April 2015 Minutes

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E

Public Meeting

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

 

 

 

 

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E convened at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library, 1630 7th Street, N.W., Washington, DC, on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.

 

Present:

 

Marge Maceda, Chair, ANC 6E05

Alexander M. Padro, Vice Chair, ANC 6E01

Antonio D. Barnes, Secretary, ANC 6E06

Kevin L. Chapple, Treasurer, ANC 6E02

Rachelle P. Nigro, ANC 6E04

Frank S. Wiggins, ANC 6E03

 

Absent:

 

Alfreda S. Judd, ANC 6E07

 

 

  1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

    Chair Maceda called the meeting to order 6:30 p.m. The roll was called and the presence of a quorum was noted.

  2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

    MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that the Agenda be approved as amended. The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Nigro, Barnes, Chapple, Maceda, Wiggins) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

  • APPROVAL OF MINUTES

    MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Wiggins seconded that the Minutes of the ANC 6E Public Meeting of March 3, 2015 be approved with corrections to be submitted to the Secretary.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Wiggins, Maceda, Nigro, Barnes, Chapple) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.  

  1. PSA REPORTS: METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT 1D AND 3D

Crime statistics for the indicated periods are as follows:

Offense 1D (PSA 103) 3D (PSA 308)
3/7/2014 to 4/7/2014 3/7/2015 to 4/7/2015 3/7/2014 to 4/7/2014 3/7/2015 to 4/7/2015
Homicide   0   0   0  1
Sexual Abuse   5   1   0  2
Robbery Excluding Gun        14 23 22       35
Robbery with Gun          9 12          8       10
Assault Dangerous Weapon Excluding Gun        10        15        10       14
Assault Dangerous Weapon With Gun   2          3   1 0
Violent Crimes Total        40        54        41       63
Burglary        15        13        24       18
Theft      200      166      184     146
Theft from Auto      140      116      184     165
Stolen Auto        22        31        25       25
Arson   0   0   0 0
Property Crimes Total      377      326      417     354


Sgt. Peter Sheldon of 1D (PSA 103) reported on crime for the last 30 days.  Overall crime is up 300%, robberies up 200%, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon up 200%; Sexual Abuse is down 100%.

Sgt. Fronek of 3D (PSA 308) reported on crime for the period for the last 30 days.  Sexual Abuse is down 100%, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon up 25%; Overall Crime down compared to last year.

  1. INTRODUCTIONS

    Chair Maceda introduced Brijin Boddy, the new Interim Manager of the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library. Boddy stated she has been at the Shaw Library for three weeks and that she has worked for the library system in general for over three years.  She also noted the Library has great cooking classes, book clubs, and children’s programs.

    Chair Maceda also recognized Kathy Jenkins, Library Manager, from Northwest One Library.

  2. will jones, bible way church, 1100 new jersey avenue, nw

    Will Jones stated that Bible Way Church will host a parade to celebrate Pentecost Day on Sunday, May 24, 2015. The route will be modified from last year and the police have been contacted and will be available.  The parade route will stay on this side of New York Avenue, go up M Street, down North Capitol Street, to K Street, and then to New Jersey Avenue.  The parade will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and community activities will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

  • bacaro restaurant, 1420 8th street, nw: request for support for abra license

    Andrew Kline, attorney, spoke on behalf of Chef Robert Gadsby and his request for support for an ABRA license for Bacaro Restaurant at 1420 8th Street, NW.  Originally, the plan was to open only a wine bar, but now Mr. Gadsby wants to make it a food and wine bar,  The restaurant will only serve dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. as well as beer, wine and spirits.  The menu will change each month and will feature small plates and full plates.  They are requesting a Retailer’s Class CR liquor license.  ANC 6E’s ABC Licensing Committee met and would support the request if there was no outdoor seating and no entertainment.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC 6E support the request for support for a Retailer’s Class CR liquor license of Bacaro Restaurant, 1420 8th Street, NW, and that said support be communicated in writing to the ABC Board and ABRA.   The Motion passed, 5 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Maceda, Nigro, Barnes, Chapple) – 0 nays – 1 abstention (Commissioner Wiggins).

  • trinity restaurant, 1606 7th street, nw: request for support for abra license

    Joe Englert spoke regarding Trinity Restaurant’s request for support for an ABRA license.  The menu will feature ribs, pulled pork, turkey, and salads provided by a food truck.  The restaurant will have a summer garden.  Entertainment will be provided by DJs, but only inside the establishment.   He stated they appeared before ANC 6E’s ABC Licensing Committee and concerns were raised related to the outdoor operation and that the summer garden is near neighbors of young families.  Another concern raised was that there was no kitchen, but only a food truck.

    The Committee met and recommended that ANC protest the application.  Commissioner Maceda stated she was not opposed to their request for an ABRA license and that they should not be judged based on what happened at Dacha Beer Garden.

