April 2012 Minutes

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C

Public Meeting

April 4, 2012

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C convened at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library, 1630 7^th N.W., Washington, DC, on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.   Chair Alexander M. Padro presided.

Present:

Alexander M. Padro, Chair, ANC 2C01

Kevin L. Chapple, Vice Chair & Treasurer, ANC 2C02

Doris L. Brooks, ANC 2C03

Rachelle P. Nigro, Secretary, ANC 2C04

1. I.              CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Commissioner Padro called the meeting to order at 6:24 p.m.  Commissioner Nigro called the roll and the presence of a quorum was noted.

1. II.            APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that the Agenda be approved as submitted.  The Motion passed unanimously, 4-0-0.

1. III.           ANNOUNCEMENT FROM WATHA T. DANIEL LIBRAY

Eric Reilly, head librarian of the Watha T. Shaw library gave highlights of the library programs including the History Book club and program focused on Ancient Greeks modern lives.

1. IV.          PSA 308 REPORT:  METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

   Sgt. Linda Wingate (soon to be Lieutenant Wingate), Sergeant Tyrone Harris, and Sergeant Tommy Barnes of Police Service Area 308 reported on crime activity in the area for the period March 1 – April 1, 2012 as follows:

PSA 308 Lieutenant Wingate stated that MPD will be Partnering with DC Protective Services to help protect the Kennedy Recreation Center and its users.

Officer Harris reported one arrest for stolen vehicle, four arrests for assaults, three drug arrests, four traffic arrests, and seven robberies.  Also a new program has begun to regularly check alleys.  Officer Barnes is also holding a monthly meeting with property managers

1. V.           10^TH STREET PEDESTRIAN ZONE PILOT: PRESENTATION ON PROPOSAL TO CLOSE 500 BLOCK OF 10^TH STREET, NW TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC (DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION)

??? from the DC Department of Transportation discuss the proposed project to shut down the 500 block of 10^th St. during the day from 8:00a.m-6:00p.m. A study was conducted in 2009. The street closure would help motor coaches with drop off passengers in front of Ford’s Theater and prevent double parking of buses

After receiving feedback from the community DDOT determined the timing is not good for the project and traffic enforcement would be used instead. The conceptual plan of the project can be found at http://www.scribd.com/ddotdc/d/44495726-10th-Street-NW-Curbside-Management-Plan

Commissioner Nigro mentioned that the double parking problem is just being moved. Nannette Paris, President of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, added it will increase safety issues. Paul Millstein of Douglas Development was against the plan also. He asked that DDOT simply enforce the rules. Commissioner Padro said the enforcement would add to revenue for the city and that closing streets does not help retail.

MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded to oppose the implementation of the proposed project and that DDOT should identify resources to bring enforcement to the area. Motion passed unanimously 4-0-0.

1. VI.          465 NEW YORK AVENUE, NW: REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR DDOT PUBIC SPACE APPLICATION FOR CURB CUT AND LAY BY FOR HOTEL (IBG PARTNERS)

Scott Fulller of IBG Partners and Priyathan Konda of Wells and Associates requested a curb cut on L St  An L St. curb cut would avoid cars going through the alley The site is a split zone site C2C and R2B. The site is under consideration to be a 177 room hotel. The existing townhouse would move and could become residential.

MOTION: Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 2C support the curb cut with a friendly amendment that there be no left turn onto 5^th St. and not to lift the traffic restrictions on New York Avenue and that said support be communicated in writing to the District Department of Transportation.  The Motion passed 3 yeas-1 nay (Commissioner Brooks)-0 abstentions.

1. VII.         Square 450 (Bounded by 6^th, 7^th, and L Streets and New York Avenue, NW): Request for Support for Zoning Relief for New Construction (Douglas Development)

Chip Glasgow of Holland and Knight and Patrick Burkhart of Shalom Architects presented to the Commission a need for a boundary shift to move density from DDC2C to DDC3A in order to not build on top of the historic buildings. Much of the retail will be in the historic buildings.

MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded

ANC 2C support relief requested for and that said support be communicated to the Office of Zoning and the Historic Preservation Board for the following:

1. Special exception for a 35 ft. extension of the DDC2C zoning line.
2. Roof structure set back.

4. Height the C3A along 7^th St to extend beyond the 65 ft. limit.

5. Support for large track review

Friendly amendment added by Commissioner Padro, Commissioner Brooks seconded that for up to a parking 10% reduction to BZA and size. The Motion passed unanimously, 4-0-0.

1. VIII.       801 7^th Street, NW: Update on Development Project (Douglas Development)

Paul Millstein of Douglass Development reported that Living Social is the new occupant at the corner of New York Avenue and 7^{th St}.  The project at the corner of 7^th St. and H St. is under full construction and will be completed around November 2012.  A 24 hours Walgreens will be the tenant with doctors on site plus fresh foods.  European restaurant chain, Yo Sushi, will be another tenant.  The Wonderbread Factory space located on the 600 block of S St. was officially designated as a historic building will be and office building and have retail in lower level.

