April 2013 Minutes

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E

Public Meeting

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E convened at the RH Terrell Recreation Center, 155 L Street, N.W., Washington, DC, on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.   Chair Rachelle P. Nigro presided.

Present:

Rachelle P. Nigro, Chair, ANC 6E04

Alexander M. Padro, Vice Chair, ANC 6E01

Marge Maceda, Secretary, ANC 6E05

Kevin L. Chapple, Treasurer, ANC 6E02

Frank S. Wiggins, ANC 6E03

Alfreda S. Judd, ANC 6E07 (arrived at 6:49 p.m.)

1. I.              CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

   The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.  The roll was called and the presence of a quorum was noted.

2. II.            APPROVAL OF AGENDA

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Maceda seconded that the Agenda be approved as amended with the addition of “Treasurer’s Report” following “Approval of Expenses.”  The Motion passed unanimously, 5 – 0 – 0.

3. III.           PSA 308 REPORT:  METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

   Officer Ford of Police Service Area 308 reported on crime activity in the area for the period March 1-31, 2013 as follows:

He stated further that youth are finding employment and that older residents in the community would like to find out how they can be part of the solution.

Commissioner Nigro asked about an incident on the 1100 block of 5^th Street, NW in which a woman was attacked.

A question and answer period followed.

1. IV.          REQUEST FOR SUPpORT OF PARKING IN THE “NO PARKING” AREAS SUNDAYS 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM, S STREET TO THE NORTH, RHODE ISLAND AVE. TO THE SOUTH, 9^TH ST. TO THE EAST AND 13^TH ST. TO THE WEST

   Derek Hardy, Traffic Safety Specialist at DDOT, spoke regarding parking in “No Parking” areas along 11^th Street from S Street to Q Street.  He identified seven (7) spaces in this area in which residents may park on Sundays from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.  Commissioner Padro added that there will be enhanced Sunday enforcement in this area.

   Commissioner Nigro stated that there is a parking issue in 6E04 at the corner of 5^th & Ridge, 5^th & N, 5^th & O, and 4^th and M.

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Maceda seconded that ANC 6E support the proposed changes on the east side of 11^th Street from Rhode Island and S Streets to allow Sunday parking in “No Parking” areas from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., request that enhanced enforcement take place in the surrounding area, and that no support at this time is being offered for comparable changes between 9^th and 11^th Streets, NW.  The Motion passed 5 yeas – 1 nay (Commissioner Nigro) – 0 abstentions.

2. V.           presentation BY DDOT AND STV INCORPORATED ON THE NEW JERSEY AVE SAFETY EVALUATION PROJECT ON NEW JERSEY AVE NW BETWEEN H AND N ST NW

   Alberta Paul of DDOT, Thomas Flournoy, P.E. and David Newberger of STV spoke regarding the Safety Evaluation Project on New Jersey Avenue, NW between H and N Streets, NW.

   Mr. Newberger stated that the two-way conversion will encourage a more livable residential community, expand multi-modal connections, and provide balance for all transportation users.  Safety improvements will encompass pavement and geometric improvements along New York Avenue, traffic signal upgrades, lighting upgrades, and landscaping, sidewalk and crosswalk improvements.  The RFP has been created and notification of stakeholders of the start-up date for construction is anticipated in the fall of 2013.  Residents may email comments to Abdullahi.mohamed@dc.gov.

   Commissioner Maceda asked whether this project will include the traffic signal at 5^th and New York Avenue , NW.  She was told that this area is outside of the design study.

   Commissioner Nigro stated that her constituents on the northern part of New Jersey Avenue, NW have not been informed.  She will email Ms. Paul with additional, specific information on these residents.

   A question and answer period followed.

3. VI.          discussion of resolution/letter of recommendation for 5^th and i st project (463 Eye Street, NW)

   Ivan Matthews and Jeff Miller from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, and Patricia Zingsheim from the Office of Planning were present.  DDOT will be re-soliciting the RFI in the next few months.