    Commissioner Nigro stated she spoke to some residents who were not in support of the application.

    A number of comments were made from residents and commissioners:

    • David McNitt, who resides at 1608 8th Street, NW, stated he lives near the proposed bar and that outside drinking near a residential area was never endorsed and that if outdoor drinking is permitted, it should face commercial property which is what Dacha was supposed to do.
    • Commissioner Wiggins stated he lives on 5th Street and while he likes his neighbors, when parties are held, he can hear everything.
    • Commissioner Maceda stated that noise levels can be recorded and that the rules are 45 decibels at night after 9:00 p.m. and 60 decibels during the day.
    • Commissioner Chapple stated that ANCs were set up so that the community can have a say in what would be built in the community.
    • Leslie McNitt, 1608 8th Street, NW, stated this is a quality of life issue for her and her neighbors. She expressed concern with the proposed food truck and the rat problem that already exists.
    • Commissioner Padro stated the Committee encouraged them to build a kitchen and not have a food truck. He also added that Dacha Beer Garden expressed an interest in increasing their capacity to 600 people, but are prohibited from doing so because of the voluntary agreement they signed.

MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that ANC 6E protest the request for support for an ABRA license of Trinity Restaurant, 1606 7th Street, NW, and that said protest be communicated in writing to the ABC Board and ABRA.   The Motion passed, 5 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Nigro, Barnes, Chapple, Wiggins) – 1 nay (Commissioner Maceda) – 0 abstentions.

  1. OTTOMAN TAVERNA, 425 I street, nw: request for support for public space permit for outdoor café

    Attorney Michael Fonseca of Mallios & O’Brien, and Hakan Ilhan, owner, spoke regarding their request for support for a Public Space Permit for an Outdoor Café at Ottoman Taverna, 425 I Street, NW.  There is an 8 foot walkway.  Ilhan stated there have been no issues with outside seating at Alba Osteria, one of his other restaurants.  The Public Space application replicates the Settlement Agreement reached at the ANC 6E February meeting for L’Hommage Bistro Francais.  Mr. Ilhan also stated that the lease contains very stringent language.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Maceda moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 6E support the Public Space Application of Ottoman Taverna, 425 I Street, NW, for an Outdoor Café and that said support be communicated in writing to the Public Space Committee and the Director of  DDOT.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Nigro, Barnes, Chapple, Maceda, Wiggins) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.  

  2. L’HOMMAGE bistro francais, 450 k street, nw: request for support for public space permit for outdoor café

    Attorney Michael Fonseca of Mallios & O’Brien, and Hakan Ilhan, owner, spoke regarding their request for support for a Public Space Permit for an Outdoor Café at L’Hommage Bistro Francais, 450 K Street, NW.  There is an 8 foot walkway.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Maceda moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC 6E support the Public Space application of L’Hommage Bistro Francais, 450 K Street, NW, for an Outdoor Café, provided the 6 foot unobstructed walkway be included in the rentable area of the applicant and the Settlement Agreement, and that said support be communicated in writing to the Public Space Committee and the Director of DDOT.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Nigro, Barnes, Chapple, Maceda, Wiggins) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

  3. 601 massachusetts avenue, nw: request for support for public space permit for valet parking

    Attorney Andrew Kline of Veritas spoke regarding a request for support for a Public Space Permit for valet parking on the K Street side of the building at 601 Massachusetts Avenue, NW.  Lettuce Entertain You is the restaurant group and the restaurant will be called RPM.  The applicant is requesting three spaces from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., seven days a week.  The staging zone will be in front of the restaurant and cars will be moved to 901 up the street.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Maceda moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 6E support the Public Space Permit application for Valet Parking of Lettuce Entertain You for its proposed RPM Restaurant at 601 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, and that said support be communicated in writing to the Public Space Committee and the Director of DDOT.  The Motion passed, 5 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Nigro, Chapple, Maceda, Wiggins) – 1 nay (Commissioner Barnes) – 0 abstentions.

  • O and 9th street, nw: request for support for HPRB approval  (warrenton group and four points, llc)

    Stan Voudrie of Four Points, LLC and Warren Williams of Warrenton Group spoke regarding their request for support for HPRB approval of the property located at 810 O Street, NW.  They are seeking support for their HPRB application for development of the site which is currently home to Scripture Cathedral Church and which will be razed.  They will do the Planned Unit Development (PUD) application later.  Lot occupancy is 80%.  Parking regulations mandate one parking space for every three units.  They will have 62 parking spaces and 59 residential units.  Only one (1) loading dock space will be required; 6,000 square feet of retail space is planned on the ground floor.  There will be very detailed brickwork with double height windows. 

    MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Wiggins seconded that ANC 6E support the proposed massing and elevations for 810 O Street, NW and that said support be communicated in writing to the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB).  The Motion passed, 5 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Nigro, Chapple, Maceda, Wiggins) – 0 nays – 1 abstention (Commissioner Barnes).

