Talk about the zoning update on Twitter

The DC Office of Planning will answer your questions about the zoning update on their first Twitter Town Hall, noon to 1 pm.

Ask your questions with the hashtag #ZRR. All tweets with that tag appear in the box below; afterward, I’ll replace the box with some highlights from the event.

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View the story “Zoning Update Twitter Town Hall” on StorifyZoning Update Twitter Town HallThe DC Office of Planning took questions and comments about the DC zoning update on December 14 using the hashtag #ZRR (for Zoning Regulations Review).Storified by Grtr Grtr Washington · Mon, Dec 17 2012 13:02:34Welcome to the 1st of 2 OP Twitter Town Halls to discuss the ZRR. OP welcomes your comments or questions! #ZRROPinDCWhat about the #ZRR would you like to know more about? #ZRROPinDCFun fact: the 1958 Zoning Code is almost 20 yrs older than the first personal home computer #ZRROPinDC.@OPinDC Is it true that #ZRR will outlaw @DDOTDC’s social media bunker as being an illegal, non-conforming use?DCRA.@OPinDC Will #ZRR have any impact on the development of Lazer Tag Arenas?Helder Gil

“Transit zones” and parking minimums

@OPinDC @mattyglesias says transit zones with lower pkg minimums have too many, too large holes: http://slate.me/ThoEbs #ZRRDavid Alpert@OPinDC What can residents do to get the transit zones to cover more of the walkable, row house neighborhoods? #ZRR @mattyglesiasDavid Alpert@alpert @mattyglesias Residents can work with their neighbors & ANC to define those areas where transit zones could be mapped #ZRROPinDC@OPinDC @alpert @mattyglesias Or, just remove all min parking req’s from the code, period! #zrrAlex Block@OPinDC Some of the transit zones are too thin, often applying 2 properties facing the main st, while excludng walkable adjacent blocks #ZRREric Fidler

RPP and parking minimums

#ZRR How can OP work with MVA to restrict residents of projects in transit zones with 0 parking from receiving RPPs? The point is less cars!Clark Larson@ClarkLarson Zoning can’t reg on-street parking; developer would have to work w/ @DDOTDC. DDOT studying on-street parking now. #ZRROPinDC#zrr How is OP working with DDOT to coordinate elimination of parking mins with RPPs and perf parking in those zones?Steve Seelig@compdc We’re coordinating w/ @DDOTDC on the parking study #ZRROPinDCI’m encouraged by #ZRR plans to eliminate many of Dc’s zoning code parking requirements. Keep-up the innovative approaches.William Herbig, AICP

Corner stores

Why the 500 ft buffer for Corner Stores from commercial areas? #ZRR @OPinDCClark Larson@OPinDC I’m really excited about allowing corner stores #ZRRLaine Cidlowski@lainelout @OPinDC Me too, but I fear the rules are too restrictive. Why should hours of op. be specified in a zoning code? #zrrAlex BlockIf the 500ft thing is to keep corner stores from competing w/ commercial areas, it should probably be scrapped or altered. #zrrDavid Edmondson@OctaviusIV I agree it’s tenuous, especially since a corner store isn’t exactly competing with a grocery store; let the market decide. #ZRRClark Larson@alpert @opindc How many CS candidate sites are there? #ZRRClark Larson@ClarkLarson We mapped out CS eligible areas and there are many but no exact number of sites #ZRROPinDC#ZRR On three “employees” limit for corner stores, should be three FTEs (full time equivalents) to allow a kid working after school, etc.Norman Metzger

Accessory dwellings

Any thoughts on Accessory Dwelling Unit provisions? #ZRROPinDC@OPinDC #ZRR Fabulous idea, and one that would be welcome by many in more residential areas. The rules seem overly restrictive.Steve Seelig@OPinDC re: ADUs. I’m for them, esp. If it means I might afford a house in DC by renting a basement/accessory bldg. on my lot #ZRRClark Larson@ClarkLarson Exactly, affordability is one of the main reasons we are proposing this #ZRROPinDC@OPinDC Are there any occupancy/space requirements that accompany ADU’s? Can 5 people live in a 450 or 900 sq ft unit? #zrrAndrew Aurbach@apaurbach Occupancy set by bldg fire-code. Also lot can only be occupied by 6 ppl. between ADU & principle residence #ZRROPinDC@OPinDC Will the fire code allow for up to 5 people to live in a 450 or 900 ft ADU if the primary dwelling has one? #ZRRAndrew Aurbach#ZRR Are microunits allowed in new rules?Steve Wardell@OPinDC #ZRR Can the 6 ppl be changed to 6 adults?Steve Wardell@OPinDC #ZRR For ppl between ADU and principal, 6 may be too few with kids. Family with 3 kids, that already is 5 ppl so only 1 in ADU.Steve Wardell@DupontDCSteve Yes, that is correct #ZRROPinDC

Thanks for reading!