D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 2112

NNW-2.2 Dupont Circle

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

2112.1 The general pattern of land use in Dupont Circle is well established. Future development in the area is managed by the area's designation as a historic district and the application of the Dupont Circle zoning. The area is a sought-after residential neighborhood due to its proximity to downtown, restaurants and shopping, pedestrian-friendly streets, historic architecture, and diverse housing stock. Commercial and residential infill development and renovation are anticipated to continue, creating economic opportunities and concerns about the displacement of local services by national chains and regional-serving retail uses. The healthy mix of commercial and residential uses necessitates careful management and balance of public safety, and commercial noise to maintain a high quality of life.

2112.2 Policy NNW-2.2.1: Maintaining Dupont Circle's Residential Character Discourage the expansion of commercial uses into residential areas, while maintaining the Dupont Circle neighborhood as a primarily residential area. For the purposes of this policy, Dupont Circle shall be defined as the area generally bounded by Rock Creek Park on the west, 15th Street NW on the east, Massachusetts Avenue NW (east of Connecticut Avenue NW) and N Street NW (west of Connecticut Avenue NW) on the south, and Florida Avenue and U Street NW on the north. This area is shown on Map 21.1.

2112.3 Policy NNW-2.2.2: Dupont Circle Building Design Use the following standards in evaluating new buildings and alterations in the Dupont Circle area:

Encourage a scale of development compatible with the nature and character of the Dupont Circle area in height and bulk;
Encourage a general compatibility in the scale of new buildings with older low-scale buildings by enacting sensitive design and appropriate transitions;
Preclude demolitions or partial demolitions that would lead to an increase in height and floor area ratios inappropriate to the area;
Enhance the residential character of the area by maintaining existing residential uses and controlling the scale, location, and density of commercial and residential development; and
Ensure compatibility of development with the Comprehensive Plan, including District-wide goals to address the affordable housing need, by promoting increased housing opportunities.

2112.4 Policy NNW-2.2.3: Q Street NW Plaza Maintain the Dupont Circle Q Street Metro entrance as a civic plaza that is compatible with the adjacent mixed-use neighborhood. Encourage the restoration of storefronts as active retail uses along Connecticut Avenue from Q Street NW to the Circle.2112.5 Policy NNW-2.2.4: Encourage the Development of Dupont Circle as a Neighborhood for All Ages and Families Encourage the development of the neighborhood to be welcoming of all people of all ages and all family types by making sure that new developments are designed for all age and economic demographics and that parks and public spaces are designed for the needs of older adults and families, as well as for younger residents.2112.7 Policy NNW-2.2.5: LGBTQ Cultural Hub Celebrate existing and new LGBTQ arts, cultural experiences, and history within Dupont Circle with placemaking and sustained, active programming in parks and community areas in the neighborhood. Leverage opportunities presented by Dupont Circle and the Dupont Underground and the future Connecticut Avenue Streetscape and Deck-Over Project.2112.8 Action NNW-2.2.A: Dupont Circle Zoning Expansion Consider expansion of Dupont Circle zoning to include the east side of the 18^th Street commercial area (between S and U Streets) and the south side of U Street between 15^th and h 18^th Streets NW.2112.9 Action NNW-2.2.B: Connecticut Avenue Streetscape and Deck-Over Project Complete study of the of the Connecticut Avenue Streetscape and Deck-Over project over the north Connecticut Avenue NW underpass between Dupont Circle and Q Street NW. The new park should be designed as a neighborhood gathering point with green features and public art, so it may support programming and host events like the weekly farmers market.2112.10 Action NNW-2.2.C: Dupont Underground In line with the DC Cultural Plan premise that all infrastructure is a stage, continue supporting the use of the long-vacant underground trolley infrastructure under Dupont Circle for arts and community development activities like the community-led Dupont Underground space.2112.11 Action NNW-2.2.D: Streetscape Improvements Along Connecticut and Massachusetts Avenues NW Create new streetscapes along Connecticut and Massachusetts Avenues NW that maximize green space and outdoor seating where possible.

2112.12 Action NNW-2.2.E: Expanded Recreation Center at Stead Park Create an expanded recreation center at Stead Park, which should include modern facilities to accommodate the growing needs of community programming for residents of all ages. The expanded recreation center should strive to receive certification as a net zero energy building, if possible, or a high-level green certification.

2112.13 Action NNW-2.2.F: Improve Neighborhood Bike Lane Infrastructure Study the possibility of creating additional protected bike lanes in Dupont Circle, including on 17th and 18th Streets NW and Massachusetts Avenue NW.

See the Central Washington Element for additional information about the Lower 16th Street Area.

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)).