Final Large Tract Review Square 2986

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    District of Columbia Office of Planning

    Suite E650 1100 4 th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20024 phone: 2024427600 fax: 2024427638www.planning.dc.gov find us on facebook or follow us on twitter @OPinDC

    Me morandum

    T O: Roland Driest, DC Surveyor

    F R O M : Jennifer Steingasser, Deputy Director, Development Review & Historic Preservation

    D AT E : August 10, 2011

    SUBJECT: Large Tract Review 2011-03, Square 2986, Lot 38 and Parcel 101/465929 Georgia Avenue, N.W.

    I . SummaryOn March 21, 2011, pursuant to 10 DCMR, 2300, Goulston & Storrs submitted an application for Large TractReview (LTR) on behalf of Missouri Avenue Development Partners LLC (the applicant) . The applicant seeks todevelop a 106,244 square-foot retail building within the C-3-A and R-5-A zone on a property consisting of 4.34acres of land. The entire building would be located within the C-3-A zone. No improvements would be locatedwithin the R-5-A zone.

    On March 31, 2011, ANC 4B requested an extension of time to review the application from April 22, 2011 to May25, 2011. The applicant, the ANC and the Office of Planning agreed on the requested extension of the date for thesubmission of comments from the community to the Office of Planning.

    On April 14, 2011 the applicant submitted a modification to the proposal revising the automobile entrance into thegarage, reducing the number of off-street parking spaces from 348 to 346 and modifying the rear wall of the

    building to include concrete panels in place of brick on the garage level.

    On May 10, 2011 the Office of Planning again extended the deadline for the submission of comments at the requestof Councilmember Muriel Bowser until late June 2011 to allow the ANC sufficient time to review the revisedtransportation analysis the applicant was expected to submit.

    LTR Purpose and Status:The Large Tract Review is a pre-permit process that provides the applicant, District agencies, the ANC and the

    public the opportunity to review a project and provide comment before a building permit or other officialapplication is filed, in order to:

    Identify potential issues early-on in the development application procedures,

    Promote efficient project review by bringing to light and resolving differences of interpretation or understanding among District agencies;

    Improve a proposed site plan by making an applicant aware of alternative design, transportation or sustainability alternatives that might improve the overall project; and

    Provide a forum for interaction among the developers, the ANC and other community groups, and the public at large.

    The LTR process neither confers additional regulatory authority on agencies nor establishes additional criteria anLTR project must meet.

    Having completed its review of the application after soliciting and receiving comments from District agencies,ANC 4B and the general public, the Office of Planning concludes that the application addresses the goals of theLTR regulations:

    To minimize adverse environmental, traffic, and neighborhood impacts;

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    LTR Application 2011-03 5929 Georgia Avenue, N.W. 2

    To avoid unnecessary public costs in terms of new services or facilities required of city agencies; andTo carry out the policies of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan (10 DCMR 2300.2).

    This project is designed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable zone and does not require relief fromeither the Board of Zoning Adjustment or the Zoning Commission to receive a building permit. Large tract review

    is required because the site is over three acres in size and would result in over 50,000 square feet of commercialspace.

    I I. Loc ation Are a , and Site De s c riptionThe property is located on the west side of Georgia Avenue,

    N.W., the east side of Ninth Street, N.W., the north side of Missouri Avenue, N.W. and the south side of PeabodyStreet, N.W.

    The site is located within the Georgia Avenue commercialcorridor. To the north, across Peabody Street, is the FourthDistrict Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) station. To

    the south are commercial buildings, and across MissouriAvenue is a gasoline station and Emory Park. To the eastare small apartment buildings, and to the west, acrossGeorgia Avenue, are one and two-story commercial

    buildings.

    The subject property was formerly developed with the CurtisChevrolet and Kia automobile dealerships. It includes thenow vacant car barn, which had functioned as the Chevroletdealership, and a second building that was the Kia dealership. A third, smaller building is located near PeabodyStreet. The remainder of the site is asphalt paved and includes eight curb cuts; five on Georgia Avenue, two onMissouri Avenue and one on Peabody Street.

    Square 2986, where the property is located, is split-zoned, as is the subject property. The majority of the lot,approximately 95 percent, fronts on either Georgia Avenue, Missouri Avenue or Peabody Street, and is zoned C-3-A. A sm all finger -like portion, consisting of approximately five percent of the site, is zoned R -5-A and fronts on

    Ninth Street, which is developed with low-rise apartment buildings on the west and Paul Public Charter School onthe east. A public alley abuts the south side of the finger and also the west side of the bulk of the property,

    parallel to Georgia Avenue.

    Georgia Avenue is served by three Metrobus routes, the 70 and 71 (Georgia Avenue 7th Street Line), and the 79(Georgia Avenue Metro Extra Line.) Additional bus routes run on Kennedy Street to the south, 5 th Street to the eastand 14 th Street to the west. The site is also located 1.3 miles from the Takoma Metrorail station, 1.7 miles from theGeorgia Avenue/Petworth station and 1.75 miles from the Fort Totten station, providing access to the Red, Greenand Yellow lines.

    I I I. Applic ation and Projec t De s c riptionSection 2300.1 (a) of Title 10 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) directs the Office of Planning to R e vi e w , pri or to the filing of applications for building permits or construction permits, anyc o mm e r c ial or m ix e d-u s e c o mm e r c ial d e v e lop m e n t o f f i ft y- t hou s and s quar e f ee t (50 , 000 ft 2 ) or m or e gro ss f loor ar e a (abov e grad e ) and ce llar ar e a (b e low grad e ); This p roposal is subject to Large Tract Review because thesite is in excess of three acres and because it is a commercial development of more than 50,000 square feet of above-grade gross floor area.

    SITEPEABODY ST NW

    G E O R G I A A V

    N W

    N I N T H S T N W

    M I S S O U R I A V N W

    PAUL PUBLICCHARTER SCHOOL

    R O C K C R E E K F O R D R D N W

    P I N E Y B R A N C H R D N W

    C O L O

    R A D O

    A V N W

    F O U

    R T E E N T H S T N W

    QUACKENBOS ST NW

    R 2R 5 A

    C 3 A

    R 4

    C 2 A

    4

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    LTR Application 2011-03 5929 Georgia Avenue, N.W. 3

    Site Plan

    The applicant proposes to construct a 106,243 square-foot one-level retail building, with 346 off-street parkingspaces below. Most of the building, 104,033 square feet, would be dedicated to one retail use. Two smaller retailspaces, with a combined square footage of 2,210 square feet, would be located at the corner of Georgia Avenue andPeabody Street. Each retail space would be directly accessible from the public sidewalk on Georgia Avenue. Onlythe large retail space would have access to the parking garage. All pedestrian access to the building would be fromGeorgia Avenue only for each of the three retail spaces.

    Vehicular access to the parking garage beneath the building would be accessible from Peabody Street only, andwould take advantage of the downward slope in topography from Georgia Avenue to Ninth Street for access intothe garage. Access to the garage would not be controlled unless necessary to control unauthorized parking.

