CPHS is closely tracking proposed zoning changes affecting our neighborhood’s commercial corridor within the historic district. Our goal is to keep our members and neighborhood residents informed and to support meaningful community engagement on issues shaping Cleveland Park’s future.
We support thoughtful growth and the expansion of affordable housing and believe historic districts must contribute to a more diverse and inclusive city. However, CPHS has raised significant concerns about the Office of Planning’s proposed rezoning in Zoning Commission Case 25-09. That proposal would allow building heights of up to seven stories plus penthouses. At a December hearing, CPHS urged a more moderate approach, recommending a maximum of five stories — still allowing for additional housing, including affordable units, while better respecting the scale and character of the historic district. We also emphasized the need for clear, enforceable zoning standards. The current proposal lacks key tools such as setbacks and stepdowns to ensure appropriate transitions to nearby lower-scale buildings. While the Office of Planning suggests these issues could be addressed case by case through the Historic Preservation Review Board, we believe predictable, uniform zoning rules are essential. In addition, we raised concerns about infrastructure, including utilities, sewage, and parking. These issues should be addressed upfront through zoning, not left to individual developers. In February, CPHS testified at a DC Council oversight hearing, questioning whether the proposal aligns with the District’s Comprehensive Plan, which emphasizes that maximum density is not always appropriate and that zoning must reflect neighborhood context. We have also called for greater transparency, including clearer data on expected affordable housing outcomes. Finally, CPHS objected to the Zoning Commission’s initial decision to close the public record before all relevant information was submitted. Along with others — including Ward 3 Councilmember Matt Frumin, but not, unfortunately, our local ANC3C — we urged the Commission to reopen the case, and it did. CPHS submitted written testimony on the reopened record at the end of March. As of press time, the Commission has not announced when it will make a final decision.