Zoning commission approves Harrison Wisconsin PUD, citing affordable-housing commitments and environmental documents

The District of Columbia Zoning Commission voted 5-0 on Sept. 11, 2025, to approve final action in case 24-12, Harrison Wisconsin Owner LLC consolidated PUD and related map amendment for property at 4201 Garrison Street NW in Square 1666, Lot 810 and a portion of Lot 809. Chair Anthony Hood presided.

Commissioners said the project’s most significant public benefits are its affordable-housing commitments and the applicant’s environmental and design submissions. Vice Chair Miller noted the applicant committed to making 126 units affordable, which he described as "more than a third" of the building’s units, and said the project would transform a surface parking lot and replace an existing television tower on the site.

Commissioners and Office of Planning staff reviewed documents the applicant filed after the July public hearing, including a shadow study (Exhibit 88a), an updated LEED/environmental submission (Exhibit 88b) and a memorandum of understanding the commission will reference in its order. Staff told the commission that the case had been referred to the National Capital Planning Commission for a 30-day comment period and that NCPC staff filed a letter noting the project falls under an exemption in Chapter 8 of the NCPC Submission Guidelines (Exhibit 93). The Office of Planning also submitted revisions to its hearing report (see Exhibit 87).

During deliberations commissioners acknowledged neighborhood opposition and asked whether submitted materials addressed concerns. Chair Hood and others said they had reviewed the shadow studies and related submissions and raised no outstanding technical questions. Vice Chair Miller said the applicant’s response clarified financing and other issues the community had raised. Commissioner Wright and others praised design elements and said the project would contribute to revitalization of the Wisconsin Avenue corridor.

The commission asked whether the applicant should prepare a summary order; staff asked if the applicant would work with the Office of Zoning Legal Division to provide that document. The applicant’s representative agreed to coordinate with OZLD.

Staff recorded the roll-call vote as 5-0-0 to approve case 24-12 for final action.

The commission’s order will reference the material filed at the hearing and post-hearing exhibits and the MOU; it will not attempt to re-litigate commitments that the MOU is intended to memorialize.

For the record: the commission opened the meeting from a previously noticed closed session for legal advice pursuant to D.C. Official Code cited at the start of the meeting and proceeded with the open hearing.

Less critical details: the record includes the applicant’s proffers submitted July 21 and a draft order submitted Aug. 18; NCPC and Office of Planning exhibits cited above remain in the project record.