Transportation Commission backs 19‑story 2015 Street North site plan and vacates right‑of‑way; recommendation passes unanimously

The Transportation Commission on May 28 recommended County Board approval of a major site plan amendment for 2015 Street North that would replace an existing office building with a 19‑story residential building containing 394 dwelling units, a three‑level parking garage with 269 spaces, and a publicly accessible midblock pedestrian connection.

Sergio V Coacha, the county principal planner for the application, summarized staff’s review and recommended that the commission support the amendment. The application requests zoning modifications including bonus density earned through the site plan process, reduced residential parking rates and other adjustments. Coacha said the project proposes 192 bicycle parking spaces and committed affordable housing units under the zoning ordinance. Kendrick Whitmore, the applicant’s land‑use attorney, described circulation and pedestrian improvements and said the project would reduce curb cuts along 15th Street and consolidate loading and garage access on North Taft Street.

The commission approved two motions recommended in the staff materials: (1) adopt the attached ordinance amendment to permit construction of up to 394 dwelling units at 2015 Street North with the listed modifications and conditions; and (2) find that the proposed vacation for public street and utility purposes is substantially in accord with the master transportation plan. Chair Mr. Moratovich moved the first recommendation and a commissioner seconded; a roll‑call recorded unanimous support. Commissioners present each recorded "I" on both motions.

Why it matters: The project replaces underused office space on an RB corridor block near the Courthouse Metro station with new housing, pedestrian connections and bicycle parking. Staff said the proposal is consistent with the Courthouse sector plan and associated addendum and highlighted the midblock pedestrian linkage called for in the sector plan.

What’s next: The application proceeds to the Planning Commission and the Housing Commission for their meetings on June 3 and June 4, respectively, and is scheduled for a County Board public hearing in mid‑June.