MEMORANDUM OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT COMMISSION MEETING ON January 9, 2020

Open Session

Present:

Thomas M. Gallas (Vice-Chairman) Beth White Arrington Dixon Linda Argo Paul McMahon, Jr. (Department of Defense) Peter May (Department of the Interior) Kristi Tunstall-Williams (General Services Administration) Daniel Spino (Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs) Wendy Ginsberg (House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform) Andrew Trueblood (District of Columbia Office of the Mayor) Phil Mendelson (Council of the District of Columbia)

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Vice-Chairman Gallas called the meeting to order. The agenda was adopted without objection as the order of business.

1. Elect Commissioner to Run the Open Session

UPON MOTION by Commissioner Dixon, seconded by Commissioner White, and carried unanimously, the Commission approved Vice Chairman Gallas to run the January meeting.

2. Report of the Chairman

Chairman Gallas wished everyone a happy 2020.

3. Report of the Executive Director

During the past month, the Executive Director took the following actions under the Commission’s delegation authority. Unless otherwise noted, all projects are in Washington, DC.

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1. Final site and building plans for a backwash equalization pumping station at the McMillan Reservoir, 2500 1st Street, NW. (8042) 2. Preliminary and final site and building plans for phase 3 modernization of the Building 245 Radiation Physics Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland. (7893) 3. Final site and building plans for refurbishment of a parking garage at the Defense Intelligence Agency Headquarters Building, 20 MacDill Boulevard, SE. (8004) 4. Approval of a report to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia regarding a text amendment for public school zoning regulations across Washington. (ZC 19-11)

During the past month, NCPC staff determined that the following project is exempt from Commission review, based on certain criteria. Unless otherwise noted, all projects are in Washington, DC.

1. Approval of a report to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia regarding a text amendment to St. Elizabeths East Zones (Subtitle K), 2700 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, SE. (ZC 12-08C)

Planning Updates

Monumental Core Streetscape Framework and Lighting Policy

The Commission reviewed concept designs for the Monumental Core Streetscape Framework and Lighting Policy at the November 2019 meeting. NCPC will host two public meetings on this framework and policy: on Tuesday, January 14 at 6:30 pm and on Wednesday, January 15 at 10:00 am. A 60-day public comment period opens on January 14 and extends through March 14. NCPC staff, on behalf of the National Mall Roads Interagency Working Group, will use the framework and input from these meetings and public comments to develop streetscape design guidelines and federal LED streetlight specifications. More details are available on NCPC’s website.

Comprehensive Plan District Elements: Framework Amendment Act of 2019

On December 3, 2019, the Council of the District of Columbia submitted the Comprehensive Plan Framework Amendment Act of 2019 for NCPC’s official 60-day federal interest review. The act amends the District’s Framework Element. It was originally submitted to the Council by the Mayor as Bill 22-633 and was the subject of extensive comment at a March 21, 2018 public hearing. The Council subsequently reintroduced its Bill 23-1 and revised and modified it to reflect updated data and descriptions of the forces driving change and to include new sections on housing, resilience and equity, capital improvements, and the development process. The Council modified the categories used for the future land use and generalized policy map and added guiding principles and amended several existing principles. NCPC staff will present its findings and recommendations at the January 2020 Commission meeting.

Comprehensive Plan Federal Elements: Transportation and Workplace Elements

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Staff continues to work with federal and District agencies to refine the polices in the draft Transportation Element. Staff continues work to revise the draft narrative and polices for the Federal Workplace Element, and expects to bring both elements to the Commission in the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2020.

Federal Capital Improvements Program

NCPC staff initiated the FY 2021-2026 Federal Capital Improvements Program (FCIP) cycle. The National Capital Planning Act requires that NCPC annually review and recommend a six- year program of regional federal capital projects. NCPC uses the FCIP as a planning tool to help guide planning and development in the region. NCPC submits the six-year program with planning and funding recommendations to the Office of Management and Budget.