    An on-street parking lane capable of accommodating eight cars would be constructed on the south side of PeabodyStreet, widening the paved width of Peabody Street for most of the length of the subject property. This parkinglane would be constructed by the applicant, would be located within public space, and would require a slight shift inthe public sidewalk toward the proposed building.

    Loading access would be from Missouri Avenue only. Trucks would access the property from the east only,

    turning right into the site from Missouri Avenue, where four loading platforms and one service/delivery spacewould be located. Sufficient area would be provided to allow for all necessary truck maneuvers on-site, permittingtrucks to enter head-first. Refuse removal would take place from this location also. A rear connection between theloading area and access to the driveway to the garage would be provided for emergency use only and paved with

    pervious materials. A gate would restrict access.

    The width of the Georgia Avenue sidewalk would be widened by 8.25 feet, extending onto the subject property. Atthe southwest corner of the building a pocket park would be provided. It would include a rain garden and five

    benches, and would extend south to the lot line with the adjoining commercial structures. A bike rack for eleven bicycles would be installed within this area also. Additional bike racks would be located north of the main store

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    LTR Application 2011-03 5929 Georgia Avenue, N.W. 4

    entrance for eight bicycles. At the north end of the store, near the intersection of Georgia Avenue and PeabodyStreet, would be a second area that could provide outdoor seating for either of the two smaller retail spaces.

    I V. Analys is of Compliance with 10 D C MR, Chapte r 23 , Large T rac t Re vie w Proce du r e s

    A.

    Sc op e of Re vie w

    The Large Tract Review is a pre-permit process intended to provide the applicant, District agencies, the ANC andthe public the opportunity to do a coordinated, consolidated review of the project. The LTR process neither confersadditional regulatory authority on agencies nor establishes additional criteria an LTR project must meet.

    In accordance with DCMR 10 2302.1, the scope of review to be used by District departments and agencies inassessing projects under this chapter shall include the following scope of the LTR review:

    (a) Consistency with laws in the District of Columbia, including the Comprehensive Plan for the NationalCapital and regulations enacted pursuant thereto;

    (b) Potential traffic, neighborhood and design impact; and

    (c) Quality of life and environmental impact.

    Review of the proposal against the provisions of the Comprehensive Plan is provided is Section IV.B below.Review of the proposal for potential traffic, neighborhood, design, quality of life, and environmental impacts is

    provided in Sections IV.C to F below, as well as Section V, Departmental Responses.

    B. 2302 . 1 (a) Compre he ns ive Plan Analys is

    The proposed development would be not inconsistent with the written elements of the Comprehensive Plan, particularly the Land Use, Transportation, Economic Development, and urban Design City-wide elements, and theRock Creek East Area Element.

    The 2006 Compre he ns ive Plan Future Land Us e

    Ma p locates the C-3-A portion of the subject propertywithin the Mixed Land Use category, consisting of Medium Density Residential and Moderate

    Density Commercial, as shown on the map to the left.Medium Density Residential is defined asn e ighborhood s or ar e a s wh e r e m id-ri s e (4-7 st ori e s ) apar t m e n t building s ar e t h e pr e do m inan t u s e . Moderate Density Commercial is defined as areaswhere r e t ai l , o ff i ce , and s e rvi ce bu s in e ss e s ar e t h e pr e do m inan t u s e s . The remainder of the lot, the small

    portion fronting on Ninth Street and zoned R-5-A, islocated within the Moderate Density Residential land

    use category, which is defined as the Districts rowhou s e n e ighborhood s a s w e ll a s i ts low-ri s e gard e n apar t m e n t c o m pl e x e s . The portion of the site frontingon Ninth Street is not proposed to be developed.

    9 T H

    S T NW

    G E O R G I A A V E

    9 T

    PEA BO DY ST NW

    M I S S O U R I A V E N W

    P I N E Y B R A N C H R D N W

    1 3 T H

    S T NW

    SITE

    Emery Recreation Center

    4th DistrictPolice Station

    Paul PublicCharter School4

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    LTR Application 2011-03 5929 Georgia Avenue, N.W. 5

    The 2006 Ge ne ralize d Polic y Map, shown to theright, identifies the western half of the subject square,the portion fronting on Georgia Avenue where the

    proposed building would be constructed, as Multi - Neighborhood Centers. The map states that Mix e d- u s

    e in f ill d

    e v e lop m

    e n t a t t h

    e s e ce

    n t e r s s hould b

    e

    e n c ourag e d t o provid e n e w r e t ail and s e rvi ce u s e s , and addi t ional hou s ing and job oppor t uni t i e s . Theeastern half of the square, the portion zoned R-5-A, isidentified as Neighborhood Conservation Areas,described as areas that ar e pri m arily r e s id e n t ial in c hara c t e r . No commercial development is proposedin the small R-5-A zoned portion of the site.

    The Compre he ns ive Plan Ele me nt s

    Frame work E le me nt :

    The proposal would particularly further the following Framework Element Guiding Principles:

    R e d e v e lop m e n t and in f ill oppor t uni t i e s along c orridor s and n e ar t ran s i t st a t ion s will b e an i m por t an t c o m pon e n t o f r e invigora t ing and e nhan c ing our n e ighborhood s . D e v e lop m e n t on s u c h s i t e s m u st no t c o m pro m i s e t h e in t e gri t y o f st abl e n e ighborhood s and m u st b e d e s ign e d t o r e s p ec t t h e broad e r c o mm uni t y c on t e x t . ( 217.6)

    Many n e ighborhood s in c lud e c o mm e r c ial and in st i t u t ional u s e s t ha t c on t ribu t e t o t h e ir c hara c t e r . N e ighborhood bu s in e ss e s , r e t ail di st ri c ts , s c hool s , par k and r ec r e a t ional f a c il i t i e s , hou s e s o f wor s hip and n e ighborhood id e n t i t y and provid e d e st ina t ion s and s e rvi ce s f or r e s id e n ts . Th e y t oo m u st b e pro t ec t e d and st abiliz e d . ( 218.2)

    In c r e a s ing a cce ss t o job s and e du c a t ion by Di st ri c t r e s id e n ts i s f unda m e n t al t o i m proving t h e liv e s and ec ono m i c w e ll b e ing o f Di st ri c t r e s id e n ts . ( 219.1)

    Land Us e Ele me nt :

    Poli c y LU-1 . 4 . 1: Infill D e v e lopm e n t En c ourag e in f ill d e v e lop m e n t on va c an t land wi t hin t h e c i t y , par t i c ularly in ar e a s wh e r e t h e r e ar e va c an t lots that create gaps in the urban fabric and d e t ra c t f ro m t h e c hara c t e r o f a c o mm e r c ial or r e s id e n t ia l st r ee t . S u c h d e v e lop m e n t s hould c o m pl e m e n t t h e e st abli s h e d c hara c t e r o f t h e ar e a and s hould no t c r e a t e s harp c hang e s in t h e phy s i c al d e v e lop m e n t pa tt e rn . ( 307.5)

