March 2015 Minutes

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E

Public Meeting

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E convened at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library, 1630 7^th Street, N.W., Washington, DC, on Tuesday, March 3, 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 late)

Kevin L. Chapple, Treasurer, ANC 6E02 (arrived late)

Rachelle P. Nigro, ANC 6E04

Frank S. Wiggins, ANC 6E03

Alfreda S. Judd, ANC 6E07 (arrived late)

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

   The meeting was called to order 6:33 p.m. The roll was called and the presence of a quorum was noted.   (Commissioners Chapple, Barnes, and Judd had not yet arrived).

   Chair Maceda recognized Gottlieb Simon, Executive Director, Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, who was in the audience.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Wiggins seconded that the Agenda be approved as submitted. The Motion passed unanimously, 4 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, and Wiggins) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

• APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

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

Crime statistics for the past 30 days are as follows:

Lt. Brian Murphy 1D (PSA 103) reported on crime for the last 30 days compared to the same period last year.  He reported that there was a decrease in Violent Crime of 17%.  There was one in the last 30 days compared to four last year.  We are up 2 in Assaults with a Dangerous Weapon from two last year.  Property Crime is down 21% this past 30 days.  There was an increase in thefts – 20 compared to 13 last year.  Overall crime in PSA 103 is down 20% this past 30 days.

Commissioner Maceda asked about a day time “grab ‘n go” by a bunch of teenagers at 425 I Street, N.W. Officer Murphy responded that that occurred yesterday.  It was a large group of juveniles in China Town and the group was believed to have committed a robbery of a cell phone.  Also there was an aggravated assault at 425 I Street.

Commissioner Nigro stated that last night there was an incident involving a whole bunch of cars down on L Street.    Officer Murphy responded that this individual was stopped.

A question and answer period followed.

Officer Berlin 3D (PSA 308) reported on crime for the period February 16^th to March 1^st.   There was one aggravated assault in the 1600 block of 9^th Street, N.W. where shots were fired into a vehicle from another vehicle.  There was one sound of gun shots at 5^th & N Streets, NW, no robberies, no burglaries, and one domestic violence assault.  The biggest problem is thefts from auto – there were only three during this period.  There are three fixed posts where police are stationed all day and all night where crime (homicides, sounds of gunshots, aggravated assaults, etc.) is occurring:  5^th & N, 7^th & O, 8^th & R.

Commissioner Padro asked if Officer Berlin could explain the legalities of the new DC law regarding marijuana.  Officer Berlin stated that individuals are not allowed to purchase or sell it, but individuals can have possession of six plants, three of which cannot be mature.  An individual can possess up to two ounces or less on public space, but in an individual’s house, there is no limit, so if there are 6 people in a house over 21, they can each have six plants.  Individuals can’t sell or buy, but they can transfer (as long as there is no money given).

1. ottomAn taverna, 4^th & i streets, nw (425 I Street, NW): rEQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR ABRA LICENSE

   Steve O’Brien, attorney, spoke on behalf of Hakan Ilhan, the proprietor of Ottoman Taverna.  This restaurant is located in the same building as Alba Osteria at 425 I Street, NW.  The hours of operation will be 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.  There are 166 interior sets with a total occupancy load of 251.  The sidewalk café will seat up to 74 with public space outdoor seating until 11:00 p.m. and Midnight.  There will be no music outdoors.  There will be live entertainment for weekend brunch and occasional special events (as many as 12).  Commissioner Padro advised that the ABC Committee voted unanimously last Thursday to recommend to the full ANC that this application be supported with the provision that the Settlement Agreement be incorporated as part of the license application.

   MOTION: Commissioner Maceda moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 6E support the request for support of Ottoman Taverna, 425 I Street, NW, for an ABRA license, with the provision that the Settlement Agreement be incorporated as part of the license application, and that said support be communicated in writing to the ABC Board and ABRA.   The Motion passed 5 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, Chapple, and Barnes) – 0 nays – 1 abstention (Commissioner Wiggins).

2. grand cata, 1550 7^th street, nw: request for support for ABC Retailer’s class A license beverage sales permit

   Andrew Kline, attorney, and Julio Robledo co-owner, of Grand Cata spoke on behalf of their request for support for an ABC Retailer’s Class A License Beverage Sales Permit.  Grand Cata is a boutique wine shop featuring over 300 selections of wine.  The hours of operation will be 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

   Commissioner Padro stated the ABC Licensing Committee met last Thursday and voted unanimously that this application be supported.
   
   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC 6E support the request of Grand Cata, 1550 7^th Street, NW, for an ABC Retailer’s Class A License Beverage Sales Permit and that said support be communicated in writing to the ABC Board and ABRA.   The Motion passed 5 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, Chapple, and Wiggins)   – 0 nays – 1 abstention (Commissioner Barnes).
   

