Zoning Commission Reviews JBG PUD at 13th and U

On Monday night, March 4, the Zoning Commission reviewed the proposed PUD project by JBG at 13th and U and recommended that some additional work be done to answer questions they had regarding the bulkiness of the roof, construction management plan, effects on the neighboring building to the west, retail window details, LEED checklist, business relocation plan,  bikesharing plan details, and examples of successful RPP limitation requirements in other projects in the District.

Neighboring residents and business owners testified that they are going to be impacted by this large project and asked the Commissioners to consider and address their concerns.  The Commission will revisit the project again in April.

JBG Presents Revised Facade Designs

The JBG Companies presented revised facade plans to the community at several forums this month.  You may link here to their site to view the revisions.  They are responding to comments made by the HPRB Board members who cited several concerns regarding the proposed facades for the PUD at 13th and U Streets.  Their representatives noted that the 13th Street side of the building had been trimmed after the board suggested that the building should step down to the residential 13th Street.  In addition, the affected residents along Wallach Place have expressed their concerns about the rear of the building which they will have to face once the project is completed and the board also shared their concern.  JBG architects have made some adjustments to the rear facade to reflect these concerns.  And last but not least, the HPRB spoke at the December hearing about the U Street facade at street level needing to be broken up so that it is not such a long stretch of flat surfacing.

The next hearing of the HPRB to review this project has not been scheduled as of this date.  Their report on the details of their decision following the December hearing follows:   The HPRB directed the applicants to: 1) continue studying the height, massing, setbacks and reveals, along the perimeter of the building and particularly on the north elevation; 2) revise the 13th Street elevation to better address the scale of buildings across the street and on Wallach Place; 3) provide further detailing to the retail base; and 4) further differentiate the retail and residential entrances. Vote: 6-0 (Casarella recused, Ally absent).

The PUD application is scheduled to be reviewed by the Zoning Commission on March 4. 

JBG Unveils Revised Plans for 13th and U Project

On Monday, October 22, the JBG Companies unveiled a revised plan and drawings for their 13th and U project.  I have displayed above the front and rear elevations of the proposed building for your review.  The building is 8 stories tall with 134 apartments.  Twelve of the units will be marketed as "affordable housing units."  There will be no rooftop pool area in the revised plans.  And last but not least, the building has been set back about 5-6 feet on the 7th and 8th floors.

JBG representatives announced that the PUD application was filed recently and that the review process has begun at HPRB and the Zoning Commission (which has jurisdiction on Planned Unit Developments).  Stay tuned for more details as they become available.  Read More