    Poli c y LU-2 . 3 . 3: Buff e ring R e quir e m e n ts En s ur e t ha t n e w c o mm e r c ial d e v e lop m e n t adja ce n t t o low e r d e n s i t y r e s id e n t ial ar e a s provid e s e ff ec t iv e

    phy s i c al bu

    ff e r

    s t o avoid adv e r

    s e e

    ff ec

    ts . Bu

    ff e r

    s m

    ay in c lud e larg e r s e

    t ba ck

    s , land

    s c aping ,

    f e n c ing , s c r ee ning , h e igh t st e p down s , and o t h e r a r c hi t ec t ural and s i t e planning m e a s ur e s t ha t avoid

    po t e n t ia l c on f li c ts . ( 311.5)

    Poli c y LU-2 . 4 . 1: Promo t ion of Comm e r c ial C e n t e r s Promote the vitality of the Districts commercial centers and provide for t h e c on t inu e d grow t h o f c o mm e r c ial land u s e s t o m ee t t h e n ee d s o f Di st ri c t r e s id e n ts , e xpand e m ploy m e n t oppor t uni t i e s f or Di st ri c t r e s id e n ts , and sustain the citys role as the center of the metropolitan area. Commercial ce n t e r s s hould b e invi t ing and a tt ra c t iv e pla ce s , and s hould s uppor t s o c ial in t e ra c t ion and e a s e o f a cce ss f or n e arby r e s id e n ts . ( 312.5)

    9 T H

    S T NW

    G E O R G I A A V E

    9 T

    PEABODY ST NW

    M I S S O U R I A V E N W

    P I N E Y B R A N

    C H R D N W

    1 3 T H

    S T NW

    SITE

    Emery Recreation Center

    4th DistrictPolice Station

    Paul PublicCharter School4

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    LTR Application 2011-03 5929 Georgia Avenue, N.W. 6

    Poli c y LU-2 . 4 . 5: En c ouraging Nodal D e v e lopm e n t Di s c ourag e au t o- oriented commercial strip development and instead e n c ourag e p e d e st rian-ori e n t e d nodes of commercial development at ke y lo c a t ion s along m ajor c orridor s . Zoning and d e s ign st andard s s hould e n s ur e t ha t t h e h e igh t , m a ss , and s c al e o f d e v e lop m e n t wi t hin nod e s r e s p ec ts t h e in t e gri t y and c hara c t e r o f s urrounding r e s id e n t ial ar e a s and do e s no t unr e a s onably i m pa c t t h e m . ( 312.9)

    Trans portation Ele me nt :

    Poli c y T-1 . 2 . 1: Boul e vard Improv e m e n ts Con t inu e t o wor k a c ro ss Di st ri c t ag e n c i e s t o b e au t i f y and st abiliz e s e l ec t e d boul e vard s by i m pl e m e n t ing c oordina t e d t ran s por t a t ion , ec ono m i c d e v e lop m e n t , and urban d e s ign i m prov e m e n ts . ( 404.6)

    Poli c y T-3 . 1 . 2: R e gional TDM Effor ts Con t inu e t o pur s u e TDM st ra t e gi e s a t t h e r e gional l e v e l and wor k wi t h r e gional and f e d e ral par t n e r s t o pro m o t e a c oordina t e d , in t e gra t e d t ran s por t a t ion s y st e m . ( 414.9)

    Poli c y T-3 . 3 . 1: Balan c ing Good D e liv e ry N ee d s Balan ce t h e n ee d f or good s d e liv e ry wi t h c on ce rn s abou t roadway c ong e st ion , hazardou s m a t e rial s e xpo s ur e , quali t y o f li f e , and s ec uri t y . ( 416.8)

    Ec onomic De ve lopme nt Ele me nt :

    Poli c y ED-2 . 2 . 1: Expanding t h e R e t ail S ec t or Pur s u e a r e t ai l st ra t e gy t ha t will allow t h e Di st ri c t t o f ully c api t aliz e on t h e s p e nding pow e r o f r e s id e n ts , wor ke r s and vi s i t or s , and t ha t will m ee t t h e r e t ail n ee d s o f und e r s e rv e d ar e a s . ( 708.4)

    Poli c y ED-2 . 2 . 6: Gro ce ry S t or e s and Sup e rmark e ts Pro m o t e t h e d e v e lop m e n t o f n e w gro ce ry st or e s and s up e r m ar ke ts , par t i c ularly in n e ighborhood s wh e r e r e s id e n ts c urr e n t ly t rav e l long di st an ce s f or f ood and o t h e r s hopping s e rvi ce s . B ec au s e s u c h u s e s inh e r e n t ly r e quir e gr e a t e r d e p t h and lo t ar e a t han i s pr e s e n t in m any c o mm e r c ial di st ri c ts , adju st m e n ts t o c urr e n t zoning st andard s t o a cc o mm oda t e t h e s e u s e s s hould b e c on s id e r e d . ( 708.10)

    Poli c y ED-3 . 1 . 1: N e ighborhood Co mm e r c ia l Vi t al i t y Promote the vitality and diversity of Washingtons neighborhood commercial ar e a s by r e t aining e xi st ing bu s in e ss e s , a tt ra c t ing n e w bu s in e ss e s , and i m proving t h e m ix o f good s and s e rvi ce s availabl e t o r e s id e n ts . ( 713.5)

    Urban De s ign Ele me nt :

    Poli c y UD-1 . 4 . 1: Av e nu e s / Boul e vard s and Urban Form Use Washingtons major av e nu e s / boul e vard s a s a way t o r e in f or ce t h e f or m and id e n t i t y o f t h e c i t y , c onn ec t i ts n e ighborhood s , and i m prov e i ts a e st h e t i c and vi s ual c hara c t e r . Fo c u s i m prov e m e n t e ff or ts on av e nu e s / boul e vard s in e m e rging n e ighborhood s , par t i c ularly t ho s e t ha t provid e i m por t an t ga t e way s or vi e w c orridor s wi t hin t h e c i t y . ( 906.6)

    Poli c y UD-1 . 4 . 3: Av e nu e / Boul e vard Vi st a s and Vi e w Corridor s Pro t ec t vi e w s and vi e w c orridor s along av e nu e s / boul e vard s , par t i c ularly along st r ee ts t ha t t e r m ina t e a t i m por t an t c ivi c m onu m e n ts or t ha t f ra m e di st an t land m ar k s . Vi st a s along s u c h st r ee ts s hould b e a cce n t ua t e d by c r e a t ing m or e w e ll-d e f in e d st r ee t wall s , i m proving land s c aping , and r e quiring t h e high e st ar c hi t ec t ural quali t y a s d e v e lop m e n t t a ke s pla ce . ( 906.9)