• bacaro restaurant, 1400 block of 8^th street, nw: request for support for abra license

  Commissioner Padro stated that because ANC 6E received notice of the placard the day after the ANC issued the notice for this meeting, it was unable to hear the case until its next meeting which falls on the day after the ABC Board has established for any protest to be filed.  As Mr. Klein has been unable to reach his client, the ANC would mutually agree between the ANC and the applicant that we would request an additional week form the ABC Board to be able to get the correspondence to them.  Based on the timing issues, the ANC will have to go ahead and protest this license, but the ANC won’t file the protest if it actually does get concurrence on the deferral of the date for the ANC letter to be sent to the ABC Board.   

  MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC 6E protest the liquor license application for Bacaro, 1400 block of 8^th Street, NW on the grounds of peace, order and quiet, with the provision that if the applicant agrees to request that the ABC Board extend its deadline for the ANC’s correspondence to be submitted by seven days, then the protest will not be filed and ANC 6E will actually hear this case at its meeting on April 7, 2015.    The Motion passed, unanimously 6 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, Chapple, and Wiggins, and Barnes)   – 0 nays – 0

• beau thai, 1550 7^th street, nw: request for support for public space permit for outdoor café

  Andrew Kline, attorney, spoke on behalf of the applicant who could not attend.  This is an application for a sidewalk café permit (unenclosed) at 1550 7^th Street, NW; there is 750 square feet total in front of the establishment which leaves 9 feet clear between the outer edge of café and the nearest obstruction which are tree boxes in front of the café.  The Public Space requirement is 10 feet but we are asking them to reduce it to 9 feet.   In the 750 square feet, it is contemplated there will be occupancy of 50, 4 ADA seats, chairs, tables and umbrellas.  The furniture will be moved inside at night or secured in some way.    The hours are until midnight.  The commission asked whether security cameras will be installed.  Klein will check with the applicant. 

  MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Wiggins seconded that ANC 6E support the Public Space Application for an unenclosed outdoor café  of Beau Thai, 1550 7^th Street, NW, and that said support be communicated in writing to the Public Space Committee and the Director of DDOT with the proviso that Beau Thai installs security cameras that would allow the monitoring of the outdoor seating area.    The Motion passed 4 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Maceda, Chapple, and Wiggins) – 0 nays – 2 abstentions (Commissioners Barnes and Nigro).

1. 440 ridge street, nw: request for zoning relief FOR renovation of town house
   
   The architect of the applicant stated she had been hired by Nicole Mitchell to help her in renovation of her townhouse at 440 Ridge Street.  The architect stated they have been through the Historic Preservation review process and received approval.  The applicant needs to increase the lot occupancy from what is currently 60.5% to 68%.  She is replacing an existing one story rear addition with a three story addition that comes into the rear yard.  The property will remain a single family residence and the additional space is required to accommodate living space needs.

   Nicole Mitchell stated she lived in this home as a single person for five years, then got married and moved out to the suburbs.  She would like to return to Washington and reoccupy the home.

   Chair Maceda stated that the request for zoning relief was heard last Thursday by the Zoning Committee and two requests were made:  (1) letters of support from the neighbors; and (2) has the applicant talked to her contractors that construction will not start before 8:00 a.m.?   The architect responded affirmatively.

   Commissioner Nigro stated that there is lot of activity going on on Ridge Street. She understands the applicant’s need for space, but the problem is the request for lot increases.  Lydia Goring, who lives behind the applicant, spoke in opposition to the applicant’s request.  Another resident – 4^th house – spoke in support of her request.  Martin asked what size of construction equipment was being used because the alley is very narrow and damage could result.  The applicant responded that small construction equipment will be used.  Ms. Martin spoke in opposition to the request.

   The architect stated that getting HPRB to support this project was not easy and they managed to do it because they were willing to compromise and scale it down significantly.  What they are proposing is a very modest increase in size to the house and what they are asking for is a special exception for lot occupancy.  The third story does not require a variance or a special exception.  She is legally allowed to do that because they have designed it in a way that is sensitive to the historic character of the townhouse which is why HPRB approved it for the first time.   She and her client came to HPRB with a willingness to compromise, to work with them, and they addressed every concern HPRB raised. 

   [Commissioner Judd arrives.] 

   MOTION: Commissioner Nigro moved that ANC 6E not support the variance for an increase in lot occupancy for 440 Ridge Street, NW.  The Motion failed for lack of a second. 

   Commissioner Padro stated that in the past ANC supported a senior citizen request for lot occupancy to be able to put a small one person elevator on the back of her house because she had some health issues.  This is an extremely modest amount of relief being requested (20”) and he supports it.

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Wiggins seconded that ANC 6E support the BZA case for zoning relief for the addition at 440 Ridge Street, NW and that said support be communicated in writing to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA).  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Barnes, Judd) – 1 nay (Commissioner Nigro) – 0 abstentions.

2. 801-811 n street, nw: request for hprb approval

   Michael Vallen, architect, stated that the property at 8^th & N is currently a parking lot.  The property is zoned C-2-A.  They are proposing a five story L shaped building that fronts 8^th & N Street with entrance on N.  It will be an all residential building – 24 units:  23 are 2 bedrooms, 2 baths; and one (1) 1 bedroom and 1-1/2 bath.  There will be two (2) lower levels of parking below ground, a courtyard in back, four (4) private roof top decks.  The building size is 21,000 square feet total.  The building has a cellar level.  There were concerns at the Zoning Committee meeting last week about ADA  ADA ramps will be added to the courtyard level and the first floor.  There is a trash chute from the top to the bottom, bike parking, no zoning issues, no construction before 8:00 a.m., and they have a letters of support.  Materials will be brick, glass, and some stucco.

