Office of Planning’s Wisconsin Avenue zoning proposal set down for public hearing

The Zoning Commission voted 5–0 to set down Office of Planning’s proposed text and map amendments for the Wisconsin Avenue corridor (Z.C. Case 25‑13) as a rulemaking. The proposal would create three new mixed‑use zones — a Friendship Heights metro zone (MU10F/H), a Tenleytown metro zone (MU10 variant), and a Wisconsin Avenue mixed zone (MU8A) — plus RA‑2 transition areas, and map those zones to stretches of Wisconsin Avenue between Western Avenue and Rodman Street.

OP staff presented the Wisconsin Avenue Development Framework (WADF) as the implementation step of prior Comprehensive Plan guidance; the text amendment translates the framework’s density, FAR, height, and design guidance into zoning. The proposal would apply IZ+ (higher inclusionary requirements) and would include FAR/height recommendations ranging, by area, from roughly 5.4 FAR (MU8A) to 7.8 FAR (Friendship Heights) with upper‑level setbacks and pedestrian‑connection requirements intended to break up long blocks and protect adjacent low‑density neighborhoods.

Commissioners welcomed the initiative but asked for additional briefings and technical follow‑up. Commissioner Wright requested an open‑session briefing before the public hearing that explains the Wisconsin Avenue Development Framework, the neighborhood outreach that informed it, and how the draft zoning implements the framework’s building‑form and stepback guidance — including discussion of how setbacks and facade rules would interact with different construction types. Commissioner Evenmore and others sought confirmation that IZ+ would apply and emphasized the framework’s affordable‑housing objectives. OP noted extensive community outreach already completed and that some design controls from the framework are incorporated directly into the zoning text.

The commission set the matter down as a rulemaking (public hearing) and asked OP to brief the commission in more detail on the Framework and on implementation mechanics prior to the hearing.