DC 2050 FLUM MEMO

MEMORANDUM
TO: Director, District of Columbia Office of Planning
FROM: Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 5A
DATE: June 13, 2026
SUBJECT: Official Opposition to Proposed FLUM Amendment for Change Area 5.1 (North
Michigan Park)

1. Purpose
   This memorandum serves as the official position of ANC 5A regarding the Office of Planning’s
   current proposal to amend the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) within Change Area 5.1. The
   Office of Planning seeks to up-FLUM a specific section of North Michigan Park—bounded by
   Gallatin Street NE to the north, Emerson Street/8th Street NE to the south, the salt dome to
   the west, and South Dakota Avenue NE to the east—from low-scale residential to
   moderate-scale residential.
   Please be advised that ANC 5A, with particular emphasis on Single Member District (SMD)
   5A09, does not support this proposed amendment.

2. Grounds for Opposition
   ANC 5A objects to the proposed up-FLUM designation based on the following critical
   considerations:
   • Preservation of Established Community Character: With the sole exception of the
     Cafritz development north of Galloway Street, every housing development
     constructed within this area over the last 30 years has consisted exclusively of
     single-family homes. Introducing multi-family apartment buildings would represent
     a jarring departure from the established architectural and social fabric of this
     neighborhood.
   • Incompatible Density: The foundational identity of North Michigan Park is rooted in
     low-density, single-family zoning. While the Commission firmly supports thoughtful urban growth and new housing development, replacing existing single-family areas with high-density apartment complexes is an inappropriate approach for this specific pocket of the District. Less disruptive housing alternatives exist that can achieve growth without compromising the area’s current scale.
   • Height and Contextual Limitations: The Commission strongly believes that high-density, four-story residential units should be restricted to existing commercial corridors. The residential boundaries of Change Area 5.1 should not be subjected to zoning changes that permit structures significantly taller than the surrounding housing stock.

Conclusion & Recommendation
While ANC 5A remains committed to collaborating on sustainable development, we urge the
Office of Planning to maintain the current low-scale residential FLUM designation for Change
Area 5.1 to protect the character and stability of the North Michigan Park community.
Thank you for your time and careful consideration of the Commission’s feedback.

ON BEHALF OF THE FOLLOWING COMMISSIONERS
Valeria Sosa Garnica (5A07), Emily Lucio (5A03), Shelagh Bocoum (5A09)