4. VII.        
   Commissioner Maceda stated that a Special Meeting of ANC 6E was held on March 25, 2013 and the following options were discussed:  (1) continue with the present developer; (2) in lieu of a building, add a dog park and community amenity center; (3) put a residential or senior citizen housing development on part of the land; (4) start all over and do a new RFP.  Other factors discussed were:  (1) architectural design and excellence; (2) density, height, setback from street; (3) residential or retail; (4) percentage of affordable housing; (5) recommendations.

   Community Comments:

   A.  Keith Silver, former ANC Commissioner, spoke in support of Option 1 above and believes that The Donohoe Companies, Inc./Spectrum team should remain in place.  He closed by asking the following questions of the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED):  (1) What is the real motivation for closing down the project? (2) Why did the city try to force the Donohoe/Spectrum team to accept terms that other developers in the city are not subjected to?; (3) How does ending the relationship with the Donohoe/Spectrum team bring this project closer to completion?

   B.  Shanika (???) – 525 Mass Avenue – asked why the decision was made to re-bid the project.  She was told there were issues with the developer not being able to negotiate with DMPED.  She stated there needs to be more clarity as to why the decision was made.

   C.  Danielle Ryan (4^th & L) – stated she supports having a green area and dog-friendly area.

   D.  Thais Austin (555 Mass Avenue) – stated she was at every single community meeting with the 14 developers and put a lot of effort into this.  Better communication is needed between DMPED and 555 Mass Avenue.  This project needs to be moved forward quickly and some vitality on this block is needed.  She would like to see a residential community, some retail, and bike space.

   E.  Woman with baby – name?? (5^th & K St) – would like to see a playground for children, a dog park, or community use amenities.

   F.  Dr. Annie Kammerer, P.E., of K at City Vista stated she would like to see green space, a dog park, and playground.  She noted there were 36 children under age of 3 at City Vista.

   G.  Alvin Judd would like to see green space.

   H.  Jad Donohoe of Donohoe Companies stated that the proposed Option 1 would consist of a boutique hotel, ADUs, 4,000 square feet of local retail, a restaurant, and juice bar.  He appreciated being selected initially and wants to move forward.  Construction could be started by the middle of 2014.  He clarified that the only practicable green space would be a dog park and two jungle gyms.

   I.  Kerry (?) Bedard – dog owner – DuPont Circle – supports Donohoe Companies.

   J.  Ann (?) Gosling – Mass Avenue – supports a partial green space.

   K.  Commissioner Padro referred to the following handouts:   February 20, 2013 Letter from DMPED to The Donohoe Companies and the response letter dated March 12, 2013 from Donohoe Companies to DMPED.

   Commissioner Maceda stated the following:  (1) green space is important and, if there must be a building on the site, then a portion should be used as green space; (2) if the building is residential, she would like to see ADUs.

   MOTION: Commissioner Maceda moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC 6E address with the Deputy Mayor the concepts of the community for a new RFP which will include all the items that were listed above (Options 1-4) as well as the preference of the community and submit same by the end of next week to DMPED.   The Motion passed unanimously 6 – 0 – 0. 
   

5. VIII.       REQUEST For support for historic preservation approval of new construction:  1620 7^th street, nw

   Commissioner Padro stated that the applicant has submitted an initial set of drawings to the Historic Preservation Office and received comments.  This is the second pass and there will still be further refinements.  This is an empty lot south of 7^th & Rhode Island Avenue.  The application requires approval by the Historic Preservation Review Board.

   The architect for the project stated that this will be a three story mixed use building with an apartment on the third floor and retail space on the first and second floors.

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC 6E support the proposed concept for a new building at 1620 7^th Street, NW, with the proviso that additional attention be paid to the retail store front and that the staff of the HPRB continue to work with the architect to come up with a satisfactory design to be approved by the HPRB.   The Motion passed unanimously 6 – 0 – 0.

6. IX.          NEW BUSINESS

   None.

