D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 2211

RCE-2.1 Takoma Central District

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

2211.1 Takoma is a unique community in Washington DC. It shares its history and its name with Takoma Park, Maryland. Both communities embody classic pedestrian-scale streets and a rich architectural legacy. The area’s principal business district along Carroll Street NW links the District and Maryland portions of the community. The border across this bi-jurisdictional commercial center is seamless, and recent developments on the District side complement the streetscape, retail mix, and vitality on the Maryland side.

2211.2 The Central District Plan (CDP) was developed through an intensive public process and was adopted by the D.C. Council as a Small Area Plan in 2002. It covered an area extending from Chestnut Street on the north, the Maryland/District border on the east, 4^th and 5^th Streets NW on the west, and Aspen and Laurel Streets NW on the south. The area includes the Metro station and the shopping districts along Carroll and 4^th Streets NW, comprising a variety of neighborhood-serving businesses, a former theater, houses and apartments, parking lots, and vacant land.

2211.3 The CDP seeks to improve neighborhood retail choices, restore vacant buildings and storefronts, accommodate compatible infill housing, address traffic and parking conditions, enhance open space, and improve the safety and quality of the pedestrian environment. Key principles from the CDP are captured in the policies and actions below; the CDP itself should be consulted for additional detail. The Comprehensive Plan describes a vision for Central Takoma as a Town Center, with Metro serving as a gateway to new mixed-use development, restored historic buildings, and pedestrian-friendly streets. It places a priority on preserving the small-town character that embodies historic Takoma, emphasizing development that is in keeping with the character and businesses that serve the local community.

2211.4 Several specific sites were identified in the CDP as housing opportunities. Since 2002, numerous mixed-use and multi-family residential development projects have been completed on many sites. Multi-family residential development is proposed on the Metrorail site itself, including parking for Metro riders and a reimagined public green space. Improvements to Carroll Avenue and Blair Road NW are planned to maintain traffic flow and make the area safer for pedestrians. Future development in the Central Takoma Area should maximize Metro access while taking care to provide appropriate buffers and transitions to adjacent uses.

2211.5 Policy RCE-2.1.1: Historic Preservation in Takoma

Recognize and respect Takoma’s rich heritage, architectural character and scale, and small-town ambiance in all redevelopments, urban design improvements, and marketing strategies and initiatives.

2211.6 Policy RCE-2.1.2: Strategic Public and Private Investment in Takoma Target public investment in the Takoma Central District Area in ways that can be leveraged to improve private investment and create public benefits. This should include streetscape and building façade improvements, partnerships with neighborhood and business organizations, and the development of key public properties.2211.7 Policy RCE-2.1.3: Takoma Central District Housing Strategy Accommodate housing demand, including affordable housing, at the opportunity sites identified in the Takoma Central District Plan. Support the creation of a mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhood for a range of household sizes.2211.8 Policy RCE-2.1.4: Takoma Central District Retail Strategy Concentrate retail activities on key sites along Carroll and 4^th Streets NW through requirements that mandate ground-floor retail space within the established business district. Continuous street walls and active ground-floor retail should be encouraged in these areas, consistent with the Small Area Plan. Inappropriate uses, such as storage yards, auto sales, and warehouses, should be strictly limited.2211.9 Policy RCE-2.1.5: Takoma Central District Transportation Strategy Place a priority on meeting transit needs at the Takoma Metro station and accommodate all Metro and Ride-On services on the station site itself. Incorporate Metropolitan Branch Trail options into all transportation improvements for the area.2211.10 Action RCE-2.1.A: Traffic Congestion and Parking Mitigate intersection and corridor congestion on Blair Road and Carroll Street NW. Improve parking for local businesses by encouraging better management of existing parking, including shared parking arrangements with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and other landowners in locations that can better support the commercial district.2211.11 Action RCE-2.1.B: Pedestrian Safety and Connections Improve pedestrian safety in the Takoma Central District with a coordinated program of physical improvements, including new western entrances to the Metro station that better connect communities east and west of the tracks.2211.12 Action RCE-2.1.C: Takoma Metro Station Redevelopment Review the Takoma Central District redevelopment guidelines for the Metro Station in accordance with the updated Future Land Use Map designations for the site and the updated Rock Creek East Area Elements.2211.13 Action RCE-2.1.D: Takoma Central District Village Green

Create a village green as the Central District’s signature open space feature.

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)).