Resolution Concerning the Upper Wisconsin Avenue Corridor
Study Strategic Framework Plan

WHEREAS the Office of Planning (OP) issued a draft report, “Upper Wisconsin Avenue Corridor Study Strategic Framework Plan,” (draft plan) in November 2003 and have requested comments until February 18, 2004; and

WHEREAS the draft plan recommends up to 1800 new residential units along the corridor, which would more than double the existing residential units; and

WHEREAS the study did not incorporate any thorough evaluation of public transportation limits or expansion possibilities, public school, emergency, police, fire or public service abilities and capacities to absorb the increased population resulting from a doubling of housing units; and

WHEREAS the draft plan recommends a 33% increase in office space on the corridor based on market projections of interest, but does not explain how or whether the corridor can handle the resulting increased transportation and service needs, nor how such development would impact the surrounding stable neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS the draft plan recommends 270,000 additional square feet of retail along the corridor, but is silent on how to retain valued retail, how to attract missing neighborhood oriented retail, and how to maintain the small town environment that was one of the goals of the residents requesting the study; and

WHEREAS despite the fact that residents along the Wisconsin Avenue corridor do have traffic concerns that have been repeatedly raised with DDOT, the report makes recommendations that would greatly impact traffic on Wisconsin Avenue, the surrounding streets, and potentially the Palisades neighborhood; and

WHEREAS any increase in density or pattern of use would impact all of the neighborhoods south of the development area, but this phenomenon was not evaluated; and

WHEREAS the study concentrated its efforts on how to develop middle and upper Wisconsin Avenue from Western Avenue to Yuma Street, even though the draft plan extends to Rodman Street; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that ANC 3D opposes the draft report in its current form based on the absence of any investigation into the current infrastructure limits and the resulting impacts of development on the infrastructure of the corridor, and the unevaluated impact on the entire corridor and the neighborhoods surrounding the corridor, as expressed above; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ANC 3D strongly urges the Office of Planning, before proceeding any further with the draft plan, to conduct thorough, definitive studies into the impact of the proposed “Upper Wisconsin Avenue Strategic Framework Plan” on 1) traffic in Ward 3 including the potential diversion of traffic into the jurisdiction of ANC 3D; 2) on public schools in Ward 3 including whether the greater population will lead to pressure for more private schools in Ward 3; 3) parking along the Wisconsin Avenue corridor and adjoining streets; 4) public safety needs, including the availability of fire and emergency medical services not just in the Tenleytown region but also in Ward 3 generally; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ANC 3D is greatly concerned that such points have not been adequately studied by the Office of Planning and therefore ANC 3D cannot support the “Upper Wisconsin Avenue Strategic Framework Plan” until such studies have been done and incorporated into the plan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ANC 3D commends the letter of January 21, 2004, from Councilmember Kathy Patterson to Mayor Williams and urges the Office of Planning to give serious consideration to the points raised in the Patterson letter; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ANC 3D strongly urges Ward 3 Councilmember Kathy Patterson to oppose this draft plan now and if it should be presented to the DC Council to publicly urge her colleagues to oppose it; and

BE IT RESOLVED that the Chair, or her designee is authorized to represent ANC 3D on this matter.

Attested by: Chair on February 4, 2004

Alma H. Gates