Council approves Potomac Yard master‑plan and CDD updates to allow more housing and an affordable‑housing building
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Summary
Council voted to amend the Potomac Yard master plan and CDD to shift some office/retail density to residential use, enabling a multi‑building buildout that includes an affordable building (88 units) proposed with Wesley Housing and land donation by JBG Smith.
The City Council approved master‑plan and zoning text amendments for Potomac Yard on Nov. 5 that reallocate certain office and retail entitlements toward residential development and establish minimum density expectations for remaining land bays.
Staff said the proposed changes would simplify the Small Area Plan language for Land Bays G and H, support construction of a town green and neighborhood‑serving retail, and provide flexibility to complete buildout. The concept plan changes allow up to 330,000 sq. ft. of additional land‑based residential density in land bays G and H.
As presented, the amendments enable three development proposals: a mixed‑use building of roughly 432 units, an 88‑unit affordable building to be developed by Wesley Housing on donated land from JBG Smith, and a townhouse component. Tenant-advocacy groups and other commenters urged deeper affordability and greater developer contributions; staff and the planning commission said the proposals were consistent with the City’s priorities and recommended approval.
Council vote: Approved by roll‑call vote (6–0, one abstention). The items will return to council as DSUPs and development proposals with design details to be reviewed in subsequent hearings.