A look at what's going on in Trinidad, on H Street, and in the larger area north of Capitol Hill.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Delta Towers II
No info yet, but look for the matter of right addition to the senior living center to come up soon, because it is definitely on the horizon. Delta Towers is adjacent to the Starburst Intersection.
21 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Who/what decides " matter of right"? I assume that zoning laws are a basis for some of it.
By the way, I have no problem with senior housing, just ugly high rises.
Your assumption is correct--"matter of right" refers to buildings that are explicitly permitted by the zoning regulations. These are projects that fit within the permitted height and density limits, and if they are truly matter of right, they need no variances or special exceptions (provide required parking, setbacks, yards, etc).
The upshot is that the developer can really do whatever they want, though they are required to comply with the H Street guidelines, which should result in a building that fits better with the architectual context of H Street. Although I represent the west end of H Street, I'm confident that ANC 6A will tackle the issue of design/fit head-on. They are a very good ANC in this and many other regards.
Is Delta Towers in Ward 5? I'm glad that the city is building more senior housing, I just wish that they wouldn't warehouse them like this. I also wonder about the safety/rescue aspect of these buildings. It seems to me that it would be a lot easier to evacuate a smaller two or three story building. Hmmm like the abandomed firestation in the 1300 block of Maryland av. It can't be much fun to live in Delta Towers.
There's something about the phrase "matter of right" that just rubs me the wrong way. I know it's an official term, but it sounds so...petulant. It always conjures negative images of an entitlement mentality to me.
And it seems like it is most often asserted by developers who are attempting to do something that would otherwise meet with opposition from neighbors - though maybe those are the only ones we hear about.
Sasha, don't concentrate on "right addition." Concentrate on "matter of right." Basically that means that whatever they are building is within the zoning regs and doesn't require a variance. Here's some good basic zoning info.
730, The Board of Zoning Adjustment would handle variance decisions. A matter of right use is just one allowed under the current zoning regs.
this is totally off-topic, but if it hasn't been discussed, the storefront next door to PNC Bank that I mentioned weeks ago as looking ready to open and appearing to be a cell phone shop is indeed a cell phone retail store for t-mobile. it looks pretty good and there appears to be additional office space on the upper level.
another decent addition to the corridor, if you ask me. now if only we can get more unique small businesses like stella bleu (which i can't shop in as a guy, but still appreciate for their design sensibility/uniqueness).
I am shocked Soul Searcher that you community spirit draws a line at wearing drag. You certainly could shop at stella bleu, you simply choose not to do so.
i wish they would do like they did to the Capper seniors home in SE. tear it down, and erect a building that doesn't belong in the "it's for old farts, so it doesn't matter how friggin ugly it looks" category.
Before I knew better I assumed that hideous building was regular public housing. That impression is quite an impediment to people wanting to invest in the immediate area surrounding it.
It'd be terrific if it was torn down and redone, maybe adding retail in the first floor. I don't know what shape the units are, but judging from the outside I'm betting they are not very nice.
Soul Searcher, I'm totally with you on more unique small businesses. This, in my opinion, is the big hurdle on H Street. Hope all who are interested in this kind of retail attend the ANC meeting next week and make your voices heard. I think Councilmember Wells will be there and hopefully the developer of the Connection.
My friend Bill and I were out at the Argonaut last night and saw this...uhm....errrr....uniquely archaic structure. It is sad that there is possibility of adding on to it in the same vein. Perhaps our ANC Commissioner - who has yet to reply to any communications - will fight to remake the the building in a manner that is consistent with the changes coming ot the neighborhood.
"There's something about the phrase 'matter of right' that just rubs me the wrong way."
Yeah, I mean god forbid the city would ever respect the idea of property rights! What kind of socialist collective would we be if we allowed that to happen? The next thing you know people might start asking the DC government to respect other individual rights. We'd be the laughing stock of Marxists everywhere! I'd never be able to show my face in Havana again. Hmmf! Honestly, I don't know how anyone expects society to progress if we don't control everything to our liking.
You have a point. It's great to have neighborhood input, but at some point people that are spending tens of millions of dollars on a project need to know that they can do at least a bare minimum on a property no matter what. Otherwise no one is ever going to build anything in DC. No one's investment would be safe if what could be built is subject to constant whim of neighborhood folks, city officials, etc.
Wow...I can't say I ever thought I'd be accused of being a Marxist. Especially not by someone posting anonymously and completely misconstruing my comment.
In real life, I'm about as fervent a defender of property rights as you'll meet.
My problem with "matter of right" here in DC is more the fact that it is so often abused or - perhaps more accurately - claimed when no such right actually exists. That's what leaves such a bad taste in my mouth where the phrase is concerned. Sorry I didn't make that clear earlier.
You won't hear me cheering the Kelo decision any time soon, anonymous...if that IS your real name.
"In real life, I'm about as fervent a defender of property rights as you'll meet."
Glad to hear it! I look forward to your support when I go to open my 'H St. Gun Shop' after the District gets spanked in the Parker/Heller case.
