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Signed Correspondence Letter for the Urban Renewal Plans

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Signed Correspondence Letter for the Urban Renewal Plans District ofColumbia Office of Planning Office ofthe Director November 1, 2019 Marcel Acosta Executive Director National Capital Planning Commission 401 9th Street, NW, Suite 5000 Washington DC 20004 RE: Application to Amend the Termination Dates for the Urban Renewal Plans for the Shaw School Urban Renewal Area and the Downtown Urban Renewal Area Dear Director Acosta: As Planning Director for the District of Columbia Office of Planning, I am submitting this application to request that the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) amend the termination dates of the Shaw School and Downtown Urban Renewal Plans pursuant to the Commission's modification authority granted by the District of Columbia Redevelopment Act of 1946 and codified in the D.C. Code (DC Code§ 2-1225.31). Proposed Modification Pursuant to section 501(b) of the National Capital Revitalization Corporation and Anacostia Waterfront Corporation Reorganization Act of 2008 (D.C. Law 17-138; D.C. Official Code§ 2- 1225.31), after referral to NCPC for a 30-day review period, the proposed modification will be submitted to the D.C. Council for approval as a resolution to modify the termination date ofthe urban renewal plans. The date the resolution becomes effective shall serve as the date of termination for the plans. The following modifications to the Urban Renewal Plan for the Shaw School Urban Renewal Area are proposed: a. Modify section 670.00, Duration of Controls, Shaw School Urban Renewal Area as follows: 1100 4th Street SW, Suite E650, Washington, DC 20024 voice 202.442.7600 fax 202.442.7638 -* * * 670.00 Pro13erty acquireel ey the Agency shall l:>e sul:>ject to the lanel use 13rovisions anel l:>uileling requirements in the Plan f.or a 13eriod of 20 years f.ollo11,ing the date of the a1313roval ofthis Plan or modification hereof authorizing such acquisition. Such 13eriod shall be m<tendeel f.or a 13eriod equal to the 13eriod of controls covering the pro13erty acquired l:>•t the Agency under the last moelification ofthis Plan authorizing such acquisition in the Project Area, 13roi.•ided that in no event shall the 13eriod of controls affecting any such 13roperty eMceed 30 years from the date ofthe approval oftl:lis Plan or modification l:lereof autl:lorizing the acq1:.1isition of such property The Plan shall terminate effective [date the resolution becomes effective]. b. Modify sections 670.10 and 670.11, Duration of Controls, Downtown Urban Renewal Area as follows: 670.10 The Plan shall terminate effective [date the resolution becomes effective]. Property acquireel l:>•1 tl:le Agency sl:lall l:>e sul:>ject to the land use pro•.iisions and euileling requirement sin the Plan f.or a period of 30 years following the date of the final l:>uilding plan approval f.or the Washington Convention Center project or moetification hereof autl:lorizing such acquisition, whoever is later. Such perioel shall l:>e eMtendeet f.or a period equal to the perioet of controls co•,ering the property acquires b1•the Agency uneter the last modification ofthis Plan authorizing such acquisition in the Project Area. 670.11 Noti.\lithstaneling the pro•.iisions of Section 670.10, the land use provisions anel l:>uileling requirements in the Plan shall appl•1 to a sports and entertainrnent compleM on Disposition Lot 6 f.or a period ofthirty •1ears following the disposition of Lot 6 for the specified use. Planning Analysis The Shaw School and Downtown Urban Renewal Plans are the focus of this analysis, which shows that they are outdated and not aligned with current planning efforts ofthe District of Columbia and NCPC. Since their adoption in 1969, these urban renewal plans have directed development of housing, parks and open space, infrastructure and other public space improvements, as well as the preservation of notable historic landmarks. The Shaw and Downtown plans are set to terminate in 2028; however, the renewal actions and development objectives identified for the Shaw and Downtown neighborhoods have been largely accomplished and superseded by current planning efforts. Moreover, many ofthe policies and practices ofthe urban renewal have been shown to have disrupted communities and to have imposed suburban-style design and regulatory requirements that are not ideal for urban areas like Downtown and Shaw. Shaw School Urban Renewal Area The general objective ofthe Urban Renewal Plan for the Shaw School Urban Renewal Area was to guide the rehabilitation and renewal ofthe Project Area in a manner consistent with: (1) 2 comprehensive planning objectives and policies for the Nation's Capital, and (2) the special character and development potential ofthe Project Area by providing for predominantly residential uses with supporting private and public facilities. The broad context for the areas was a shrinking population, a growing and suburbanizing region, a downtown serving primarily as a regional employment center, and civil unrest and riots that occurred in 1968. Today, the District's population is