NCPC - National Capital Planning Commission
09/06/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/06/2024 13:52
NCPC Approves Final Rock Creek Park Golf Course Rehabilitation Plans
At its September 5, 2024 meeting the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) approved final site and building plans submitted by the National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with National Links Trust, to rehabilitate the Rock Creek Park Golf Course. Located on the east side of Rock Creek Park at the intersection of Military Road and 16th Street, NW, the approximately 100-acre course constructed between 1921-1927 currently has an 18-hole parkland style golf course (although not all holes are playable) and an outdated clubhouse.
The National Park Service hired the not-for-profit National Links Trust to operate and renovate its three public courses in Washington (the others are Langston Golf Course at Anacostia Park and East Potomac Golf Course at Hains Point). The Rock Creek Park course is in the worst shape with encroachment of trees on the course, weedy greens, and bare fairways and will be the first to be renovated. Plans seek to make the course more appealing to golfers of various skills and backgrounds and address deferred maintenance. Details include development of a nine-hole regulation course, a shorter nine-hole par-3 course, a driving range, new clubhouse, and support facilities.
The Commission's decision followed more than six hours of public testimony. Commissioners appreciated the thoughtful and passionate comments provided, both in support and in opposition, that all reflected how deeply the community cares about the site. Much of the project's criticism relates to the need to remove trees to make the course more playable and the lighting for certain components like the driving range. Supporters highlighted the poor condition of the course, the need for improvements, and the opportunities for expanded community programming. Commissioners determined it was necessary to remove the trees that have grown onto the course due to decades of deferred maintenance to make the course playable. They noted that the current design has less tree removal than was originally proposed and that for every healthy, native species tree removed three new ones will be planted.
Commissioners commended the National Park Service for holding 15 public meetings regarding the project, following NCPC's request at its May meeting, and for updating the original plans based upon public input received. They also commended NPS for working with a consultant team to develop the least impactful lighting plan possible. Commissioners thought the renovated clubhouse and new driving range and putting green would be great amenities for the community.
The Commission approved preliminary and final site development plans for Little Falls Parkway Improvements referred to NCPC by the Montgomery Parks Department under the Capper Cramton Act. NCPC's review authority under the Capper Cramton Act is limited to determining whether the physical improvements are consistent with a park purpose.
The project would reconfigure a 0.4-mile section of Little Falls Parkway between Arlington Road and Dorset Avenue in Bethesda, Maryland from a permanent four-lane, median-divided roadway into a one with two vehicular lanes (separated by a grassy median), new emergency vehicle access, and new protected bicycle/pedestrian lanes. The project's goal is to improve safety and reduce potential accidents between cars and pedestrians/cyclists. Little Falls Parkway was constructed in the late 1950's.
The Commission approved reports on two cases referred by the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia. NCPC has an advisory role on Zoning Commission referrals and reviews them only for potential impacts to the federal interest.
The first case is a proposed Map Amendment from MU-4 to MU-10 at Square 175, Lots 826 and 827 located at the northeast corner of 17th and U Streets, NW. It is owned by the District of Columbia government and is currently occupied by a police and fire station. The map amendment allows new development, including market rate and affordable housing, as well as replacement facilities for the police and fire stations.
The second is proposed Text and Map Amendments to Create the Chevy Chase Neighborhood Mixed Use Zones on Connecticut Avenue, NW between Chevy Chase Circle, NW and Livingston Street, NW. The change would increase allowable density on the properties that currently include the Chevy Chase Library and Chevy Chase Community Center. In both cases, the Commission determined that no federal interest would be impacted.
Commission actions and related materials are available online.
The Commission approved two items on the Consent Calendar (no presentations were made). Unless otherwise noted, the projects are in Washington, DC.
1. Preliminary and final building plans for the Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building Verizon Antenna Modifications, 1900 E Street, NW. (8573)
2. Preliminary site and building plans for the Malcolm X Elementary School Modernization, 1500 Mississippi Avenue, SE. (8579)
The Executive Director approved three items under authority delegated by the Commission. Unless otherwise noted, the projects are in Washington, DC.
