December 2015 Minutes

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E

Public Meeting

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

 

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E convened at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library, 1630 7th Street, N.W., Washington, DC, on Tuesday, December 1, 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 (arrived at 6:52 p.m.)

Rachelle P. Nigro, ANC 6E04

Frank S. Wiggins, ANC 6E03

Alfreda S. Judd, ANC 6E07

 

Absent:

Kevin L. Chapple, Treasurer, ANC 6E02

  1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

    Chair Maceda called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. The roll was called and the presence of a quorum was noted.   She advised that this is the last 2015 ANC 6E Public Meeting that will be held at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library.  For 2016, all ANC 6E Public Meetings will be held at Northwest One Library, 155 L Street, NW.

  2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

    MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Wiggins seconded that the Agenda be amended, if time permits, with “HPRB:  930 French Street, NW – Deck” being added.  The Motion passed unanimously, 4 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Maceda, Wiggins, Judd) – 1 nay (Commissioner Nigro) – 0 abstentions.   [Commissioner Barnes had not yet arrived].

  • APPROVAL OF ANC 6E MINUTES

    MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Wiggins seconded that the Minutes of the ANC 6E Public Meeting of November 3, 2015 be approved with corrections to be submitted to the Secretary.  The Motion passed unanimously, 5 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Maceda, Nigro, Wiggins, and Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.   [Commissioner Barnes had not yet arrived].

  1. PSA REPORTS:

Crime statistics for the indicated periods are as follows:

Offense 1D (PSA 103) 3D (PSA 308)
  10/31/2014 to           11/30/2014 10/31/2015 to 11/30/2015 10/31/2014 to 11/30/2014 10/31/2015 to 11/30/2015
Homicide   0   2   0  1
Sexual Abuse   2   4   1  6
Robbery Excluding Gun        28 35 29       45
Robbery with Gun        10        17          9       14
Assault Dangerous Weapon Excluding Gun        10        20        15       12
Assault Dangerous Weapon With Gun   5          8   2 2
Violent Crimes Total        55        86        56       80
Burglary        21        10        18       34
Theft      228      250      220     175
Theft from Auto      179      165      255     219
Stolen Auto        40        33        19       21
Arson   0   0   0 0
Property Crimes Total      468      458      512     449


Officer D. A. Sandula (5D)
asked whether residents saw any improvement in the Morgan Street/Kirby Street area.  This area was added to their run sheets for special attention.  Commissioner Nigro stated she has noticed a difference.  A resident asked whether there is a financial reward for turning in guns.  She was told that this program is active.

Officer F. J. Martello of 1D (PSA 103) stated that Robberies were up compared to the same period last year and that there have been a few Thefts from Auto.  He asked if there were any specific areas of concern.  Commissioner Nigro stated there is an increase of panhandlers in front of the Safeway at 5th & K Street, NW.  Commissioner Maceda asked (1) whether permits are required for solicitors on the street and noted Busboys and Poets at 5th & K Streets in particular; (2) stated there have been a number of break-ins of cars around 4th & L Streets, NW.

Sgt. D. Poe of 3D (PSA 308) stated that crime is down.  The homicide case at 8th & R Streets has been closed.  Thefts of cell phones are on the increase.

Alicia Morgan of Edgewood/Vantage Management provided written documentation featuring photos of hand-to-hand drug deals, drug paraphernalia found in trees and light fixtures in the 1700 block of 8th Street, NW, and that

something needs to be done about this and gun violence in the Sursom Corda area.  Commissioner Maceda stated that ANC 6E will work with Ms. Morgan and her other buildings.  Commissioner Padro stated a meeting will be scheduled with Commander Carroll.

  1. ABRA: DOLCI GELATI ICE CREAM SHOP, 1420 8TH STREET, NW – REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR CLASS D RETAILER LIQUOR LICENSE

    Gianluigi Dellaccio, Chef/President of Dolci Gelati at 1420 8th Street, NW, spoke regarding his request for support for a Class D Retailer Liquor License.  He stated that being able to serve wine and beer will attract more foot traffic into the shop; he is planning to offer a Happy Hour on Fridays where finger foods and beer and wine will be served.

