Development Review and Zoning
The Development Review Division of the DC Office of Planning (OP) assesses plans that are generally large, complex, and precedent-setting in their potential to change the character of an area. While development is viewed as the economic engine of the District, protecting the integrity of neighborhoods is equally important. The Development Review Division encourages growth in a way that is sensitive to the needs and values of neighborhoods.
From: Kirschenbaum, Jonathan (OP) <Jonathan.Kirschenbaum@dc.gov>
Date: Tue, Oct 17, 2023 at 9:27 AM
Subject: RE: Proposal to Rezone 1617 U/1620 V Sts NW – Questions regarding housing units
To: Hossain Mousavi <hmousavi018@gmail.com>
CC: Lawson, Joel (OP) <joel.lawson@dc.gov>, Steingasser, Jennifer (OP) <jennifer.steingasser@dc.gov>
Dear Mr. Mousavi,
Thank you for your email. I recently inherited this case and will be reviewing the record. We plan to provide a supplemental report ahead of the public hearing and will address any information that may need to be further analyzed, updated, or provided.
Best regards,
Jonathan Kirschenbaum
From: Hossain Mousavi <hmousavi018@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2023 7:11 PM
To: Kirschenbaum, Jonathan (OP) <Jonathan.Kirschenbaum@dc.gov>
Cc: Arlene Feskanich <feskanicha@gmail.com>; Hossain Mousavi <hmousavi018@gmail.com>
Subject: Fwd: Proposal to Rezone 1617 U/1620 V Sts NW – Questions regarding housing units
Mr. Kirschenbaum:
My name is Hossain Mousavi. I am a DC resident who lives on Seaton St NW, directly across from the Third District Police Station at 1620 V St NW.
Your name was given to me by Joe Lawson as the replacement for Steve Cochran, who retired, and as the person who could answer some questions I had on OP’s Setdown Report for OZ Case 23-02.
I had originally directed a question to Daniel Lyons in DMPED about the number of affordable housing units cited as possible in OP’s Setdown Report, but was informed that your office, the Office of Development Review and Zoning, is the correct office to ask.
Please see my email to Mr. Lyons below for the questions I had pertaining to the “200” affordable units cited in OP’s report, and why there appears to be such a discrepancy between OP’s number and DDOT’s estimate of total number of units at this site.
As you might imagine, I and most of my neighbors are extremely concerned about OP’s proposal to radically upzone this parcel of publicly owned land and double the height and density of what currently exists in the surrounding area.
I appreciate your assistance and response.
Hossain Mousavi
1701 Seaton St NW
From: Hossain Mousavi <hmousavi018@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 7, 2023 1:35 PM
To: Lyons, Daniel (EOM) <Daniel.Lyons@dc.gov>
Cc: Hossain Mousavi <hmousavi018@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Proposal to Rezone 1617 U/1620 V Sts NW – Questions regarding housing units
Mr. Lyons,
Thank you for your response. I am happy to know that the RFP for the redevelopment of 1617 U St NW has not been released yet. But has it been drafted yet?
I’m assuming that some criteria have already been set. And I’m also assuming that some developer plans have already been considered since the OP Setdown Report’s “Application-in-Brief” states that a rezoning to MU-10 would permit “over 200 affordable housing units”. How was this number arrived at? Through consultation with potential developers? Or does OP have a regular formula it uses to calculate this number of units? And what is the size of these potential units? Does the count include larger 2 and 3 bedroom units for family occupancy, or just single person efficiencies?
Am I also correct in assuming that 200 affordable housing units on this site would mean about 650 market rate units, as well? The Setdown Report does not address this.
One more question: the DC Department of Transportation estimated that a maximum of 408 residential units could be constructed on-site if the rezoning to MU-10 is granted. In paragraph 2 of the “Transportation Analysis” section of DDOT’s memo to DC’s Zoning Commission dated May 5, 2023, DDOT stated:
“It is estimated that a maximum of 408 residential units with 65,000 SF retail could be constructed on-site if the rezoning to MU-10 is granted, as compared to approximately 156 dwellings and 40,000 SF retail under the existing MU-4.”
That appears to be a huge discrepancy from OP’s Setdown Report estimate of what would amount to over 850 units (200 affordable + 650 market rate, if the 30/70% rule is applied). Do you know why there is such a difference in estimated housing unit numbers?
Thank you for your attention, Mr Lyons. I look forward to your assistance in helping me sort out the housing unit portion of OP’s proposal for redevelopment of 1617 U St NW.
Respectfully,
Hossain Mousavi
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