Commemoration: Memorials and Museums Master Plan Update

On December 9, 2019 NCPC embarked on an initiative to update the Memorials and Museums Master Plan (2M Plan). The update to the 2M Plan is an effort to not only reexamine potential memorial locations but also to explore how the 2M Plan should address the nation’s memorial landscape as it relates to thematic distribution, use of public space, and alternative forms of commemoration. Participants included experts from academia, history, and the planning and design disciplines. Representatives from the Public Design Commission (New York City), National Capital Authority (Canberra), and National Capital Commission (Ottawa) attended and shared their approach to memorials.

As part of the ongoing discussion on commemoration, that evening NCPC hosted Michael Murphy, the founding principal and executive director of MASS Design Group. His lecture “Space and Memory” was part of a series of broad discussions that addressed the changing needs of commemoration. He has built an impressive portfolio of public space architecture and commemorative works where recognizing diverse perspectives, multiple narratives, and unheard stories were all key to the design.

Open to the Public Proceedings Report and Next Steps

Security in public spaces was the central theme for the two-part colloquium hosted by NCPC and the American Society of Landscape Architects on September 24-25, 2019. An important discussion point was how to safeguard users while ensuring that these spaces are inclusive, inviting, and active. NCPC staff developed a proceedings report highlighting big ideas and key takeaways from the sessions that is now available on NCPC’s website. Staff will next conduct individual workshops with key stakeholders to look at prominent and heavily used public spaces that have a complex administrative structure and often accommodate large gatherings and public events. The workshops will ultimately provide guidance and future policies for an update of the Urban Design Element.

National Children’s Museum to Open on Pennsylvania Avenue

The National Children’s Museum will open in late January at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on Pennsylvania Avenue. It will contribute to one of the best arts,

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Public Outreach

NCPC Hosts International Landscape Architects

On Tuesday, December 17 NCPC hosted Michelle Delk and Nick Koster from Snøhetta, an international architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, and brand design office. Michelle a partner and landscape architect from Snøhetta’s New York City office, shared some of the firm’s diverse projects including the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet (Oslo), Karl Johans Gate (Oslo), National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion (NYC), Times Square pedestrian improvements (NYC), and the Willamette Falls Riverwalk (Oregon City, Oregon).

Blog: End of an Era

At its December 5, 2019 meeting, NCPC approved a request to terminate the urban renewal plans for the Downtown and Shaw Urban Renewal Areas. In NCPC’s most recent blog General Counsel Anne Schuyler wrote about the agency's urban renewal authority, the agency's work related to it, and its impacts. All blogs are available online at https://www.ncpc.gov/news/.

Construction Watch Blog: Arlington Memorial Bridge Rehabilitation

Senior Urban Planner Matt Flis provided an update on work rehabbing the Arlington Memorial Bridge. NCPC approved preliminary and final site development plans for the project in June 2018 and work on the bridge is expected to be complete in 2021. All blogs are available online at https://www.ncpc.gov/news/.

Personnel

NCPC Says Farewell to Staff

On January 3, Staff Assistant Marcella Brown retired after 20 years with the agency. Marcella joined NCPC in 1999 as the agency’s receptionist and most recently served as the executive director’s assistant and staff assistant for the Office of the Secretariat. While at the agency she restructured NCPC’s library, reorganized the central files, and handled both internal and external research requests. We thank Marcella for her outstanding contributions to the agency and wish her well in retirement.

NCPC also says farewell to Senior Urban Planner Jennifer Hirsch who joined the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Community Revitalization. Jennifer joined NCPC in 2011 as the Historic Preservation Officer in the Urban Design & Plan Review Division where she worked on projects including the Eisenhower Memorial and rehabilitation

O-4 and modernization of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. In 2016 she became the senior urban planner in the Policy & Research Division. There she led efforts to update the Parks & Open Space and Transportation Elements, as well as the Memorials and Museums Master Plan. We wish Jennifer all the best in her new position.

