D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-A2308
RCW-1.1 Guiding Growth and Neighborhood Conservation
The following general policies and actions should guide growth and neighborhood conservation decisions in Rock Creek West. These policies and actions should be considered in tandem with those in the citywide elements of the Comprehensive Plan. 2308.1
Policy RCW-1.1.1: Neighborhood Conservation
Protect the low density, stable residential neighborhoods west of Rock Creek Park and recognize the contribution they make to the character, economy, and fiscal stability of the District of Columbia. Future development in both residential and commercial areas must be carefully managed to address infrastructure constraints and protect and enhance the existing scale, function, and character of these neighborhoods. 2308.2
Policy RCW-1.1.2: Economic Development
Given the strength of the private market within Rock Creek West, carefully consider public sector initiatives that would stimulate additional development in the area.
Policy RCW-1.1.3: Conserving Neighborhood Commercial Centers
Support and sustain local retail uses and small businesses in the area's neighborhood commercial centers. These centers should be protected from encroachment by large office buildings and other non-neighborhood serving uses. Compatible new uses such as multi-family housing or limited low-cost neighborhood-serving office space (above local-serving ground-floor retail uses ) should be considered within the area's commercial centers to meet affordable housing needs, sustain new neighborhood-serving retail and small businesses, and bring families back to the District. 2308.4
Policy RCW-1.1.4: Infill Development
Recognize the opportunity for infill development within the areas designated for commercial land use on the Future Land Use Map. When such development is proposed, work with ANCs, residents, and community organizations to encourage projects that combine housing and commercial uses rather than projects than contain single uses. Heights and densities for such development should be appropriate to the scale and character of Neighborhood retail along Connecticut Avenue adjoining communities. Buffers should be adequate to protect existing residential areas from noise, odors, shadows, and other impacts. 2308.5
Policy RCW-1.1.5: Preference for Local-Serving Retail
Support new commercial development in the Planning Area that provides the range of goods and services necessary to meet the needs of local residents. Such uses are preferable to the development of new larger-scale or "big-box" retail uses that serve a regional market. "Destination" retail uses are not appropriate in smaller-scale commercial areas, especially those without Metrorail access. Regardless of scale, retail development must be planned and designed to mitigate traffic, parking, and other impacts on adjacent residential areas. 2308.6
Policy RCW-1.1.6: Metro Station Areas
Recognize the importance of the area's five Metrorail stations to the land use pattern and transportation network of Northwest Washington and the entire District of Columbia. Each station should be treated as a unique place and an integral part of the neighborhood around it. The development of large office buildings at the area's metro stations should be discouraged. The preference is to use available and underutilized sites for housing and retail uses in a manner consistent with the Future Land Use Map, the Generalized Policies Map, and the policies of the Comprehensive Plan. Careful transitions from development along the avenues to nearby low-scale neighborhoods must be provided. 2308.7
Policy RCW-1.1.7: Housing for Seniors and Disabled Residents
Maintain and increase housing for elderly and disabled residents, especially along the major transportation and commercial corridors of Wisconsin and Connecticut Avenues. 2308.8
Policy RCW-1.1.8: Managing Institutional Land Uses
Manage institutional land uses in the Rock Creek West Planning Area in a way that ensures that their operations are harmonious with surrounding uses, that expansion is carefully controlled, and that potential adverse effects on neighboring properties are minimized. Ensure that any redevelopment of institutional land is compatible with the physical character of the community and is consistent with all provisions of the Comprehensive Plan and the underlying zoning rules and regulations. Densities and intensities of any future development on such sites should reflect surrounding land uses as well as infrastructure constraints and input from the local community. 2308.9
See the Land Use Element for policies on the expansion of institutional uses and the neighborhood impacts of private schools and other institutional uses. Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan is one of five Metrorail stations in Rock Creek West.