    Commissioner Padro stated the ABC Licensing Committee met and recommended support of the application.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC 6E support the request for support of a Class D Retailer Liquor License of Dolci Gelati Ice Cream Shop, 1420 8th Street, NW, support a stipulated liquor license in the event they would like to avail themselves of this before the normal hearing date, and that said support be communicated in writing to the ABC Board and ABRA.   The Motion passed unanimously 5 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Barnes, Maceda, Nigro, Judd) – 1 nay (Commissioner Wiggins) – 0 abstentions.

  2. ABRA: CHAPLIN’S, 1501 9TH STREET, NW – REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR ENTERTAINMENT ENDORSEMENT AND CHANGE OF HOURS

    Joyce Njoroge spoke on behalf of Chaplin’s request for support for an Entertainment Endorsement and Change of Hours.  She stated:  (1) the Entertainment Endorsement is being requested so that they can feature music while their customers eat and drink – it would not be a nightclub or a tavern; (2) the Change of Hours would involve changing from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. so that their vendors can bring their supplies at this time and so that their weekend brunch can begin earlier.  Njoroge stated Chaplin’s appeared before the ABC Licensing Committee last week, but have not signed a Settlement Agreement.  Commissioner Padro stated the committee did present a Settlement Agreement to address a number of issues prior to this meeting.  He further stated that it is the recommendation of the ABC Licensing Committee to protest the two applications from Chaplin’s on the grounds of peace, order, and quiet, to allow the Committee time to negotiate and come up with a Settlement Agreement.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Judd seconded that ANC 6E protest the applications of Chaplin’s, 1501 9th Street, NW, for an Entertainment Endorsement and Change of Hours on the grounds of peace, order and quiet and that said protest be communicated in writing to the ABC Board and ABRA.   The Motion passed 4 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Maceda, Wiggins, Judd) – 2 nays (Commissioners Barnes and Nigro) – 0 abstentions.

  • ZONING: PRESENTATION FOR 317 K STREET HOTEL/CONDO

    Ajoke Agboola, Griffin, Murphy, Moldenhauer & Wiggins, LLP, stated that this matter will be presented to the ANC 6E Public Meeting on January 5, 2016.

  • ZONING: CAPITAL VISTA – VOTING ON DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS

    Development proposals on the 9,600 square foot parcel at 2nd & H Streets, NW were submitted by the following: (1) FLGA, LLC, Thurgood Marshall College Fund Campus; (2) Voltron Partners; and (3) Argos Group, LLC.

    Voting by ANC 6E Commissioners resulted in a split decision, with three Commissioners voting for Argos Group, LLC and three Commissioners voting for Voltron Partners.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Maceda moved and Commissioner Barnes seconded that ANC 6E communicate to the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) that the ANC 6E voting on the Capital Vista development proposals  resulted in a split decision, with three Commissioners voting for Argos Group, LLC and three Commissioners voting for Voltron Partners.   The Motion passed unanimously 6 yeas – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

  1. ZONING: SURSUM CORDA, 1112 FIRST TERRACE, NW:  PUD PRESENTATION

    Leila Batties and Chip Glasgow of Holland & Knight, among others, were present.  Leila Batties spoke regarding the Planned Unit Development (PUD) application of Sursum Corda from an R-4 to a C-3/C-4.  She stated productive meetings were held with DC Housing and HUD.  DC Housing and HUD attended meetings with Sursum Corda residents and the meetings were very useful.  124 households are eligible for vouchers, seven exceed the income levels, and seven are unknown.  The application was presented to the Zoning Commission on November 9, 2015 and the application is scheduled for a public hearing on February 11, 2016.  They met with ANC 6E’s Zoning and Development Committee last week to ask for a variance to close off one of the roads and the committee voted to support that variance.  Batties stated they are here tonight to ask for ANC 6E support for approval of the application.