    Poli c y UD-1 . 4 . 5: Priori t y Av e nu e s / Boul e vard s Focus the citys avenue/boulevard design improvements on historically important or symbolic streets that s u ff e r f ro m poor a e st h e t i c c ondi t ion s . Exa m pl e s in c lud e Nor t h and S ou t h Capi t ol S t r ee ts , P e nn s ylvania Av e nu e S E , and G e orgia Av e nue and the avenues designated by the Great Streets program. ( 906.11)

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    LTR Application 2011-03 5929 Georgia Avenue, N.W. 7

    Roc k C ree k Eas t A re a Ele me nt :

    Poli c y RC E-1 . 1 . 3: Dir ec t ing Grow t h Con ce n t ra t e ec ono m i c d e v e lop m e n t a c t ivi t y and e m ploy m e n t grow t h in Ro ck Cr eek Ea st around t h e G e orgia Av e nu e / P e t wor t h M e t rorail and Ta k o m a st a t ion ar e a s , along t h e G e orgia Av e nu e c orridor , along K e nn e dy S t r ee t , and on 14 t h S t r ee t NW b e t w ee n Alli s on and D ec a t ur S t r ee ts . Provid e i m prov e d p e d e st rian , t ran s i t , and bi c y c l e a cce ss t o t h e s e ar e a s , and i m prov e t h e ir vi s ual and urban d e s ign quali t i e s in ord e r t o c r e a t e a uniqu e d e st ina t ion f or t h e lo c al c o mm uni t y t o e njoy . ( 2208.4)

    Poli c y RC E-1 . 1 . 4: N e ighborhood Shopping Ar e a s Main t ain and e n c ourag e t h e d e v e lop m e n t o f m ul t i-u s e n e ighborhood s hopping and s e rvi ce s in t ho s e ar e a s d e s igna t e d f or c o mm e r c ial or m ix e d u s e s on t h e Fu t ur e Land U s e Map . Th e e n c roa c h m e n t o f c o mm e r c ia l and o t h e r non-r e s id e n t ial u s e s in t o t h e st abl e n e ighborhood s adja ce n t t o t h e s e lo c a t ion s s hall b e st rongly di s c ourag e d . ( 2208.5)

    Poli c y RC E-2 . 3 . 1: Upp e r G e orgia Av e nu e D e v e lop Upp e r G e orgia Av e nu e ( f ro m D ec a t ur t o E a st e rn) a s a wal k abl e s hopping st r ee t wi t h di st in c t and c l e arly id e n t i f iabl e a c t ivi t y ce n t e r s along i ts c our s e . En c ourag e d e v e lop m e n t t ha t r e in f or ce s a nodal pa tt e rn , wi t h n e w r e t ail or lo c al- s e rving o ff i ce d e v e lop m e n t c lu st e r e d a t ke y lo c a t ion s and n e w hou s ing or m ix e d u s e d e v e lop m e n t on und e ru t iliz e d c o mm e r c ial prop e r t i e s in b e t w ee n . Con s e rv e e xi st ing hou s ing along t h e c orridor and s uppor t i ts m ain t e nan ce and r e nova t ion . ( 2213.7)

    Imple me ntation Ele me nt :

    MC-2 . 1 . C: Gr e a t S t r ee ts Improv e m e n ts . I m pl e m e n t t h e Gr e a t S t r ee ts ini t ia t iv e r ec o mm e nda t ion s f or G e orgia Av e nu e , in c luding t ran s i t i m prov e m e n ts , f a ad e i m prov e m e n ts , upgrad e d in f ra st ru c t ur e , bligh t aba t e m e n t , and in ce n t iv e s f or hou s ing and bu s in e ss d e v e lop m e n t along t h e av e nu e . ( 2519)

    The subject application provides an opportunity to redevelop an underutilized tract of land. The new buildingwould accommodate new retail space that could improve the mix of goods and services available along the Upper Georgia Avenue commercial corridor, and expand employment opportunities available to residents. The building,designed in conformance with all of the provisions of the C-3-A zone, would provide direct pedestrian access fromthe public sidewalk on Georgia Avenue into each of the three proposed retail spaces.

    Widened sidewalks, new tree plantings and a pocket- park provided at the south end of the sites Georgia Avenuefrontage would improve the appeara nce of this great street and gateway into the District of Columbia. A masonrywall would be constructed to the rear of the building, buffering the new construction from the existing residentialuses along Ninth Street.

    Although the application is for a retail building only, zoning on the site would support a mixed use building, as was proposed in 2008 under Large Tract Review Application No. 2008-08. That application, which proposed a five-story building with ground floor retail and four levels of residential above, was found to be in conformance with the

    provisions of Comprehensive Plan and the Upper Georgia Avenue Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is generalized,and while it may recommend mixed-use for the subject property, such use is not required.

    Uppe r Ge orgia Ave nu e Gre at Str ee ts Re de ve lopme nt Plan

    Sec tion 5 Rec omm e ndations

    [5 . 4] Zon e 4- Mi ss ouri Av e nu e

    Mark e t D e mand & D e v e lopm e n t Po t e n t ia l

    Th e r ec o mm e nd e d progra m f or t h e Mi ss ouri Av e nu e ar e a in c lud e s r e st auran t s pa ce , a gro ce ry st or e , an an c hor- t yp e r e t ail st or e , s m al l e r n e ighborhood- serving retail,.

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    LTR Application 2011-03 5929 Georgia Avenue, N.W. 8

    The proposed building would be designed to accommodate an anchor-type retail store, including a grocery, withtwo additional storefronts that could accommodate smaller neighborhood serving retail.

    C. 2301 . 3 (c ) Zoning and He ight Ac t Cons ide rations

    The LTR application is consistent with the type and scale of development permitted by the Zoning Regulations.The projects compliance with the Zoning Regulations is summarized below in Table 1. No zoning relief isrequired; the proposal is designed to be matter-of-right.

    Ite m C-3-A Re gulations Propos alBuilding Height (max.) 65 feet 45 feet

    Floor Area Ratio

    - Maximum Residential 4.00 0.00

    - Maximum Nonresidential 2.50 0.56

    - Maximum Total 4.00 0.56

    Lot Occupancy- Maximum Residential 75 percent Not applicable

    - Maximum Nonresidential 100 percent 43.8 percent

    Square Feet 2

    - Maximum Residential 726,286 square feet None

    - Maximum Nonresidential 472,626 square feet 106,243 square feet

    - Maximum Total 726,286 square feet 106,243 square feet

    Rear Yard (min.) 12 feet 36.26 feet

    Side Yard (min.)

    -North-South

    None, but min. 6 feet if provided None, but min. 6 feet if provided

    None54.31 feet

    Parking (min.) 345 spaces 346 spaces

    Loading Platforms (min.) 1 at 100 square feet1 at 200 square feet

    4 at 200 square feet

    Loading Spaces (min.) 1 at 20 feet deep 1 at 20 feet deep

    Tabl e 1 , Zoning Analy s i s

    D. Tec hnic al and Proce dural Analys is

    This proposal is subject to the criteria of DCMR 10 Chapter 23 Section 2301.3 requirements and criteria, as it willcontain more than 50,000 square feet of commercial development.

