Zoning Commission approves removal of 10-foot front setback to clear way for Congress Heights library
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Summary
The Zoning Commission on a 5–0 vote approved Office of Planning’s request to remove a 10-foot front setback requirement in SDE‑18 for a new DC Public Library at Saint Elizabeths East, citing design constraints above the Congress Heights Metro and strong community support.
The Zoning Commission approved a text amendment to remove a 10-foot front setback on 13th Street at Saint Elizabeths East, clearing the way for a new DC Public Library at the Congress Heights Metro station.
Office of Planning Senior Planner Maxine Brown Roberts told the commission the library’s design must fit over metro infrastructure — including tunnels, ventilation shafts and escalators — and that the setback requirement had been written with commercial storefronts and an outdoor café zone in mind. "OP recommends that the zoning commission approve and make permanent the requested text amendment," Brown Roberts said, explaining that the emergency action was chosen to avoid lengthy delays in permitting and preserve the project’s delivery schedule.
Commissioners and project proponents emphasized both the technical constraints and community benefits. Commissioner Imamura called the design "elegant" and said the change posed "very little to no risk" to the neighborhood’s planning goals. Commissioner Wright said the SDE‑18 designation and the site’s unique conditions meant the amendment would not be broadly precedent-setting around the city and argued that placing the building closer to 13th Street would "engage the pedestrian area" more effectively.
A DC Public Library representative described the project as DCPL’s first transit-oriented, net-zero energy library built on an underutilized park-and-ride site and said the design reflects years of community collaboration. "Once complete, we're confident that this project will serve as a model for collaborative mission-driven urban developments," the representative said. Nancy Grimelock of Perkins and Will, the project architect, identified herself as present to answer questions.
The Office of Zoning staff noted exhibits in the record, including an NCPC report finding the amendment "not inconsistent" with federal elements of the comprehensive plan and a DDOT memorandum stating no objection to the amendment.
After brief discussion and no recorded opposition, Commissioner Imamura moved to approve Zoning Commission Case No. 12‑08E (Office of Planning text amendment to Subtitle K, §605.1 — front setback, Saint Elizabeths East). Commissioner Wright seconded. In a roll-call vote, Commissioners Imamura, Wright, Miller, Stidham and Chair Anthony Hood voted yes; the motion passed 5–0–0 and final action was recorded.
Practically, commissioners and OP said the amendment avoids a redesign that would reduce the building footprint and eliminate planned community spaces such as two courtyards, a teen space, a maker space and a recording studio. The commission also clarified that the Zoning Commission emergency action lasts 120 days (with Council-level emergency rules noted as 90 days).
The commission did not request a draft order from the Office of Planning and closed the hearing. The next zoning commission meeting was announced for 2026‑02‑23.
