Posts tagged Utopia Project
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Brunch links: The road ahead
Have a tip for the links? Submit it here. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Getting built, getting rented
Not enough housing!; Higher vacant property charges?; War and Peaceoholics; In the courts; Tough streets; DIY complete street; Manhattan agrees not to overbuild parking. Keep reading…
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“Too big” isn’t a historic argument
What’s “historic”? The debate over what does and does not count as “historic” pervades most preservation controversies. The national criteria for deeming something historic are very broad. That’s helpful for preserving the truly historic, but people opposed to the destruction of nearly any structure can make an argument that it’s… Keep reading…
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This alternative is technically impossible because neighbors would complain
Do transportation consulting companies really provide unbiased analysis, or do they simply conclude whatever their paying client wants to hear? Keep reading…
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Our curb cut is limited to the present circumstances
How often does Councilmember Phil Mendelson (at-large) personally show up to the Board of Zoning Adjustment to testify in support of a variance? I suspect not often, but show up he did at yesterday’s BZA hearing on the 14th and U “Utopia” project. Keep reading…
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Taking creative liberties with the Dupont ANC’s votes
The Dupont ANC sent its letter to the Board of Zoning Adjustment weighing in on the residential and retail development proposal at 14th and U that the BZA will consider Wednesday. That’s the customary process when the ANC has passed a resolution concerning an upcoming hearing. But there’s just one problem: the letter, signed by Chairman Ramon Estrada and sent by ANC staff… Keep reading…
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Better Know a Single-Member District: 2B09
Calling this “the fightin’ 2B09” is a more genuinely apt mantra in this Single-Member District than in many others. The violent riots of 1968 still leave their mark on DC’s traditionally African-American commercial corridors such as 14th Street, 7th Street, and H Street. They are still recovering from the destruction, closed businesses, and subsequent… Keep reading…
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Historic review chickens and BZA eggs at 14th and U
When a developer presents a plan to build in a historic district, they first go through the historic preservation process, where Historic Preservation Office (HPO) staff work with the developer to shape and, sometimes, cut back parts of the project to fit in with the historic district. Once that is approved, if the project requires any zoning variances, they present the project to… Keep reading…
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DDOT anti-curb cut regulation important but needs flexibility
DDOT has proposed new regulations to limit curb cuts. As we’ve discussed before, garage entrances that face the street and cut across sidewalks have a profoundly damaging effect on walkable urbanism. They make the street feel much more vehicle-centric, the cars crossing the sidewalk add opportunities for crashes, and by taking away on-street parking, they widen the street,… Keep reading…
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Tenant abuse among several controversies at the Dupont ANC
At the first few meetings of the Dupont Circle ANC I attended, the Commission voted unanimously on almost every issue. I criticized the appearance, if not also the reality, that Commissioners were voting on important resolutions without much discussion, or going along to vote for resolutions even when some privately told me they disagreed. Keep reading…