January 2011 Minutes

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C

Public Meeting

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

The Commissioners of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C convened at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library, 1630 7th Street, N.W., Washington, DC, on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.   Commissioner Alexander M. Padro presided.

 

Present:

 

Alexander M. Padro, ANC2C-01

Kevin L. Chapple, ANC2C-02

Rachelle P. Nigro, ANC2C-04

 

Absent:

 

Doris L. Brooks, ANC2C-03

 

 

 

  1.        I.          CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

    Commissioner Padro called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. with a quorum present.

    He noted the absence of Commissioner Doris Brooks due to a broken hip and wished her well in her recovery.

    He also noted the passing of Lillian Gordon on Friday, December 31st and asked for a moment of silence.  Services will be held on Friday, January 7, 2011 at Springfield Baptist Church.

  2.       II.          ELECTION OF OFFICERS

    MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that Commissioner Padro be elected Chair.  The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that  Commissioner Nigro be elected Vice Chair.  The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that Commissioner Nigro be elected Secretary.  The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that  Commissioner Chapple be elected Treasurer.  The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

  3.      III.          APPROVAL OF AGENDA

    MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that the Agenda be approved as submitted.   The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

  4.     IV.          APPROVAL OF 2011 MEETING SCHEDULE AND LOCATION

    Commissioner Nigro inquired about additional locations for the ANC2C meetings.  Commissioner Padro stated that consistency was desirable, but changes could be made to accommodate greater participation by constituents of other parts of the Commission’s jurisdictions when topics of interest appeared on the agenda.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that the following 2011 Meeting Schedule and Location be approved:

    Date and Time:  First Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library, 1630  7th Street, N.W., Washington, DC.

    Dates:  January 5, 2011, February 2, 2011, March 2, 2011, April 6, 2011, May 4, 2011, June 1, 2011, July 6, 21011, August 3, 2011 (if needed), September 7, 2011, October 5, 2011, November 2, 2011, December 7, 2011.

    The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

  5.      V.          APPROVAL OF MEANS OF PROVIDING NOTICE OF MEETINGS

    MOTION:  Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that the following means of providing notice of meetings be approved:

    A.  Email Lists and Listservs (ANC 2C, Shaw Neighborhood, MVSNA, etc.)
    B. 
    Website (ANC 2C)
    C. 
    Community Newspapers (MidCity DC, DuPont Current)
    D. 
    Posting and Distribution of Notices/Newsletters (Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library)

    The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

  6.     VI.          APPROVAL OF CY 2011 BUDGET

    MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that the following Proposed CY 2011 ANC 2C Budget be approved as submitted:

    Website                                                                                                       $1,500
    Copying (Notices, Newsletter, Miscellaneous)                                                $2,000
    Administrative Services                                                                            $1,500
    P. O. Box                                                                                                     $   300
    ANC Security Fund                                                                                  $     25
    Telephone                                                                                                  $1,500
    Supplies                                                                                                      $1,500
    Grants                                                                                                          $1,500

    TOTAL                      $10,825

    The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

  7.   VII.          APPROVAL OF ANC SECURITY FUND PARTICIPATION

    MOTION:  Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that the ANC Security Fund Participation fee of $25.00 be approved.   The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

  8.  VIII.          APPOINTMENT OF ANC 2C REPRESENTATIVE TO WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE

    MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that Commissioner Padro be appointed as the ANC 2C Representative to the Washington Convention Center Advisory Committee.  The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

  9.     IX.          ESTABLISHMENT OF ANC 2C COMMITTEES AND CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

    MOTION:  Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that the following ANC 2C Committees be hereby established, with a Call for Volunteers to be  initiated:

    A.  ABC Licensing
    B. 
    Communications (Website, Newsletter)
    C.  Housing and Economic Development
    D.  Planning, Transportation, and Zoning
    E. 
    Public Safety

    The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

  10.      X.          LINCOLN WESTMORELAND HOUSING/WMATA, BZA APPLICATION 18182

    Robert Agus of Lincoln Westmoreland Housing, Patrick Burkhart of Shalom Baranes Architects, and legal counsel Allison Prince of Goulston & Storrs spoke regarding BZA Application #18182 and a request for zoning relief for the construction of a new apartment building at 1710 7th Street, N.W. (2C01).  A question and answer period followed.

    Tessie Robinson from the Lincoln Westmoreland I Tenants Association was in the audience and made some brief comments.