7. X.           OLD BUSINESS

   Committees:  Commissioner Nigro stated that she is still trying to launch the committees and is tasking the Commissioners to find members for:  (1) ABC Licensing, (2) Communications; (3) Housing and Economic Development; (4) Planning, Transportation, and Zoning; (5) Public Safety.

   Commissioner Padro stated he had two candidates, one for Community Development and Public Safety and one for Housing and Economic Development.    He will email their names to Commissioner Nigro.

8. XI.          2013 budget discussion

   Commissioner Chapple presented a proposed ANC 6E 2013 CY Budget as follows:

   Website                                                                                                          $     300
   Copying (Notices, Newsletter, Miscellaneous)                                       $  6,000
   Administrative Services                                                                              $  1,800
   P. O. Box                                                                                                       $     330
   ANC Security Fund                                                                                     $       25
   Supplies                                                                                                        $     600
   Office Rental                                                                                                            $  6,000
   Office Equipment                                                                                         $     600
   Grants                                                                                                            $15,000
   Savings                                                                                                         $   – 0 –
   
   The Commissioners requested that Grants be increased to $20,000.00.
   
   MOTION: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 6E approve the ANC 6E 2013 Calendar Year Budget as amended in the amount of $35,655.00.  The Motion passed unanimously 6 – 0 – 0.

9. XII.         approval of expenses

   A.  MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the invoice submitted by Karen Loveridge in the amount of $125.00 for recording services for the ANC 6E April 3, 2013 Public Meeting be approved.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

   B.  MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that Commissioner Nigro be reimbursed in the amount of $7.78 for printing copies of the Agenda for tonight’s meeting.   The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.
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   C.  MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that a check be issued in the amount of $75.00 to Shaw’s Tavern for booth rental for the St. Patrick’s Day Festival.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

10. XIII.       treasurer’s report

    No report.

11. XIV.      APPROVAL OF minutes – february 6, 2013 and special meeting – MARCH 25, 2013

    A.  February 6, 2013:  MOTION:  Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the Minutes of the ANC 6EPublic Meeting of February 6, 2013 be approved pending receipt of additional corrections.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

    B.  March 25, 2013:  MOTION:  Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the Minutes of the ANC 6E Special Meeting of March 25, 2013 be approved pending receipt of additional corrections.   The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

12. XV.        announcements

    A.  Commissioner Maceda announced that ABRA will be re-licensing every establishment in the District that sells alcohol and that residents should write to their ANC Commission about Voluntary Agreements.

    B.  Commissioner Joyce Robinson-Paul of ANC 5E05 announced that Diane Groomes, Assistant Police Chief of Patrol Services and School Security Bureau, will be talking about safety at the New York Avenue Recreation Building on April 9, 2013 at 6:15 p.m.

    C.  Commissioner Padro announced that there will be a presentation about gun violence at the Kennedy Recreation Center on April 11, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.  Curtis Mozie will be featured, along with his book and video, and the Police Chief and Assistant Police Chief will be there.

    D.  Commissioner Padro announced that Shaw Main Streets will hold its annual gala fundraiser at Long View Gallery on April 18, 2013 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

    E.  Commissioner Padro announced that the Howard Theatre Gala will be held on April 19, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.

    F.  Commissioner Nigro thanked the staff of RH Terrell Recreation Center for making the Center available to ANC 6E for tonight’s meeting.

    G.  Rev. Dr. Myrtle Bowen, Pastor, Galbraith A.M.E. Zion Church, announced that the church will be accepting donations of used clothing on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 1114 Sixth Street, NW.

13. XVI.      next meeting

    Wednesday, May 1, 2013, Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library

14. XVII.     announcement of new 6E06 commissioner

    Commissioner Nigro announced that Alvin Judd, Sr. was elected as the new 6E06 Commissioner.  She read a resolution affirming Mr. Judd’s election.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 6E accept the resolution as read.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

15. XVIII.    ADJOURNMENT

    MOTION:    There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the meeting be adjourned.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.  The meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.