(Updated to include new site renderings, add the June ANC meeting video and correct the number of protected heritage trees from five to two.)
Five townhouses and one detached home would be added to the grounds of 3101 Albemarle Street under plans presented at the Tuesday, June 20th meeting of ANC 3F.
Father-and-son team P.G. and Bobby Gottfried purchased the former Polish ambassador’s residence in February. With their support, the property including the main stone house, the existing driveway and land to the east of the front driveway from Albemarle, including the pond area, was recently awarded historic landmark status. All of that would be preserved.
Under the plan presented to ANC 3F by Bobby Gottfried, a three-townhouse complex would face Albemarle Street to the west of the driveway.
On the Appleton side of the property, the Gottfrieds plan a two-townhouse complex to the west of the driveway and a three-story detached home to the east.
In between the two townhouse complexes, a park-like area with a walk in entrance from 32nd Street NW would protect two heritage trees.
Because this development requires higher density housing than zoning allows in this area, the Gottfriends must go before the Zoning Commission for a a planned unit development, or PUD. The DC Office of Zoning website explains: “The purpose of the PUD process is to provide for higher quality development through flexibility in building controls, including height and density, provided that the resulting development is superior to what would result from a matter-of-right development, offer a commendable number or quality of meaningful public benefits, and protect and advance the public health, safety, welfare, and convenience, and is not inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan.”
Bobby Gottfried explained they will formally serve a written notice of intent to file a PUD to all neighbors within 200 feet of the property and to ANC 3F within a 45-day period. After that 45 days, they can file the PUD application. The Gottfrieds have already been meeting with the Office of Planning and Historic Review Board to discuss these plans. A sidewalk on 32nd Street and better lighting will be included as proposed public benefits – a part of all PUDs. The total benefits package is still being worked out. The Gottfrieds expect to break ground in January and February of 2018.
Two next-door neighbors came to register their concerns about stormwater runoff from the property. One has had ongoing problems with water seeping into her house. Gottfried assured them this would be addressed. A third neighbor, from Ellicott Street, liked the denser development. He hoped it would mean greater affordability and enable him to buy a house in the neighborhood.