Was my post over the top? Yes. I thought the hyperbole played quite well. At least 'hillman' got it anyway. What can I say, I'm part of the libertarian backlash. I'm tired of seeing projects delayed/ scuttled/ etc, just because somebody doesn't like the color of the brick or the style of the building, or the 'community amenities', or whatever. Too many people are so concerned about what they want that they've lost all respect for the rights of others. When I first moved to DC I actually went to a couple of ANC/zoning meetings and I realized that it was the same handful of people opposing everything - and the commissioners listened to them! I saw a restaurant get scuttled because the neighbors didn't like the kind of food that was going to be served. Think about that the next time you walk past all the vacant storefronts on H.
As to posting anonymously...well, does not having a screen name attached really make any given thought more or less germane?
It'll be interesting to see how major development projects go in our area, now that the bloom is off the development rose. When developers were making stacks of cash they were willing to put up with a lot from neighborhood groups because they'd still make a profit. Now, that profit margin is a lot slimmer. So we should expect to see a lot of projects simply cancel after they get too much protest from neighborhood groups.
Yes, we should care about what comes into our neighborhood. But at some point we will start driving out even the best development. Of course, that's fine for some, as they want no development. But no development means we have the same ratty vacant storefronts as we have now, as we simply don't have the density to support a thriving retail strip.
Some things are worth fighting for. Insisting that ALL major developments have first floor retail is a fight worth fighting. Trying to get a design that isn't obviously the cheapest generic crap is worth fighting for. Demanding that developers not develop an additional floor or two isn't worth the fight. Demanding that they hire a certain amount of DC residents isn't worth the fight (and is often impossible given DC's work force).
I guess it's time for me to come out and admit it...I'm one of the few Republicans in this neck of the woods. And since I've never understood why the District persists in arguing that their gun ban is preventing violent crimes (especially in light of several recent and not-so-recent shootings in our area), I'm also hopeful that the Court will strike it down. When that happens, I wish you the best of luck with your new enterprise.
All I ask is that you locate in one of those vacant storefronts you mentioned - and don't give in to the temptation to have the District use their new-found power of eminent domain if you can't find a reasonable seller!
As for your anonymity, I was just making a little joke about the 'anonymous' bit because I found it difficult to reply to you without a name. I don't think your comments are any less germane (or interesting) than those left by people with names.
21 comments:
Who/what decides " matter of right"? I assume that zoning laws are a basis for some of it.
By the way, I have no problem with senior housing, just ugly high rises.
Anonymous,
Your assumption is correct--"matter of right" refers to buildings that are explicitly permitted by the zoning regulations. These are projects that fit within the permitted height and density limits, and if they are truly matter of right, they need no variances or special exceptions (provide required parking, setbacks, yards, etc).
The upshot is that the developer can really do whatever they want, though they are required to comply with the H Street guidelines, which should result in a building that fits better with the architectual context of H Street. Although I represent the west end of H Street, I'm confident that ANC 6A will tackle the issue of design/fit head-on. They are a very good ANC in this and many other regards.
Best,
Alan Kimber
ANC Commissioner, 6C05
It's going to take a special architect to match the hideousness of the current building.
Inked
Could you explain "right addition" a bit? I am unsure what is being referenced in this post.
Thanks!
Is Delta Towers in Ward 5?
I'm glad that the city is building more senior housing, I just wish that they wouldn't warehouse them like this. I also wonder about the safety/rescue aspect of these buildings. It seems to me that it would be a lot easier to evacuate a smaller two or three story building. Hmmm like the abandomed firestation in the 1300 block of Maryland av. It can't be much fun to live in Delta Towers.
There's something about the phrase "matter of right" that just rubs me the wrong way. I know it's an official term, but it sounds so...petulant. It always conjures negative images of an entitlement mentality to me.
And it seems like it is most often asserted by developers who are attempting to do something that would otherwise meet with opposition from neighbors - though maybe those are the only ones we hear about.
927,
Delta Towers is indeed in Ward 5.
Sasha, don't concentrate on "right addition." Concentrate on "matter of right." Basically that means that whatever they are building is within the zoning regs and doesn't require a
variance.
Here's some good basic zoning info.
730,
The Board of Zoning Adjustment would handle variance decisions. A matter of right use is just one allowed under the current zoning regs.
this is totally off-topic, but if it hasn't been discussed, the storefront next door to PNC Bank that I mentioned weeks ago as looking ready to open and appearing to be a cell phone shop is indeed a cell phone retail store for t-mobile. it looks pretty good and there appears to be additional office space on the upper level.
another decent addition to the corridor, if you ask me. now if only we can get more unique small businesses like stella bleu (which i can't shop in as a guy, but still appreciate for their design sensibility/uniqueness).
I am shocked Soul Searcher that you community spirit draws a line at wearing drag. You certainly could shop at stella bleu, you simply choose not to do so.
i wish they would do like they did to the Capper seniors home in SE. tear it down, and erect a building that doesn't belong in the "it's for old farts, so it doesn't matter how friggin ugly it looks" category.