1. Preliminary site and building plans for the Jelleff Recreation Center Modernization, 3265 S Street, NW. (8576)
2. Final site and building plans for the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit Station, Richmond Highway and Belvoir Road, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. (8494)
3. Report to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia for the Map Amendment from RF-1 to RA-2 at Square 1088, Lot 802, 261 17th Street, SE. (ZC 23-23)
The National Park Service hired the not-for-profit National Links Trust to operate and renovate its three public courses in Washington (the others are Langston Golf Course at Anacostia Park and East Potomac Golf Course at Hains Point). The Rock Creek Park course is in the worst shape with encroachment of trees on the course, weedy greens, and bare fairways and will be the first to be renovated. Plans seek to make the course more appealing to golfers of various skills and backgrounds and address deferred maintenance. Details include development of a nine-hole regulation course, a shorter nine-hole par-3 course, a driving range, new clubhouse, and support facilities.
The Commission's decision followed more than six hours of public testimony. Commissioners appreciated the thoughtful and passionate comments provided, both in support and in opposition, that all reflected how deeply the community cares about the site. Much of the project's criticism relates to the need to remove trees to make the course more playable and the lighting for certain components like the driving range. Supporters highlighted the poor condition of the course, the need for improvements, and the opportunities for expanded community programming. Commissioners determined it was necessary to remove the trees that have grown onto the course due to decades of deferred maintenance to make the course playable. They noted that the current design has less tree removal than was originally proposed and that for every healthy, native species tree removed three new ones will be planted.
Commissioners commended the National Park Service for holding 15 public meetings regarding the project, following NCPC's request at its May meeting, and for updating the original plans based upon public input received. They also commended NPS for working with a consultant team to develop the least impactful lighting plan possible. Commissioners thought the renovated clubhouse and new driving range and putting green would be great amenities for the community.
The Commission approved preliminary and final site development plans for Little Falls Parkway Improvements referred to NCPC by the Montgomery Parks Department under the Capper Cramton Act. NCPC's review authority under the Capper Cramton Act is limited to determining whether the physical improvements are consistent with a park purpose.
The project would reconfigure a 0.4-mile section of Little Falls Parkway between Arlington Road and Dorset Avenue in Bethesda, Maryland from a permanent four-lane, median-divided roadway into a one with two vehicular lanes (separated by a grassy median), new emergency vehicle access, and new protected bicycle/pedestrian lanes. The project's goal is to improve safety and reduce potential accidents between cars and pedestrians/cyclists. Little Falls Parkway was constructed in the late 1950's.
The Commission approved reports on two cases referred by the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia. NCPC has an advisory role on Zoning Commission referrals and reviews them only for potential impacts to the federal interest.
The first case is a proposed Map Amendment from MU-4 to MU-10 at Square 175, Lots 826 and 827 located at the northeast corner of 17th and U Streets, NW. It is owned by the District of Columbia government and is currently occupied by a police and fire station. The map amendment allows new development, including market rate and affordable housing, as well as replacement facilities for the police and fire stations.
The second is proposed Text and Map Amendments to Create the Chevy Chase Neighborhood Mixed Use Zones on Connecticut Avenue, NW between Chevy Chase Circle, NW and Livingston Street, NW. The change would increase allowable density on the properties that currently include the Chevy Chase Library and Chevy Chase Community Center. In both cases, the Commission determined that no federal interest would be impacted.
Commission actions and related materials are available online.
The Commission approved two items on the Consent Calendar (no presentations were made). Unless otherwise noted, the projects are in Washington, DC.
1. Preliminary and final building plans for the Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building Verizon Antenna Modifications, 1900 E Street, NW. (8573)
2. Preliminary site and building plans for the Malcolm X Elementary School Modernization, 1500 Mississippi Avenue, SE. (8579)
The Executive Director approved three items under authority delegated by the Commission. Unless otherwise noted, the projects are in Washington, DC.
1. Preliminary site and building plans for the Jelleff Recreation Center Modernization, 3265 S Street, NW. (8576)
2. Final site and building plans for the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit Station, Richmond Highway and Belvoir Road, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. (8494)
3. Report to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia for the Map Amendment from RF-1 to RA-2 at Square 1088, Lot 802, 261 17th Street, SE. (ZC 23-23)