  • 1546 new jersey avenue, nw: request for support for zoning relief

    Kateh Zahraie, the owner of 1546 New Jersey Avenue, NW, is converting a two unit row house to a three unit row house.  The following relief is being requested:  (1) a variance for the lot area requirement; (2) adding an egress to the back of the building, creating a staircase, and adding a small balcony; (3) a special exception for roof structure setback for access to the roof.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 6E support the application for zoning relief of 1546 New Jersey Avenue, NW, and that said support be communicated in writing to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) and the Office of Zoning.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Nigro, Barnes, Chapple, Maceda, Wiggins) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.  

  • 479 ridge street, nw: request for support for hprb approval

    Casey Pratt spoke on behalf of Craig and Wyvongela Watson regarding their request for support for zoning relief of 1546 New Jersey Avenue, NW.  The owner is seeking to put on a 3 story rear addition to a two story building which requires HPRB approval.  He is asking for a 60% lot coverage.  A concept review hearing is scheduled for April 13, 2015.

    Commissioner Nigro stated a number of her constituents were not in favor of this and asked whether the addition can be seen from the street. 

    MOTION:  Commissioner Nigro moved that ANC 6E not support the request for zoning relief of 1546 New Jersey Avenue, NW to erect a 3 story rear addition on a two story building and that said opposition be communicated in writing to the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB).  The Motion failed for lack of a second.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Wiggins seconded that ANC 6E support the conceptual designs presented by the owners of 479 Ridge Street, NW and that said support be communicated in writing to the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB).    The Motion passed, 5 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Barnes, Chapple, Maceda, Wiggins) – 1 nay (Commissioner Nigro) – 0 abstentions.

  1. 311 presentation

    Erick Hines, 311 Operations Supervisor, spoke regarding the 311 service. 311 is a toll-free number that allows people in the District to Columbia to request assistance with city services such as broken meters, trash collection, potholes, abandoned autos, parking enforcement, tree services, illegal dumping, and streetlight repair.  311 is changing the platform that is used to provide this service as well as the software they are using for the mobile app.  The new platform is called 311 Force and is provided by Sales Force.  Users of the mobile app will be invited to a focus group, they are adding additional service requests, and are switching to a cloud-based service.

 

  • APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT

    Commissioner Chapple reported that the balance in the checking account is $63,428.51.

  • APPROVAL OF EXPENSES

    1. MOTION: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the invoice submitted by Karen Jehle in the amount of $125.00 for recording services for the ANC 6E April 7, 2015 Public Meeting be approved.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Chapple, Padro, Maceda, Wiggins, Nigro, Barnes) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.
    2. MOTION: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that Commissioner Nigro be reimbursed in the amount of $521.35 for printing costs of the April 2015 Newsletter.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Nigro, Barnes) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.
    3. MOTION: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that $342.00 be paid to the U. S. Postal Service for the rental of the post office box.   The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Nigro, Barnes) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

 

  • OLD BUSINESS

    FY 16 Budget: Commissioner Padro reported that the $54 million that had been in the capital budget for construction of the new Shaw Middle School was removed by Mayor Bowser.  He stated that this is very discouraging.  He, however, noted that Mayor Bowser made certain that a new middle school in Ward 4 was added to the budget.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that ANC 6E send a letter to Mayor Bowser requesting that capital funding be added to the budget planning for 2016 for construction of Shaw Middle School and that Councilmembers in Wards 1, 2, 5, and 6 be copied on said letter with a  request for their assistance.    The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Nigro, Barnes) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

  • NEW BUSINESS

  • next meeting

    Tuesday, May 5, 2015, Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library, 1630 7th Street, NW, 6:30 p.m.

  • ANNOUNCEMENTS

    1. Commissioner Padro stated the following:
      1. Bishop C. L. Long, Pastor of Scripture Cathedral Church for more than 50 years, passed away on March 21, 2015.
      2. Skip Coburn, Executive Director of the D. C. Nightlife Association, passed away March 18, 2015. A Requiem Mass has been scheduled to be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 2, 2015 at St. Mary Mother of God Roman Catholic Church, 727 5th St., N.W., Washington, C.
    2. Naomi Mitchell stated the following:
      1. In regard to the school budget issue, there are scheduled oversight hearings and that the ANC should designate someone to testify. She will get the schedule and so advise the ANC.
      2. Councilmember Allen’s community gathering was held this past Friday, April 3, 2015 at Compass Coffee from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. They will continue to be held on the first Friday of every month.
      3. Jamaal Jordan, Director of Constituent Services, is the person to call if residents have issues with various agencies. The following is his contact information: email:  jjordan@dccouncil.us; phone number:  202-724-8072.
  • ADJOURNMENT

    MOTION:   There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that the meeting be adjourned.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Maceda, Wiggins, Nigro, Barnes, Chapple) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.