D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 2208

RCE-1.1 Guiding Growth and Neighborhood Conservation

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

2208.1 The following general policies and actions should guide growth and neighborhood conservation decisions in the Rock Creek East Planning Area. These policies and actions should be considered in tandem with those in the Citywide Elements of the Comprehensive Plan.

2208.2 Policy RCE-1.1.1: Strengthening Lower Density Neighborhoods Maintain and strengthen the neighborhoods of the Rock Creek East Planning Area while providing new housing opportunities for a range of incomes and household sizes. Any new development in the Planning Area should be attractively designed and should contribute to the community’s physical characteristics.

2208.3 Policy RCE-1.1.2: Design Compatibility Ensure that renovations, additions, and new construction in the area’s low-density neighborhoods respect the scale and densities of adjacent properties, provide new housing opportunities, and preserve parklike qualities, such as dense tree cover and open space.

See the Urban Design Element for additional policies on compatible building design and the Land Use Element for additional guidance on infill development.

2208.4 Policy RCE-1.1.3: Directing Growth Concentrate economic development activity, employment growth, and new housing, including affordable housing, in Rock Creek East around the Georgia Avenue-Petworth and Takoma Metro station areas, along the Georgia Avenue NW corridor, along Kennedy Street NW, at key nodes along 14th Street NW, at the former WRAMC site, and at the AFRH site. Provide improved pedestrian, transit, and bicycle access to these areas, and improve their visual and urban design qualities to create a unique destination for the local community to enjoy.

2208.5 Policy RCE-1.1.4: Neighborhood Shopping Areas Maintain and encourage the development of multi-use neighborhood shopping and services in those areas designated for commercial or mixed-uses.

Please consult the Land Use Element for policies addressing commercial development impacts.

2208.6 Policy RCE-1.1.5: Housing Renovation Strongly encourage the rehabilitation and renovation of existing housing in Rock Creek East, taking steps to keep housing affordable for current and future residents with a range of ages and household sizes.

2208.7 Policy RCE-1.1.6: Development of New Housing Encourage the retention of existing public housing units within the Rock Creek East Planning Area, along with other measures to increase housing choices and improve housing affordability for area residents. This should include the production of new housing for a mix of incomes and household sizes along Georgia Avenue NW, and the encouragement of mixed-income housing in the industrially zoned area west of Georgia Avenue between Upshur and Shepherd Streets NW, and on District-owned land along Spring Road near the Georgia Avenue-Petworth Metro station. A particular emphasis should be placed on providing affordable housing for older adults and families.

2208.8 Policy RCE-1.1.7: Cross Jurisdictional Coordination Work closely with the Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) and the City of Takoma Park to guide development, including retail, traffic management, and other planning issues along the Maryland/District line, especially at the gateway areas along Eastern Avenue at 16th Street NW and Georgia and New Hampshire Avenues NW.

2208.9 Policy RCE-1.1.8: Industrial Zone Buffering Provide improved buffering and screening along the interface between residential areas and industrial areas, especially along Blair Road NW, Chillum Place NW, and the CSX/Metrorail corridor. To protect nearby neighborhoods from noise and other industrial impacts, the expansion of industrial uses should be limited to areas designated for PDR.

2208.10 Policy RCE-1.1.9: Traffic Management Strategies Establish traffic management strategies to keep through-traffic on major arterials, separate local traffic from commuter traffic, and keep trucks off residential streets. These strategies should include improvements to public transit, bicycle lanes, and sidewalks, as well as measures to coordinate traffic signal timing and improve traffic flow. Particular focus should be given to Georgia Avenue, North Capitol Street, Blair Road, 14th Street, 16th Street, Missouri Avenue, New Hampshire Avenue, Kennedy Street, Chillum Place, and Piney Branch Road NW.

See also the Transportation Element for policies on transportation demand management, transit, bicycles, and pedestrians, including pedestrian safety.

2208.11 Policy RCE-1.1.10: Parking for Neighborhood Retail Districts Discourage the use of retail business and municipal building parking lots for long-term commuter parking through more aggressive enforcement and the provision of other parking and transportation options.

2208.12 Policy RCE-1.1.11: Transit Improvements Promote more efficient bus service in the Planning Area, with a particular

emphasis on connecting residents and workers to the Metro stations, providing faster and more reliable service along Georgia Avenue NW, 14^th Street NW, and 16^th Street NW, and improving circulation between the east and west sides of Rock Creek Park. Explore ride-hailing services and micro-transit to supplement additional bus routes.

2208.13 Policy RCE-1.1.12: Enforcement Mitigate traffic, parking, noise, and related safety problems that result from non-residential uses through strict enforcement of zoning, parking, and other municipal regulations.2208.14 Policy RCE-1.1.13: Vibrant Local Shopping Streets Encourage a vibrant mix of commercial businesses, including local retail options, to avoid excessive concentrations of liquor stores on local shopping streets.2208.15 Policy RCE-1.1.14: Livability in Rock Creek East Continue to evaluate transportation safety and comfort for all users of the street network and identify concrete actions to increase safe and accessible mobility options.2208.16 Policy RCE-1.1.15: Sustainable Development Integrate sustainability strategies at the site and project level in new developments in the Rock Creek East Planning Area.2208.17 Action RCE-1.1.A: Façade Improvements Implement urban design and façade improvements in the established commercial districts along Georgia Avenue NW, Kennedy Street NW, and 14^th Street NW to enhance community identity. These improvements should be based on standards that can be enforced through city codes such as zoning and building regulations.2208.18 Action RCE-1.1.B: Improving Traffic Flow Improve traffic flow and safety through improved lighting, signage, pavement markings, traffic islands, truck route signs, and other transportation system management measures for Georgia Avenue NW, North Capitol Street NW, Missouri Avenue NW, the 4^th/Blair Streets NW intersection, and New Hampshire Avenue NW.

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)).