640 Columbia Road Improved
New facade on 640 Columbia Road
I noticed over the weekend that the one story empty former market at 640 Columbia Road has received major improvements. I’m very curious about what might come to this location or what the owner might have in mind. This is mostly because the building is zoned R4, which is residential. While it was obviously once a neighborhood market, I don’t know if that use is still possible without a zoning variance.
Looking at the scope of work listed in the building permit provides the following information:
Install restroom, kitchenette, interior partitions. Patch and repair interior ceiling and walls. Repair and or replace inkind existing front and rear windows and doors. No increase in size of building.
Regardless of what ultimately moves into the building, there is no doubt that its improvement benefits the neighborhood. Below is what it looked like in 2004.
Tags: Development, Park View
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September 6, 2012 at 10:02 am
this is a perfect example of why we need to revamp the zoning code and get rid of the draconian rules that were installed in the 1950s. there’s no reason that a quality market shouldn’t be allowed to be here.
September 6, 2012 at 11:41 am
It had a variance to run a market in 1989. Does that still apply?
http://dcoz.dc.gov/orders/15128_3053-46.pdf
That said, I talked to the owner the other day, and he told me he does not want to rent to a corner store. He was hoping for a small business that would use it as an office.
He’s a really nice guy, and he lives in the area. Unfortunately, I can’t remember his name, but he’s there fairly frequently and is quite approachable.
I’m just really happy it’s finally fixed up. I was angry when it was removed form the blighted list, because I figured it was just an owner doing the usual for-sale/pull-a-permit tax avoidance. Glad to see I was wrong.
September 6, 2012 at 12:12 pm
I’m not sure if the former variance would still apply or not … but would certainly support a variance for this building to be used as as office space. It makes a lot of sense.