    2301.3 (a): A completed certification form

    A completed Large Tract Review Certification Form was included as Appendix F of the submission.

    1 Approximately 9,700 square feet of the subject property is located within the R-5-A zone, adjacent to Ninth Street. Noimprovements are proposed within this portion of the site.

    2 Based on OPs estimate of the square footage of the subject property located within the R-5-A zone.

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    LTR Application 2011-03 5929 Georgia Avenue, N.W. 9

    2301.3 (b): The name, address and signature of all owners, or their authorized agent, and of property includedin the area to be developed. If there is an agent, the applicant shall provided written authorization and theextent of the agents authority.

    Complies.

    2301.3(c): A map showing the location of the proposed project and the existing zoning of the site.Drawing C-2, Zoning Plan, depicts the zoning of the site and the location of the property.

    2301.3(d): A statement indicating the contribution of the project toward implementing city and communitygoals and policies.

    Complies. See also District agency comments, Section V. below.

    2301.3(e): A statement indicating the relationship of the proposed development to the objectives of theDistrict Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital.

    Complies. See also Section IV B. above.

    2301.3(f): A general site and development plan, indicating the proposed use, location, dimensions, number of stories and height of building.

    Drawing C-7, Site Plan, depicts the proposed location and use of the structure, interior dimensions, and useof the building. Sheet C-3, Project Data/Bulk Requirements, provides building height and setbacks. Themost current submissions reflect a number of design-related modifications to the plan suggested by OP,mainly to improve the streetscape appearance of the building along Georgia Avenue and Peabody Street,and to provide additional subsidiary retail spaces along the street.

    OP would support the provision of additional street level windows on the north side of the building facingPeabody Street to activate this area and make it feel safer and more inviting for pedestrians. OP continuesto recommend limited redesign to reallocate some of the ground floor level uses to a second floor frontingGeorgia Avenue, or to accommodate additional residential or commercial development on top.

    2301.3(g): A general circulation plan, including the location of vehicular and pedestrian access ways, other public space and the location and number of all off-street parking and loading spaces, loading berths andservice delivery spaces.

    Provided. The applicant proposes to widen the public sidewalk along Georgia Avenue. Public sidewalksexist along all four of the streets that abut the property. The width of the sidewalk along Peabody Streetwould be relocated to accommodate the addition of a parking lane. All pedestrian access to the buildingwould be from Georgia Avenue only.

    All automobile ingress to and egress from the site would be from Peabody Street only. All truck access,including access to loading berths, the service delivery space and refuse removal, would be from MissouriAvenue only. Adequate space would be available to accommodate all truck turning movements on-site.

    With the exception of Fire Department emergency access, there would be no vehicular connection betweenthe parking garage and the loading areas.

    The number of curb cuts would be reduced from eight to two, including elimination of all existing curb cutson Georgia Avenue. One curb cut would be provided on Peabody Street and the other would be onMissouri Avenue.

    In addition, 37 bicycle parking spaces are proposed, both within and around the building, as well as other transportation demand management measures outlined in Section V below.

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    2301.3(h): A typical floor plan.

    Dwg. A1.1, Conceptual Plan (Store Level), depicts the floor plan for the retail level of the store. The proposal also includes a copy of the below grade parking level plan.

    2301.3(i): A general statement of the approximate schedule of building construction.

    The application states that the applicant anticipates breaking ground in the fall of 2011, with completion ineither late 2012 or early 2013.

    2301.3(j): Vehicle trip generation, trip assignment and before and after capacity analysis and level of serviceat critical intersections.

    The transportation impact study prepared by t he applicants transportation consultant, Gorove/SladeAssociates, Inc., was submitted with the application. It studied twelve intersections surrounding the subject

    property, providing before and after capacity analyses and level of service (LOS).

    The study estimates the development would generate 177 AM peak hour vehicle trips and 490 PM peak hour vehicle trips. Georgia Avenue and Missouri Avenue are commuter routes. Georgia Avenue volumesare highest southbound during the AM peak and northbound during the PM peak. Traffic on MissouriAvenue is somewhat higher westbound during the AM peak and eastbound during the PM peak. After capacity levels of service (LOS) for those intersections would be acceptable (LOS D or better).

    2301.3(k): Any other information needed to fully understand the final building proposed for the site.

    The application included conceptual elevations, sections and perspectives depicting colored renderings of each of the proposed faades of the building, and a conceptual aerial, portraying how the proposed buildingwould relate to surrounding development.

    V. De partme ntal Re s pons e s Application materials were distributed to the following District departments for their review and comment:

    Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) Department of Employment Services (DOES)

    Department of the Environment (DDOE)

    Department of Public Works (DPW)

    District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water)

    Department of Transportation (DDOT)

    Department of Employment Services (DOES)

    Fire and Emergency Medical Service (FEMS)

    Metropolitan Police Departments (MPD) Office of the Attorney General (OAG)

    Historic Preservation Office (HPO) within the Office of Planning

    In addition to direct meetings between the applicant and OP and DDOT, on May 12, 2011 the Office of Planninghosted an interagency meeting on the application. Agencies in attendance included the following:

    Office of Planning (OP)District Department of Transportation (DDOT)

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    District Department of the Environment (DDOE)District of Columbia Fire Department (DCF)Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)

    Offi ce of t h e Att orn e y G e n e ral (OAG) OAG, in an email dated March 23, 2011, informed the Office of Planningthat it had no comments on the application.

    M e t ropoli t an Poli ce D e par t m e n t (MPD) MPD, in a memorandum dated April 15, 2011, raised issues regardingtraffic on Peabody Street, Georgia Avenue and Missouri Avenue, and that the application did not adequatelyaddress store security. These issues were forwarded to the applicant and DDOT, respectively. On April 21, 2011MPD commented further about traffic issues and the Peabody Street entrance, suggesting that the retailer test theuse of parking aides at the entrance to the parking garage.

    F ir e and Em e rg e n c y M e di c al S e rvi ce (FEMS) FEMS, in an email dated March 24, 2011, indicated that it had noissues with the application. Comments on the revised site plan were received by email on April 25, 2011,indicating some concerns regarding fire apparatus access and designated fire lanes. At the interagency meeting onMay 12, 2011, the applicant and FEMS agreed that access for emergency vehicles only would be provided acrossthe rear of the building, between the loading area and the driveway access to the parking lot.

    Di st ri c t D e par t m e n t of t h e Environm e n t (DDOE) DDOE, in a memorandum dated June 6, 2011, discussed pending impervious surface fees to be assessed by DC Water and DDOE, and the need to submit a LEEDcertification checklist with the building permit application. DDOE also encouraged the applicant to design the

    project to target 75 points on the Energy Star Portfolio Manager scale.

