Urgent Concerns Related to Development Proposal for 1st and Kennedy St. NW

How to help!

Attend ANC meetings and request the ANC take action: https://anc4b.com

Write Janeese Lewis George's Office & Request They Take Action!

CC: These Addresses
manorparkgroup@gmail.com 
jlewisgeorge@dccouncil.gov
4B08@anc.dc.gov
4B06@anc.dc.gov

 

You can view the proposal from the developer, and once you submit your record will appear here: 
 https://app.dcoz.dc.gov/CaseReport/PViewExhibitsReport.aspx?case_id=21103

 

 

 

 

Dear Friends Of Kennedy Street!

We are writing today to seek action regarding the development of a 47-unit apartment building on the corner of 1st and Kennedy St NW.  In 2018, developers proposed a mixed-use building with ground floor commercial spaces. This proposal was approved by our community; however, over the past six years, the city has allowed the developer(s) to engage in misconduct which has permanently eroded our community through persistent business closures and lack of services. The city and developers need to be held accountable for:

• Forcing departure of the existing business tenants, including those who built their business with DC grant funding.
• Leaving the buildings vacant and unmaintained.
• Ignoring community complaints about rodents and trash.
• Creating an environment of diminished safety caused by vacancy and neglect.
• Neglecting the community by refusing to address concerns raised by ANCs & Council.

Now, RE1 LLC has announced a modified proposal which no longer incudes mixed use development, a necessary component of the communities’ initial support.

The new proposal states: "The Applicant proposes to raze the existing buildings and construct a four-story residential building with a compliant penthouse,". 

This is dramatically different from what the community initially agreed to.

Adding more single-bedroom apartments further neglects the needs of families who have already been negatively impacted by commercial developers.

This property is clearly delegated for mixed use (MU-4) in the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map. 

Section 11-G400. PURPOSE AND INTENT - 400.3 The MU-4 zone is intended to:
(a) Permit moderate-density mixed-use development;
(b) Provide facilities for shopping and business needs, housing, and mixed uses for large segments of the District of Columbia outside of the central core; and
(c) Be located in low- and moderate-density residential areas with access to main roadways or rapid transit stops, and include office employment centers, shopping centers, and moderate bulk mixed-use centers.

Removing all commercial spaces and replacing them with housing is creating residency areas that do not include shopping or mixed commercial spaces. We want to live in a neighborhood with walkability and services.

The developer must follow mixed-use zoning rules by including commercial elements or selling to a compliant buyer. Non-compliance undermines zoning integrity and deprives the community of vital benefits. We urge the developer to partner with a commercial tenant or consider transferring ownership for compliance with our demands. We urge the city to provide incentives for business to occupy these new spaces.

MU-4 Spaces are important for the following reasons:

• The mixing of commercial and residential spaces can boost economic activity, providing job opportunities and convenience for residents.
• Integrating commercial and residential areas fosters walkable neighborhoods, enhancing accessibility to amenities and public transportation.
• Mixed-use areas promote community engagement and cohesion, contributing to a stronger sense of belonging.
• Active mixed-use streets tend to be safer due to increased foot traffic, deterring crime and enhancing overall safety perceptions.
• RE1 has great incentive to develop without adding commercial infrastructure. Residential-only developments offer quicker returns for developers, but they overlook long-term urban planning goals. Residential projects yield higher profits for developers compared to mixed-use developments.

We need to organize collectively to protect our community from a corporations that continue to act in bad faith with disregard for the impacts.

 

Read the submitted proposal documents & neighborhood submissions here: 
https://app.dcoz.dc.gov/CaseReport/CaseReportPage.aspx?case_id=21103

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attend the Virtual Hearing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions: https://dcoz.dc.gov/release/virtual-public-hearings
Witness Sign Up: https://dcoz.dc.gov/service/sign-testify
This proposal is Application No. 21103 

 

 

Testify as a witness

Fill out the form to testify here (instructions below): https://app.dcoz.dc.gov/Home/Kiosk

Type: Board of zoning adjustment
Event: 04/24/2024
Case: 21103

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can read the developer application here: https://app.dcoz.dc.gov/Exhibits/2010/BZA/BZATmp3463/Exhibit9.pdf

Excerpt from application:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rendering of approved proposed development from 2018 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to map here: https://planning.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/op/publication/attachments/LU_62821.pdf

NOTE! Such a small area is dedicated to Multi Use

 

 

Supporting Articles:

 

Latest Article (how I learned about the change).

https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/hold_the_cider_47-unit_apartment_building_planned_in_manor_park/21958

 

Previous Disputes Between Developers and Community:

https://www.npr.org/local/305/2020/11/05/931755602/la-coop-coffee-claimed-they-were-being-evicted-on-election-night-here-s-what-happened#:~:text=Here's%20What%20Happened,-November%205%2C%202020&text=It%20was%20always%20going%20to,illegally%20evicted%20by%20the%20landlord.

 

2018 Announcement Replacing La-Coop w/ Retail

https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/46-apartments-and-an-anxo-cider-cannery-planned-for-manor-park-corner/14585

 

Interactive Zoning Information System:
Lots of information about project status and zoning: https://app.dcoz.dc.gov/CaseReport/CaseReportPage.aspx?case_id=21103

 

Drawing Showing whom has been notified:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further, this area is already lacking in anchor services. Look at the limited access to retail in the area already. Below is a overhead view showing the community within that will be directly impacted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article from 2014 describing inequalities (spoiler alert, not much has changed:

https://ggwash.org/view/33845/citizens-band-together-to-make-kennedy-street-nw-a-retail-destination

 

Kennedy Street Revitalization Plan:

https://planning.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/op/publication/attachments/KennedySt_FinalReport%20CS4_Part2.pdf

 

General DC zoning information:
https://dcoz.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcoz/publication/attachments/Zoning101.pdf

Please leave a comment indicating your neighborhood if possible! This is a local effort and we need to show local support. 

If you are able to help us organize or know ways to improve our efficiency, please contact us here: manorparkgroup@gmail.com 

 

What we are up against:

The email contact for RE1 is a law firm: https://www.cozen.com/

Here's a screenshot from the website. Bragging about subverting the will of the nearby homeowners is concerning:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of writing this March 15 2024 no public notice is posted on this space. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch the ANC 4B Meeting 9/26/2023 here: https://youtu.be/UrdC_uG5iqQ?si=lrS-BcNe9EN6unIX?t=1:57:40

 

 

 

*NOTE* SIGNING THIS PETION IS NOT ENOUGH! 
YOU MUST WRITE AN EMAIL TO: bzasubmissions@dc.gov 
SEE INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE!