CRESTWOOD THEMES: Unity as a Neighborhood
Conservation and Preservation of our Residential Low Density Housing
Our Safety (crime reduction)
Our Health,
Crestwood Beautification
Taxes and Fiscal Accountability
Transportation (Roads and Infrastructure)
Environmental Protection
Access to Quality Public Education (Powell Elementary, Deal and Wilson)
Homeowner Rights and Protections and Due Process.

POLICIES, PRIORITIES AND ACTIONS

Crestwood General Policies

The following general policies, priorities and action should guide growth and neighborhood conservation and design in Crestwood, and may be applicable to adjacent “Crestwood North” /Carter Barron East, which are the adjacent neighborhoods to the north and west. These policies and actions should be considered in tandem with those in the citywide elements of the Comprehensive Plan.

Policy 1 – Neighborhood Conservation

Retain and reinforce the historic family-friendly, welcoming character of Crestwood, particularly its R1 single family detached homes and its current green space requirements (that include the set back and set aside FAR requirements, density, height and light requirements). The area’s rich architectural heritage and relationship and proximity to Rock Creek Park, which is a national park, should be protected and enhanced.

Policy 2 – Directing New Growth

To the extent that there is a demonstrated need for new development in Crestwood, “Crestwood North” (Rock Creek) or Carter Barron East, align the new development along the transit-oriented corridor on the adjacent blocks near 16th Street. Allow 17th Street to continue to serve as the buffer. Consider the possibility of adding appropriate opportunities for appropriate neighborhood retail as may be requested by the neighborhood. In addition, consider the addition of a senior serving health care facility or the addition of a new elementary school by the year 2025.

Policy 3 – Rehabilitate Existing Housing

Encourage the reuse of any vacant embassies, chanceries or vacant housing for rehabilitation for the benefit of the Crestwood or “Crestwood North” neighborhoods. Encourage the city (DC) to retain any properties captured via tax sales or abandonment. In other words, keep surplus properties for use as affordable housing for service providers, emergency service personnel, teachers, medical staff and others who work for DC residents. This will allow DC to have the benefit of having the people who work in DC actually live in DC – rather than living elsewhere and DC loses the income tax (because DC cannot tax those who live outside of DC).

Policy 4 – Keep Low Density Residential Character

Preserve the current number of housing units authorized for Crestwood, “Crestwood North”, North Portal Estates and Colonial Village, which are currently part of the designated Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4A08 as of August 2006. Maintain the current density (the number of housing units). The only exception would be for owner occupied, legally compliant accessory apartments (English basements) and those built by November, 2006. Keep the number of no more than 6 unrelated individuals per household for the designation of a “family”, as is the current law.

Provide for the stability and maintenance of residential neighborhoods, like 16th Street Heights, Carter Barron East, Rock Creek, as well as Crestwood and Shepherd Park (as is currently provided in 1530.1(b) of current plan. Also see 15-32 and 1525.3. The current comp plan also requires the city to protect and enhance existing residential neighborhoods.

Policy 5 – Keep diversity by assisting current homeowners to be able to afford to stay

Encourage and reward owner-occupied housing with tax incentives, school credits and access to low interest rehabilitation laws. Help current residents afford to stay by providing tax credits, deferments and school credits and legal accessory apartments. Assist elders who are struggling to keep their houses or who are caring for grandchildren through credits, assistance and support.

Policy 6 - Continue to serve as stewards and work in partnership with Rock Creek Park

Encourage cooperation between residents and the National Park Service, Fine Arts Commission and Rock Creek Park specifically. Improve Crestwood’s access from the neighborhoods to historic zone 10, Rock Creek Park. With the National Park Service to improve pedestrian and stroller access to the National Park along Blagden Avenue and via safe walking trails to get access to the Red Line Metro (Van Ness and Cleveland Park). Raise awareness about the Park’s historic significance.

Policy 7 – Neighborhood Greening

Undertake neighborhood greening and planting projects in Crestwood, particularly along the Point and along the major cross streets in NW DC in Crestwood like Shepherd Street, Argyle Terrace, Upshur Street and Blagden Avenue. Support efforts of the Crestwood Citizens Association to raise awareness about native plants and to eradicate or reduce invasive plants.

Policy 8 - Conservation District

Consider design standards and review procedures that are less stringent than the Historic district but which strive for compatibility with the existing architectural scale and design already “on the ground” New housing starts would conform the building scale, mass, and height conditions. Avoid new housings being added. Unit by unit replacement. In other words, two houses cannot be demolished and replaced with 5 replacement units.

Policy 9 - Libraries

Upgrade and maintain our neighborhood -serving libraries at Mount Pleasant, Petworth and at Cleveland Park.

Policy 10 – Support the neighborhood serving public schools

Encourage the city to take the steps needed to foster a quality education that prepares DC’s youths for the jobs in the city. We note that Crestwood does not have any public school within its physical boundaries – meaning there is no public school in Crestwood. However, Crestwood’s designated public elementary school is Powell Elementary, which is located two communities over at 14th and Upshur Streets, N.W. The assigned middle school is Deal and the assigned high school is Wilson High School. We need access to quality education, including the new magnet schools built at 16th and Irving. Encourage residents to actively help facilitate a quality education. It benefits the community generally. In addition, seek access to the new middle school at 16th and Irving and encourage tax credits for those who are homeowners but pay for the education of their children within DC.

Policy 11 – Maintain the inventory of public streets and provide an efficient transportation network that serves all of us.

Keep the dedicated roads open to public vehicular use (dedicated public use). Require any proposed changes to the public use to continue to go through the city’s DC Code Street and Alley closing provisions. Provide for adequate resident and municipal parking and effectively address the gridlock.

Policy 12 - Correct the cluster designation for Crestwood.

Restore Crestwood and “Crestwood North (Carter Barron)” alignment with the neighborhoods west of 16th Street. Under the current comprehensive plan, Crestwood was aligned with Colonial Village and North Portal Estates. Unite the Park Side Corridor by preserving Neighborhood Integrity for Crestwood, Rock Creek, Carter Barron East, North Portal Estates and Colonial Village. These communities are predominantly low density, residential areas and need to be clustered together for planning purposes.

Just as “Mid-City” recognizes the benefits of developing and retaining the existing neighborhood’s distinct identities for segments along Georgia Avenue (Park View, Park Morton, Howard U. and Uptown), the same should apply for the neighborhoods along 16th Street. Continue to recognize that the neighborhood of Crestwood is not “Crestwood North” or Carter Barron East. Crestwood should continue to be clustered with Colonial Village. Recognize that Crestwood and Carter Barron, North Portal and Colonial Village are distinct neighborhoods that lie on the west side of 16th Street and are east of Connecticut Avenue. They should be part of the same cluster and each of the single member 4A ANC districts should be together and not fractured.

Policy 13 – Foster Crestwood Design Improvements

Upgrade the visual quality of the neighborhood through urban design and public space enhancements, including tree planting, removal of non-native invasive plants and trees, upgrading of existing public green space, addition of a Kiosk and appropriate signage to establish a stronger identity and cohesiveness in the neighborhood of Crestwood.

Policy 14 – Protect and preserve existing neighborhoods and Neighborhood Anchors

Rock Creek Park (Historic District Number 10)

Historic churches along 16th Street (like Grace Lutheran Church and 19th Street Baptist)

Historic 16th Street as an Historic Boulevard (add historic markers along 16th Street)

Conduct an historical survey to identify potential historic buildings in Crestwood, Crestwood North [Rock Creek/Carter Barron]) and along 16th Street from 16th and Columbia to 16th and Missouri Avenues, N.W.)

Policy 15 – Streamline DC Permit Process

Provide residents with a pocket guide of all of the DC laws, regulations that address the permit process and what is required to be in compliance with the laws and municipal and park regulations, including the Fine Arts Commission

Policy 16 – Minimize Sewer Overflows and Improve Water Quality

Minimize overflows of untreated sewage and other contaminants from the combined sewer and storm drain systems. Implement and maintain the necessary fixes to have an effective, reliable means to control storm drain run-offs and remove solid waste and dispose of sludge (See Ward 6 plan 1710.1(a) calls for similar action).

Policy 17 – Address Leaking Underground Storage Tanks

Fix them. Within ½ mile of Crestwood and Mount Pleasant are more than 40 leaking underground storage tanks.

Policy 18 – Have an effective Emergency Preparedness Plan

The city needs a plan to address the 18 environmental hazards. Urban crime and flooding were both listed on the hazards impacting our neighborhood. Several impact Crestwood and Crestwood North, and Carter Barron and 16th Street Heights.

Policy 19 – Enforce Traffic Laws and Code Regulations

Enforce parking restrictions and make it easier for owner-occupied residents to obtain sufficient free parking licenses for their household needs.

Policy 20 – Require accountability for the closing or blockage of public roads.

Keep Beach Drive open. Fix Broad Branch. Restore Klingle Road

Outcomes

1. Infrastructure – Water quality improved. Combined storm Sewer project completed. Roads repaired and inventory of existing roads preserved
2. Reduction in crime
3. Improved access to quality education and assistance to designated public school
4. Tax relief for homeowners
5. Emergency Preparedness plan in place, along with buddy system for elders
6. Native Plant Demonstration project underway and Beautification.
7. Partnership with Rock Creek Park that results in greater awareness of the history of Rock Creek Park, less dumping of litter, less crime and greater enjoyment of the park by Crestwood residents
8. Preservation of existing housing zoning (R1 and R2), along with
9. Historic anchors identified, preserved and supported.
10. Greater civic participation so that residents have a say in the future of the neighborhood, the city and how their tax dollars are spent.
11. Better public health and welfare (reduce the cancer rate in Ward 4).