NCPC Welcomes Two Urban Planners

Two urban planners recently joined the agency’s Urban Design & Plan Review Division. Jamie Herr joined NCPC from the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) where she was the program manager for the agency’s stormwater management, active transportation, and external engagement programs. Prior to the AOC, Jamie worked for the City of Dublin, Ohio as a city planner focusing on complex project reviews and the update to the 2007 Dublin Community Plan. She also established the Office of Sustainability as the sustainability administrator. Jamie received a Bachelor of Urban Planning from the University of Cincinnati and a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University.

Stephanie Free is a registered landscape architect and urban planner with nearly a decade of professional experience in the private and public sectors. She has a background in the design and construction of parks, plazas, streetscapes, rooftop open spaces, sustainable design, and green infrastructure, as well as municipal government development plan review and project management. Stephanie has written policy on green building and environmental sustainability, as well as authored award-winning landscape best practice guidelines. She received a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Maryland. In 2011 Stephanie interned with NCPC’s Physical Planning Division.

4. Legislative Update

The General Counsel noted that H.R. 1088, the First Infantry Recognition of Sacrifice Theater (FIRST) Act, was passed by the House on November 20, 2019. The bill authorizes the Society of the First Infantry Division to modify the First Division Monument located on federal land in President’s Park to honor members of the First Infantry Division who died during recent operations. It exempts the memorial from the section of the Commemorative Works Act precluding memorials to a unit of the armed forces. S. 389, a companion bill in the Senate, is currently awaiting action.

5. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS

UPON MOTION by Commissioner May, seconded by Commissioner Argo, and carried unanimously (Commissioner Spino abstaining), the Commission approved the Consent Calendar.

5A. United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, The National Mall, Washington, DC - Temporary Security Cameras (NCPC File No. 8142)

The Commission, pursuant to 40 U.S.C. § 8722(b)(1) and (d), advised the United States

Department of the Interior, National Park Service that it:

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Approves the preliminary and final site development plans for the installation of temporary security cameras and associated poles on the National Mall, in Washington, DC.

Notes that this approval is for the location and installation of eight poles with security cameras, and associated site and utility work for a period not to exceed five years.

Notes that the National Park Service and US Park Police will coordinate with NCPC and other appropriate stakeholders to incorporate comprehensive security goals, small cell infrastructure, and any other visible infrastructure into the planned rehabilitation of the National Mall walkways or as part of a separate plan, whichever occurs first.

5B. United States General Services Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD - Antenna Replacement at the Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building (NCPC File No. 8139)

The Commission, pursuant to 40 U.S.C. § 8722(b)(1), advised the United States General Services Administration that it:

Approves the preliminary and final site and building plans for two 55 inch by 19.6 inch replacement antennas on the southwestern portion of the roof at the Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building located in College Park, MD for a term of five years.

5C. United States General Services Administration, 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC - Minor Modifications to Square 348 (NCPC File No. P8135)

The Commission, pursuant to 40 U.S.C. § 6702(d), advised the United States General Services Administration that it:

Finds the project conforms to the 1974 Pennsylvania Avenue Plan and Square 348 Guidelines.

Supports the project contingent upon final approval of the maintenance agreement and easement waiver by the National Park Service.

Notes the improvements provide much-needed ADA access into the building from Pennsylvania Avenue and overall enhance the entrances to provide more light and visually distinct entry points.

Recommends continued coordination with the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, DC State Historic Preservation Office, National Park Service, and NCPC through the building permit process.

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5D. District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, Office of the Surveyor, Bordered by 1st Street, Canal Street, and N Place, SE, Washington, DC - Partial Closing of Potomac Avenue and First Street, SE in Square 744-SS, Lot 801 - S.O. 19-46967 (NCPC File No. 8124)

The Commission, pursuant to DC Code § 9-202.02, advised the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, Office of the Surveyor that it:

Notes that this portion of Potomac Avenue is an unbuilt section of the roadway that has never been developed and has been shown historically as either on the shore of or within the Anacostia River. A portion of the DC Water headquarters property has been built on this section of the roadway.