1. IX.          625 Rhode Island Avenue, NW: Request for Support for Reallocation and Increase in Number of Affordable Units under PUD to Adjacent Buildings Owned by Same Developer (United House of Prayer)

MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 2C support reallocation of affordable units from 625 Rhode Island Ave to 1713 7^th St and 1739 7^th St. and that said support be communicated in writing to the Board of Zoning. Motion passes 3 yeas-0 nays- 1 abstention (Commissioner Nigro)

1. X.           460-462 Ridge St. Blue Sky Housing

Earle Horton, developer with Blue Sky Housing presented to the Commission plans for new construction for 460-462 Ridge St.  Concerns were voiced from neighbors about the set back.  Commissioner Nigro asked all parties to get together so the project could move forward.

Motion: Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 2C support the new construction and addition of 460 and 462 and that said support would be communicated to the Historic Preservation Board. Commissioner Padro offered a friendly amendment that cornice be replicated on both 460 and 462 Ridge St. Motion passed unanimously, 4-0-0.

1. XI.          HOWARD THEATRE AREA RESIDENTIAL PARKING: STATUS OF OPTIONS FOR IMPROVING AVAILABILITY OF PARKING FOR RESIDENTS DURING HOWARD THEATRE EVENTS

Motion: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that ANC 2C support Resident Only Parking and Enhanced Resident Parking stickers starting with P St at the South, 11^th St at West, S St. at the North across to Wiltberger St., Wiltberger St.to T St., T St. to Florida Ave, and Florida Ave to New Jersey Ave and New Jersey Ave to P St. and that it request the Council to enact emergency legislation for DDOT to enact parking changes. Motion passes 4-0-0

1. XII.         KENNEDY RECREATION CENTER, 1401 7^TH STREET, NW: UPDATE ON STATUS OF SECURITY, STAFFING AND MAINTENANCE CONCERNS (DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION)

Lights have been added to the entrance and back to the center; no person under the age of twelve in the center without a guardian after 7:00pm; only entry via the front door; additional roving leaders; and a new mix of programs with be added.  There was a community meeting with MPD, Councilmember Tommy Wells, and the Friends of the Kennedy Recreation Center to discuss concerns.

1. XIII.       GUILFORD LIQUORS, 446 RHODE ISLAND AVENUE, NW, NW: REQUEST FOR RENEWAL OF SINGLE SALES BAN EXEMPTION

Motion: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded renewal of liquor license and the exception for signal sale for 22 oz. of imported beer.  Motion passes 3 yeas-1 nay (Commissioner Brooks)-0 abstentions.

1. XIV.      MARION STREET INTERGENERATIONAL GARDEN, EAST SIDE, 1500 BLOCK OF MARION STREET, NW: REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR DC COMMISSION ON THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES GRANT APPLICATION FOR MURAL ON NORTH WALL OF 1515 MARION STREET, NW (CITY BLOSSOMS)

Motion:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple supported the grant application for the mural on condition being able to review and approve the final design and that said support be communicated to the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. The Motion passed unanimously, 4-0-0

1. XV.        LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK, OCTOBER 13, 2012:  REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR STREET CLOSURES (LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY)

Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Brooks seconded that ANC 2C support the street closures required to conduct the Light the Night Walk on October 13, 2012 and that said support be communicated in writing to the Mayor’s Special Event Task Force and to DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.  The Motion passed unanimously 4-0-0.

1. XVI.      ARMY TEN-MILER, OCTOBER 21, 2012: REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR STREET CLOSURES (US ARMY, MILITARY DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON)

Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Brooks seconded that ANC 2C support the street closures required to conduct the Light the Night Walk on October 13, 2012 and that said support be communicated in writing to the Mayor’s Special Event Task Force and to DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.  The Motion passed unanimously 4-0-0

1. XVII.     MARINE CORPS MARATHON, OCTOBER 28, 2012: REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR STREET CLOSURES (US MARINE CORPS)

Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Brooks seconded that ANC 2C support the street closures required to conduct the Light the Night Walk on October 13, 2012 and that said support be communicated in writing to the Mayor’s Special Event Task Force and to DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.  The Motion passed unanimously 4-0-0

1. XVIII.    Approval of March 7^th, 2012 meeting

MOTION: 

1. XIX.      Approval of Expenses
   1. Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded the invoice in the amount of $560.00 March/April to Miller Copying for the printing of March/April newsletter. Motion passed unanimously 4-0-0.

1. Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded payment of $320.00 for year for post office box rental to United States Postal Service.  Motion passed unanimously 4-0-0

1. XX.        ANNOUNCEMENTS
   1. Frank Cervarich of Pointless Theater informed the Commission of the Minnie the Moocher Production at Flashpoint, April 13^th –April 29^th
   2. Brittney Wright, with the Office of Neighborhood Engagement, informed the Commission that the Ward 6 Budget Meeting will be at April 25^th at 6:30 at Eastern High School.

1. XXI.      ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:  There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Brooks moved and Commissioner Nigro   seconded that the meeting adjourned.  The Motion passed unanimously, 4-0-0.  The meeting adjourned at 9:09pm.

NEXT ANC 2C MEETING: Wednesday, May 2^nd, 2012 6:30pm

Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library