Zoning Commission approves four two-year PUD time extensions, citing financing challenges
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Summary
The Zoning Commission voted unanimously to grant four two-year PUD time extensions for projects across the city, noting developers' inability to secure financing; applicants were asked to file draft orders within two weeks and one sought a waiver to Subtitle Z §705.5.
The Zoning Commission on a virtual meeting approved four separate two-year time extensions for previously approved planned-unit developments, citing difficulty obtaining project financing.
Chair Anthony Hood moved approval of Z.C. Case No. 08-340 (Capital Crossings 3 LLC and Capital Crossings 4 LLC), asking the applicant to provide a draft order within two weeks. Office of Zoning staff summarized the applicant’s timeline and justification: the developers requested an extension to allow filing for a residential and podium building permit by March 2028, begin construction by March 25, 2029, and obtain a certificate of occupancy by March 25, 2032. Michelle, an Office of Zoning staff member, told the commission the applicant had “been unable to obtain financing despite their efforts to move forward.”
Commissioners also approved Z.C. Case No. 15-24E (JBG Sixth Street Associates LLC and Gallaudet University), Z.C. Case No. 13-08E (New Congress Heights Partners LLC and New Congress Heights Metro Owner LLC) and Z.C. Case No. 96-13B (Street Retail LLC). In the New Congress Heights case, the applicant explicitly requested a waiver to Subtitle Z §705.5 to permit a fourth time extension and to allow the second time-extension approval to exceed one year. Vice Chair Miller flagged the waiver in discussion and the commission accepted the request as part of the motion.
All four motions passed on roll-call votes of 5–0–0. Commissioners said the decisions reflect a challenging financing environment for large developments; one commissioner noted prior investments by developers in public roadways and a platform over the freeway as factors in favor of granting more time.
The commission took no other substantive action on these applications at the meeting; each applicant was asked to submit a draft order within two weeks. The commission also recorded that Office of Planning (OP) reports recommended approval for the items on the consent/hearing docket.