Approves comments to the Council for the District of Columbia that this portion of Potomac Avenue can be closed for reasons stated above.

Notes future development will maintain the viewshed along this portion of roadway through building setbacks and massing.

5E. District of Columbia Department of General Services, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, SE, Washington, DC - St. Elizabeths East Campus Men's Shelter (NCPC File No. 8136)

The Commission, pursuant to 40 U.S.C. § 8722(b)(1), advised the District of Columbia Department of General Services, that it:

Approves the following comments on the concept design for a replacement men’s shelter at St. Elizabeths East Campus.

Recognizes the new shelter and hospital will be valuable resources to the city.

Supports the proposed development which incorporates lower building heights adjacent to the horse stables, places the new shelter in close proximity to the future hospital site, and allows the existing shelter to remain in operation while the new one is constructed.

Notes that the WMATA Green Line tunnel runs directly under the site and the applicant will need to continue close coordination with WMATA as the design develops.

Recommends the following with regard to the overall site and building design: • Develop better connections to the existing East Campus transportation network to facilitate pedestrian movements between the site and the Congress Heights Metrorail Station. • Integrate bioretention into the site while providing improved landscaping areas for residents of the facilities and local wildlife instead of the proposed stormwater pond in the existing vegetated area. • Provide a more inviting entrance to the main building, by incorporating elements like seating and/or landscaping, which can serve as a welcoming area for visitors to the site.

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5F. District of Columbia Department of General Services, 925 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Washington, DC - Banneker Academic High School (NCPC File No. 8122)

The Commission, pursuant to 40 U.S.C. § 8722(b)(1) and (e), advised the District of Columbia Department of General Services that it:

Approves the preliminary and final site and building plans for the proposed Banneker Academic High School, located at 925 Rhode Island, NW in Washington, DC.

Commends the applicant for revising the site plan to acknowledge the historic 10th Street corridor, which is part of the L’Enfant Plan, and for incorporating elements that reflect the legacy of Benjamin Banneker who helped survey the boundaries of Washington, DC.

6. ACTION ITEMS – With Presentation

6A. United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Southwest Corner of 23rd Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC - National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial (NCPC File No. 7745)

UPON MOTION by Commissioner May, seconded by Commissioner White, and unanimously approved, Commissioner Spino abstaining, the Commission approved the following amendment:

Statues

Finds the scale, orientation and placement of the statues needs further study and refinement appearing above the berm creates an unwelcoming approach from the corner of 23rd Street, NW and Constitution Avenue.

Notes the literal depiction of the service members conflicts with the abstract design of the landscape-oriented memorial.

Requests the applicant consider refinements to and alternatives to the statues that express the “pivot” theme and complement the landscape character of the memorial in the next submission.

UPON MOTION by Commissioner May, seconded by Commissioner Argo, and unanimously approved, Commissioner Spino abstaining, the Commission, pursuant to 40 U.S.C. § 8905, advised the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, that it:

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Supports the conceptual design scheme at the Constitution Avenue site and commends the landscape-oriented approach that minimizes the use of vertical elements and respects its open setting and views to the Lincoln Memorial and National Mall.

Finds the memorial’s proposed themes (“storm”, “pivot”, and “coalition”) effectively commemorate Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield and create a strong thematic framework for the design of the memorial.

Finds the size and location of the memorial preserve adequate open space for recreational use and/or future commemorative works on the remainder of the site while also fostering a contemplative gathering space buffered from adjacent activities.

Finds the proposed siting and design of the memorial create an opportunity to envision greater changes to the roadway infrastructure which dominates the adjacent land to the west.

Regarding commemorative elements:

Layout and Circulation

Notes that visitors could access the memorial from 23rd Street, NW or Constitution Avenue and finds that visitors will primarily enter the memorial from the 23rd Street, NW access point.

Finds the entrance to the memorial from 23rd Street, NW is significant to experiencing the commemorative elements as intended.

