Closing of a Portion of a Public Alley in Square 3524, S.O. 23-06402, Act of 2025

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Phil Mendelson

Authorizes closing a dead-end public alley segment to enable a 27-unit multifamily development with 3 affordable units, subject to DDOT conditions and official file approvals.

Law L26-0088, Effective from Feb 03, 2026 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 002678

Main purpose

Authorize the closure of a dead‑end portion of a 20‑foot‑wide public alley in Square 3524 (bounded by Lincoln Road NE, R Street NE, and 1st Street NE, Ward 5; Surveyor’s Order S.O. 23‑06402) so the alley segment can be incorporated into an adjacent development site. The Council found the alley segment unnecessary for alley purposes and ordered it closed.

Key provisions and requirements

Orders the closure of the specified alley portion and provides that title vests as shown on the Surveyor’s plat (standard street/alley closing process under the Street and Alley Closing and Acquisition Procedures Act of 1982).

Conditions the effective ordering of the closure on satisfaction of conditions in the official S.O. 23‑06402 file, notably the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) conditions described below.

Council adopted the committee fiscal impact statement as required.

Enacted as A26‑0206 (signed by the Mayor on November 24, 2025); effective after mayoral approval and a 30‑day congressional review period per the Home Rule Act.

Development enabled by the closure (project details)

Applicant: Brian Brown / Eckington Mews LLC (owner of Lots 52, 53, 800, 802, 803; plat shows reversion to Lot 53).

Project: a single three‑story multifamily building designed and operated as 16 for‑sale rowhomes comprising 27 total residential units (some two‑unit townhouses and single‑family homes). Approx. 22,940 sq ft site area.

Affordable requirement: 3 rowhomes restricted to households at or below 60% of median family income (MFI).

Parking & amenities: 13 automobile parking spaces (accessed via the remaining public alley), 13 long‑term and 12 short‑term bicycle spaces, landscaped pedestrian way, private gardens, roof terraces with solar canopies; max height ~34 ft; density ~1.84 FAR.

Zoning: Planned Unit Development (Zoning Commission Order No. 23‑24 approved Sept. 12, 2024).

Conditions and agency positions

DDOT required (and the Act conditions closure on) satisfaction of: (a) payment of $4,265 to DDOT (cost to remove existing alley streetlighting), and (b) approval of a Tree Protection Plan or tree removal permit for a Special Tree within the closure area. These conditions were documented in the S.O. file and referenced in the committee print.

Other agency responses: Office of Planning (no objection), Historic Preservation Office (no comment), NCPC (exempt), DHCD (support), Solid Waste Management (no objection), Fire & EMS (no objection).

ANC 5F submitted a resolution supporting the application.

Who is affected

The Applicant/developer (consolidation of lots and site control).

Adjacent property owners (title vests to abutting owners as shown on the plat).

Users of the closed alley segment (public right‑of‑way ceases for that portion).

DDOT and other District agencies (responsible for satisfied conditions, streetlight removal, tree protections).

Future residents of the 27 units (including 3 affordable units).

Procedural/timeline highlights

Introduced: June 27, 2025 (by Chairman Mendelson at Mayor’s request).

Public hearing: Oct. 8, 2025 (Committee of the Whole).

Committee report (favorable with amendments): Oct. 21, 2025.

Final Council reading: Nov. 4, 2025.

Transmitted to Mayor: Nov. 17, 2025.

Signed/enacted as A26‑0206: Nov. 24, 2025. Returned from Mayor: Nov. 25, 2025.

Effective after mayoral approval and 30‑day congressional review (per Home Rule Act).

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