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Zoning Commission Approves Office of Planning Text Amendment to Create Side‑yard Height Transition at Square 175
Summary
The Zoning Commission voted 4-0-1 to approve Office of Planning's text amendment (case 23-26) establishing a building height transition setback in a side yard for Square 175; NCPC reviewed the item and the DC Register published the proposed rulemaking.
The Zoning Commission voted 4-0-1 to approve final action on Zoning Commission Case No. 23-26, an Office of Planning text amendment to create a building height transition setback in a side yard at Square 175.
Office of Planning presented the proposal and noted that the case was referred to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) on Dec. 6 and that NCPC filed a delegated-authority letter on Jan. 16 stating the amendments are not inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan and would not adversely affect identified federal interests. The notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the DC Register on Dec. 20, 2024; no public comments were received on that notice in the record for the proposed rulemaking.
Commissioners described an extensive record and studies supporting the text amendment. Commissioner Imamura summarized prior hearings, noting a shadow study presented at the December hearing and that language in a companion map-amendment case had led to revision of some original text. Commissioner Wright said creating "transitional setbacks between new buildings and existing residential structures is a very, very important concept," and that SketchUp models and shadow studies had been used to assess compatibility. The commission concluded the amendment advances the companion map amendment's interests in establishing setbacks that promote compatibility with lower-density adjacent uses.
Commissioner Ben Moore moved to take final action on case 23-26; Commissioner Wright seconded. The roll call recorded votes in favor from Commissioners Imamura, Wright, Hood and Miller; Commissioner Stidham was recorded as absent. Staff recorded the vote 4 to 0 to 1 to approve final action.
The amendment establishes procedures in zoning text for a side‑yard height transition setback intended to moderate impacts on adjacent lower‑scale properties in Square 175. The record includes shadow analyses and modeling; a companion map amendment was discussed as part of the rationale.
Materials cited on the record for the final action include the Office of Planning hearing reports and exhibits, the NCPC delegated authority letter (Jan. 16), and the DC Register notice (Dec. 20, 2024). The commission's approval concludes the zoning text amendment proceeding reflected in case 23-26.
