November 2015 Minutes

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E

Public Meeting

Tuesday, November 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, November 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

Kevin L. Chapple, Treasurer, ANC 6E02

Rachelle P. Nigro, ANC 6E04

Frank S. Wiggins, ANC 6E03

Absent:

Alfreda S. Judd, ANC 6E07

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

   Chair Maceda called the meeting to order at 6:39 p.m. The roll was called and the presence of a quorum was noted.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

   The agenda was approved, as amended, by the Commissioners.

• APPROVAL OF ANC 6E MINUTES

  MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Barnes seconded that the Minutes of the ANC 6E Public Meeting of October 6, 2015 be approved with corrections to be submitted to the Secretary.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Chapple, Barnes, Maceda, Nigro, and Wiggins) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

1. PSA REPORTS:

Crime statistics for the indicated periods are as follows:

Sgt. Architzel of 1D (PSA 103) reported on crime for the last 30 days in PSA 102 and 103 as follows:  1 homicide, 2 robberies, 2 assaults with a dangerous weapon, and 18 thefts from auto.  In regard to the homicide, he referred to a police flyer handout where a subject, Diaundrea Quarteze Hallman (aka Andriana Carter), is wanted for questioning in the homicide investigation of Joel Midget.

Commissioner Maceda advised that there is a lack of police presence around L Street, NW between 4^th & 5^th Streets.

A question and answer period followed.

Sgt. D. Poe of 3D (PSA 308) reported on crime for the last 30 days as follows:  11 thefts from auto, 19 thefts.  Sgt. Poe can be reached at 202-673-6923 or 202-673-6815.

Commissioner Nigro spoke regarding an incident in the 400 block of Ridge Street where she called police a few times, an ambulance showed up, but the police did not show up until sometime later.

Residents stated more of a police presence is needed at the Friends of Kennedy Playground and N Street Park.

Sgt. Gary E. Nelson of 5D reported on crime for the past 30 days as follows:  105 thefts from auto, 162 thefts.  He urged residents to be more vigilant and to keep their lights on at night.  He also stated there are continuing problems with the homeless community and transients.  Sgt. Nelson can be reached at 301-674-4196.

Commissioner Nigro stated there is a lack of police presence at Morgan Street, Kirby Street and N Streets.  Sgt. Nelson responded that they will try to have officers from each shift to check these locations.

2020. frank maduro, office of the mayor, homeless pledge

      Frank Maduro spoke regarding Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Homelessness Initiative where the goal is to eliminate homelessness for veterans by 2017 and all homeless by 2020. The goals are:  (1) to close DC General and replace the community based emergency housing; (2) to make shelters available to families when they need it; and (3) to prevent or decrease the amount of time families experience homelessness by connecting them to services.  To date, 10,000 pledges to end homelessness have been received.  Residents can sign the Mayor’s pledge by visiting:  dc.gov/homewarddc.  The Mayor’s Office is looking for a letter of support from ANC 6E to be sent to the Federal Government.

      Commissioner Maceda stated the Mayor’s plan should show where these shelters will be placed and that all the wards need to participate.  Mr. Maduro responded that all eight (8) wards will share in this effort.  The short-term plan is to identify locations throughout the city where shelters can be built.

      A question and answer period followed.

      MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC 6E send a letter of support for Mayor Bowser’s Initiative to eliminate homelessness in the District of Columbia, with special attention to equitably distributing new facilities to house residents in every ward of the city.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Chapple, Barnes, Maceda, Nigro, and Wiggins) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

2021. ABRA: the passenger, 1539 7^th street, nw – request for support for tavern license with entertainment endorsement

      Andrew Kline, Veritas Law, spoke on behalf of the applicant who is seeking support for a Tavern License with an Entertainment Endorsement.  There will be a roof top deck, a Summer Garden Endorsement, as well as a patio on the front.  They have operated for five years with no incidents and have received letters of commendation from ABRA.  Work on a Settlement Agreement is progressing.  The petition date is November 25, 2015 and the protest hearing date is February 5, 2015.

      The applicant held an open house for neighbors and Mr. Kline felt the applicant would be an asset to the community.  Commissioner Padro stated the ABC Licensing Committee met last Thursday and unanimously recommended support of the application with a Settlement Agreement to have restrictions with respect to the entertainment endorsement and no one on the roof after midnight.

      MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 6E support the request of The Passenger for a Tavern License with an Entertainment endorsement, contingent upon a Settlement Agreement being entered into prior to the protest hearing date on February 5, 2016, and in the event a settlement agreement is not signed prior to the protest hearing date, that ANC 6E would sign a letter on the basis of peace, order and quiet.   The Motion passed, 5 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Chapple, Barnes, Maceda, Nigro) – 0 nays – 1 abstention (Commissioner Wiggins).

• ABRA: STARBUCKS, 815 O STREET, NW – REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR LIQUOR LICENSE

  Stephen J. O’Brien, Mallios & O’Brien, spoke on behalf of the applicant.  Starbucks is starting an Evenings Program from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. offering beer and wine, along with finger foods.  Their experience thus far has been that more food is served than alcohol beverages.  Only nine (9) Starbucks were selected for this program.

  MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC 6E support the request of Starbucks at 815 O Street, NW, for a Class D License and that said support be communicated in writing to the ABC Board and ABRA.   The Motion passed unanimously 6 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Chapple, Barnes, Maceda, Nigro, Wiggins) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

• ABRA: DACHA, 1600 – 1602 7^TH STREET, NW – REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR CLASS C LIQUOR LICENSE

  Andrew Kline, Veritas Law, spoke on behalf of the applicant who is requesting ANC 6E’s support of the negotiated Settlement Agreement.  Kline stated he felt the Settlement Agreement fairly represents the issues that residents have raised.  The provisions of the agreement are:  limitation of 250 patrons outdoors; 250 people indoors, withdrawal of Dacha’s proposal for a terrace or balcony, additional sound mitigation measures, and restrictions on the entertainment endorsement for the establishment.  Commissioner Padro stated that one item not included in the Settlement Agreement is to provide security cameras on the alley side of the establishment.  He asked if Dacha would agree to this provision.  Mr. Kline responded Dacha would agree to this provision.

  MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Barnes seconded that ANC 6E approve the Settlement Agreement reached to resolve its protest of Dacha’s application from a Class D license to a Class C license and that said support be communicated in writing (to include the security cameras provision) to the ABC Board and ABRA.   The Motion passed unanimously 5 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Chapple, Barnes, Maceda, Nigro) – 0 nays – 1 abstention (Commissioner Wiggins).

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

   Greg Vakiner spoke on behalf of Shaw Bijou’s request for support for a stipulated liquor license.  The restaurant has two floors and will have 28 seats.  Commissioner Padro stated that ANC 6E previously approved zoning relief for Shaw Bijou and that the operators have agreed to a number of stipulations.

   MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC 6E support the request for support of Shaw Bijou, 1544 9^th 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, Chapple, Barnes, Maceda, Nigro, Wiggins) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

2. CAPITOL VISTA – INTRODUCTION

   Lee Goldstein, Project Manager, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), stated an RFP was issued this past spring for Capitol Vista. It is a small parcel of vacant land zoned C-2-A that needs to be upgraded to C-3-C.

   Three (3) development firms responded to the RFP and presented brief remarks :

   1. CAPITOL VISTA – FLGA, LLC, THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND CAMPUS

      Fred Greene of FLGA, LLC, Adam Peters of Perseus Realty, and Scott Lilly of Thurgood Marshall College Fund spoke regarding their development proposal for Capital Vista – The Thurgood Marshall College Fund Campus – 2^nd and H Streets, NW. Development highlights include:  Affordable Student Housing, 9 floors with 6 floors for student  housing, 2 floors of office space, and 1 floor of retail space; Parking – 10 below-grade spaces; Community Benefits – neighborhood access to scholarships; neighborhood access to capital; neighborhood workforce development; other amenities.  Students will not have cars.

      Commissioner Nigro questioned the statement that students will not have cars.  Commissioner Maceda asked about security of the students.

   2. CAPITOL VISTA – DANTES PARTNERS

      Buwa Binitie and Corey Powell of Dantes Partners spoke regarding their proposed development plan for 888 New Jersey Avenue, NW. Highlights include:  77,065 SF; 8 stories plus a roof deck; 72 luxury affordable and workforce units – 50 units at 60% AMI; 11 units at 50% AMI; 11 units at 30% AMI; 2,785 SF of retail space for a café/concept restaurant; 7,635 SF of resident amenity space; close proximity to Metro, bus lines, Capital Bike Share, and Zipcar/Car2Go; they require zero District subsidy to produce the units; 100% local minority developers; rents are 50% less than other recently completed projects in the neighborhood.

      A question and answer period followed.

   3. CAPITOL VISTA – ARGOS GROUP, LLC

      Gilberto Cardenas and Dennis Cotto of Argos Group, LLC spoke regarding their proposed development plan. Highlights include:  affordable housing, 87 units, 28 affordable, 14 parking spaces, reducing living/utility cost of residents through solar panels, high efficiency windows and green roofs, job creation and job training, commitment to build and maintain pubic space around the site, smaller building footprint; dog park, community garden, playground, barbecue area, and it will be the first building to be a net producer of energy in DC (net zero building).

      A question and answer period followed.

3. DISPOSITION OF PUBLIC LAND – 1336 8^TH STREET, NW

   Susan Linsky of Linsky Group, LLC spoke regarding the joint venture of Roadside Development, LLC and Dantes Partners to redevelop the vacant lot at 1336 8^th Street, NW, into a mixed-use development of 72 multi-family condominium units and 6,900 square feet of retail. Roadside Development is seeking a letter of support from ANC 6E for the project.

   MOTION:  Commissioner Wiggins moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 6E support the joint venture of Roadside Development and Dantes Partners to redevelop the vacant lot at 1336 8^th Street, NW into a mixed-use development of 72 condo units and 6,900 square feet of retail and that said support be communicated in writing to the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED).  The Motion passed unanimously 6 yeas (Commissioners Padro, Chapple, Barnes, Maceda, Nigro, Wiggins) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

• TREASURER’S REPORT

  Commissioner Chapple reported that the balance in the checking account is $63,371.27.

  MOTION: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the Treasurer’s Report be approved.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Chapple, Padro, Barnes, Maceda, Nigro, and Wiggins) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

• APPROVAL OF EXPENSES
  125. 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 November 3, 2015 Public Meeting be approved.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Chapple, Padro, Maceda, Barnes, Nigro, and Wiggins) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.
  126. MOTION: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that Commissioner Nigro be reimbursed in the amount of $431.46 for printing costs of the November Newsletter.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 yeas (Commissioners Chapple, Padro, Maceda, Barnes, Nigro, and Wiggins) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.
• OLD BUSINESS

1. NEW BUSINESS

• next meeting

  Tuesday, December 1, 2015, Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library, 1630 7^th Street, NW, 6:30 p.m.

• ANNOUNCEMENTS
  2015. Naomi Mitchell stated that Councilmember Charles Allen will be at Compass Coffee, 1535 7^th Street, NW, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on this coming Friday, November 6, 2015.

  2016. Commissioner Nigro stated that “Caroling with the Commissioner” will be held on Sunday, December 6, 2015.

• adjournment

  The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.