May 2013 Minutes

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E

Public Meeting

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E convened at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library, 1630 7^th Street, N.W., Washington, DC, on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.   Chair Rachelle P. Nigro presided.

Present:

Rachelle P. Nigro, Chair, ANC 6E04

Alexander M. Padro, Vice Chair, ANC 6E01

Marge Maceda, Secretary, ANC 6E05

Kevin L. Chapple, Treasurer, ANC 6E02

Frank S. Wiggins, ANC 6E03

Alfreda S. Judd, ANC 6E07 (arrived 6:45 p.m.)

Alvin Judd, Sr., ANC 6E06 (arrived 6:45 p.m.)

1. I.              CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

   The meeting was called to order at 6:34 p.m.  The roll was called and the presence of a quorum was noted.

2. II.            APPROVAL OF AGENDA

   MOTION: Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the Agenda be approved as amended, with “Historic Preservation Review:  1505 9^th Street, NW” and “Letters of Support:  Three (3) Restaurants Applying to ABRA” be added under “New Business.”   The Motion passed unanimously,  5  – 0 – 0.

3. III.           PSA REPORT:  METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT, 1D AND 3D

   Officer J. D. Strassman (email:  joshua.strassman@dc.gov) of Police Service Area 103 (1D) reported on crime activity in the area for the period April 1-30, 2013 as follows:  Crime, for the most part, experienced downward trends with a small number of street robberies, thefts from vehicles, and thefts.  He reported there were two stabbings, where the same individual was stabbed twice on different occasions.

Commissioner Nigro asked whether there will be an increased summertime presence at Tyler House.  Officer Strassman confirmed that there would.

Commissioner Maceda stated that the owner of a parking lot is running an illegal parking operation where he is allowing people to park on 6^th Street.  She asked if a car were parked on a sidewalk or driveway, is there any way the vehicle can be ticketed.

Sgt. Lashay Makal (email:  lashay.makal@dc.gov) of Police Service Area 308 (3D) reported a stabbing and two shootings.  She stated there is a rise in robberies, with cell phones being stolen.

A question and answer period followed.

1. IV.          LIBRARY ANNOUNCEMENTS – eRIC rILEY

   Mr. Riley wished everyone a happy May Day and stated the following:  (1) The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is conducting a special initiative, Bridging Cultures.  This year’s program is entitled Muslim Journeys, and the DC Public Library is fortunate to be a part of this program. Nine libraries in DC will receive a set of 25 books and three videos on Islamic culture, both historic and contemporary, and these locations will host a series of special Muslim Journeys themed events over the course of the entire year;  (2) He asked residents for their feedback about how the library is doing and directed them to fill out the survey on DCPL by going to:  http://grade.dc.gov

2. V.           PRESENTATION BY THE DC COMMISSION ON AGING TO SEEK ADVOCATES IN SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS

   Ron Swanda, Vice Chairperson (Ward 6) of the DC Commission on Aging, spoke briefly on seeking advocates in the Single Member Districts to help create the Ward 6 Senior Network to:  (1) listen to the successes and concerns of seniors in their neighborhoods; (2) learn about Ward 6 senior services and programs; (3) share information about these services with seniors in their neighborhood; and (4) establish a leadership structure.   Commissioner Nigro tasked the commissioners to help Ron with his agenda.

3. VI.          request for zoning relief:  1538 new jersey avenue, nw

   Ryan Samuel, 1^st Principle, and Meridith Moldenhauer, attorney, spoke regarding their request for zoning relief at 1538 New Jersey Avenue, NW.  The plan is to redevelop the property into a four level township with seven (7) 1-bedroom apartments.  They are requesting relief from the BZA to build seven units instead of two units which the current zoning allows.  They are not required to provide parking, but they will provide two parking spaces in the back.  The project is fully funded.  It will go before BZA on June 11, 2013 and then before DCRA.

   MOTION: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC6E support the BZA application for the property located at 1538 New Jersey Avenue, NW and that we communicate our endorsement of the application to BZA provided that two parking spaces are located in the back of the property.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 – 0 – 0.

4. VII.         request for zoning relief to allow use of building as an art gallery and architectural studio:  1527 9^th street, NW

   Warren Weixler of Design Operative and Maggie O’Neill of O’Neill Studios spoke regarding their request for zoning relief to allow use of the building at 1527 9^th Street, NW as an art gallery and architectural studio.  The relief requested is to use the upstairs as commercial for offices above the art studio.

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC6E support the zoning relief requested for the property located at 1527 9^th Street, NW to allow the use of the building as an art gallery and to use the upstairs as commercial for offices above the art studio and that said support be communicated in writing to the BZA.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 – 0 – 0.

