and has contributed to building vacancies. Improved buffering of this area from the adjacent neighborhood and additional development around the Deanwood Metro station can reduce future conflicts while improving overall community appearance.

1712.5 In November 2005, the District, in collaboration with the residents of the Lincoln Heights neighborhood, initiated a process to plan for and implement the revitalization of the DC Housing Authority's (DCHA) Lincoln Heights property and the surrounding neighborhood. Compatible with the New Communities Initiative (NCI), the goal of this effort was to transform the affordable housing development and its neighborhood into a mixed-income, mixed-use community. In this new community, residents will have access to high-quality housing options, affordable at all income levels, and human services necessary to help prepare them to take advantage of the upcoming economic opportunities and changes. NCI's goal is to strengthen both the physical and social infrastructure of neighborhoods experiencing violent crime, poverty, and other social challenges.

1712.6 In early 2006, OP, in conjunction with the office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), initiated a planning process to create the Deanwood/Great Streets—Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue and Minnesota Avenue Strategic Development Plan. The primary purpose of the Strategic Development Plan was to provide clear policy direction for land use and development within Deanwood and along its major corridors. The study area is bounded by Eastern Avenue to the northeast, 55th Street NE to the east, Marvin Gaye Park to the south, and Kenilworth Avenue/CSX railway to the west.

1712.7 The Deanwood Strategic Development Plan was created as a complementary piece to the District's Comprehensive Plan and approved by D.C. Council in July 2008. The Strategic Development Plan combines community aspirations with professional research and analysis to set a framework for how Deanwood could improve over 10 years. The Strategic Development Plan provides an implementation framework for public and private investment in targeted areas resulting in neighborhood stabilization and revitalization. A robust community engagement process, which was an integral part of the planning process, led to a vision for Deanwood. This vision called for strengthening the Deanwood neighborhood as a historically established, self-reliant, self-sufficient, and close-knit community. The Strategic Development Plan identifies the future of Deanwood as the greenest neighborhood in the District with a better, safer, and responsible future.

1712.8 Five Focus Nodes were identified in the Strategic Development Plan, including three gateways. The Focus Nodes are Minnesota Avenue/Downtown Ward 7, Nannie Helen Burroughs Gateway, Deanwood Metro station, Sheriff Road/Eastern Avenue Gateway, and Dix/Seat Pleasant Gateway.

1712.9 After formulating the overall vision for the Comprehensive Plan, six goals were established to direct future growth in Deanwood. These goals are to live, worship, shop, work, learn, and play, all within a revitalized Planning Area. Maximizing neighborhood connectivity and providing multimodal transportation options was

also set as an additional goal.

1712.10 Policy FNS-2.2.1: Deanwood's Residential Character Strongly encourage infill development on vacant lots in the Deanwood community. Where designated on the Future Land Use Map, development should respect and perpetuate the low-density, single-family character of the neighborhood, with new one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom-family homes that complement existing architectural traditions and community character.1712.11 Policy FNS-2.2.2: Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue Focus on neighborhood-serving commercial development, such as the comprehensively planned Deanwood Town Center in Deanwood along the Nannie Helen Burroughs Corridor, with the intersection of Division and Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenues restored as a community hub. Convert low-density mixed-use zones into higher density zones.1712.12 Policy FNS-2.2.3: Kenilworth Industrial Area at Deanwood's Western Border Upgrade and expand the commercial and industrial area along Kenilworth Avenue, particularly the Kenilworth Industrial Park, and provide for additional employment in this industrial corridor. Improve the appearance of this area through design standards, building maintenance, public space, code enforcement, and street improvements. Encourage local businesses and entrepreneurs to use the business incubator in this corridor to create increased job opportunities for area residents. Encourage collaboration between local businesses, DOES, and other vocational training organizations to create effective job training programs.1712.13 Policy FNS-2.2.4: Deanwood Metro Station Provide for additional mixed-use development consisting of medium-density housing and low-density neighborhood commercial uses in the vicinity of the Deanwood Metro station and along Kenilworth Avenue NE. Appropriate transitions should be provided between new development and the adjacent residential areas.1712.14 Policy FNS-2.2.5: Neighborhood-Serving Commercial Uses Encourage the development of a variety of neighborhood-serving commercial uses along Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, Sheriff Road, and Minnesota Avenue to create and invest into community-owned small businesses, adding and creating jobs for District residents and establish retail and service uses that support the surrounding residential community. Commercial uses in these locations should provide infrastructure that is attractive to drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists; supply adequate on-site parking and access to public transit, and especially busses; and create an active street environment that helps to reinvigorate the commercial corridors. Medium-density development is

appropriate, particularly near the intersection of Nannie Helen Burroughs and Minnesota Avenues.

1712.15 Action FNS-2.2.A: Division and Nannie Helen Burroughs Commercial Development

Explore the option of acquiring underused land for commercial development at the intersection of Division and Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenues NE.

1712.16 Action FNS-2.2.B: Minnesota Avenue Extension

Extend Minnesota Avenue from Sheriff Road to Meade Street NE to improve pedestrian and bicycle access to the Deanwood Metro station and surrounding public space.

SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).