Park View, D.C.

Rendering of 3205 Georgia development.

The residential project destined for the northeast corner of Georgia Avenue and Kenyon Street, NW, should be ramping up any day now. On Friday, April 5, 2013, DCRA issued their building permit. The application was originally filed on November 15, 2012, and has been going through the approval process over the last 4+ months.

Those unfamiliar with the project can read more from one of my earlier posts from last fall.

While visiting the Website for Trout Design Studio, I noticed that they have posted color renderings of the building proposed for the vacant lot on the northeast corner of Georgia Avenue and Kenyon Street. I’ve posted two here and you can visit their Website for the other three.

I originally posted about this project at the end of September 2012. The building will have five floors and 31 1- and 2-bedroom rental units when completed. Of those, 5 will be affordable. The project is still moving through the permitting process.

The future “V” at 3557-3559 Georgia (corner of Otis Pl)

For those wondering what the outcome of the January 15, 2013, Board of Zoning Adjustment (“BZA”) hearing  on 3557-3559 Georgia Avenue (“The V”) was, I finally have that answer. BZA did not make a decision until February 12 and sent me a copy of that decision on Friday. The long and the short of it, “The V” has passed the BZA process with the support of ANC 1A, Councilmember Graham, and the Office of Planning. It can now move forward. You can also become more familiar with the project by reviewing the presentation materials from the January 9, 2013, ANC 1A meeting.

The primary concern with the application was its request to be exempt from providing parking. According to the Summary Order”

The District Department of Transportation (“DDOT”) submitted a memorandum, dated January 8, 2013, stating the Application has a negligible impact to the transportation system and that the agency had no objection to the requested variances provided that the Applicant installs a minimum of 20 bicycle parking spaces and implements the recommended transportation demand management (“TDM”) measures.

Further on in the Summary Order, the “TDM” measures were enumerated as the following:

• A member of the property management team will be designated as the Transportation Management Coordinator (TMC). The TMC will be responsible for ensuring that information is disseminated to tenants of the building.

• The TMC shall provide a packet of information identifying programs and incentives for encouraging retail and residential tenants to use alternative modes of transportation. The packets shall include information regarding Capital Bikeshare, ZipCar, Commuter Connections Rideshare Program, Commuter Connections Guaranteed Ride Home and Commuter Connections Pools Program.

• Links to CommuterConnections.com and goDCgo.com shall be provided on the property management websites.

• The Applicant shall provide at least 20 bicycle spaces in the building. Convenient and covered secure bike parking facilities shall be provided.

• The Applicant shall provide the first occupant of each residential unit, upon closing of a sale or signing of a lease: a car sharing membership at a value of $100.00, or a Capital Bikeshare membership at a value of not less than $150.00; or a Smart Trip card at a value of not less than $200.00.

• There shall be no permanent garbage dumpster in the rear yard.

With car sharing membership one of the options included in the TDM measures, it suggests to me that converting some of the parking meters on Otis Place for Zipcar use would make a lot of sense. When I meet with Zipcar to discuss their plans to increase service in Park View, I’ll be sure to discuss this potential location.