growing faster than the region's, Downtown serves as a center not only of employment, but for entertainment, culture, shopping and tourism, and the District's goals in these areas about managing growth rather than preventing decline. Specifically, the plans for both areas call for the rehabilitation of existing houses; the construction of new housing, including affordable housing; the development of distinct residential neighborhoods; the provision of community and public and facility services at the neighborhood level; the elimination of blight and deterioration; and for a high level of urban design in all new construction. In addition to the development objectives, the Plan contains specific land use and circulation plans, permitted uses, and planning criteria and standards. The Disposition Lots identified in the Shaw School Plan have been redeveloped and provide the contemplated housing, commercial, and public amenities (see Attachment 1). The Near Northwest Area Element of the 2006 Comprehensive Plan identifies the Shaw/Convention Center Area as a Policy Focus Area and notes the increased development pressure on the neighborhood, which is evidenced by its designation as a destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Continuation of the Shaw School Plan until the projected 2028 termination date would result in the preservation of a planning document with outdated development standards, such as building height and density limitations and minimum parking requirements that do not reflect the urban mixed-use, transit-oriented development that has evolved in the neighborhood and that should continue to be fostered. Downtown Urban Renewal Area The fundamental objective ofthe Urban Renewal Plan for the Downtown Urban Renewal Area was to stimulate the revitalization of the project area so that it could be strengthened as the heart of the Nation's Capital; as a core ofthe Washington Metropolitan Area; and the center of the District of Columbia. The objectives were to be achieved primarily by private development within a framework of public renewal action. The project area was to be expanded as a major center of government and private employment, while providing significant job training opportunities for residents of the city with employment opportunities in varied occupations at a wide range of levels. The 1984 Comprehensive Plan built on the existing planning that had been conducted for the District, including planning efforts focused on the continued revitalization of Downtown. The proposed objectives and policies contained in the 1982 report Downtown DC: Recommendations for the Downtown Plan were adopted almost intact as the Downtown 3 Element ofthe District's 1984 Comprehensive Plan. The recommendations addressed Downtown's decline and called for more diverse uses, with a strong emphasis on housing. To affect the land use changes identified i.n the 1984 Comprehensive Plan, the District proposed zoning for Downtown in its 1990 Rezoning for a Living Downtown zoning case. The proposed zoning changes were part ofthe District's broader strategy to sustain a vibrant Downtown with an optimum physical development pattern, lively mix of uses, high quality urban design, and distinct subareas. The Urban Renewal Plan's goal to develop a new convention center on the six squares north of Mt. Vernon Square has been accomplished. The desired sports and entertainment complex in the Retail Core near the Gallery Place Metro station is in place with the Capital One Arena. The remaining Disposition Lots identified in the Plan also have been redeveloped (see Attachment 4). In 2019, Downtown stands as the heart ofthe District's economy, with the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan's objectives to provide new residential housing; develop a strong retail core; and preserve architecturally or historically important buildings and places having been realized. Future development should continue the trend of building a strong urban core that is a cultural and entertainment destination. Both plans identify the importance of preserving historic resources within the plan areas. The recognition and designation of identified historic resources has been achieved and is detailed in Attachments 2 and 5. Comprehensive Plan Through the 2006 Comprehensive Plan's Citywide Elements and the Near Northwest and Central Washington Area Elements, the District acknowledges the existing urban renewal plans and advances the planning direction for these areas of the City. Near Northwest Area Element NNW-2.1 Shaw/Convention Center Area 2111 An urban renewal plan for the area was adopted in 1969 in response to the 1968 riots and poor housing conditions in much of the area. The urban renewal plan took a more incremental approach than was taken in Southwest, selectively clearing alley dwellings and substandard housing rather than calling for wholesale clearance. As a result, the area contains a mix of publicly assisted housing complexes from the 1970s and older row houses from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 2111.1 Central Washington Area Element History 1601 The area continued to grow for the next 50 years.
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