    Discussion ensued regarding the benefits and amenities package as it relates to the neighborhood.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Barnes moved and Commissioner Maceda seconded that ANC 6E support Sursom Corda’s first stage PUD process and the pending street closure application, and that said support be communicated in writing to the Zoning Commission.  Further, that Commissioner Barnes be the ANC 6E representative to work with the Sursum Corda Cooperative Association to look at the community benefits package, with said community benefits package to come back to the Commission for a later vote.  The Motion passed unanimously 6 yeas – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

  2. ZONING: 1537-1541 6TH STREET, NW (DITTO RESIDENTIAL, LLC)

    Ajoke Agboola, Griffin, Murphy, Moldenhauer & Wiggins, LLP, spoke regarding the zoning request of Ditto Residential, LLC to redevelop three small vacant lots into three (3) flats (six units total).  The property is currently vacant. They have done a great deal of community outreach and have received positive support. They are seeking a parking variance.  She stated DDOT is unsupportive of curb cuts on this property.  ANC 6E’s Zoning and Development Committee met and voted to support the parking variance.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Wiggins seconded that ANC 6E support the parking variance relief requested by 1537-1541 6th Street, NW and that said support be communicated in writing to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) and DDOT.  The Motion passed 4 yeas – 1 nay (Commissioner Nigro) – 1 abstention (Commissioner Barnes).

  3. TREASURER’S REPORT

    No report – absent.

 

  • APPROVAL OF EXPENSES

    1. MOTION: Commissioner Maceda 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 December 1, 2015 Public Meeting be approved.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.
    2. MOTION: Commissioner Maceda moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that Commissioner Nigro be reimbursed in the amount of $525.58 for printing costs of the December Newsletter.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.
  • OLD BUSINESS

    ABRA: SHAW BIJOU, 1544 9TH STREET, NW – REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR STIPULATED LIQUOR LICENSE

    MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC 6E support the request for support of Shaw Bijou, 1544 9th Street, NW, for a stipulated liquor license and that said support be communicated in writing to the ABC Board and ABRA.   The Motion passed unanimously 6 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Barnes, Maceda, Nigro, Wiggins, Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

  • NEW BUSINESS

  1. next meeting

    Tuesday, January 5, 2016, Northwest One Library, 155 L Street, NW, 6:30 p.m.

  • ANNOUNCEMENTS

    1. Commissioner Nigro stated that the 5th Annual Caroling with the Commissioner will be held on Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. Carolers should meet by the Mt. Vernon Square Bed & Breakfast at the intersection of 4th and M Streets, NW.
    2. Commissioner Padro stated the following: (1) On Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Noon, Shaw Main Streets will dedicate Carter Woodson Park at 900 Rhode Island Avenue, NW; (2) On Monday, December 7, 2015, Shaw Main Streets’ Annual Holiday Party will be held at the Howard Theatre.
    3. Tina Scott Boyd stated that DDOT will host a public meeting on the rehabilitation of the Howard Theatre Streetscape Project at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library on Thursday, December 10, 2015, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
    4. Commissioner Maceda stated that ANC 6E received an enormous donation of Thanksgiving turkeys for deserving families from Douglas Jemal of Douglas Development and the Jefferson Apartment Group. She requested that Commissioner Padro send a letter of thanks to both.

 

  • historic preservation review board: 930 french street, nw – request for support of addition

    Jim Foster of Arcadia Design spoke regarding his request for support for a third floor addition on top of the building located at 930 French Street, NW.  The addition is set 18’ back from the front façade; the top floor is only 3-1/2’ from the front of the house.  He is asking HPRB for approval of the addition.  The hearing date is set for December 17, 2015.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Wiggins seconded that ANC 6E support the design of the third floor addition at 930 French Street, NW and that said support be communicated in writing to the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB).   The voting resulted in a tie vote – 3 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Wiggins and Judd) – 3 nays (Commissioners Nigro, Maceda, Barnes) – 0 abstentions.

  • adjournment

    The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.