Commission reviews major zoning rewrite proposals: historic preservation, amenity space, nonconformities, subdivision rules and targeted rezoning

The Planning Commission on Oct. 8 held its fourth work session on the city’s comprehensive zoning ordinance rewrite and discussed a suite of proposed changes affecting historic preservation, amenity requirements, nonconforming uses, subdivision procedures and a targeted map amendment near the Twinbrook Metro station.

Staff framed the rewrite as a draft zoning text and map amendment scheduled for formal filing on Dec. 1; the mayor and council must authorize that filing before the public review process begins. Jim Wasilak and colleagues presented the proposals and said the draft will be followed by public hearings and additional work sessions during the adoption process anticipated in 2026.

Historic preservation. Staff proposed multiple changes to streamline and clarify the local preservation code. Proposed edits include allowing limited administrative approvals for routine or minor changes to certificates of approval (COAs), extending COA expiration from one year to five years, and narrowing who may file nomination applications to the property owner, the Historic District Commission (HDC) or the mayor and council. The staff recommendation would also change owner‑consent rules so that an owner’s expressed approval would require a simple majority to file and rezone while an owner’s explicit opposition would require unanimity; the mayor and council asked staff to consider a three‑tier approach so an owner’s silence would require a supermajority.

Staff also proposed establishing a formal procedure to…