D.C.'s Reluctance To Update Building Height Limits
This column from The Washington Post examines the city's general opposition too revising its building height restrictions -- limits that have been in place for nearly 100 years.
"Whenever anyone suggests revisiting the District's building height limits, the almost universal response is that heights permitted by zoning laws are both sufficient and sacred."
"Let's face it: Washingtonians continue to believe strongly not only that height limits are sacrosanct, but also that any attempt to change them is heresy."
"Yet do we have to be so dogmatic and dismiss completely even the possibility of prudent height exceptions? Why assume that we are incapable of preserving the dominant low-rise character of Washington while allowing taller buildings in well-chosen places?"
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DC And Traditional Urban Design
The writer does not understand the fundamental principle of traditional urban design: there should be height limits on fabric buildings, but monuments and important public buildings should not be restricted by these height limits. Washington, DC, is the largest American city that has this sort of traditional skyline, and it should be preserved.
His criteria say nothing about the distinction between fabric buildings and public buildings: "location and community compatibility, topography, favorable views and view preservation, access to transit, road network sufficiency, and availability of public services."
Under these criteria, DC would end up with a skyline dominated by faceless office buildings and condo towers, like every other major American city.
Charles Siegel
DC and "Traditional" Urban Design
Granted DC has its charm with low rise buildings. But the reality of today is that is becoming a major metropolitan area with probably 100,000 people who work in the District each day.
Because land has become dear, low rise buildings = high cost living units -- $450K and up, and becoming more "up" each day. This has meant that one working in DC, earning $45-$50K a year finds it necessary to live in the suburbs and commute. The average commute time for the Metro is one the longest and most torturous, unpredictable in the nation -- 40 minutes, putting it in the top 10 of worst cities for commuting to work. Parking is almost impossible to find if one lives in the city, and if one does find a unit with parking, expect to pay $175 a month or more, $30 a day to park a car, equivalent to Manhattan.
Granted there is a decent Metro system, but nowhere near as efficient as other cities in which I've lived, NYC, Vancouver, BC for another. The Beltway and its network is a nightmare so that arriving to work on time is always an iffy proposition. Aggressive driving is par for the course. Even the rail, Marc, can run 40 minutes late. That is before one considers the pollution of gasoline, plus the escalating cost.
I see no virtue in low rise buildings, nor characterizing all skyscrapers as ugly or faceless. The Twin Towers in NY, the Honeywell Building in Bellevue, Washington, The Rainier Bldg in Seattle, the Space Needle, all top 500 feet and are attractive landmarks that contribute to the city.
Our forefathers who set these limits did not envision cars and heavy traffic that strangles the DC Metro, pollutes the environment, and makes crazy people out of those who must commute to the District.
DC is a truly lovely city, with views from the Potomac to the Chesapeake, verdant parks and our nation's most treasured monuments and public buildings. It is on its way to becoming Manhattan South -- for demand to work and live here. With proper planning, and kudos to the idea of finally considering a planning commission, the gorgeous vistas can be enjoyed from office to penthouse -- and it become a more livable place for all.
DC building height
not EveryOne has to work
downtown. There's' already too many chiefs and not enough good indians.
Achtung! for the Burbs, too, BRAC is going to bring tens of thousands more jobs to various suburbs of DC and Baltimore. Try THAT for traffic.
Hope you people have not been asleep at the switch.