    Di st ri c t D e par t m e n t of Tran s por t a t ion (DD OT) On May 16, 2011 the applicant submitted a revised traffic studyto DDOT for their review, pursuant to DDOTs comments. On June 3, 2011 DDOT submitted revised commentson the application based on an updated traffic study. The applicant submitted additional responses to commentsreceived from DDOT at a meeting on June 14, 2011.

    DDOT, in a memorandum dated June 24, 2011, found that the application met the requirements of the Large TractReview Process and that mitigation strategies proposed by the applicant would minimize the impact on theneighborhood to acceptable levels. Those mitigation strategies are:

    DDOT Comme nt Applic ant Re s pon s e Roadway Capa c i t y and Op e ra t ion s

    Intersection of Georgia Avenue and Missouri Avenue:addition of north and southbound left-turn lanes, andsignal modification.

    Agreed to finance improvements.

    Intersection of Georgia Avenue and Peabody Street:addition of north and southbound left-turn lanes,northbound right-turn lane and signal modification.

    Agreed to finance improvements.

    Peabody Street: widening to accommodate increasedvehicle movements and to preserve curbside parking.

    Agreed to finance improvements.

    Georgia Avenue and Quackenbos Street: addition of new signal.

    Agreed to finance improvements.

    Bi c y c l e and P e d e st rian Fa c il i t i e s Upgrade intersection facilities leading to the site toADA standards

    Agreed to finance improvements and work with DDOTon which intersections are to be upgraded.

    Provide exact locations of bicycle facilities. The applicant has agreed to provide on-site bicycle parking, and will work with DDOT on exact locations.

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    Georgia Avenue and Missouri Avenue: improveeastbound and westbound pedestrian refuges.

    The applicant will coordinate with DDOT and agreed tofinance these improvements.

    Install raised median at Missouri Avenue and ColoradoAvenue.

    The applicant will coordinate with DDOT and agreed tofinance this improvement.

    Close curb cut at Georgia Avenue and Rock Creek Ford

    Road.

    The applicant will coordinate with DDOT and agreed to

    finance this improvement.Refurbish pavement markings and signage at theintersection of Georgia Avenue and Missouri Avenue.

    The applicant will coordinate with DDOT and agreed tofinance these improvements.

    Tran s i t S e rvi ce s Relocation of bus stops to accommodate addition of left-turn lanes.

    The applicant does not agree with this request.

    S i t e Acce ss and Loading Missouri Avenue: construct concrete pad on thewestbound lanes at the loading entrance to the site.

    Agreed to finance improvements.

    No loading within public space. Agreed.

    S t r ee ts c ap e / Publi c R e al m Work with DDOT on design of public space. Agreed to work with DDOT.Provide DDOT with detailed engineering designs for turn lanes and elimination of on-street parking.

    Agreed to provide DDOT with drawings.

    Coordinate with DDOT, WMATA and the communityon the relocation of bus stops.

    Will coordinate on the relocation of bus stops, but willnot pay for the relocation.

    .Tran s por t a t ion D e m and Manag e m e n t

    Work with DDOT on bikeshare facility, transitincentives for employees and real time transitinformation kiosk.

    Agreed to work with DDOT on the details of thetransportation demand program.

    Tabl e 2 , DDOT Co mm e n ts

    Hi st ori c Pr e s e rva t ion Offi ce (HP) HP had no comments on the application. OP supports the retention of theexisting car barn trusses, and their incorporation into the building design.

    No other agencies commented on this application.

    V I. Community Re vie w

    The Office of Planning provided one copy of the application to the Juanita E. Thorton/ Shepherd Park Neighborhood Library to be made available for review by the public, one copy to the office of Ward 4Councilmember Muriel Bowser, and copies to ANC 4B and ANC 4C. The application was posted on the Office of Planning webpage.

    Notification of the filing of the application was sent to all property owners within 1,000 feet of the subject property by the applicant (exceeding the LTR requirement of 200 feet). Several residents and ANC commissionerscontacted the Office of Planning with questions about the proposed development.

    ANC 4B: The site is located within the boundaries of ANC 4B. In a resolution dated June 27, 2011, the ANCstated that it would not support the application unless the following recommendations described in the resolutionwere incorporated into the project:

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    ANC Re s olution Rec omm e ndation OP Re s pon s e Community involvement and consultation for community benefits agreement and legislative andadministrative action.

    This recommendation is outside of the scope of largetract review.

    Building design. OP is satisfied with the building design as amended bythe applicant in response to this LTR process.Transportation Demand Management. The applicant coordinated with DDOT on this

    recommendation.Traffic circulation. The applicant coordinated with DDOT on this

    recommendation and proposes to work with DDOT toimplement the recommendations contained with DDOTreport.

    Transportation planning and engineering. The applicant coordinated with DDOT on thisrecommendation.

    Safety. The applicant coordinated with DDOT on thisrecommendation.

    Neighborhood economic impact. This recommendation is outside of the scope of largetract review.Community benefits. This recommendation is outside the scope of large tract

    review.Recommendations for rectifying gaps in planning andzoning regulations.

    This recommendation is outside the scope of large tractreview.

    Tabl e 3 , ANC R ec o mm e nda t ion s

    ANC 4B also submitted a number of supporting documents, including the following:

    Final Report, Square 2986 Large Tract Review Subcommittee, dated May 23, 1011;

    ANC 4B Special Committee on Square 2986, Subcommittee on Community Benefits Agreement;

    Square 2986 Alternatives Committee, Final Report, dated February 24, 2011;

    A Report on the Economic Impact of an Urban-Style Wal-Mart on Small Business Development at theSquare 2986 , Curtis Chevrolet Site, Georgia & Missouri Avenues, NW, by Taalib-Din A. Uqdah, datedMay 2011.

    Under Section 13 of the Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Act of 1975, as interpreted by the Office of theAttorney General, the Office of Planning is required to give great weight to issues and concerns raised by theaffected ANC concerning the consistency of the proposed project with the District Elements of the ComprehensivePlan for the National Capital. Although the ANC resolution does not raise issues related to the ComprehensivePlan, an attachment to the resolution submitted by the ANC entitled Final Report, Square 2986 Large Tract ReviewSubcommittee contains a section titled Comprehensive Plan r ecommendations for the s ite. This sectionacknowledges that the Comprehensive Plan do e s no t di c t a t e or r e quir e t ha t par t i c ular par ce l s b e d e v e lop e d t o their highest or best use or to the maximum size or development type allowed by zoning (p. 5). OP concurs.Although the Comprehensive Plan may include recommendations regarding how an area should be developed,those recommendations cannot be required.

    The proposal is in conformance with the zoning of the property. Although OP would support additionaldevelopment at this location, including residential use, it is not required by the zoning and the proposeddevelopment would not be substantially inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The development would

    provide for new retail along Upper Georgia Avenue, expand the retail sector, and act as an infill development alonga commercial street.

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    Although many of the issues raised by ANC 4B are outside the scope of large tract review, OP acknowledges thethoughtful and insightful comments submitted by ANC 4B as part of this review process. A copy of the ANCcomments was received by the applicant for review and comment.