   MOTION: Commissioner Wiggins moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 6E support the concept design of 801-811 N Street, NW and that said support be communicated in writing to the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB).    The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Wiggins, Padro, Maceda, Nigro, Chapple, Judd) – 1 nay (Commissioner Barnes) – 0 abstentions.

3. presentation by central union mission

   David Treadwell, Director of Central Union Mission, provided a brief presentation about Central Union Mission. The Mission has been moved around and they are glad to have a home after restoring the school at 65 Massachusetts Avenue, NW.  They have been in many locations in the city, but they really wanted to come back downtown.   They are handling 170 men a night and designed this building

   to handle men in the daytime.  Quite a few of these people are seniors.  They gave six (6) other locations in DC.  They are located by the Government Printing Office and want to know how better they can serve the community.  They have meeting rooms which are available if needed. He invited the ANC to come visit them.   Commissioner Nigro asked about the Executive Dinners they hold.

• APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT

  Commissioner Chapple reported that the balance in the checking account is $59,900.78. Commissioner Maceda advised that $20,000 has been budgeted for ANC grants.

  A resident asked why the ANC was allowed to carry so much money in its checking account when every agency in DC has to spend its money by the end of the year and are not allowed to carry it over.   Gottlieb responded that ANCs are allowed to do this and the theory behind that is so they will not be like the agencies which try to push out money at the end of the year to ensure that they can get an allocation or increase next year.  The ANCs are allowed to hold the money so that they can use it in the most responsible manner necessary and not spend the money just for the sake of spending money.

• APPROVAL OF EXPENSES
  5. 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 March 3, 2015 Public Meeting be approved.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas (Commissioners Chapple, Padro, Maceda, Wiggins, Nigro, Barnes, Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.
  6. MOTION: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Maceda seconded that Commissioner Nigro be reimbursed in the amount of $522.91 for printing costs of the March 2015 Newsletter, contingent upon Commissioner Nigro providing the reimbursement forms.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Nigro, Barnes, and Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.
  7. MOTION: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that Commissioner Nigro be reimbursed in the amount of $521.35 for printing costs of the February 2015 Newsletter, contingent upon Commissioner Nigro providing the reimbursement forms. The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Nigro, Wiggins, Barnes, and Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

     Commissioner Maceda stated that the format of the newsletter has changed and that the front page has an article about someone in the local community.  She asked residents to submit their comments on Facebook.

• OLD BUSINESS
  1. Commissioner Padro stated that he learned from WMATA today that, pursuant to the conversation the ANC had with them back in January about the desire by senior citizens to see the restoration of the Metro Bus Stop on the southwest corner of 7^th & Q Streets, N.W. that had been eliminated by the construction of Jefferson Market Place, the bus stop has been restored.

  2. Commissioner Barnes had a meeting with WMATA and we came to a compromise to put a bus stop in the middle of M Street NW.

1. NEW BUSINESS

• next meeting

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

• ANNOUNCEMENTS
  1. Naomi Mitchell stated that Councilmember Charles Allen would like to continue the practice of reaching out to residents and he will be at Compass Coffee, 1535 7^th Street, NW, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on the first Friday of every month.
  2. Commissioner Maceda stated that ANC 6E’s committees are still looking for members to fill seats. The Zoning & Planning Committee will meet on the last Thursday evening of every month, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.; also the ABRA Licensing Committee needs new faces.
  3. Nicky Warner – Fresh Farm Markets – requested support for the Mt. Vernon Triangle Farm Stand at 5^th & K Streets, N.W. It will be open from May 16^th to October 31^st from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.   Sales go to help small farmers.
  4. Supreme Aquil– President, Banneker City Little League – would like to solicit support for little league baseball for kids ages 4-6. There are no fields for the kids to play on.  Sixteen (16) t-ball games at Kennedy are difficult to do.  They are trying to set up a block between Bundy, Kennedy and Stead Recreation Centers.  He would like to be added to agenda for next month.  He also stated coaches were needed.
  5. Commissioner Maceda introduced Frank Madura, the ANC’s Ward 6 person in the Mayor’s Office. Madura recognized the hard work of the ANC.  He stated the Mayor’s budget forum was just held and 1,400 people brought up their cases and budget priorities for this fiscal year. He suggested residents go to: engaged.org to submit your priorities.
  6. Commissioner Padro announced the following:
     1. Shaw Main Street will be holding its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 pm. at Longview Gallery, 1234 9^th Street, NW. This is a free event.  They will be announcing the winner of “Best New Shaw in Business in 2014” and holding election of officers, followed by a reception.
     2. Shaw Main Street’s Annual Gala will be held on April 29, 2015 at the Howard Theatre at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $75.00 and may be purchase at com.

• 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, 7 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Maceda, Wiggins, Nigro, Barnes, Chapple, and Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.