Events: Accessory apartments, deep dive into PUDs, and help the environment via transit

We've got some great events for you this week! Get the latest on accessory apartments in DC, dive deeper into the conversation on Planned Units Developments, get a second chance to attend a Bus Rapid Transit open house in Montgomery County, and advocate for our environment through transit.

Today, Monday, April 2

Dive into ADUs: Accessory apartments, also known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), are now allowed in DC. They are a great way to add housing in busy cities. Discover the challenges and opportunities of building an accessory apartment at an event at the National Building Museum with Harriet Tregoning (moderator), Cheryl Cort, Policy Director of Coalition for Smarter Growth, M. Jennifer Harty, AIA, architect, and Aakash Thakkar, ADU homeowner. The event is from 6:30 to 8 pm and costs $12 for members, $10 for students, and $20 for non-members. RSVP here.

Tuesday, April 3

PUDs, essential or endangered? Planned Unit Developments, which are required when someone seeks a zoning change to their property before construction, have become a contentious part of our discussion around housing in DC. Learn more about the issue at “Planned Unit Developments in the District of Columbia: Essential or Endangered?” a panel discussion with Leila Batties of Holland & Knight; Peter May of the DC Zoning Commission; Ellen McCarthy, former Director, DC Office of Planning, and moderator Peter Byrne, Baumgartner Professor of Real Property, Georgetown Law. The event will be at Georgetown University Law Center, room 200 (600 New Jersey Avenue NW) at 2 pm.

Bus rapid transit open houses (rescheduled): Montgomery County is wrapping up the preliminary design phase of the US-29 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. Get information on how BRT will operate along the corridor, how existing local bus service can better link with the US-29 BRT, efforts to incorporate art into station designs, and updates to the station area designs including approximate right-of-way needs at two open houses that were rescheduled. The meetings are on Tuesday at 7 pm at Blair High School (51 University Blvd E) or on Wednesday at 6:30 pm at White Oak Community Center (1700 April Lane, Silver Spring).

Wednesday, April 4

More transit, cleaner environment: This June, Northern Virginia will decide how to spend $1.5 billion in transportation funds. We need to make sure the funds go to transit so we can conserve land, reduce energy use, mitigate our impact on the environment, and provide mobility. You can help make sure that happens! Learn how to get involved at a Sierra Club event “Transportation and a Clean Environment” at 7 pm at Providence District Office and Community Center (3001 Vaden Dr) in Fairfax. The event walking distance from Vienna Metro.