Land Use
Greater Greater Washington writes about where we live, work, and play, why we make the location choices we do, and what forces shape these places.
Many people would like to live in safe, diverse, walkable neighborhoods with access to transit, stores, parks, good schools, and other amenities. While our region has more walkable urban places than most, the demand still exceeds available housing, making these places more expensive (and prices keep rising rapidly).
We must ensure that there are enough housing choices so everyone who wants to live in such a neighborhood can choose to do so. We should ensure that housing in desirable areas is available to people at many points along the income spectrum, and take action to fight segregation. And we can improve the vitality of all neighborhoods by encouraging new retail and amenities to improve the quality of life for all residents.
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Some restaurant limitations aren’t all bad
DCRA will stop issuing any permits for “restaurants, bars, diners, coffees shops and carry-outs” along the 14th and U commercial corridors because the area has reached the 25% maximum allowed by zoning. Nobody wants to discourage investment in the city, especially in places that are historically underdeveloped. On the other hand, there are some good reasons… Keep reading…
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Who decides DC’s zoning?
DC’s Zoning Administrator recently ruled that the ARTS overlay around 14th and U has reached its bar and restaurant maximum of 25%, prompting many blog posts about the decision. Some commenters specifically charge that DCRA, the agency of which the Zoning Administrator is a part, is stifling restaurants. But they’re not actually the ones who make the zoning policy. Keep reading…
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The way to Burtonsville’s future is through its stomach
Simply giving buildings a facelift and adding parking won’t restore Burtonsville’s struggling village center, but encouraging its thriving ethnic restaurants could be the catalyst it needs. In a letter to the Gazette, Kim Bobola of Eastern Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board says we can “restore Burtonsville as a center of community activity”… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Bringing in business
No new restaurants?; A fake small town for your office; Chevy Chase against something; O’Malley fights to preserve MTA, not WMATA; VDOT drops “pave the preserve” plan; VA maps bikes; Meet the ambassador; Dots from DDOT?. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Future of the suburbs is transit
Suburban walkable places the future?; Pound foolish; Transit “poison pill” still not dead; Washington Circle of Death; Small steps for safety; Leaning house of Shaw; Nextboooooos?. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Making the connection
Anti pantograph?; More traction for Fair Share; Stay away from the Convention Center; Hans and the Gaithersbungle; Posting stats boosts safe driving; Tour buses and annoyances are back; And…. Keep reading…
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DDOT proposing K Street “Feet in the Street”
“Feet in the Street,” DC’s version of Summer Streets and Ciclovìa, could return in 2010 for four Saturdays in August along K Street under a proposal by the District Department of Transportation. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: We like Mike
Too many Michael Browns; 2 bus drivers arrested; Mt. P library patrons not going quietly; Water taxis?; Silly merchants; Sillier merchants; Our brains make no sense. Keep reading…
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Afternoon links: Announcements and non-announcements
Metro gets 2nd highest ridership; WMATA doesn’t announce rapes; Trolley tunnel RFP released; East and green?; No minimums in downtown Frederick?; Donuts and death; Some drivers don’t yield even to bunnies. Keep reading…
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Southeast has as many neighborhoods as Northwest
Congress Heights On the Rise reader Ambergris wrote this “Open letter to DC media.” In light of the recent shootings at 4000 South Capitol Street SE and 1300 Congress Place SE, it seems like the rest of the city is once more going to be given the impression that all of Southeast is the Wild West. One of the ways this idea is perpetuated is by referring to the entire area as… Keep reading…