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Zoning commission approves text amendment to allow Living Classrooms building at Yards Park
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Summary
The District of Columbia Zoning Commission approved a text amendment to the Southeast Federal Center (SCFC‑4) zoning rules to allow educational and institutional uses on Parcel P‑3 at Yards Park, clearing the way for a future design review for a Living Classrooms facility.
The District of Columbia Zoning Commission voted 5-0-0 in June 2025 to approve a text amendment to the Southeast Federal Center (SCFC‑4) zoning provisions that will allow educational and institutional uses on Parcel P‑3 at Yards Park, a grassy parcel on the Anacostia waterfront intended for a Living Classrooms facility.
The change, filed as Zoning Commission Case No. 24‑18, modifies provisions in Subtitle A (including Section 301.01) and Subtitle K (including sections in the 200 series) for the SCFC‑4 zone. Office of Planning staff recommended approval at the hearing and noted the amendment is consistent with the Southeast Federal Center Master Plan and related comprehensive-plan policies. The commission’s action authorizes the text change; specific building design and site-specific approvals will be addressed in a later mandatory design review and federal reviews.
David Abitable, the applicant’s representative, told the commission the amendment is “the first step toward realizing” Living Classrooms’ long-planned presence at the corner of Yards Park and that a design review application will follow. Teresa Martin, managing director of Living Classrooms’ National Capital Region, described the organization’s programs and local footprint: “Living Classrooms has been around for 40 years … we are bursting at the seams,” she said, noting the group operates youth and adult workforce training, STEM and after-school programs, and manages Yards Marina and the historic boat Mildred Bell.
Office of Planning staff (recorded in the hearing as Mr. Beeman) recommended approval, saying the amendment “would increase access to opportunities for job and culinary training, health and wellness programs, educational programming, and water and waterfront destination for residents within the planning area and across the district.” The record includes a letter of support from Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6/8F (Exhibit 17), an OP hearing report recommending approval (Exhibit 18), and a technical comment from the District Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) filed as Exhibit 16 noting no objection but reminding the commission that floodplain and related reviews under Subchapter C, Chapter 11 will still apply during design review.
Commissioners asked for clarification about the scope of the text changes, floodplain and design-review processes, and the commission’s schedule. Commissioners described the amendment as largely technical and consistent with the Southeast Federal Center Master Plan and Anacostia waterfront policies. The applicant indicated federal reviews (General Services Administration processes, a presentation to the Commission of Fine Arts, and an NCPC review) are underway and that the zoning design-review application would be scheduled after those federal steps are complete.
The commission adopted the proposed action on a roll-call vote: Commissioner Stidham, Commissioner Imamura, Chairman Anthony Hood, Vice Chair Miller and Commissioner Wright all voted yes (5-0-0). The commission recorded the vote as approving proposed action in Z.C. Case No. 24‑18. There were no public witnesses for or against the amendment at the hearing.
Next steps: the text amendment establishes the permitted uses for the parcel; the applicant will return for mandatory design review of the proposed building and to address any required special exceptions, floodplain reviews, and site-specific conditions. The applicant and Office of Planning emphasized those subsequent reviews will assess compatibility with waterfront design guidance and historic context.
