Draft Upper Georgia Avenue Master Plan

Resolution - Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B

Adopted on May 22, 2008

RESOLUTION

The Commissioners of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B thank the Office of Planning staff for their considerable efforts to meet with residents to discuss the draft Upper Georgia Avenue Master Plan and its recent revisions.

As with previous drafts, we support some elements of the Plan, particularly those that provide additional streetscape and safety improvements and those that seek to improve retail opportunities and help existing businesses.

However, the final draft still has several major problems and includes proposals that we cannot support.

In addition, we are concerned and disappointed that several key conditions in our September 26, 2007 Resolution and recommendations on the earlier draft are not reflected in the final proposal. We reiterate that September 26 Resolution (attached).

We call attention to the following issues with respect to our September 26 Resolution:

Item No. 2 - More programs are needed to help existing businesses. The loss of 15 existing businesses at 7705 Georgia Avenue is one example of the potential problem. Safeguards are needed to protect these businesses and others.

Item No. 3 - Additional affordable housing programs for Georgia Avenue need to be provided.

Item No. 6 - The proposal would permit new buildings of over 50 feet tall via the PUD process in many parts of ANC 4B01 and 4B02. This is too high to preserve the quality of life for adjoining residents.

Item No. 8 - The proposal does not detail the number or percentage of surface, structured and underground parking spaces to be provided along the corridor. The draft language on page 47 that states that underground and structured parking are preferred is too vague.

Item No. 10 - The proposal does address the critical need to provide public transportation to and from the Takoma Metro Station. It does not detail the Takoma Metro Station's role in the redevelopment of the Walter Reed site and upper Georgia Avenue. Currently, the Takoma Station, the closest to Walter Reed, serves many of its employees, patients and their families.

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Adopted Resolution- ANC 4B

Draft Upper Georgia Avenue Master Plan - Page 2

In addition, we call upon the Office of Planning, the Mayor, and the D.C. City Council to make the following changes to the plan:

1. The community strongly supports the C2A zoning which calls for a maximum of  50-feet for the 7400 Block of Georgia Avenue (East Side - Geranium to Hemlock) and would not support any increase in height for buildings there. Language concerning this recommendation should be expressed in unequivocal terms. The adopted plan should not support PUD proposals that provide for heights of greater than 50-feet.

The same limit of 50-feet should apply to the other sections of Georgia Avenue within ANC 4B01 and 4B02 that are adjacent to homes, including, but not limited to the area from Geranium to Van Buren.

2. Higher density development is appropriate for the City Line Auto site. However, it should not exceed 65-feet under any circumstances, and development should "step down" to reduce the negative impact on the nearby apartment buildings.

The design of new buildings should reflect the historic character of nearby older brick apartment buildings on the east and the west sides of Georgia Avenue and the historic Blair Mansion Inn. The existing Georgia Avenue architecture, particularly of its brick apartment buildings, provide the Avenue with a unique competitive advantage which will draw new shoppers and residents, if enhanced and protected.

3. Retain the Georgia Avenue frontage at the Walter Reed Hospital site as open space, not for structures.

We ask that our Master Plan honor basic "Main Street" principles, including that of retaining and strengthening existing businesses. If new businesses are located on the open space, that would take away business from existing retail on the blocks immediately north of the hospital grounds. Also, open space will enhance the quality of life for those who live and work in the nearby homes and offices. Existing open space is a precious community resource that cannot be replaced.

4. The city should use the existing Walter Reed fire station site for the city's new fire station. More effort needs to be made to mitigate the negative impact of a new fire station on those who live near Aspen and Georgia Avenues, NW.

5. Parking within ANC 4B01 and 4B02 should be underground only, with the city to financially mitigate the cost for a developer, if necessary. Placing parking lots at the rear of shallow lots fronting Georgia Avenue will negatively impact adjoining homes.

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Adopted Resolution- ANC 4B

Draft Upper Georgia Avenue Master Plan - Page 3

6. Specific language regarding programs for LSDBE's along Georgia Avenue to address rent, tax incentives and other assistance are needed.

7. Specific plans regarding retail space on the west side of Georgia Avenue are needed.

8. Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B authorizes each Commissioner to represent his/her Single Member District (SMD) at all hearings about the Upper Georgia Avenue Master Plan and to detail how the points noted in this Resolution and in the September 26, 2007 Resolution affect their SMD, as long as this testimony does not contradict the provisions of the Commission's resolutions.

Adopted in a unanimous show-of-hands vote by Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B during its public meeting, held on Thursday, May 22, 2008 at Emery Recreation Center, 5701 Georgia Avenue, NW. A quorum was present.

Douglass Sloan, Chair Sara Green, Secretary

Date: Date:

Attachment: ANC 4B Adopted Resolution of September 26, 2007