March 2014 Minutes

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E

Public Meeting

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E convened at the Northwest One Library, 155 L Street, N.W., Washington, DC, on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.   Chair Alexander M. Padro presided.

Present:

Alexander M. Padro, Chair, ANC 6E01

Rachelle P. Nigro, Vice Chair, ANC 6E04

Marge Maceda, Secretary, ANC 6E05

Kevin L. Chapple, Treasurer, ANC 6E02

Frank S. Wiggins, ANC 6E03

Alvin Judd, Sr., ANC 6E06 (arrived at 6:55 p.m.)

Alfreda S. Judd, ANC 6E07 (arrived at 6:55 p.m.)

1. I.              CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

   Chair Alexander Padro called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m.  The roll was called and the presence of a quorum was noted.

2. II.            APPROVAL OF AGENDA

   Four (4) items had been added to the agenda without the prior knowledge of a number of commissioners who objected to the additions.  These items were:

   (1) 1535 7^th Street, NW:  Request for Zoning Relief to Add 23 Seats to New Coffee Roaster and Café (Compass Coffee);
   (2) 1200 Block of 6^th Street, NW, West Side:  Consideration of Proposed Increase in Sunday Diagonal Parking Hours (United House of Prayer/DDOT);
   (3) Proposed Route for New Circulator Bus (National Park Service/DDOT);
   (4) Community Impact Statement for Kevin Long/Gang-Related Drug Crimes (U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia). 

   MOTION: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the Agenda be approved as amended with the four (4) additions.   The Motion failed, 2 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Chapple) – 3 nays (Commissioners Maceda, Nigro, Wiggins) – 0 abstentions.  [Commissioners Judd, Sr. and Judd had not yet arrived].

   Therefore, the representatives who were present to speak on the above items were excused from the Public Meeting.

   ***See note under Section XI. “Other New Business.”

3. III.           PSA REPORTS:  METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT 1D AND 3D
   
   Officer Joshua Straussman of PSA 103 reported on crime for the last two weeks as follows:

No representative was present from 3D.

Crime statistics for the indicated periods are as follows:

1. IV.          new jersey avenue & k street, nw:  status update on walker-jones education campus farm redevelopment (office of the deputy mayor for planning and economic development)

   Michael Moss, Principal, Walker-Jones, presented on the relationship between the school and the farm. Two positions were filled at the school to work directly on the Farm program.  They are working to increase and develop the science and health curriculum using the farm.  He stated he was not sure what direction the city is taking with re-claiming the land for development and whether the farm will have to be relocated.  The school is seeking to get some answers as to the future of the farm.  One of the goals of the school’s program with the farm is to teach students how to grow crops and then teach them how to cook and prepare the food.  Commissioner Maceda asked who owns the land.  Mr. Moss responded that that has not been determined.
   
   Mr. Shiv Newaldass of DMPED spoke and stated that the parcels that the city owns are controlled by the District Government (Department of General Services (DGS)) and the Office of the Deputy Mayor, that the farm was started without DC government authorization, and that plan are in the works to redevelop the site.  He stated that DMPED will have to take measures to formally authorize use of the site for the operation of the farm, as there is no structure in place at present.  His research into the farm raised many more questions than answers.  DMPED will seek to establish a temporary location for the farm while construction takes place on the site. DMPED is asking respondents to the RFP for the site to include an urban farm in their development plans (this may be closer to L Street, NW). 

   Mr. Moss and Mr. Newaldass will schedule a date and time to meet with one another to seek additional clarification on these issues.

2. V.           1031 4^th street, nw:  request for zoning relief to construct 10 story residential building (ellis-dale construction & development)

   Chip Glasgow of Holland and Knight and representatives from Blue Skye and Ellis-Dale Construction were present.  Mr. Glasgow spoke regarding the request for zoning relief as it relates to the side yard, rear yard, parking relief and roof structure setback relief.  Groundbreaking was anticipated to be in August or September of 2014.  A number of the Commissioners asked whether the developer had decided on the type of retail proposed for the ground floor.

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Maceda seconded that ANC 6E support the zoning relief requested to allow the construction of a mixed use building at 1031 4^th Street, NW and that said support be communicated in writing to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA).  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

3. VI.          465 new york avenue, nw:  request for support for public space permits for construction of new homewood suites hotel (ibg)
   
   Scott Fuller, IBG Partners, spoke regarding support for Public Space Permits for construction of a new Homewood Suites Hotel at 465 New York Avenue, NW.  He stated that IBG developed the adjacent Yale Steam Laundry Condominium and Yale West.