5. VIII.       REQUEST For letter of support for the historic preservation office:  1235 4^th street,  nw

   Sergei Mikhailov spoke regarding his request for a letter of support for the Historic Preservation Office for the property located at 1235 4^th Street, N.W.  Mr. Mikhailov stated that the façade already has historic approval, however, the stari penthouse was not proposed in the original application and the Historic Preservation Office claims that the stair penthouse visibility from the side is still a historic issue and cannot approve it.  He further stated that the stair penthouse will not visible when standing in front of the house.  He also cited that new structures will be built by year’s end that will reduce/block the visibility of the stair penthouse from the side.

   MOTION: Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC6E support the request of Sergei Mikhailov for a letter to the Historic Preservation Office that the stair penthouse will not be visible when standing in front of the house.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 – 0 – 0.

6. IX.          request for support for angled parking on the west side of the 1100 block of 6^th street, nw on sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

   Commissioner Nigro spoke regarding the request for support for angled parking on the west side of the 1100 block of 6^th Street, NW on Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The advised that two surveys were done, one for angled parking and the other for “residential only” parking.  She advised that the residents are split and at least two residents are opposed to angled parking.  Rev. Dr. Myrtile Bowen, Pastor, Galbraith A.M.E. Zion Church, spoke in support of angled parking in the area.

   MOTION: Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Maceda seconded that ANC6E support the request for angled parking on the west side of the 1100 block of 6^th Street, NW on Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and that the church work with the residents who had a specific concern to accommodate them parking their vehicles on church property.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 – 0 – 0.

7. X.           request for support for extension of special exception approved in 2011:  1710 7^th street, nw:  lincoln westmoreland housing

   Robert Agus of Lincoln Westmoreland Housing spoke regarding a request for support for an extension of a special exception approved in 2011 for the property at 1710 7^th Street, NW, but because of the WMADA addition, they have agreed to sell us the heir rights to complte the structural plans for the project and they gave us a pre-development grant of moving forward – HUD will provide mortgage insurance and tax credits will unable these properties to be affordable to low income persons.  BZA suggests they will grant it for another two years.  $9 million was expended on the renovation two to three years ago.  In its place will be 56 units of affordable housing and a 20 year agreement for affordable housing will be entered into.  Mr. Agus confirmed that an application is in the process of being filed with HUD, building permits are in process, and that an agreement is the process of being signed with WMADA.  Commissioner Padro reiterated that the BZA order from 2011 is expiring which is the exemption.  Mr. Agus stated that the work is to be completed by December of 2014 and that there are no set asides for seniors.

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that ANC6E support the extension of the special exemption for 1710 7^th Street, NW and that said support be communicated in writing to the BZA.   The Motion passed, 6 yeas – 1 nay (Commissioner Maceda) – 0 abstentions.

8. XI.          resolution in support of dc capital budget for construction of new shaW middle school, 925 rhode island avenue, nw

   Commissioner Padro spoke in regard to a resolution in support of funding in the FY 2014-16 DC Capital Budget for the construction of a new Shaw Middle School as well as funding for the Garrison Elementary and Seaton Elementary modernizations.  He provided a copy of the Resolution to the Commissioners, cited the reasons for the new construction, and requested the Commissioners’ approval.

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that ANC6E supports the Mayor’s inclusion of funding for the construction of a new Shaw Middle School in the FY 2014-16 Capital Budget for the District of Columbia, as well as funding for the Garrison Elementary and Seaton Elementary modernizations, and urges the Council of the District of Columbia to retain the funding for these projects in the final approved Capital Budget.   The Motion passed unanimously, 7 – 0 – 0.

9. XII.         request for support for the public space plan:  455 eye street, nw

   Commissioner Maceda spoke in support for the Public Space Plan for 455 Eye Street, NW and Equity Residential’s proposal to re-pave an alley, repair sidewalks and curbing, add flower boxes, and beautify the neighborhood.

   MOTION: Commissioner Maceda moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC6E support the proposal from Equity Residential to beautify the streetscape by re-paving the alley, repairing sidewalks and curbing, add flower boxes, etc. specifically related to the Public Space Plan and that said support be communicated in writing to the Public Space Committee and DDOT.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 – 0 – 0.

10. XIII.       discussion of k street construction:  conceRNs with parking and the use of safety bollards

    Stan Burgess spoke in support of having Pedistrian Safety and Decorative Bollards at the newly renovated K Street Streetscape.  He asked for the support of ANC6E to address with DDOT the issue of parking on the new and improved sidewalks.  The Streetscape Construction Drawings do not have a schedule for “No Parking” signs at the sidewalk areas.  In addition, DPW does not ticket when there are no signs, nor do they have ticketing jurisdiction over sidewalks, curb cutes, or alleyways.  Without bollards or some other barrier, pedestrians are put t risk and public investment is damaged.  He proposed the use of decorative bollards that are compatible with the decorative streetlights to prevent parking on the sidewalks and delivery vehicles from using anything but the designated alley.  He proposed bollard placement at the following locations:

MOTION: Commissioner Maceda moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC6E communicate in writing to DDOT asking them to not close out the K Street Streetscape project yet and to consider bollard placement in the proposed locations noted above in the letter to DDOT.    The Motion passed unanimously, 7 – 0 – 0.