Recommends the applicant explore visual cues to direct east-bound pedestrians on Constitution Avenue NW and south-bound pedestrians on 23rd Street, NW (from Metro) to enter the site from the 23rd Street, NW access point.

Supports the use of green space and a water feature within the memorial to evoke a desert oasis, recalling this as a unique characteristic of the desert landscape.

Berms

Finds the berms effectively suggest the dune forms in the desert landscape of Kuwait.

Finds the asymmetrical placement and height of the berms provide adequate enclosure for the memorial, buffer noise from traffic and adjacent activities, and enable views to the Lincoln Memorial and National Mall while minimizing visibility to the memorial from these sites.

Central Element

Finds the coalition theme is successfully expressed through the circular form of the central element and the recognition of the multiple nations involved in the War around the circumference.

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Requests the applicant provide alternatives for the surface treatment of the central element as seen when the water feature is turned off, noting that the treatment should contribute to the overall narrative.

Sculptural Walls

Finds the height, scale, and placement of the commemorative sculptural walls respect surrounding views, and address visibility and security issues.

Recommends the applicant study the angle of the walls to deter unwanted activities such as climbing or skateboarding, and to also optimize readability of the information on the walls.

Recommends the proposed cast sculpture of the falcon and eagle symbolizing liberation and leadership relate to the imagery proposed on the “storm” wall.

Finds the proposed quotations support the “storm” and “pivot” themes; however, the overall physical expression of the commemorative themes can be strengthened through further design of the stone carvings and bas-relief imagery.

Statues

Finds the scale, orientation and placement of the statues need further study and refinement.

Requests the applicant consider refinements to and alternatives to the statues that express the “pivot” theme and complement the landscape character of the memorial in the next submission.

Regarding infrastructure and existing resources:

Potomac Park Levee and Clean Rivers Project

Notes the siting and design of the proposed memorial are intended to have minimal impacts on these future infrastructure projects.

Existing Vegetation

Notes the applicant has made a conscious effort to minimize tree loss and proposes new trees to maintain the allee of trees on 23rd Street, NW and Constitution Avenue and maintain consistency with the Lincoln Memorial Cultural Landscape.

Recommends the applicant consult with a certified arborist to evaluate impacts to existing trees based on the proposed grading and conceptual design and to ensure proper tree protection measures are in place.

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Commissioner Ginsberg leaves the meeting.

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6B. United States Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, DC - Washington Union Station Expansion Project (NCPC File No. 7746)

UPON MOTION by Commissioner Trueblood, seconded by Commissioner Mendelson, and unanimously approved, Commissioner Spino abstaining, the Commission approved the following amendment:

Notes Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) oversees the station operations and maintenance, and parking revenues comprise 70 percent of USRC funding which supports preservation of the station, maintainings the station as a multimodal transportation center, and enhancinges the retail and amenities within the station.

UPON MOTION by Commissioner Mendelson, seconded by Commissioner Dixon, and unanimously approved, Commissioner Spino abstaining, the Commission approved the following amendment:

Regarding the parking facilities:

Notes the site currently has about 2,200 striped parking spaces with an average utilization rate over 80 percent. Rental car areas and the mezzanine accommodate about 250 additional vehicles. Presently, a A majority of the spaces (1390) appear to be used by monthly pass holders, whereas the use of the garage for daily retail or rail users appears substantially less.

UPON MOTION by Commissioner Mendelson, seconded by Commissioner Tunstall- Williams, and unanimously approved, Commissioner Spino abstaining, the Commission approved the following amendment:

Requests the applicant substantially reduce the number of parking spaces, and that the applicant, private development partner, and staff work with the District Office of Planning and the District Department of Transportation to evaluate and confirm the appropriate amount of parking given the mix of uses, traffic and urban design impacts, and transit- oriented nature of the project prior to the next stage of review.

