Commission sets down DGS plan for 407-bed shelter at 1201 New York Ave NE as contested case

The Zoning Commission voted 4 to 0, with one member absent, to set down for hearing a consolidated planned unit development and map amendment filed by the D.C. Department of General Services (DGS) to redevelop the eastern portion of 1201 New York Avenue NE with a 407‑bed emergency men’s shelter.

The Office of Planning recommended setting down the case. An OP representative described the proposal as a consolidated PUD and map amendment from RF‑1 to MU‑9 for Parcel 129, Lot 115, and said the redevelopment would include a 407‑bed shelter plus on‑site wraparound services intended to support occupants’ transitions to permanent housing. OP recommended flexibility to allow all on‑site parking spaces to be compact and to provide flexibility in loading berth sizes. OP said no development is currently proposed for the western portion of the site, which is occupied by the District’s animal shelter and would require relocation if the project advances.

Commissioners asked OP and the applicant to address several issues in the prehearing submissions and at the public hearing. Vice Chair Miller pointed out a discrepancy between OP’s mapping and the applicant’s materials: OP’s mapping shows a small sliver of the property in the Future Land Use Map’s moderate‑density residential designation and a portion in a neighborhood conservation area, while the applicant’s statement did not reference those designations. Miller asked the applicant and OP to explain in writing why the project would not be inconsistent with those designations or to identify policies that outweigh that designation. The commission asked for a fuller discussion of potential adverse impacts of a 407‑bed emergency men’s shelter and for justification if OP and the applicant conclude there are no adverse impacts.

Commissioners also requested confirmation of interagency coordination. Vice Chair Miller asked that the Department of Human Services (DHS), which oversees the District’s homelessness programs, provide written comments in the prehearing record or participate at the hearing. OP said DHS participation was not listed among referral responses in the report but indicated DHS would likely participate in the process.

Commissioner Wright asked for more information on the project’s architecture and design choices, noting the site’s visibility on New York Avenue and expressing interest in the architect attending the hearing to explain design decisions. Several commissioners reiterated that the mapping discrepancies, neighborhood conservation area designation, and potential impacts should be addressed in the prehearing filings.

Vice Chair Miller moved to set down Z.C. Case No. 24‑24, DGS consolidated PUD and related map amendment from RF‑1 to MU‑9 for 1201 New York Avenue NE (Parcel 129, Lot 115), as a contested case. The motion was seconded and passed by roll call, 4–0–1. The Office of Zoning recorded the vote and advised that prehearing submissions should respond to the mapping and impact questions raised by commissioners.

Key details

• Applicant: D.C. Department of General Services (DGS).

• Proposal: Consolidated PUD and related map amendment from RF‑1 to MU‑9 to redevelop eastern portion of site with a 407‑bed men’s shelter and ancillary wraparound services; western portion currently houses the animal shelter and is not proposed for development at this time.

• Address/Parcel: 1201 New York Avenue NE; Parcel 129, Lot 115.

• Office of Planning position: Recommend setdown; OP supports some flexibility requests including permitting compact on‑site parking and reduced loading berth sizes; OP analyzed the project through a racial equity lens and identified potential benefits relating to job training, access to healthcare, transit access, and public‐realm improvements.

• Commission requests for the record: A written explanation in prehearing submissions about any portion of the site shown on the Future Land Use Map as moderate‑density residential and any portion shown in the neighborhood conservation area; explicit evaluation of potential adverse impacts of the shelter and any policies that would outweigh the moderate‑density designation; confirmation of DHS participation or written DHS comments; and more detailed architectural presentation at hearing.

The commission set the case down as a contested case, and staff said they expect prehearing filings from the applicant and OP to address the mapping inconsistencies and impact analysis the commissioners identified.