July 12, 2007

The Yards at Southeast Federal Center
(File Number MP03/6758)

The Commission approved preliminary plans for 35 percent of the streetscape and landscape design of the former Southeast Federal Center, recently renamed The Yards. The General Services Administration (GSA) submitted the plans on behalf of Forest City SEFC, LLC, the site’s developers. The site is adjacent to the Washington Navy Yard on the Anacostia River and includes several historic buildings.

A 2003 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between GSA and NCPC established the Commission’s design review procedures for this project. The MOA states that the Commission will provide one-time review of the design for each development parcel when the design is 35 percent complete. On July 12, the Commission reviewed four parcels: E1, K, M, and D (composed of D1 and D2), as well as streetscape and landscape design and infrastructure development plans for the entire site.

The Commission approved the 35-percent-completed design plans for the infrastructure and street design at The Yards as well as the development plans for the four parcels listed above. The Commission found the plans consistent with the approved revised Master Plan for the site. In approving the plans, the Commission commended GSA, Forest City, and the developers and architects of the individual parcels for the quality of the site development, landscape design, treatment of historic buildings and remaining site fabric.

The Commission also recommended that the massing and scale of the new building on Parcel D1 be refined and further articulated as the design is developed so the building more clearly acknowledges and complements the scale of the adjacent historic brick wall along M Street and its sentry tower.

See the Commission Action and Staff Recommendation

Text Amendment to District of Columbia Zoning Regulations to Allow Temporary Surface Parking Lots on Various Squares in the South Capitol Street and M Street, SE Corridors
(File Number Z.C. 07-08)

NCPC reviewed the proposal for its impact on federal interests, which include the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative, the Southeast Federal Center, the US Department of Transportation Headquarters, the Washington Canal Park and the South Capitol Street Corridor.

Based on the District of Columbia’s commitment to require storm water management measures for the permitting of the temporary parking lots, the Commission concluded that the proposed text amendment to the zoning regulations will not adversely affect identified federal interests if:

• Section 1603.3 of the Zoning Regulations is amended to include temporary surface lots in order to maintain the 75-foot setback along the Anacostia Waterfront.
• Temporary surface lots are not permitted on US Reservation 17, parcels B, C and D, which are the location of the planned Washington Canal Park.
• The final order for the text amendment indicates that the parking lots are not eligible for Board of Zoning Adjustment Special Exception review and therefore may not remain after April 1, 2013.
• The Zoning Regulations indicate that the Board of Zoning Adjustment must assess any requests for exception to the current parking space cap of 3,775 spaces for specific impacts on the Anacostia River and the use of public transit by stadium-goers by adding the following language to Section 2110.2 of the proposed amendment:

◦ In reviewing requests for Special Exception, the Board of Zoning Adjustment will evaluate the proposal for its impacts to the Anacostia Waterfront and its effect on the use of public transit to the Washington Nationals Baseball Stadium.

See the Commission Action and Staff Recommendation

Informational Presentation

White House Area Transportation Study Informational Presentation
(File Number 6625)

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) briefed the Commission on the status of the White House Area Transportation Study. The study is examining traffic problems in the immediate vicinity of the White House. The goal is to alleviate congestion due to street closures and identify the impacts of street closures and traffic restrictions. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) briefed the Commission on the status of the White House Area Transportation Study. The study is examining traffic problems in the immediate vicinity of the White House. The goal is to alleviate congestion due to street closures and identify the impacts of street closures and traffic restrictions.

The study will identify six potential alternatives to current traffic patterns, examine potential impacts of the alternatives, and provide long-range goals to improve the traffic congestion. The Commission expects a final report in December.

The District of Columbia Department of Transportation and Office of Planning, the National Park Service, the U.S. Secret Service, Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority, and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments are helping to guide the effort.

Consent Calendar: The Commission voted on Consent Calendar items without staff presentations or public testimony.

Delegated Decisions: Projects for which the Commission delegated decision-making authority to the Chairman, Executive Committee, or Executive Director.