UPON MOTION by Commissioner White, seconded by Commissioner Trueblood and unanimously approved, Commissioner Spino abstaining, the Commission, pursuant to 40 U.S.C. § 8722(b)(1) and (d), advised the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, that it:

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Finds the primary goal of the project is to support current and future growth in rail service and multimodal connectivity for Washington, DC and the National Capital Region well into the 21st Century.

Finds it is the federal interest to support multimodal connections and transportation alternatives in the regional system.

Supports the overall project purpose, including accommodating future growth in rail service; improving accessibility and egress; enhancing the user experience; enhancing integration with surrounding uses; sustaining the station’s economic viability; and preserving the historic train station.

Finds that Union Station is an important historic resource and is a gateway into the National Capital, and therefore the function, design and experience of the facility impacts the first impression of visitors. At the same time, the station is a critical transportation hub for residents and workers.

Notes Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) oversees the station operations and maintenance, and USRC funding supports preservation of the station, maintains the station as a multimodal transportation center, and enhances the retail and amenities within the station.

Notes the major project components include reconfiguration of the station tracks, a new train hall, bus facilities, and replacement parking facilities.

Finds the realignment and placement of the station tracks form the foundation of the design and configuration of other project elements. Changes in grade, limited points of access, constrained site boundaries, and varying jurisdictions also create constraints that influence the placement of the proposed facilities.

Notes the applicant has developed six alternatives (A, B, C-East and West, D, E, and “A-C”) that share the same project components, but differ primarily in the placement of the train hall, parking and bus facilities.

Notes the applicant has indicated that Alternative “A-C” is their preferred alternative because it minimizes the duration, depth, complexity, and cost of construction as there would be no extensive construction below the concourses; keeps intermodal uses close to each other and close to the main station like today; and minimizes operational traffic impacts on the H Street Bridge and public street network by optimizing deck-level vehicular circulation and re-using the existing east and west ramps.

Regarding the transportation facilities:

Supports the reconfiguration of the train platforms to create greater efficiency, improve accessibility, and enhance the user experience.

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Finds the addition of a new concourse level with pedestrian entrances at 1st Street and 2nd Street will greatly improve pedestrian access from the adjacent neighborhoods.

Supports the addition of a new east-west train hall that helps create a large, gracious entry to the track platforms, creates a setback from the historic train station and brings natural light into the facility.

Finds that the rail station, bus facility and Metrorail Station should be located in close proximity to each other to facilitate intermodal connections for travelers.

Supports the creation of new pedestrian entrances at the level of the H Street bridge and new train hall to improve accessibility to the station, and to relieve demand for drop-offs at the front of the station.

Notes the traffic impacts of the proposed alternatives were not part of the concept submission, but will be included as part of the impacts analysis within the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Requests the applicant coordinate with the District Department of Transportation to evaluate the proposed circulation system and any impacts to the transportation network, including Columbus Circle, the H Street Bridge, and adjacent streets.

Regarding the parking facilities:

Notes the site currently has about 2,200 striped parking spaces with an average utilization rate over 80 percent. Rental car areas and the mezzanine accommodate about 250 additional vehicles. Presently, a majority of the spaces (1390) appear to be used by monthly pass holders whereas the use of the garage for daily retail or rail users appears substantially less.

Notes the preferred alternative reduces the proposed number of spaces by approximately one- third to 1,575 spaces, with approximately 600 spaces for retail, 900 flexible spaces for general use, and 75 spaces for rental cars.

Notes the federal Transportation Element provides specific guidance for federal employee parking, but in this case, much of the parking is for non-federal commercial use and other station users.

Notes the proposed 2019 federal Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan states agencies should consult the parking policies of local jurisdictions to determine appropriate parking standards for non-workplace federal uses, including residential, commercial, and institutional uses.

Requests the applicant substantially reduce the number of parking spaces, and that the applicant, private development partner, and staff work with the District Office of Planning and the District Department of Transportation to evaluate and confirm the appropriate amount of parking given

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Notes the applicant has evaluated off-site locations for parking, including other federal properties and private sites, but has determined they all face significant challenges regarding acquisition or implementation.

