D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 2008
2008.1 The following general policies and actions should guide growth and neighborhood conservation decisions in the Mid-City Planning Area. These policies and actions should be considered in tandem with those in the Citywide Elements of the Comprehensive Plan. Policies from existing Small Area Plans (Georgia Avenue, DUKE, Mid-City East, Mount Pleasant), Revitalization/Technical Studies (Columbia Heights, Uptown.), and Vision Frameworks (Adams Morgan) are referenced in Section MC-2.
Retain and reinforce the historic character of Mid-City neighborhoods, particularly its mix of row houses, apartment houses, as well as historic districts, and walkable neighborhood shopping districts. The Planning Area’s squares, alleyways, and historic alley lots offer opportunities for preservation and creative development. The area’s rich architectural heritage and cultural history should be preserved and enhanced.
Stimulate high-quality, transit-oriented development around the Columbia Heights, Shaw/Howard University, and U St./African American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo Metro station areas, as well as along the Georgia Avenue NW corridor and the North Capitol Street NW/Florida Avenue NW business district. Opportunities for new mixed-income housing developments that provide a greater mix of affordability as a result of a rezoning effort, neighborhood retail, local-serving offices, and community services should be supported in these areas, as shown on the Comprehensive Plan Policy Map and Future Land Use Map.
Encourage redevelopment of vacant lots and the rehabilitation of abandoned structures within the community, particularly along Georgia Avenue NW, Florida Avenue NW, 11th Street NW, and North Capitol Street NW and in the Shaw, Bloomingdale, and Eckington communities. Similarly, encourage the redevelopment of vacant lots and the rehabilitation of vacant buildings located at the interiors of the Planning Area’s squares. Infill development should be compatible in scale and character with adjacent uses and encourage more housing opportunities.
Support the small businesses and essential local services that serve Mid-City. Encourage the establishment of new businesses that provide these services in areas where they are lacking, especially on the east side of the Planning Area. Support local services, small businesses, and their surrounding corridors using
Main Streets, business improvement districts (BIDs), and Department of Small and Local Business (DSLBD) clean teams.
2008.6 Policy MC-1.1.5: Conservation of Row House Neighborhoods Recognize the value and importance of Mid-City's row house neighborhoods as an essential part of the fabric of the local community. Ensure that the Comprehensive Plan and zoning designations for these neighborhoods reflect the desire to retain the row house architectural pattern. Zoning and policy in Mid-City's row house neighborhoods should seek to maintain and augment the mix of large and small unit sizes and opportunities for both homeownership and renting, as exemplified by the use of English basements as separate dwelling units. See Policy LU-2.1.7 and Policy LU-2.1.9 for more guidance on alterations to row houses.
2008.7 Policy MC-1.1.6: Mixed-Use Districts Encourage preservation of the housing located within Mid-City's commercially zoned areas. Within mixed-use areas, such as Mount Pleasant Street NW and Columbia Road NW, encourage commercial uses that do not adversely impact the established residential uses.
2008.8 Policy MC-1.1.7: Preservation of Affordable Housing Strive to retain the character of Mid-City as a mixed-income community by preserving the area's existing stock of affordable housing units and promoting the construction of new affordable units. Give attention to the most rapidly changing neighborhoods and encourage the use of historic preservation tax credits to rehabilitate older buildings for affordable housing.
2008.9 Policy MC-1.1.8: Multimodal Connections Improve traffic circulation along major Mid-City arterial streets, with a priority on 14th Street NW, Georgia Avenue NW, U Street NW, 16 Street NW, Rhode Island Avenue NW, Columbia Road NW, North Capitol Street NW, Connecticut Avenue NW, North Capitol Street, New York Avenue NW, and Florida Avenue NW. Implement programs in these areas to improve bus service, improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety and ease of travel, and mitigate the effects of increased traffic on residential streets. Consistent with the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan, provide alternatives to automobile use—including improved transit and innovative personal transportation options—for existing and new residents to reduce the need for auto ownership, particularly where parking and traffic problems exist.
2008.10 Policy MC-1.1.9: Metropolitan Branch Trail Prioritize safety and access improvements along the trail, including east-west pedestrian and bicycle connections, to allow trail users to get to and from adjoining neighborhoods safely. Create shaded areas along the trail to implement
sustainable practices and improve the user experience. In addition, some sites have the potential to foster trail-oriented development that could bring more users to the trail, provide desired amenities, and build community for new and existing residents. Encourage trail-oriented development to include makers, artists, and local entrepreneurs.
See the Transportation Element for additional policies on reducing auto dependence.
Improve public transit throughout the Mid-City Planning Area, with improved efficiency and reliability on the north-south bus routes, additional east-west and cross-park bus routes, and more frequent and extended Metrorail service. Continue assistance programs for the area’s transit-dependent groups, including older adults, students, and persons with disabilities.
Improve existing stormwater management systems to reduce the risk of interior flooding in Mid-City from extreme rainfall events. This should include gray and green infrastructure measures that improve drainage and reduce impervious surface coverage, especially for Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park. When feasible, stormwater projects should include expanding parks, green space, and recreational opportunities for the area.
Please see the Infrastructure and Environmental Protection Elements for additional information.
Encourage capital improvement or development projects in Mid-City to eliminate surface water runoff from sites through green roofs, rain gardens, cisterns, pervious pavement, bioretention cells, and other reuse or filtration methods. Support could include financial or other incentives.
Support the development of a fully integrated transit, bicycle, and pedestrian system within the Planning Area by moving forward with plans for expanded service on the Metrorail Green Line, extension of the Metrorail Yellow Line, bus rapid transit on Georgia Avenue NW, and dedicated bus lanes along 16th Street, NW 14th Street, NW, U Street, NW, Columbia Street, NW, and Irving Street, NW.
Support the management of parking capacity in Mid-City commercial districts, including the implementation of parking management programs that maximize the use of existing parking resources (such as the DC USA garage and Reeves Center
garage), minimize traffic associated with circling for spaces, and reduce conflicts among users.
See the Transportation and Land Use Elements for additional policies on off-street parking standards.
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)).