December 2011 Minutes

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C

Public Meeting

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C convened at the Kennedy Recreation Center, 1401 7^th Street, N.W., Washington, DC, on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.   Chair Alexander M. Padro presided.

Present:

Alexander M. Padro, Chair, ANC 2C01

Kevin L. Chapple, Treasurer, ANC 2C02 (arrived 6:40 p.m.)

Doris L. Brooks, ANC 2C03

Rachelle P. Nigro, Vice Chair & Secretary, ANC 2C04

1. I.              CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALLCommissioner Padro called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.  Commissioner Nigro called the roll and the presence of a quorum was noted.
2. II.            APPROVAL OF AGENDAMOTION:Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the Agenda be approved as submitted.  The Motion passed unanimously, 3 – 0 – 0.
3. III.           PSA 308 REPORT: LT. JEFFERY CARROLLLt. Jeffery Carroll of Police Service Area 308 reported on crime activity in the area for the period November 14 – December 13, 2011 as follows:

Lt. Carroll provided a number of robbery prevention flyers as handouts.

1. IV.          ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES, 611-627 K STREET, NW/616-640 NEW YORK AVENUE, NW:  REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR OFFICE OF PLANNING LARGE TRACT REVIEW APPLICATIONJeffrey Utz, Goulston & Storrs, and Emily Emrick of Shalom Baranes Associates Architects spoke regarding support for their client’s Large Tract Review Application that had been filed with the Office of Planning about a month before.  They provided and discussed a number of detailed drawings regarding the proposed new building to be occupied by the Association of American Medical Colleges.  A question and answer period followed.
   
   MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Brooks seconded that ANC 2C support the Association of American Medical Colleges Large Tract Review Application and that said support be communicated in writing to the Office of Planning.  The Motion passed unanimously, 4 – 0 – 0.

• V.           BUNDY FIELD, 400 BLOCKS OF O AND P STREETS, NW:  DISCUSSION OF OPTIONS FOR USE OF NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PROPERTY (ECOLOCITY, DC DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES AND DC PUBLIC SCHOOLS)Steve Seuser of Ecolocity DC spoke regarding the use of part of the Bundy School Athletic Field that is currently unimproved for a proposed forest garden.  He explained that edible forest gardening is the art and science of putting plants together in woodland-like patterns to grow fruits, nuts, vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms that mimic natural ecosystems.  He also addressed the benefits of edible forest gardening.

Commissioner Padro added that Ecolocity would need the support of the construction crews working on improvements at Bundy Field to remove existing concrete.  Martin Moulton, President of the Convention Center Community Association (CCCA) added that the CCCA wholeheartedly endorses the Ecolocity proposal to add a forest garden adjacent to Bundy Field.

After discussion, the Commission was of the opinion that a more fully developed proposal would be needed to garner the necessary support of the stakeholders (NPS, DCPS and DGS), the Commission, and the community at large.

• VI.          430 M STREET, NW:  REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR APPLICATION BEFORE HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEW BOARD (CONGRESSIONAL CAPITAL)James Phillips, Architect, T10 Corporation, spoke regarding support for Congressional Capital’s application for concept approval only on its submitted drawings.  He noted that the application will be on the January 2012 calendar of the HPRB.

MOTION:  Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 2C support Congressional Capital’s application for concept approval only on its submitted drawings and that said support be communicated in writing to the Historic Preservation Review Board.  The Motion passed unanimously, 4 – 0 – 0.

• VII.         SHAW’S TAVERN, 520 FLORIDA AVENUE, NW:  PRESENTATION ON NEW OWNERSHIP AND ABRA APPLICATIONSiyamak Sadeghi spoke regarding his new ownership of Shaw’s Tavern and its ABRA application.  He stated that he has been in the restaurant business for 18 years and that there have been no violations of ABC regulations at establishments under his management.  American food would be served.  He anticipated employing 15-20 people.  The hours of operation would be 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., Monday through Thursday, and Friday and Saturday open until 2:30 a.m.