Regarding historic preservation and urban design:

Finds the applicant seeks to enhance the functionality of the Union Station, and the proposed alternatives generally do not directly alter the historic station building itself.

Notes that proposed development behind the station should consider the setting of the historic building and the critical views from the National Mall, U.S. Capitol, and other viewsheds.

Supports the use of the east-west train hall to create a wider setback between the historic train station and new development to the north, as a way to help mitigate the visual impacts of the new development.

Supports the provision of a pedestrian access corridor between the top of the H Street Bridge and the station / train hall to create a new way to access the station from the H Street-Benning Streetcar Station. The “access zone” will require coordination with adjacent private development.

Finds the placement of parking beneath the station tracks and lower concourses may be challenging due to constructability and cost and therefore, the smaller the massing of the above grade garage, the better.

Finds that bus and parking facilities can be designed in a manner that can support compatibility with other adjacent uses, including the integration of retail and other active uses, the architectural treatment of buildings and facades, and the incorporation of other public amenities.

Requests for the next review the applicant further develop plans and renderings that show how active uses, amenities and architectural features can enhance the public realm and create a design that is compatible with adjacent development.

Requests the applicant prepare elevations and renderings to show how the height and mass of the alternatives will look from key viewsheds, including from the U.S. Capitol building, the National Mall, Delaware Avenue, and 1st Street, NE. The renderings should also include the massing of any private development permitted in the USN zone.

Regarding further coordination:

Requests the applicant coordinate with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority regarding the proposed improvements and new entry to the Metrorail station along 1st Street, NE.

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Requests the applicant coordinate with District Department of Energy and Environment regarding stormwater management and other environmental issues related to the site.

Requests the applicant provide a phasing plan that describes the timing and implementation of each project component, where applicable, as part of the next review.

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Commissioner Spino leaves the meeting.

Secretary Koster recuses herself from Agenda Item 6C, noting that General Counsel Anne Schuyler will be the Acting Secretariat for that item.

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6C. Council of the District of Columbia, - Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital - District Elements – Comprehensive Plan Framework Amendment Act of 2019 (NCPC File No. CP19)

UPON MOTION by Commissioner Dixon, seconded by Commissioner White, and carried unanimously (Commissioner Tunstall-White not present, not voting), the Commission, pursuant to 40 U.S.C. § 8721(c), advised the Council of the District of Columbia, that it:

Adopts the attached resolution finding that the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital: District Elements—Comprehensive Plan Framework Amendment Act of 2019 will not have a negative impact on the interests or functions of the federal establishment in the National Capital.

Notes on December 5, 2019, the Commission approved the modification to terminate the Urban Renewal Plans for the Shaw School and Downtown Urban Renewal Areas. Should the Council of the District of Columbia decide to terminate the Shaw School and Downtown Urban Renewal Areas, the text in the Framework Element should be revised.

Notes that the Mayor will submit the proposed amendments on the District Elements to the Council of the District of Columbia in Spring 2020.

RESOLUTION REGARDING FEDERAL INTEREST IMPACTS FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE NATIONAL CAPITAL: DISTRICT ELEMENTS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FRAMEWORK AMENDMENT ACT OF 2019

January 9, 2020

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WHEREAS, pursuant to the National Capital Planning Act of 1952, as amended (40 U.S.C. § 8721), (“Planning Act”), the Council of the District of Columbia has adopted the Comprehensive Plan Framework Act of 2019 (enrolled version of Bill 23-1), containing amendments to the Framework Element of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital: District Elements, and submitted the element to the National Capital Planning Commission (“Commission”) for review and comment with regard to the impact of the element on the interests or functions of the federal establishment in the National Capital, and;

BE IT RESOLVED that, pursuant to § 8721(c) of the Planning Act, the Commission, on January 9, 2020, finds that the enrolled version of Bill 23-1 will not have a negative impact on the interests or functions of the federal establishment in the National Capital.

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At this point the meeting was adjourned.

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______Julia A. Koster Secretary to the Commission

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