Board Considering Zoning Changes
By Paul Schwartzman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 14, 2006
A proposed change to zoning laws along lower Georgia Avenue might alter a mission's plan to construct a homeless shelter in a neighborhood that residents say has been defined too much by its poverty.
When it finalized the deal to buy the Georgia Avenue property this month, the Central Union Mission needed no zoning approvals to build a men's shelter.
But the D.C. Zoning Commission now is considering regulations that would require developers constructing buildings larger than 12,000 square feet to get a special permit. The mission's new building would be about 60,000 square feet.
David Treadwell, Central Union's director, said this week that a new hurdle would not deter the shelter from relocating from Logan Circle to the 3500 block of Georgia Avenue. He said a prolonged review could cause delays and cost money.
"It is another hiccup along the way, and in doing construction you have to allow for this," Treadwell said. "We're fully committed to building a community-based residential facility and ultimately have the community welcome us there."
Central Union Mission announced plans to relocate to Georgia Avenue in the spring, prompting vigorous opposition from residents on the edge of Columbia Heights and Petworth. Civic leaders and residents say the shelter would deter development in an area already rife with social service organizations and poverty.
"We don't want the shelter. Period," said Buddy Moore, a leader of the opposition. "It's the wrong place at the wrong time."
The mission's opponents now might have a way to fight the plan.
The District's Office of Planning is recommending regulations that would make it more difficult for retailers to open businesses such as liquor stores, pawn shops and auto repair garages along a portion of the avenue, between Kennedy and Barnum streets. Developers seeking to construct large-scale projects would also need special approval.
The Zoning Commission is reviewing the recommendations and will hold public hearings, most likely early next year, said Ellen McCarthey, director of planning.
McCarthey said regulations are not intended to target the proposed shelter. Rather, she said her office has been reviewing zoning along the avenue for two years, as it has in other neighborhoods, including H Street NE.
D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), who has opposed Central Union's plan, said added review would give the neighborhood more input into what's built at the site.
"We don't want a 200-bed shelter," Graham said.
The mission paid $2 million for the parcel, now home to a vacant carwash and next door to a liquor store. A block away is a strip club. The shelter is negotiating to buy a vacant storefront that adjoins the carwash.
Developers have discovered the area in recent years, refurbishing row houses and building condominiums.
Central Union plans to sell its Logan Circle headquarters for $7 million to developer Jeffrey Schonberger after the Georgia Avenue shelter is completed.
After the deal to purchase the new location was first announced last spring, dozens of residents attended a community meeting, criticized the proposal and expressed fear that the shelter would force property values to plummet.
Despite the initial opposition, Treadwell said this week, "Things are much more pleasant now. The community realizes a lot of the effort we're putting into it."
Moore said Treadwell is deluding himself if he thinks the neighborhood's attitude toward the shelter has changed.
"Maybe in his mind he feels that way," he said. "But we don't feel that way. . . . That's his imagination."
View all comments that have been posted about this article.