Proposed Zoning Changes
The Rhode Island Avenue Planning Study (RIAPS), published in November 2025, includes recommendations to strengthen the corridor’s role as a mixed-use, neighborhood-serving community; improve the pedestrian environment and public realm; identify strategies to satisfy unmet needs of residents and support local businesses; and identify strategic redevelopment opportunities to catalyze future investments. To achieve these objectives, RIAPS identified three focus areas, or catalytic nodes, along the 1.7-mile stretch of Rhode Island Avenue NE between 13th Street NE and Eastern Avenue NE, that have the potential to strengthen corridor vibrancy.
Node 1 is located on the western portion of the RIAPS study area, between 13th and 16th Streets. The RIAPS includes four recommendations for Node 1, including amending the zoning from the current MU-4 zone to MU-5 or MU-7, consistent with the Comprehensive Plan's Future Land Use Map, to allow for more flexibility and mix of uses, opportunity for increased density, and taller building heights up to 6-7 stories. For general descriptions of each zone, please visit the DC Zoning Handbook.
Public Engagement and Next Steps
The Office of Planning (OP) will continue to meet with ANCs and other impacted and interested community groups and property owners to solicit their feedback. In the fall of 2026, OP anticipates taking this petition to the Zoning Commission for a public meeting hearing (date to be determined) where the Commission will determine if the petition should be set down for a public hearing.
See below for previous and upcoming OP outreach.
- ANC 5C Public Meeting - June 11, 2026
- Rhode Island Avenue Task Force - August 11, 2026
- ANC 5B Public Meeting - September 16, 2026
Contact Information
Contact the project case manager, Shepard Beamon at [email protected].