Zoning Commission approves Howard University extraction for new hospital; DDOT requires updated TDM plan

The Zoning Commission on Oct. 16, 2025 approved Howard University’s request to extract two parcels from the university’s 2020–2030 campus plan so the university can proceed by-right with a new hospital and related redevelopment. The commission voted 3–0–2, with Commissioners Imamura and Stidham absent.

Derek Niece Williams, assistant vice president for planning and architecture at Howard University, told the commission the university has negotiated a memorandum of agreement and recorded declarations of covenants “to memorialize use restrictions, setbacks, and other factors important to the future of our community.” He said the university “are it is our position” that moving forward by-right on the hospital site is the most expedient path while preserving community protections, and that Howard “is in agreement with OP’s findings in their report and concede to the conditions raised by DDOT in their report.”

The Office of Planning recommended approval and stood on the analysis in its hearing report. Eric Osborne, development review program manager for the District Department of Transportation, said DDOT likewise supports the extraction with a condition: the Howard campus plan’s transportation demand management (TDM) plan must be revised to reflect the extracted property and to reduce the campus parking cap accordingly. Osborne said projects on the extracted property will be subject to comprehensive transportation review during permitting. “We recommended approval on the condition that the transportation demand management plan for the Howard University campus plan is revised to reflect the extracted property,” he said.

Commissioners and ANC representatives said they viewed the extraction as the next step in a multi-year, collaborative process. Matt Faye, an ANC 1B representative who also served as LeDroit Park Civic Association president during the outreach, praised Howard’s engagement and said both the ANC and the civic association submitted letters supporting the action.

A member of the public raised concerns about what will happen to the current hospital site after services move to the new building. Avia Lynch, a LeDroit Park resident who said her family home sits beside the hospital, asked, “what's gonna happen to the property once you move it, the hospital from that property?” Williams responded that the existing hospital will be decommissioned and demolished over time and the site will be positioned for mixed-use redevelopment; he said Howard will continue to meet with the community about specific redevelopment plans. Williams also estimated—approximately—that from a groundbreaking next year, construction of the new hospital would take “about a 20 month period” from commencement, but he prefaced that timetable as an estimate.

Members of the commission noted the university had recorded covenants and a memorandum of agreement addressing community concerns, and Vice Chair Miller summarized restrictions in those documents intended to limit impacts on nearby homes (including use limitations and setbacks and measures to mitigate ambulance, noise and light impacts). The record also shows a maintenance affidavit was submitted and accepted as part of the application materials.

After discussion, Vice Chair Miller moved to take first- and final-action on Zoning Commission Case No. 20-08F; Commissioner Wright seconded. The roll call vote was: Commissioner Miller, yes; Commissioner Wright, yes; Chairman Anthony Hood, yes. The commission approved final action 3–0–2. The commission requested that the applicant provide a draft order within two weeks; Office of Zoning staff indicated a summary order was acceptable in light of the absence of opposition.

Why it matters: the approval clears the way for Howard University to pursue construction of a new hospital campus by right on the extracted parcels, while the recorded covenants and the TDM condition are intended to preserve neighborhood protections and address transportation impacts.

Implementation and next steps: the applicant must supply a draft order to the Office of Zoning within two weeks. DDOT’s condition requires an update to the campus TDM plan and anticipates a comprehensive transportation review for hospital-related permits. Howard representatives and the university’s community advisory council said they will continue meeting with neighbors during design and redevelopment of the existing hospital site.

Votes at a glance: Zoning Commission Case No. 20-08F — Howard University amendment to campus plan (2020–2030), Square 3075, Lot 807; Square 3074, Lot 11 (2401 Georgia Ave. NW). Motion to take first and final action — moved by Vice Chair Miller; seconded by Commissioner Wright. Outcome: approved, 3–0–2 (Commissioners Imamura and Stidham not present). Applicant to provide draft order in two weeks.