Zoning overhaul

The other night ANC 6C P&Z Committee had a visit from office of planning who presented proposed zoning changes for the downtown area.  WBJ has a little article, most of which i cant access - not a subscriber...But there were some interesting items.  The proposed changes -and this is not the written legislation, that comes in about a year or so - are basicly seeking to simplify the complicated system of zones & overlays & development credits which IMHO is a good thing.  But...there are a couple glaring items that set off warning bells for me: 

1.  This document was produced by the city in collaboration with developers...someone correct me if i am wrong but I think Miles from DNA was the only communty member involved, at least thats what the OP man said. 

2.  Parking lots.  Under the new rules it'll be a lot harder to landbank & run a lucrative parking lot for 20 years. BUT, it only applies to future parking lots, not existing ones.  We still have quite a few in the Triangle ala Steuarts.

3. The Steuarts.  Apparently back n the day when the Downtown Development Overlay was created (basicly forcing the creation of housing units downtown to avoid total office canyon) the Steuarts somehow got themselves omitted.  indeed square 0483 (bet. NY, 5th, 6th & K) is like a glaring little island on the map as its vast funky chain link fence lined parking lot is in our neighborhood.  Under the new rules, they are included...but they get a little higher density and permission for 100% office.  How nice for them.  They also have a giant parcel on the 400 block of NY/L st NW but that one doenst get special treatment other than the usual skating on vacant property taxes and...no taxes before 2nd half 2009? What is going on?  Steuart reps were at the meeting presenting a very nice project in NE.  C. Mark Dixon asked what the deal was with their Triangle properties and was basicly told that they are on hold for a long time.  The zoning changes do not address this extreme landbanking at all and the current laws are not enforced.  And as we know all this vacant property and funky parking lots breeds crime.  prostitution, drug dealing, and murder - I am not exaggerating.

4. Historic preservatiion.  HP was dismissed...the OP guy clamed that there was nothing left to protect downtown.  i disagree.

So the public meeting for all this is:

Monday, November 2, 2009, @ 6:30 p.m.
Office of Zoning Hearing Room
441 4th Street, N.W., Suite 220
Washington, D.C. 20001

To submit written testimony, mail to: Secretary of the Zoning Commission, Office of Zoning,
Suite 210, 441 4th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. Please include the number of the
particular case and your daytime telephone number. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, YOU
MAY CONTACT THE OFFICE OF ZONING AT (202) 727-6311.