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This is the start of Mayor Bowser's last year in office. As we launch new efforts, like a planning study for H Street NE, we're also going to be reflecting on what we've accomplished in the past 11+ years under the Mayor's leadership. Assessing how a place has changed over a course of a decade is valuable for understanding the impact of our work. This also helps guide our efforts as we push forward for continued progress.
Join us this year as DC Government finishes strong under Mayor Bowser by running through the tape!
Sincerely,
Anita Cozart
Director, DC Office of Planning
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We recently released the Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant Vision Framework for Public Realm Design, a planning study focused on improving the quality, comfort, and accessibility of public spaces in two distinct, multicultural neighborhoods.
Shaped by community input and coordination with District agencies, the framework reflects local needs and aspirations while supporting vibrant and inclusive environments. It will help inform future planning and investment decisions and guide continued collaboration with residents, community partners, and agencies. The framework lays out practical, place-specific strategies to improve streets, parks, plazas, and other public spaces so they are safer, more welcoming, and better support everyday life, local businesses, and community culture.
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An Interview With Radhika Mohan
At the end of December, we welcomed a new Deputy Director of Development, Design, and Preservation, Radhika Mohan. Read on to hear, in her own words, how she sees her role on the agency's leadership team and how her career has prepared her for it.
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Q: How do you view your role on the agency’s leadership team?
My role at OP is to manage the divisions that work closely on development-related projects and ensure that these projects are implementing larger citywide, comprehensive, and neighborhood-scaled planning policies. Sometimes this is called “current planning,” as opposed to “long-range planning,” which focuses on neighborhood plans and comprehensive plans. On the leadership team, that translates to providing insights and strategic direction to the team on immediate urban design, development, and historic preservation projects that have a great impact on the city and its growth.
Q: What excites you most about the agency’s work on zoning, historic preservation, and urban design?
Planning work often has long time horizons, 10, 15, 20 years and beyond. This position is unique because it is more immediate in timeframe and can lead to projects implemented within five years or even less. It is exciting to see the work of these teams having an immediate impact on the public realm and built environment.
I also love that this work involves direct contact with constituents and stakeholders. It is impactful to work with property owners on projects of all sizes from small additions to larger redevelopment sites. We get to play an important role in achieving their goals and dreams, whether it be growing in their home or developing new housing opportunities.
Q: What previous experiences prepared you to take on your new role?
I think all of my previous professional experiences have prepared me for this position. I have been lucky to work on all sides of design and development from positions with local government to design and housing advocacy. More recently, I have worked with a local development company on mixed use development and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit renovations and with one of the largest global architecture firms. These experiences were strategic as I always knew I would find my way back to local government. And this time around, I am armed with the different perspectives that each of these experiences has taught me. I can come to the table to problem solve with applicants knowing the challenges they may face as a developer or property owner.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of DC’s built environment?
Largely, it's the streets and public realm. Whenever I travel, which is not as much as I would like these days, I am always grateful to return home to the streets and large trees of DC. I love to run and walk and that allows me to have a very intimate relationship with the pedestrian environment. I can run the same route every week and I notice something different and unique each time. And what is amazing is it changes with each stage of life too. As a young mother, I was very aware of the good walking streets in my neighborhood—where it was easier to take a stroller or quieter for a younger child learning to ride a bike. And now, it’s learning to challenge myself by finding streets with good hills to train on!
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We're excited to announce that OP received a $75,000 grant from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Housing Affordability Planning Program. With this funding, we will evaluate the District’s Inclusionary Zoning Plus (IZ+) program, which was introduced in 2021 to require a higher set-aside of affordable housing when there is an amendment to the zoning map. We've received feedback that IZ+ may make it more difficult for housing projects to advance, especially in challenging market conditions. The District will use findings from this study to assess the program design of IZ+ and recommend market-sensitive adjustments to support more housing construction.
Here's what Director Cozart had to say about the award: “We’re grateful for this grant, which will allow us to study our Inclusionary Zoning program. By working with District agencies, community groups, developers, and residents, this research will lead to more affordable housing across every ward.”
In December, we held a virtual workshop for our Designing Queer Futures project, which aims to promote more inclusive, queer-affirming public space in DC. Guest facilitators joined us to share their expertise and lead small-group discussions, including Cesar Toledo, Executive Director of the Wanda Alston Foundation, Finn Vigeland, Senior Transportation planner at Foursquare ITP, Courtney Snowden, Founder and President of the Blueprint Strategy Group, and Wes Morrison, Federal Communications Commission of the Age-Friendly DC Task Force.
Watch the recorded session online, and contact us at planning@dc.gov if you'd like to be involved in this project.
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Earlier this month, Director Cozart wrote an article for Greater Greater Washington, explaining a series of zoning initiatives we have led for two major corridors in Ward 3: Tenleytown and Friendship Heights along Wisconsin Avenue NW and the Cleveland Park and Woodley Park neighborhoods on Connecticut Avenue NW.
Read the article to learn about why we put forth these proposed changes and what we think they will achieve.
Learn more and get involved in our community planning projects:
Join us at the following events where OP staff will be available to answer questions and share information about our work:
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