The District of Columbia Zoning Commission voted 3–0–2 to set down for public hearing a PUD modification filed by Judiciary Plaza LLC to convert an office building at 450 Fifth Street NW into a residential building with roughly 500 units.

The Office of Planning recommended setdown, saying the conversion would preserve much of the existing massing, remove portions along the Fifth Street frontage, and add sunken courtyards to provide additional light and air required for residential use. OP said the project would set aside 8% of residential gross floor area as inclusionary zoning (IZ) affordable units at 60% of area median family income (MFI).

Vice Chair Miller, Commissioner Wright and Chair Hood supported setting the case down so the commission can review details in a contested public hearing. Commissioners said they expect the applicant to provide clarity on whether the development will be rental or for‑sale, show how the project will meet penthouse IZ set‑aside requirements, and identify the location and size of IZ units on plans submitted before or at the hearing.

Commissioners also flagged the need for the applicant to engage the ANC and other community stakeholders and to supply more information on penthouse set‑aside compliance, open‑court widths and the requested flexibility for building height. The Office of Planning noted the applicant worked with the Commission of Fine Arts and the Historic Preservation Review Board on design revisions.

The setdown vote was recorded as 3–0–2; two members were not present and did not vote. The commission directed staff and the applicant to provide the requested materials before the public hearing, which will proceed as a contested case.