   IBG is requesting a curb cut on L Street, NW that would allow access to the hotel garage.  There is a substantial grade change between New York Avenue and the alley at the north, making rear access to the garage impractical.  They previously went before DDOT to get a preliminary review of the curb cut.  Both ANC 2C and DDOT were supportive of the curb cut at that time.  They worked with DDOT and
   did a traffic analysis as well.  The current application includes the curb cut,

   driveway, treeboxes, sidewalks, and other public space elements in front of the hotel site and the creation of a green traffic triangle to prevent left hand turns onto New York Avenue from the driveway. Commissioner Maceda was of the view that traffic will be “a nightmare” during the excavation.

   MOTION: Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 6E support the application by IBG for a Public Space Permit for improvements related to the new Homewood Suites Hotel at 645 New York Avenue, NW, and that said support be communicated in writing to the Director of DDOT and the Public Space Committee.   The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

1. VII.         415 M street, nw:  presentation on revised plans for historic preservation design review for partial demolition, renovation, and additions to building for condominium development (blackrock holdings)

   Patrick Moran, Managing Partner, BlackRock Holdings, LLC, presented revised plans for Historic Preservation Design Review for partial demolition, renovation, and additions to a building for condominium development at 415 M Street, NW. These revised plans were prepared in response to the Commission’s previous opposition to the initial plans for the buildings’ façades.

   MOTION: Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Judd, Sr. seconded that ANC 6E support the revised plans for Historic Preservation Design Review for partial demolition, renovation, and additions to a building for condominium development at 415 M Street, NW and that said support be communicated in writing to the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB).  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

2. VIII.       10^th street & rhode island avenue, nw:  consideration of proposal to erect a temporary fire station for engine company 16 (department of general services & department of fire & emergency medical services)

   David M. Foust, Deputy Fire Chief, DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, and Robbie Stewart of the Department of General Services spoke regarding their proposal to erect a temporary fire station for Engine Company 16 at 10^th Street & Rhode Island Avenue, NW.

   Review of existing DC-owned land showed an area located at the old Shaw Junior High School property which could provide a possible location.  As the location is directly across from 10^th Street, there is an existing set of traffic lights which could be modified for the temporary fire house.  The facility will consist of a 2,730 square foot pre-engineered metal building and four connected trailer modules.  In order to avoid using parking spaces normally used by the public, they intend to use a paved area inside the school grounds to the north of the proposed facility.  The fire company relocation to the swing space will occur in July.  The facility will be in use for 14 months.

   Commissioners Padro stated that the sirens would be a huge distraction to students at Seaton Elementary and adjacent residents and that he and his affected constituents opposed the erection of a temporary fire station at this location.

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that ANC 6E oppose the proposed erection of a temporary fire station at 10^th Street & Rhode Island Avenue, NW, and that DGS be encouraged to seek other alternatives in order to avoid negative impacts on Seaton Elementary School and residents and that said opposition be communicated in writing to DGS, the Fire Chief, and the Mayor.  The Motion passed, 4 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Chapple, Judd, Sr., and Judd) – 3 nays (Commissioners Maceda, Nigro, and Wiggins) – 0 abstentions.

3. IX.          900 block of french street, nw:  request for letter of support for removal of mid-block bump-out on north side of block (french street neighbors association)

   Commissioner Padro stated that DDOT will conduct a traffic study for removal of the bump-out on the north side of the 900 block of French Street, NW, per the request of the civic association representing the area.

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that ANC 6E support the traffic study and removal of the mid-block bump-out on the north side of the 900 block of French Street, NW, and that said support be communicated in writing to the Director of DDOT.  The Motion passed, 6 yeas – 0 nays – 1 abstention (Commissioner Maceda).

4. X.           1200 s street, nw:  request for support for full modernization of garrison elementary school (garrison pta/garrison improvement project)

   Stephanie Maltz of ANC 2B spoke regarding support for full modernization of Garrison Elementary School, which several other ANCs in Wards 1 and 2 have voted to approve.  She stated that the requested renovation is sought in a single fiscal year, in FY 2015, to allow for a complete, one-time modernization of both the building and its grounds, including adequate space for community programming. Commissioner Padro noted that children in part of his SMD attend Garrison as their in-boundary elementary school.