Commissioner Padro challenged the statement in the application that there would be no parking impacts from operation of Shaw’s Tavern, and whether the owner would consider valet parking as an option, which Sadeghi agreed to do.  The Commissioners asked Sadeghi whether there would be outdoor seating and amplified music. He responded that there would be outdoor seating, but no amplified music outside. The only music inside would be Jazz, and there will be no dance floor.  He indicated that there would be 86 indoor seats.

MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 2C support the application for stipulated and permanent ABC licenses for Shaw’s Tavern and that said support be communicated in writing to the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA).   The Motion passed 3 yeas – 0 nays – 1 abstention (Commissioner Brooks).

• VIII.       LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN, 975 F STREET, NW:  SUPPORT FOR STIPULATED AND PERMANENT ABC LICENSESMichael Fonseca spoke regarding support for stipulated and permanent ABC licenses for Le Pain Quotidien, 975 F Street, NW.  Beer and wine would be served and there would be outdoor seating for ten.

MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Brooks seconded that ANC 2C support the application for stipulated and permanent ABC licenses for Le Pain Quotidien and that said support be communicated in writing to the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA).   The Motion passed unanimously, 4 – 0 – 0.

• IX.          LOGAN CIRCLE LIQUORS, 1018 RHODE ISLAND AVENUE, NW:  REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR SINGLE SALES BAN EXEMPTIONAndrew Klein spoke regarding a request for support for a single sales ban exemption for the establishment.  He advised that specialty beers, micro brews, and imports would only be sold, and that the business owner would agree to making improvements related to the appearance of the area surrounding his business and parking, to be included in a voluntary agreement.

MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC 2C support an exemption from the Ward 2 single sales ban for Logan Circle Liquors, subject to final negotiation and subsequent approval of the Voluntary Agreement.   The Motion passed 3 yeas – 0 nays – 1 abstention (Commissioner Brooks).

• X.           500 BLOCK OF 10^TH STREET, NW:  REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR CEREMONIAL NAMING OF BLOCK AS “WHERE LINCOLN’S LEGACY LIVES” (FORD’S THEATRE SOCIETY)Terry McDonald of Ford’s Theatre Society spoke regarding their request for support for the ceremonial naming of the 500 block of 10^th Street, NW in honor of President Abraham Lincoln.  Discussion followed as to the appropriate format for the name.

MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Brooks seconded that ANC 2C support the request for a ceremonial naming of the 500 block of 10^th Street, N.W. to commemorate the important role that the block plays in celebrating and educating the public about Abraham Lincoln’s legacy.   The Motion passed unanimously, 4 – 0 – 0.

• XI.          CONSIDERATION OF COMMISSION POLICY ON FILING OF COMMUNITY IMPACT STATEMENTSCommissioner Chapple spoke regarding a proposed Commission policy on the filing of Community Impact Statements.  He noted that a Community Impact Statement is a description of how a crime or series of crimes have affected a community.  He proposed that the Commission wait until a defendant has been convicted of a crime before filing a Community Impact Statement and clarified that a Community Impact Statement is not intended to tell the court what the defendant has done in the past.  He further added that Community Impact Statements are not filed for misdemeanors.

Commissioner Padro noted that Community Impact Statements were used by other Commissions in the past for so-called victimless crimes, i.e., drugs, prostitution, etc.

MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Brooks seconded that ANC 2C adopt a policy of asking members of the community to request the filing of a Community Impact Statement by presenting information to the Commission on how a particular crime has affected them and that the request be submitted once the defendant has been convicted or pled guilty to the crime.  The Motion passed unanimously, 4 – 0 – 0.

• XII.         509 O STREET, NW:  STATUS OF BOARD OF CONDEMNATION ACTION ON BLIGHTED PROPERTYCommissioner Padro advised that he attended a hearing on this property that morning.  He noted that the property owner was dismissive of the community’s concerns.  He added that the Board of Condemnation did not act immediately on the Commission’s request for action to address the problems with the property, but that the Board issued a request for a DCRA Compliance Inspector to visit the property.  The case will be reviewed again by the Board in January.

MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 2C request that the Office of Tax Revenue consolidate and update their records to confirm that the building is a single property and not two condominiums and that ANC 2C request that DCRA make improvements to the property, i.e., new roof and windows, and charge the property owner the cost of making these improvements to the property.

