On December 8, 2009, the Office of Planning filed a memorandum that served as a petition requesting amendments to the Zoning Regulations. The proposed text and map amendments would permit and guide development of the air rights over the railroad tracks north of Union Station. A decision on this new zone district is expected on February 28, 2011.
The Office of Planning proposed to create a new standalone zone called Union Station North, or USN that would permit a 14 acre air rights development on a platform above the existing rail yards north of Union Station on both sides of H Street. While the 1910 Height Act limits the height of the development to 130 feet, the Office of Planning proposes to use the top of the H Street Bridge, about 30-feet above the existing railroad tracks, as the measuring point for the project.
On January 6, 2011, the Committee of 100 was joined before the Zoning Commission by Monte Edwards, representing the Capitol Hill Restoration Society; architect Drury Tallant; and, historian William Wright. The panel cited that the proposed height is unprecedented, would overshadow Union Station, and that using the top of the H Street Bridge as a measuring point is inconsistent with previous zoning decisions.
Bill Wright testified as a concerned Capitol Hill resident as part of a panel before at a Zoning Commission hearing about the proposed Union Station North development.
Drury Tallant testified as a concerned Capitol Hill resident as part of a panel before at a Zoning Commission hearing about the proposed Union Station North development.
Monte Edwards testified on behalf of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society as part of a panel before at a Zoning Commission hearing about the proposed Union Station North development.
Alma Gates testified on behalf of the Committee of 100 as part of a panel before at a Zoning Commission hearing about the proposed Union Station North development.
Alma Gates testified on behalf of the Committee of 100 as part of a panel at a Zoning Commission hearing about the proposed Union Station North development.