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Wiggins seconded that ANC 6E support the full modernization of Garrison Elementary School in FY 2015 and that said support be communicated in writing to the Mayor and the DC Chancellor of Public Schools.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

5. XI.          OTHER NEW BUSINESS

   Since there was time available towards the end of the meeting, the Commissioners agreed to the addition of the four (4) items that were stricken at the beginning of the meeting.

   1. 1.            1537 7^th street, nw:  request for zoning relief to add 23 seats to new coffee roaster and café (compass coffee)

      Michael Haft of Compass Coffee spoke regarding the renovation of a vacant former laundromat at 1537 7^th Street, NW into a café and coffee roaster.  He is looking to increase seating in the café from 18 to 41 (23 additional seats) to create a larger space that would better serve the community.  The café will serve coffee, tea, and baked goods.

      MOTION: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 6E support the zoning relief sought by Compass Coffee and that said support be communicated in writing to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA).  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

   2. 2.            1200 block of 6^th street, nw, west side:  consideration of proposed increase in sunday diagonal parking hours (united house of prayer/ddot)

      Commissioner Wiggins spoke in support of a proposed increase in Sunday Diagonal Parking Hours requested by the United House of Prayer from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. based on the fact that church members are at the church all day long and into the evening on Sundays.

      MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC 6E oppose the study of the proposed increase in Sunday diagonal parking hours from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the 1200 block of 6^th Street, NW, West Side, oppose permanent implementation of those changes, and that said opposition be communicated in writing to the Director of DDOT.  The Motion passed, 6 yeas – 1 nay (Commissioner Wiggins) – 0 abstentions.

   3. 3.            proposed route for new circulator bus (national park service/ddot)

      Commissioner Padro spoke regarding the proposed route for a new Circulator bus.  He stated that ANC 2B has asked the National Park Service and DDOT to route a new Mall Circulator route to include Dupont Circle and the African American Civil War Memorial. ANC 2B Commissioners welcomed a proposed routing wherein 9^th Street, NW

      would be the southbound leg from U Street to Southwest, serving to relink two Ward 6 communities that were disconnected when the former Shaw-Southwest Waterfront Circular was suspended.  He requested ANC 6E support of the proposed routing and that suggestions be made to the National Park Service to explore this route.

      MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that ANC 6E request that the National Park Service and DDOT explore using 9^th Street, NW as the southbound leg to the U Street route and that said request be communicated in writing to the Director of DDOT.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

   4. 4.            community impact statement for kevin long/gang-related drug crimes (u. s. attorney for the district of columbia)

      The Commissioners took no action on this matter.

6. XII.         OLD BUSINESS

   None.

7. XIII.       APPROVAL OF MINUTES – february 4, 2014

   MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Maceda seconded that the Minutes of the February 4, 2014 ANC 6E Public Meeting be approved with corrections to be submitted.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

8. XIV.      approval of quarterly report (fy 14, q1)

   MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the ANC 6E’s Quarterly Report for the 1^st Quarter of FY 2014 (October, November, December 2013) be approved as submitted.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

9. XV.        APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT

   Commissioner Chapple reported that the balance in the checking account as of February 28, 2014 is $52,223.53.

   MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Maceda seconded that the Treasurer’s Report be approved as submitted.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

10. XVI.      approval of expenses
    1. 1.        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 March 4, 2014 Public Meeting be approved.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

    2. 2.        MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the invoice submitted by Miller Copying in the amount of $400.00 for the printing of the March 2014 newsletter be approved.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

11. XVII.     announcements
    1. 1.            Commissioner Padro announced that the Shaw Main Streets Annual Meeting will be held on March 25, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the rooftop lounge at City Market at O’s West Building, 800 P Street, NW.

    2. 2.            Library Manager Kathy Jenkins stated there were Calendar of Events handouts for March 2014 at the back of the meeting room.
12. XVII.     next meeting

    Tuesday, April 1, 2014, Northwest One Library, 155 L Street, NW, 6:30 p.m.

13. XVIII.    ADJOURNMENT

    MOTION:    There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Maceda moved and Commissioner Wiggins seconded that the meeting be adjourned.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.   The meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.