1. XIV.      walmart presentation:  update on opening day and community outreach

   John Tyson, Meridian Hill Advisors, LLC, and Nina Albert of Walmart provided an update on the new Walmart store scheduled to open at the end of 2013 at the intersection of New Jersey Avenue and H Street, NW.  The store will have a grocery store, and over 300 people will be hired.  There will be a Public Hiring Center two to three months before the grand opening.

   The commissioners raised the question of the benefits to the community and their understanding that a certain amount of employees will be hired from Ward 6.  Ms. Albert responded that Walmart has a community partnership with the City, not Ward 6 specifically.  Instead Walmart is working with the Work Force Providers from Ward 6.  In addition there will be job fairs and meet and greets.

   The commissioners will provide documentation to Ms. Albert in support of their belief/contention that a certain amount of employees would be hired from Ward 6.

2. XV.        grant request:  innovative school for performing arts, charles garris

   Charles Garris, President of the Innovative School for Performing Arts, spoke in support of his request for a grant from ANC6E in the amount of $4,000.00.  The Innovative School for Performing Arts (ISPA) is a program that creates educational and performing arts activities for individuals.  The specific purpose of the grant request is to facilitate after school enrichment programs for the students at the Walker Jones Education Campus.  He closed by stating that any amounts remaining from the grant will be refunded via check made payable to Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E.

   MOTION: Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC6E support the grant request in the amount of $4,000.00 (rather than the requested $5,000.00) from the Innovative School for Performing Arts to facilitate after school enrichment programs for students at the Walker Jones Education Campus.   The Motion passed, 6 yeas – 1 nay (Commissioner Maceda) – 0 abstentions.

3. XVI.      grant request:  mount vernon square cid, bill mcleod

   Bill McLeod, Executive Director of the Mount Vernon Triangle CID, spoke in support of their request for a grant from ANC6E in the amount of $5,000.00 to fund a ribbon cutting festival on K Street on June 1^st, 7^th, or 15^th.  His budget is $14,000.00.  The grant money will be used to pay for porta potties, a generator, banner, permit, table rentals, and advertising.

   MOTION: Commissioner Maceda moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC6E support a grant request in the amount of $4,000.00 to fund a ribbon cutting festival on K Street, NW.   The Motion passed unanimously, 7 – 0 – 0.

4. XVII.     NEW BUSINESS

   A.  Historic Preservation Review Board:  1505 9^th Street, NW (HPA #13-274)

   Commissioner Padro reported that the Historic Preservation Review Board will be meeting on May 2, 2013 to consider permit and concept applications.  He specifically referred to the property at 1505 9th Street NW, concept/new 4-story, 4-unit brick flat-front with oriel.  He noted that no zoning relief will be required and requested ANC6E support for the concept.

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that ANC6E support the concept for 1505 9^th Street, NW and that said support be communicated in writing to the Historic Preservation Review Board.   The Motion passed, 6 yeas – 0 nays – 1 abstention (Commissioner Maceda).

   B.  Letters of Support:  Restaurants Applying to ABRA

   Commissioner Maceda raised the subject of Voluntary Agreements for restaurants re-applying to ABRA.

5. XVIII.    OLD BUSINESS

   None.

6. XIX.      quarterly report

   MOTION: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC6E accept the quarterly report that was submitted for the second quarter of 2013.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 – 0 – 0.

7. XX.        approval of expenses

   A.  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 May 1, 2013 Public Meeting be approved.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 – 0 – 0.

   B.  MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that Commissioner Nigro be reimbursed in the amount of $457.07 for the printing of the April 2013 Newsletter by Fed Ex Office.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 – 0 – 0. 

   C.  MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that Commissioner Nigro be reimbursed in the amount of $337.08 for the printing of the May 2013 Newsletter by Fed Ex Office.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 – 0 – 0. 

   D.  MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that Commissioner Nigro be reimbursed in the amount of $6.36 for  printing of copies of the Agenda for tonight’s meeting by Fed Ex Office.   The Motion passed unanimously, 7 – 0 – 0.

8. XXI.      APPROVAL OF minutes – april 3, 2013
   
   MOTION:  Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the Minutes of the ANC 6EPublic Meeting of April 3, 2013 be approved pending receipt of additional corrections.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 – 0 – 0.

9. XXII.     announcements

   None.

10. XXIII.    next meeting

    Wednesday, June 5, 2013, Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library

11. XXIV.   ADJOURNMENT

    MOTION:    There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the meeting be adjourned.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 – 0 – 0.  The meeting adjourned at 9:04 p.m.