¥ Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5E www.aneSede.org ANC SE Resolution No. 2018-003 THE DC COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHEREAS, the District of Columbia is experiencing a sharp population increase including more than 102,000 new residents over the last eight years and reaching 700,000 residents in February 2018 (2006 Comprehensive Plan projected this number of residents in 2025); and WHEREAS, this population growth also has, in certain areas, been accompanied by displacement of long-term DC residents to areas outside of the District because of the lack of all types of housing, pushing new residents seeking housing into existing neighborhoods and driving up housing prices for all. WHEREAS, some long-term residents of some neighborhoods, such as the Brookland Manor/Brentwood Village community of Northeast Washington, are now feeling the pressure of the impending loss of many affordable housing units, particularly with respect to large family size apartment units, due in part to concessions made by the DC Zoning Commission to real estate developers in the interests of advancing development in the District of Columbia'; and WHEREAS, the DC Office of Planning (OP) is currently undertaking a review of the Comprehensive Plan, a document that guides growth and change in the District. Zoning changes and development decisions are required to be consistent with the plan. The DC Council approves the plan and regular amendments to it, and is responsible for passing legislation to implement it; and WHEREAS, ANCSE has consistently advocated for increased affordable housing and more family-sized units in developments in our area, including the McMillan development. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that ANCSE calls for the adoption of fair and consistent DC policies regarding zoning characteristics related to growth, development, gentrification and affordable housing in the District of Columbia. The Comprehensive Plan should guide, but not dictate, specific land-use decisions alongside the zoning code, and other planning documents that directly engage the DC Council and Zoning Commission, such as Small Area Plans. Any land use decisions (including affordable housing decisions and zoning changes) should involve the broadest set of voices possible. To ensure the inclusion of such voices while reducing litigation, it is urged that Zoning Commission procedures include a provision, to be invoked prior to the drafting of Final Orders, for independent arbitration (jointly paid by the City and the Applicant) of those issues (e.g., zoning, public and ‘How far should government push a private company to serve the public good?” httns://www. washingtonpost.com/opinions/how=far- can-de-push-one-developer-o wusing/2017/05/01/7 9984: a a“Y Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5E wwwanesede.org community benefits and amenities, affordable housing, density, related infrastructure capacity, etc.) on which applicant and other parties (including Advisory Neighborhood Commissions) significantly disagree. Given that the most important part of the Comprehensive Plan should be the Guiding Principles, we are disappointed that the Office of Planning did not consider any changes to them. In particular, we are disappointed that the Principles have not been amended to more explicitly address housing affordal District's aging population. ry and the + Housing Affordability and Economic Displacement, Addressing the District's housing affordability crisis and the resulting displacement of DC residents (both long-term and new) should be among the ‘most important guiding principles for the Comprehensive Plan. The Plan should include a clear statement of principle to encourage changes to both public programs and private development to increase the supply and affordability of housing. © ANCSE supports innovative policies for addressing DC’s crisis in housing. For example: + DC should increase the floor on Inclusionary Zoning units from the current 8-10% to 25%, with 1/4 of such units set aside for 30% Median Family Income (MFI) residents, 1/4 for 50% MFI, 1/4 for 60% of MFI, and 1/4 for 80% MFI. + DC should emphasize development of family-sized units such as 3- and 4-bedroom units and ensure that no less than 20% of all affordable units within a given project are of such sizes. + The City should continue increasing the maximum allowable payable levels of rent payments to landlords/property managers under DC’s Housing Choice Voucher Program in more DC neighborhoods. In order to increase the willingness of landlords and property managers to accept housing vouchers and allow voucher recipients to remain in their changing neighborhoods, if recipients so desire. + AnAging Population. The Guiding Principles-and the entire Framework Element--do not focus enough on the District's aging population. Older residents are vital contributors to the fabric of our community. ANCSE residents would like to "age-in-place,” by staying in their homes or neighborhoods. Again, there should be a clear statement of principle that encourages public programs, Planned Unit Developments (PUDs), and by-right private development that allow older residents to remain in their neighborhood. ANCSE appreciates the efforts that the Office of Planning made to propose amendments to the Framework Element of the Comprehensive Plan. We look forward to reviewing its proposed changes to the other elements as well. We hope that when considering the proposed amendments, the DC Council will embrace the possibilities DC offers and focus on increasing housing affordability, improving education and the local economy, and allowing for District residents of all ages to benefit from what our city has to offer.~ Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5E www.aneSede.org THIS RESOLUTION came before ANCSE as its duly noticed Special Call Public Meeting on May 5, 2018, ANC SE is comprised of ten (10) Commissioners, the presence of six (6) of which constitutes a quorum. On May 5, 2018, with 6 Commissioners present, by a vote of 6 in favor, 0 opposed, and with 0 abstentions, ANC SE voted to adopt this resolution. 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