Before I knew better I assumed that hideous building was regular public housing. That impression is quite an impediment to people wanting to invest in the immediate area surrounding it.
It'd be terrific if it was torn down and redone, maybe adding retail in the first floor. I don't know what shape the units are, but judging from the outside I'm betting they are not very nice.
soul searcher is a drag-o-phobe!
inked, is that reason enough to ban him from the site?
i simply can't tolerate folks that don't have tolerance for stuff that others tolerate!
Soul Searcher, I'm totally with you on more unique small businesses. This, in my opinion, is the big hurdle on H Street. Hope all who are interested in this kind of retail attend the ANC meeting next week and make your voices heard. I think Councilmember Wells will be there and hopefully the developer of the Connection.
My friend Bill and I were out at the Argonaut last night and saw this...uhm....errrr....uniquely
archaic structure. It is sad that there is possibility of adding on to it in the same vein. Perhaps our ANC Commissioner - who has yet to reply to any communications - will fight to remake the the building in a manner that is consistent with the changes coming ot the neighborhood.
"There's something about the phrase 'matter of right' that just rubs me the wrong way."
Yeah, I mean god forbid the city would ever respect the idea of property rights! What kind of socialist collective would we be if we allowed that to happen? The next thing you know people might start asking the DC government to respect other individual rights. We'd be the laughing stock of Marxists everywhere! I'd never be able to show my face in Havana again. Hmmf! Honestly, I don't know how anyone expects society to progress if we don't control everything to our liking.
Darn it, I want my Brave New World!
eh...
what's goin' on with Delta Towers I
?
Anonymous 4:56:
You have a point. It's great to have neighborhood input, but at some point people that are spending tens of millions of dollars on a project need to know that they can do at least a bare minimum on a property no matter what. Otherwise no one is ever going to build anything in DC. No one's investment would be safe if what could be built is subject to constant whim of neighborhood folks, city officials, etc.
That's why matter of right zoning concepts exist.
Wow...I can't say I ever thought I'd be accused of being a Marxist. Especially not by someone posting anonymously and completely misconstruing my comment.
In real life, I'm about as fervent a defender of property rights as you'll meet.
My problem with "matter of right" here in DC is more the fact that it is so often abused or - perhaps more accurately - claimed when no such right actually exists. That's what leaves such a bad taste in my mouth where the phrase is concerned. Sorry I didn't make that clear earlier.
You won't hear me cheering the Kelo decision any time soon, anonymous...if that IS your real name.
;-)
"In real life, I'm about as fervent a defender of property rights as you'll meet."
Glad to hear it! I look forward to your support when I go to open my 'H St. Gun Shop' after the District gets spanked in the Parker/Heller case.
Was my post over the top? Yes. I thought the hyperbole played quite well. At least 'hillman' got it anyway. What can I say, I'm part of the libertarian backlash. I'm tired of seeing projects delayed/ scuttled/ etc, just because somebody doesn't like the color of the brick or the style of the building, or the 'community amenities', or whatever. Too many people are so concerned about what they want that they've lost all respect for the rights of others. When I first moved to DC I actually went to a couple of ANC/zoning meetings and I realized that it was the same handful of people opposing everything - and the commissioners listened to them! I saw a restaurant get scuttled because the neighbors didn't like the kind of food that was going to be served. Think about that the next time you walk past all the vacant storefronts on H.
As to posting anonymously...well, does not having a screen name attached really make any given thought more or less germane?
Anonymous:
It'll be interesting to see how major development projects go in our area, now that the bloom is off the development rose. When developers were making stacks of cash they were willing to put up with a lot from neighborhood groups because they'd still make a profit. Now, that profit margin is a lot slimmer. So we should expect to see a lot of projects simply cancel after they get too much protest from neighborhood groups.
Yes, we should care about what comes into our neighborhood. But at some point we will start driving out even the best development. Of course, that's fine for some, as they want no development. But no development means we have the same ratty vacant storefronts as we have now, as we simply don't have the density to support a thriving retail strip.
Some things are worth fighting for. Insisting that ALL major developments have first floor retail is a fight worth fighting. Trying to get a design that isn't obviously the cheapest generic crap is worth fighting for. Demanding that developers not develop an additional floor or two isn't worth the fight. Demanding that they hire a certain amount of DC residents isn't worth the fight (and is often impossible given DC's work force).
Anonymous 4:56 (and now 5:33) -
I guess it's time for me to come out and admit it...I'm one of the few Republicans in this neck of the woods. And since I've never understood why the District persists in arguing that their gun ban is preventing violent crimes (especially in light of several recent and not-so-recent shootings in our area), I'm also hopeful that the Court will strike it down. When that happens, I wish you the best of luck with your new enterprise.
All I ask is that you locate in one of those vacant storefronts you mentioned - and don't give in to the temptation to have the District use their new-found power of eminent domain if you can't find a reasonable seller!
As for your anonymity, I was just making a little joke about the 'anonymous' bit because I found it difficult to reply to you without a name. I don't think your comments are any less germane (or interesting) than those left by people with names.
Hope that clarifies everything.
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