March 3, 2011
NCPC approved preliminary and final site and building plans for pedestrian screening facilities on the Pentagon Reservation. These facilities will serve Corridors 2 and 3 leading from the Pentagon to employee parking lots located south of the building. In its approval, the Commission commended the Department of Defense (DoD) for submitting screening facilities that both complement and respect the Pentagon’s historic architecture while also using state of the art technology. The Commission also noted the DoD’s willingness to address concerns raised by NCPC and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts that resulted in an improved design.
The new screening facilities—consisting of cast lime stone entry portals with metal gates, employee turnstiles, police booths, visitor screening areas, and utility closets—shall replace temporary screening facilities currently onsite. The DoD will submit additional permanent screening facilities to NCPC at a future date.
See the Commission Action and Staff Recommendation
In the second item before the Commission, the members gave preliminary, but not final approval for plans to build a Child Development Center at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Quantico. The proposed one-story, 32,700 square foot facility would accommodate up to 290 children and 62 staff. The Commission action gave preliminary approval to 42 of the requested 62 employee parking spaces to ensure the project is consistent with parking ratios in the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. Also approved were preliminary and final site and building plans to realign Purvis Road, which runs adjacent to the proposed center’s site.
In its action the Commission noted that the applicant (Department of the Navy, which is agent for the Marines) is to return for final approval of the Child Development Center. NCPC advised the Navy that by preparing construction plans prior to advising and consulting with NCPC in preliminary and successive stages, it violated the requirements of the National Capital Planning Act. The Commission also advised the applicant that construction of the project prior to final approval would constitute another violation of the Planning Act.
See the Commission Action and Staff Recommendation
National Zoo North Road Retaining Wall
(File number 7214)
In reviewing a third action item, NCPC provided comments on concept designs for a retaining wall below the National Zoo’s North Road. Among its recommendations, the Commission asked that the Smithsonian examine ways to replace trees lost due to construction and to look at possible means for screening views of the wall from Rock Creek Park. NCPC also requested detailed landscape plans for its next review of the project. The proposed wall would replace existing temporary measures with a permanent concrete wall featuring stone architectural finishes similar to those found elsewhere in the zoo. The wall would be approximately 1,000 feet in length and 50 feet high.
See the Commission Action and Staff Recommendation
Veterans Affairs Medical Center Master Plan Modification and Parking Garage Phase I
(File number MP028/7120)
In its final action of the day Commissioners approved a proposed modification of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Master Plan to accommodate changes in the location of a visitor parking garage that will replace a surface parking lot. The Commission approved preliminary and final site and building plans for phase one of the garage, which will accommodate 357 spaces, provided that setbacks of 65 feet from Irving Street, NW are implemented, as described in the approved Master Plan. NCPC also required that the VA address concerns raised by the DC State Historic Preservation Office about the effect of building height, as the applicant submits future phases for the parking garage.
See the Commission Action, Staff Recommendation, and FONSI
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.