    AN C 4B07 , ANC 4B03 and ANC 4B06 Commi ss ion e r s : In a letter dated June 28, 2011, gave conditional support, provided the applicant:

    Provides a written agreement between Florian Gardens Cooperative and nine other adjacent propertiesabout the design; Creates a community committee consisting of stakeholders from religious, community organizations,ANCs, business association and residents;Makes an effort to hire District certified LSDB contractors for the construction; and Hires District residents for day and non-subcontract jobs.

    Although largely outside the scope of the large tract review process, these comments are forwarded to the applicant.

    Florian Gard e n s Coop e ra t iv e Prop e r t i e s : In a letter dated June 20, 2011, expressed the following concerns:Customers to the new store may park on the cooperatives property; Increase in traffic on Peabody and Ninth streets, and difficulty exiting from their parking lot with theaddition of the new store;

    Noise, congestion and pollution from vehicular traffic in their neighborhood; andStructural damage to their buildings from construction.

    These comments have been forwarded to the applicant. The traffic study and the DDOT analysis address issuesrelated to traffic circulation, although OP recommends that the applicant continue discussions with neighboringresidents. The issue of potential structural damage during the construction process is a common concern, and isroutinely addressed at the building permit stage.

    ANC 4A In a letter dated June 30, 2011, recommended that the mitigation measures identified in the DDOTreport dated June 24, 2011 be implemented.

    Ward 4 Thriv e s , an association of Ward 4 residents, submitted comments to the Office of Planning dated May 25,2011. The comments included a traffic study dated March 20, 2011, and a paper on the economic impact of four new Walmart stores in the District of Columbia, dated April 25, 2011. On July 1, 2011 an update to the trafficstudy was submitted. The association concluded that the proposed development would:

    Have adverse traffic and neighborhood impacts;Result in unnecessary public costs;

    Not be consistent with the District Elements and the Economic Development Policies of theComprehensive Plan, or the Upper Georgia Avenue Plan;Be inconsistent with traffic and parking planning goals and recommendations; andBe inconsistent with the Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan.

    The traffic study was provided to the applicant and DDOT for consideration.

    Fourteen residents contacted the Office of Planning in opposition to the application. Concerns include:Economic impacts;Environmental impacts;Impact on city infrastructure;People coming to shop at the store from other areas of the city;Pedestrian safety;Traffic and parking, including Peabody Street, a narrow street that is also used by MPD vehicles;How trucks would enter and exit the site; and

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    LTR Application 2011-03 5929 Georgia Avenue, N.W. 15

    The intersection of Georgia Avenue and Missouri Avenue.

    Four area residents contacted the Office of Planning requesting additional information on the application.

    Two area residents contacted the Office of Planning in support of the application.

    JS/sjm AICP

    Stephen J. Mordfin, AICP, Project Manager

    cc: Adam Davis, Foulger-PrattCouncilmember Muriel Bowser Bruce Faust, FEMSChris Delfs, DDOTInspector Dierdre Porter, MPD

    Nina Albert, DDOEYvonne Jefferson, Chair, ANC 4B

    Douglas Smith, SMD ANC 4B04

    Attachments:Exhibit 1 Memorandum from FEMS dated March 24, 2011Exhibit 2 Memorandum from FEMS dated April 25, 2011Exhibit 3 Memorandum from MPD dated April 15, 2011Exhibit 4 Memorandum from MPD dated April 21, 2011Exhibit 5 Memorandum from DDOE dated June 6, 2011Exhibit 6 Memorandum from DDOT dated June 24, 2011Exhibit 7 ANC 4B Resolution

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    Attachment 1

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    Attachment 2

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    Attachment 3

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    LTR Application 2011-03 5929 Georgia Avenue, N.W. 19

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    Attachment 4

    From: "Chisley-Missouri, Kimberly (MPD)" < [email protected] >Date : April 21, 2011 3:20:21 PM EDTTo: "Porter, Dierdre (MPD)" < [email protected] >, "Groomes, Diane (MPD)"

    Subjec t: RE : Walmart L TR Re vis ion 5929 Ge orgia Ave with attac hme nt

    This looks to have five entrances for the garage but the drawings depict one lane for ingress and two lanes for egress. This will more than likely still create traffic tie-ups on Peabody.

    Id like to add the provision of Walmart having traffic aides at this location - maybe for the first 120 days and thensee how it goes from there.

    Kimberly Chisley-Missouri Commander Metropolitan Police Department Fourth District 6001 Georgia Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20011 202-715-7500-office 202-715-7489-fax [email protected]

    mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
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    Attachment 5

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    Attachment 6

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    LTR Application 2011-03 5929 Georgia Avenue, N.W. 24

    facilities related to the proposed development. In our April 21, 2011 memorandum, DDOT detailed variousdeficiencies in the Applicants initial Traffic Impact Study; and requested several follow up items in order to sufficiently review the transportation impacts of the proposed site. Since the previous memorandum, theApplicant has met several times with DDOT and has provided the necessary information. Additionalsubmissions of data were received on May 16 and June 20, 2011.

    Trans portation Analys is

    Overview

    The proposed development will attract new vehicle trips to the area however; the mitigation strategiesoutlined to be undertaken by the Applicant will minimize the impact to acceptable levels within thesurrounding neighborhood. DDOT agrees with the Applicants proposed strategies described below andexpects that all of these measures will be implemented as part of the project.

    Roadway Capacity & Operations

    Traffic delay is expected to increase at the immediate intersections serving the proposed development.DDOT expects that the following mitigation strategies will minimize such delays and increase the roadwaycapacity at the two most critical intersections serving the site:

    The Missouri Avenue and Georgia Avenue intersection will need to include northbound andsouthbound left-turn lanes; and incorporate the related traffic signal modifications;The Peabody Street and Georgia Avenue intersection will need to include southbound and north-

    bound left-turn lanes, and a northbound right-turn lane; and incorporate the related signalmodifications;Peabody Street will need to be widened, in order to accommodate the increased vehicle movementsand to preserve curbside parking; and

    A new signal at the Quackenbos Street and Georgia Avenue intersection will facilitate pedestrianmovements and improve traffic flow.

    It should be noted that in order to redesign the intersection at Georgia Avenue / Missouri Avenue, andGeorgia Avenue / Peabody Street to include the needed turn lanes, two existing bus stops will have to berelocated and parking along Georgia Avenue will be affected. Refer to the parking section of this report for details.

    Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities

    Th e P e d e st rian Ma st e r Plan and Bi c y c l e Ma st e r Plan together with DDOTs Design andEngineering Manual provide design guidelines and requirements that improve pedestrian and

    bicycling conditions. As identified in the Applicants March 14, 2011 Traffic Impact StudyReport, the surrounding area lacks bicycle parking facilities. The proposed 37

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    bicycle parking spaces and Capital Bikeshare station in front of the site will further support bicyclingand help to meet existing demand near the site. Although there are no sidewalk gaps within mile of the site as identified by the Applicant, not all intersections leading to the site have upgraded or meetcurrent ADA curb ramp and facility specifications.