Policy RCW-1.1.9: Protecting Common Open Space
Protect the large areas of green space and interior open spaces that are common in and around the community's institutional uses and its older apartment buildings, such as Cathedral Mansions and the Broadmoor. Where these open spaces are recognized to contribute to the integrity of the site or structure, stringent protection from inappropriate infill shall be maintained. 2308.10
Policy RCW-1.1.10: Conservation of Historic Estates
Conserve the historic estates in the neighborhoods west of Rock Creek Park, including those that are formally landmarked and those that may be eligible for landmark status. Require that the future use of these sites is compatible with their landmark status and protects the integrity of their architectural and landscape design. In the event development does occur, it must be sensitive to surrounding natural areas and adjacent low density residential uses, and not harm historic resources on the site. The use of conservation easements to protect open space on these properties should be considered. 2308.11
Policy RCW-1.1.11: Managing Transportation Demand
Improve traffic service levels on the area's thoroughfares by developing transportation systems management programs, transportation demand management programs, and other measures to more efficiently use the area's road network and reduce the volume of vehicle trips generated by new development. Ensure that new development does not unreasonably degrade traffic conditions, and that traffic calming measures are required to reduce development impacts. This policy is essential to protect and improve the quality of life and the residential character of the area. 2308.12
Policy RCW-1.1.12: Congestion Management Measures
Ensure that land use decisions do not exacerbate congestion and parking problems in already congested areas such as the Friendship Heights, Tenleytown, and Connecticut/Van Ness Metro stations. When planned unit developments are proposed in these areas, require traffic studies which identify the mitigation measures that must occur to maintain acceptable transportation service levels-and secure a commitment to implement these measures through transportation management plans. Traffic studies and mitigation plans should consider not only the impacts of the project under consideration but the cumulative impact of other projects which also may impact the community, as well as the impact of non-resident drivers using local streets. Car-sharing, bicycle facilities, and designs which promote transit use should be encouraged as mitigation measures, in addition to measures addressing passenger and service vehicles. 2308.13
Please consult the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan for policies on traffic levels of service and transportation demand management programs. Ensure that land use decisions do not exacerbate congestion and parking problems in already congested areas such as the Friendship Heights, Tenleytown, and Connecticut/Van Ness Metro stations.
Policy RCW-1.1.13: Parking
Consider the use of easements with private developers to provide additional public parking in the area's commercial districts. On-street public parking should not be removed within these districts. 2308.14
Policy RCW-1.1.14: Bicycle Facilities
Improve facilities for bicyclists, to the extent feasible and consistent with traffic safety considerations, along Connecticut, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts Avenues, along MacArthur Boulevard, along Calvert Street (to Rock Creek Park), and at each of the Metrorail stations. 2308.15
Policy RCW-1.1.15: Metro Access
Ensure pedestrian, bicycle, and bus access to the five Metro Station areas, and improve their visual and urban design qualities. Space for car-share vehicles should be provided near the stations where feasible to reduce parking congestion in neighborhoods and encourage car-sharing as an alternative to vehicle ownership. 2308.16
Action RCW-1.1.A: Commercial Zoning Assessment
Conduct an evaluation of commercial zoning designations throughout the Rock Creek West Planning Area. Consider the creation of additional neighborhood commercial overlay zones at the Van Ness/UDC, Tenleytown, and Friendship Heights Metro stations, and at neighborhood commercial centers and "main streets" throughout the area. Such overlays should ensure that new development is pedestrian-oriented, achieves neighborhood compatibility, and is responsive to community concerns about building height, buffers, and transitions between uses. 2308.17
Action RCW-1.1.B: Protection of Neighborhood Architecture and Aesthetics
Consider new tools such as Conservation Districts and changes to the Zoning Regulations to reduce the incidence of "teardowns" in Rock Creek West's single family and row house neighborhoods. While this is a citywide issue (see Policy LU-2.1.6 and Action LU-2.1.D), it is a particular concern in this part of the city. 2308.18
Action RCW-1.1.C: Joint Planning Agreement with Montgomery County
Develop a joint planning agreement with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission/Montgomery County to coordinate the mutual review of projects and area plans on both sides of the District/ Maryland line. 2308.19
Action RCW-1.1.D: Traffic Flow Improvements
Conduct and regularly update transportation studies for the area's major corridors to identify possible traffic flow and safety improvements. These studies should also identify improvements to diminish "cut-through" traffic, reduce speeding, and ensure pedestrian safety on smaller neighborhood side streets, especially in residential areas adjacent to Wisconsin Avenue, Connecticut Avenue, Western Avenue, River Road and Military Road. 2308.20
Action RCW-1.1.E: Transportation Management Association
Consider creation of a Transportation Management Association to provide professional assistance in trip reduction strategies for employers and new residential development in the Wisconsin and Connecticut Avenue corridors, and to develop new programs to reduce parking conflicts. Parking changes such as the extension of meter hours and residential permit parking restriction hours could be considered as part of this effort. 2308.21
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-A2308