BNCA Meeting Minutes
January 16, 2024
Zoom Virtual Meeting
Treasurer’s Report – Joe Miller, Treasurer
Discussion with Zachary Parker, Ward 5 Councilman – Proposed Development at Brookland/CUA Metro Station
The BNCA and Council Member Zachary Parker co-hosted a meeting to gather and discuss community input on future development at the Brookland-CUA Metro Station. The Council Member’s staff began by giving an overview of the map amendment and Planned Unit Development processes.
The Council Member asked BNCA members to provide input on two questions:
- Which do you prefer – Map amendment or PUD?
- What community benefits would you want?
Community members posed questions and provided input (see comments below). The BNCA will continue to gather input to share with the Council Member. The Recording and Slides from the meeting are linked here.
Community comments:
- BNCA priorities:
- Focusing on affordability of the housing and development of the area
- Look holistically at all developments in Brookland
- Parker:
- Researching other tax abated projects outside the district to see how this could be structured best for the district and the residents
- Zoning change needs to be consistent with comprehensive plan
- Community members raised concerns around the increase in rat population recently
- Due to construction and district is looking into this issue
- Michigan Ave & 10th St intersection is not very safe for pedestrians and we would appreciate improvements to this
- Community members raised concerns about an increase in parking spots leading to an increase in cars in the neighborhood
- Is there data available on how this works?
- Councilman does not want that to be a deterrent to affordable housing expansion
- Will schools be prioritized to receive benefits from these development agreements
- YES from Parker – Scholarship programs, enhancement programs, donation programs
- Councilmember does not foresee an increase to taxes as a result of these developments
- Community members raised concerns about vacancies, but developers have responded that they would not start construction if they did not believe they could fill the building
- Retail space in the area has remained empty in some of the newer developments because the rents are so high
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