    MOTION: 
    After deliberation, Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that the Commission support BZA Application #18182 requesting zoning relief for the construction of a new apartment building at 1710 7th Street, N.W. and that said support by communicated in writing to the Board of Zoning Adjustment.  The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

  11.     XI.          DOUGLAS DEVELOPMENT, SQUARES 450 AND 451 (BOUNDED BY 6TH, 7TH, K AND L STREETS, N.W.)

    Paul Millstein of Douglas Development Corporation spoke on development plans for Squares 450 and 451 (2C03) and his request for support for an exemption from the blighted property tax rate which he felt represented a punitive measure.  Millstein was accompanied by Norman ‘Chip’ Glasgow, Jr. of the law firm of Holland & Knight, who requested that ANC 2C reaffirm its December 2008 support for an alley closing on Square 451 to facilitate development of an office building, and support the reallocation of Combined Lot Development Rights (CLDs) from Square 450 to Square 451.  A question and answer period followed.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that the earlier approval by ANC2C of the alley closing between Squares 450 and 451 be reaffirmed.   The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that  ANC2C support the reallocation of the combined lot development rights between the Squares 450 and 451 that were requested.   The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that  ANC2C support the request for an exemption from the blighted property tax rate on Douglas Development properties on Squares 450 and 451 for a period of one year, during which time the property owner will continue to seek development opportunities and conclude them as soon as possible.   The Motion passed 2 yeas (Commissioner Padro and Commissioner Chapple) and 1 nay (Commissioner Nigro).

  12.   XII.          1613 6TH STREET, NW – REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR WIAVER OF OFF-STREET PARKING, BZA APPLICATION #18156

    Legal counsel Carlynn M. Fuller, on behalf of Capital City Real Estate, LLC, spoke regarding that company’s request for support of a waiver of off-street parking requirements that require one parking space for every two units, to allow construction of a two-unit flat at 1613 6th Street, NW (2C02).  A question and answer period followed.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that  ANC2C support the Capital City Real Estate, LLC request for support of a waiver of off-street parking at 1613 6th Street, NW, and ANC2C will communicate its support to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA).   The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

  13.  XIII.          OTHER NEW BUSINESS

    A.  Request for Support for Street Closing for Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration, Sunday, February 6, 2011

    Jeanny Ho, representing the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, requested support from ANC2C to close the 600 block of H Street, N.W. from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 6, 2011 to conduct the 38th annual Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration.  The festival at the end of the parade will culminate with the lighting of a giant firecracker at 3:45 p.m. on the block in question.  Commissioner Padro noted that the Commission had not received supporting information relating to parade permits, and that the applicant was unable to provide that information, in order to render an opinion and noted that the Commission will follow up with the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.

    MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that the Commission support the requested street closing of the 600 block of H Street, N.W. on Sunday, February 6, 2011 from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the Chinese New Year Celebration and that ANC 2C communicate this to the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency and the Mayor’s Special Events Task Force.  However, permits for the parade must be obtained through proper channels, and no support for the parade permits was included in this action.   The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

    B.  Random Bag Searches – Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)  

    Martin Moulton, President of the Convention Center Community Association, asked for support from the Commission on WMATA bag checks being moved to the surface entrance of stations in Shaw to enhance police presence on the street.  The Commission agreed to add this item to the February 2011 meeting agenda.

  14. XIV.          OLD BUSINESS

    Commissioner Nigro inquired as to whether the meeting minutes could be approved via email.  Commissioner Padro responded that the meeting minutes must be approved at a subsequent ANC 2C meeting, but that a draft of the minutes may be posted on the listserv and/or website.

  15.  XV.          ANNOUNCEMENTS

    A.  Sterling Green from the United House of Prayer introduced A. D. Cunningham, who recently became Pastor of the United House of Prayer church on the 600 block of M Street, N.W.

    B.  Ms. Lola Bloom of City Blossoms (email: lola@cityblossoms.org) announced that the organization’s community workshops will begin in late March.

    C.  Commissioner Chapple announced that a new Caribbean restaurant, Zee’s Restaurant, has opened up at 600 Florida Avenue, N.W., in his SMD.

    D.  The Convention Center Community Association meets on the last Tuesday of each month, with the next meeting to be held on January 25, 2011 at the Kennedy Recreation Center at 7:00 p.m.

    E.  The Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association meets on the third Tuesday of every month, with the next meeting to be held on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at Yale Steam Laundry Condominium.

    F.  East Central Civic Association (ECCA) meets on the first Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the Third Baptist Church, 1546 5th Street, N.W.

    G.  Sterling Green from the United House of Prayer mentioned that the former McCullough Haven building at 623 M Street, NW, had been demolished and that construction of a new residential building on the site was underway.  Green agreed to come to a future ANC 2C meeting to present the plans to the Commission and community.

    H.  Commissioner Padro introduced two former commissioners, Theresa Sule and Lydia Goring, who were in the audience.

    I.  Mitchell Brooks, grandson of Doris Brooks, noted that his grandmother is recuperating at the Stoddard Baptist Nursing Home, 1818 Newton Road, N.W.

  16.  VIII.          ADJOURNMENT

    There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.

NEXT ANC2C MEETING:      Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 6:30 p.m.,
Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library