Friendly Amendment:  Commissioner Padro offered a friendly amendment to the original motion to categorize the repairs as being “emergency” in nature.  The amendment was accepted by Commissioner Chapple.  The Motion passed unanimously, 4 – 0 – 0.

• XIII.       UPDATE ON 1500 BLOCK OF 7^TH STREET, NW MEDICINAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY APPLICATIONSCommissioner Padro reported that two applications are being evaluated by the Department of Health and that ANC 2C will be advised at the end of January of the Department’s decision as to whether either or both of the applications meet the DOH requirements for further consideration.  He noted that it is extremely unlikely that the Department of Health will approve both these applications.

Commissioner Chapple will be holding a Singe Member District meeting in January with the applicants and the Department of Health and will provide an update at the February 2012 ANC 2C Public Meeting, when the Commission will need to make recommendations in order to meet the DOH approval timeline.

• XIV.      UPDATE ON 1547 7^TH STREET, NW BLIGHTED PROPERTY STATUSCommissioner Padro reported that this property has been vacant for an extremely long time and is being taxed as a blighted property.  The owner, Warren Williams, has taken the property off the market, hired a restaurant broker to market this space in January as a restaurant, and that a bank term sheet has been offered for financing of renovations to the building.  Williams said he would offer a 10 year lease as well as a reduced rent for the first three years.
• XV.        ENGINE COMPANY 6, DC FIRE & EMS:  PRESENTATION ON FIRE PREVENTIONCaptain Jimmy Partridge of Engine Company 6 of DC Fire and EMS spoke regarding fire prevention and provided a number of handouts.  He advised that there is a new code mandating that smoke detectors be placed on every floor and every sleeping area in residences.  He stressed the importance of changing smoke detector batteries when changing clock times in the spring and fall.  He also advised that flammable items should be kept away from cooktops and to never cook when one is tired.  Christmas lighting on live trees should never be left on when no one is home, no more than three strands of lights should be hooked together, and carbon monoxide detectors should be installed if one has gas appliances.  He provided the following contact information:  202-673-3206, james.partridge@dc.gov.

• XVI.      OTHER NEW BUSINESSNone.

• XVII.     OLD BUSINESSANC 2C Logo Design and Branding:Commissioner Nigro reported that there were some modifications to the contract with Poccuo.  Commissioner Padro signed the contract at the meeting.
• XVIII.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 11/2/11 MEETINGMOTION:Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the Minutes of the ANC 2C Public Meeting of November 2, 2011 be approved as submitted, pending receipt of any further corrections no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 16, 2011.  The Motion passed unanimously, 4 – 0 – 0.

1. XIX.      APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT
   
   No report.  Commissioner Chapple will have a report at the next meeting.

• XX.        APPROVAL OF EXPENSESMOTION:Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the invoice in the amount of $125.00 for Minutes of the December 14, 2011 ANC 2C Public Meeting submitted by contractor Karen L. Loveridge, be approved.  The Motion passed unanimously, 4 – 0 – 0.
• XXI.      ANNOUNCEMENTSA.Commissioner Nigro reported that the Christmas Caroling event she sponsored went well.

B.  Commissioner Nigro is partnering with Shaw Main Streets on a tour of the art collection of the Convention Center and then a walking tour of the galleries on 9^th Street on February 8^, 2012.

C.  The Kennedy Recreation Center Holiday Party will be held on Friday, December 16, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

D.  On January 18, 2012, the City Center DC Ad Hoc Employment Subcommittee is having a Career Training Fair at Shiloh Baptist Church.

E.  Ibrahim Mumin reported that African American public relations pioneer Ofield Dukes passed away.  A memorial service will be held on January 12, 2012 at Shiloh Baptist Church.

F.  There will be a Pack Up Campus event at KIPP Charter School on December 16, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. so that construction can continue during the holiday recess.

G.  Naomi Mitchell of Councilmember Tommy Wells’ staff announced that on January 1, 2012, most of the Shaw portion of ANC 2C’s jurisdiction will become Ward 6.

• XXII.     ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:  There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that the meeting be adjourned.  The Motion passed unanimously, 4 – 0 – 0.  The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

NEXT ANC 2C MEETING:            Wednesday, January 4, 2012, 6:30 p.m.
Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library