D.C. Campaign for Inclusionary Zoning

Latest News

Office of Planning Mapping Presentation

D.C. Campaign for Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning Talking Points

For October 5th and 19th Zoning Commission Public Hearing

Inclusionary Zoning Update

7/10/06 - At the July 10th Zoning Commission hearing, the D.C. Office of Planning's proposal to the Zoning Commission showed where Inclusionary Zoning could apply throughout the city. To achieve the Office of Planning's stated goals of equity, simplicity, and effectiveness, inclusionary zoning would apply to basically all parts of the city except a number of zoning categories that are either low density residential or high density zones that cannot offer additional density. These areas include: single family home neighborhoods, the Downtown Development District (DDD), centrally-located Transferable Development Rights (TDR) Receiving Zones, a special high rise housing zone that cannot allow added density (R-5-E), and a few smaller zones.

Zoning Commission chair Carol Mitten expressed concern about achieving the bonus density in historic districts. She also indicated concern that some residents will complain that their neighborhoods are not suited to allow more housing. Ellen McCarthy, director of the D.C. Office of Planning, said that they have not had a problem achieving the bonus density in the 14th Street Historic District area and in the Uptown Arts District. Also, she said that the bonus is often achieved through minor changes, like minimum lot widths or percent of lot coverage. For example, in row house neighborhoods, developers could achieve their bonus density by reducing the minimum lot widths from 18 to 15 feet, which is already a typical width in older row house neighborhoods around the city.

To better organize the hearings and to separate out the more complicated areas, the Zoning Commission decided to hold two separate rounds of public hearings, one on the mapped areas that are not in historic areas and the other for historic areas. The approximately 40 historic districts represent between one-third and one-half of the areas where Inclusionary Zoning would apply.

A Final Rulemaking on the parameters of the program is expected to be published in the D.C. Register within a month. Notice about the Zoning Commission October hearings on mapping IZ coverage will be posted on the D.C. Zoning Commission website: www.dcoz.dc.gov. For more information about Inclusionary Zoning and the CMIZ, contact WRN at 202-244-4225.

May 18th, 2006
ZC Notice: March 10, 2006
Background Information

Background Information

Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) requires new developments to include housing units affordable to moderate- and low-income residents. IZ can help maintain mixed income buildings and neighborhoods and ensure that the District meets the affordable housing needs of familes at a variety of income levels.

Great background information on the DC Campaign for Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning. This website includes:
Facts about IZ
Our Proposal
Press Releases and Reports

New Slide Presentation
The Case for Inclusionary Zoning: Maintaining diversity and sharing opportunity in a growing future for D.C.

DC's Comprehensive Plan Update: Find out more and get involved at www.Inclusivecity.org

May 18th, 2006

The Campaign for Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning submitted comments to the Zoning Commission regarding the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

On May 18, the D.C. Zoning Commission settled on the final details for an Inclusionary Zoning policy for the city -- requiring that a certain portion of new private residential developments set aside housing units affordable to moderate and low income households. Many of the Campaign for Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning's (CMIZ) recommendations were incorporated into the Zoning Commission's decision. Some of the requirements include 99-year affordability control periods for homeownership and rental units, allowing rentals in condo buildings subject to condo rules owned by D.C. Housing Authority or non-profits as part of a 25 percent first right to purchase set aside, and the ability to build inclusionary units with the number of bedrooms, but smaller in terms of square footage, thereby possibly creating more units. How Inclusionary Zoning applies to Planned Unit Developments (PUD) will be decided in the mapping phase. The Area Median Income (AMI) target for high-rise developments remained at 80 percent despite CMIZ efforts to bring it on par with low-rise buildings which splits income targeting between 80 percent and 50 percent AMI.

Inclusionary Zoning Takes Historic Step Towards Producing Affordable Housing

On March 10th, the Zoning Commission (ZC) issued an historic ruling that is the first step in creating a Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning program in the District of Columbia!

Download the campaign's summary of the Zoning Commission's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, including the additional changes the Campaign for Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning would like to see in the final policy.

We are asking all supporters of Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning in DC to do two very important things over the next two months:

1. Submit written comments on the Zoning Commission's proposed ruling.

There will be a 45-day open comment period before the Zoning Commission makes their final ruling. We can still influence their final decision on key issues! Written comments must be submitted to the Zoning Commission before Friday, April 21st.

Hard copies must by mailed to the following address:
Sharon Schelling
Office of Zoning, Government of the District of Columbia
One Judiciary Square 441 4th St, NW
Suite 210S
Washington, DC 20001

Please download our sample written comments as a Microsoft Word document. Feel free to use as much of these comments as you like, but also to add your own concerns.

2. Educate your members, clients, constituents, or neighbors.

You can educate those in your organization or community by giving an update about the progress of MIZ at your next membership or board meeting, or asking to get it on the agenda of your ANC or neighborhood group. You can also include an update about MIZ in your organization's or neighborhood's newsletter, or send an update to it's e-mail list.

We have prepared a sample newsletter article about MIZ that you can take excerpts from or use in its entirety.

If you have any questions, please contact: Stephen Wade at (202) 244-1105 or swade@washingtonregion.net.

For more see: http://www.dcoz.dcgov.org/main.shtm

Main Page   Newsletter   Programs   Events   Join Us!   Subscribe to Intersect!