    The Applicant will need to upgrade the intersection facilities leading to the site to meet currentADA standards; andThe Applicant proposes 18 bicycle spaces within their off-street parking facility and 19 bicyclespaces outside of the building. The exact locations will need to be agreed with DDOTs ActiveTransportation Branch during the Preliminary Design Review Meeting (PDRM) phase of the

    public space review and permitting process.

    Th e Mili t ary Road / Mi ss ouri Av e nu e Tran s por t a t ion S t udy , completed by DDOT in 2003 made safetyimprovement recommendations to the Georgia Avenue and Missouri Avenue intersection. TheApplicant has agreed to implement targeted safety improvements as described below:

    Improve pedestrian refuges at the westbound and eastbound approaches to the Georgia Ave /Missouri Ave intersection;Install raised median at Missouri Avenue junction with Colorado Avenue to limit unsafeturning movements;Close curb cut at the junction of Georgia Avenue and Rock Creek Ford Road;Refurbish pavement markings and signage at Georgia Ave / Missouri Ave intersection.

    Transit Services

    The proposed development is expected to create some additional demand on existing bus services.However, the Applicants Traffic Impact Study concludes that the number of n e w transit person trips

    per bus trip will be marginal. Specifically, the analysis shows, that the development will introduce anadditional .51 person trips per bus in the AM peak hour, 1.19 person trips per bus in the PM peak hour,and 3.85 persons per bus in the Saturday peak.

    The District of Columbia has made significant investments in the major bus routes serving the retailsite, particularly the express service on Georgia Avenue. DDOT encourages transit use on these linesand will monitor the effects of new passengers following the opening of the proposed development toensure impacts are acceptable. If bus travel times are reduced or other problems occur, DDOT willwork with WMATA, and the Applicant to identify solutions.

    In order to accommodate the turn lanes needed to increase roadway capacity (refer to the Roadway

    Capacity & Operations section) two existing bus stops will need to be relocated.

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    Further coordination with DDOTs Progressive Transit Services Administration (PTSA) and WMATAto determine the exact location and specification for the bus stops will be necessary.

    In addition, the relocation of the near-side bus stop on Georgia Avenue from the intersection of Quackenbos Street and Georgia Avenue to the far-side intersection of Georgia Avenue and Peabody

    Streets should be considered as additional pedestrian safety improvement measure.

    Site Access and LoadingThe Applicant has supplied a truck routing plan as part of the Large Tract Review application. DDOTexpects strict adherence to this plan to ensure that trucks remain on the designated routes to ensurethere are no impacts to the surrounding residential areas.

    Off-street parking access for the site will be via Peabody Street at the proposed driveway. In order toaccommodate the increase in vehicular traffic turning to reach the site, the Applicant will need toimplement mitigation actions as described in the Roadway Capacity & Operation section above.

    All commercial loading will occur on site via the curb cut on Missouri Avenue. DDOT expects:

    That no loading will occur off of Georgia Avenue or on the public space;In order to accommodate heavy truck movements, the Applicant will construct a concrete padon the westbound lanes at the Missouri Avenue driveway; andHeavy trucks WB-50 or larger will be subject to restricted morning and evening peak hour activity, in order to minimize pedestrian and vehicular conflicts during delivery.

    Parking

    The Applicant has proposed 348 parking spaces in a below grade parking facility, which meets theminimum parking requirements as established in the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations.

    The proposed site plan includes the closure of existing curb cuts on Georgia Avenue and PeabodyStreet, which will create approximately 5 new curbside spaces. As previously mentioned in theRoadway Capacity & Operation section, in order to increase capacity at the intersections of GeorgiaAvenue and Missouri Avenue and Georgia Avenue and Peabody Street, turn lanes will need to be

    provided. These turn lanes will have to be accommodated with the elimination of approximately 18-22curbside parking spots at various locations as proposed by the Applicant.

    DDOT recognizes that losing curbside parking along this segment of Georgia Avenue is not desirable.However, this tradeoff is required in order to avoid substantial congestion at the intersection. Withoutmaking the change, delay would rise by approximately 9 seconds versus 4seconds per vehicle with

    the turn lanes in the northbound direction at Georgia Avenue and Missouri Avenue, and 18 secondsversus 6 seconds in the southbound direction in the AM peak period. According to the analysiscompleted by the Applicant, improvements to the existing conditions can be achieved with the turnlanes.

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    Safety

    DDOT expects the Applicant to develop and implement a safety plan for heavy truck deliverycoordination to the site. At a minimum, trucks WB-50 and larger should not occur during peak hoursto ensure minimum pedestrian and vehicular conflicts.

    In addition, the relocation of the 15 (ft) long double yellow centerline on the west side of PeabodyStreet is required and should provide a 12 (ft) wide approach lane for eastbound traffic and 18 (ft) widelane for westbound traffic. This will improve safety for vehicles by providing more room for making aright turn from Georgia Avenue onto Peabody Street and reduce conflicts with vehicles going acrossthe intersection towards the site.

    Streetscape/Public Realm

    Th e Gr e a t S t r ee ts Fra m e wor k Plan lays out streetscape guidelines and identifies critical transportationimprovements for the Georgia Avenue corridor. As a result, express bus services have beenimplemented on Georgia Avenue; and the DC Transit Future Plan has documented the intention to re-establish a streetcar line along the corridor. As such, the Applicant will need to closely coordinate withDDOT regarding changes to public space surrounding the property.

    In line with District policy and practice, any substantial new building development or renovation isexpected to rehabilitate streetscape infrastructure along its property line. The Applicants site planincludes an extensive upgrade of all streetscape facilities bordering the site. The Applicant will need towork closely with DDOT to ensure that the design of the public realm meets current standards, and isconsistent with the Great Streets Framework plan, and that the design meets various public spaceregulatory requirements.

    Through DDOTs public space review and permitting process, the Applicant will be required to

    provide detailed engineering designs to accommodate the turn lanes, bus stop relocations, and theelimination of parking spaces. The Applicant team will also need to continue their coordination withWashington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and community stakeholders.

    Transportation Demand ManagementDDOT is in support of the Applicants approach to TDM initiatives as described in the May 16, 2011submittal and expects these to be adopted. These include for example, implementation of a new

    bikeshare facility, transit incentives for employees, and a real time transit information kiosk. DDOTexpects to see further details of the applicants TDM plan.

    Summary

    The Applicant has met the requirements of the Large Tract Review process by capturing thetransportation impacts and needed mitigation strategies. The proposed development will increase thenumber of trips to the site. Most notable, vehicular delay will increase at key intersections and more

    pedestrians will be utilizing facilities that require upgrades. As such, the Applicant has identifiedmitigation measures in order to reduce the transportation impact of their proposed development toinclude increased roadway capacity and safety, which will require the loss of curbside parking, alongwith other measures as described in this memorandum.

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