CAPITOL HILL CORNER

Barracks Row Matchbox Thumbs Nose at ANC and Neighbors

Owners Refuse to Limit Patio Hours

by Larry Janezich

Fred Hermann of Matchbox told ANC6B on Tuesday night that since Matchbox doesn’t operate a loud patio and has otherwise operated responsibly, “there is no reason to adjust our hours.”  He said that the ability to operate their business as they saw fit was their right as business owners, and further, “We don’t want the ANC to dictate when we can do business.”

Hermann appeared before the Commission to support the renewal of the restaurant’s C-2 liquor license.  All other restaurant operators on Barracks Row whose licenses are up for renewal in the current round  have agreed to end their outdoor patio service at midnight Sunday – Thursday and 1:00am on Friday and Saturday.  Matchbox currently provides patio service until 2:00am Sunday – Thursday, and 3:00am Friday and Saturday.  ANC6B had asked Matchbox to sign a “settlement agreement” (formerly “voluntary agreement”) with the ANC, and swing into line with the other establishments.  The agreement would have permitted exceptions for special events on a case-by-case basis.  The settlement agreements come on behalf and in the interest of nearby neighbors who have had long-standing issues with noise on Barracks Row and on their streets as loud patrons walk to their cars in early morning hours.

Hermann’s thumbing his nose at the ANC was not well received.  Commissioner Garrison said he was “flabbergasted” at the “audacity of the move,” and urged commissioners to support a protest of the license to the ABC Commission.  Commissioner Oldenburg told Hermann, “I’m very disturbed by this.  The other restaurants on Barracks Row agreed to this; now one won’t do it.  I’m very disappointed.”  Commissioner Peisch, in whose single member district the restaurant lies, also express his unhappiness.

Commissioner Frishberg noted that in front of the ANC’s ABC Committee last week, Matchbox had only asked for flexibility for special events, and tonight has come back with something different.  None the less, he didn’t think the ANC had a solid case to justify a protest and he was concerned that the ABC Commission would ignore a protest that can’t be justified.  Commissioner Pate said he would support the motion to oppose – saying that the ANC may lose, but it is worth trying.

A motion to protest was agreed to 8 – 0 – 2.  A vote to protest signals the ANC’s concern and usually puts pressure on the applicant to sign a settlement agreement.

ANC6B’s concerns are several.  Matchbox playing by different rules than everyone else opens the door to future refusals from other restaurants who can claim a competitive disadvantage.  In addition, since the license stays with the location rather than the operator, a new owner who might not be able to make the same management claims as Matchbox could be difficult to rein in.  Most commissioners appeared to believe that Matchbox’s refusal sets a bad precedent that will only cause them future problems.

The Week Ahead……ANC Schedule Dominated by Hine/Liquor License Renewals

by Larry Janezich

May 14, Tuesday

ANC6B meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center.

Among the items on the agenda:

Hine Development

The Commission will consider two issues related to the Hine Development.  First up will be Stanton-Eastbanc’s public space application package.  It appears that the only significant change to the plan is elimination of the fountain which had been planned for the plaza and the addition of five trees.  Instead of a fountain, the plaza will feature nine water jets. 

Second, the Commission will consider a recommendation from the Transportation Committee that the ANC support Stanton-Eastbanc’s plans for truck entrances and exits at Hine site during the demolition and excavation phases scheduled to start this July. 

Liquor License Renewals

Liquor license renewals for the following restaurants were scheduled for discussion. 

Capitol Hill Tandoor and Grill, Il Capo Di Capitol Hill, Las Placitas, Ambar, Tunnicliffs Tavern,

Ninnella, Matchbox, Senart’s Oyster & Chop House, Molly Malone’s, Chesapeake Room, Boxcar.

Liquor license renewals which the ANC’s ABC Committee placed on the consent calendar to expedite passage are as follows: 

La Lomita Dos, La Plaza Mexican Restaurant, National Democratic Club, Folger Theatre Group, Hill Center, Zest Bistro, The Ugly Mug Dining Saloon, Banana Café and Piano Bar, Bullfeathers, Talay Thai Restaurant, La Lomita Restaurant, Beuchert’s Saloon, Pound the Hill, Ted’s Bulletin, Pacifico, 514 8th Street SE, license renewal

Navy Yard Pedestrian Crossings

The Commission will discuss and vote on a recommendation from the Transportation Committee         Letter to DDOT in support of Navy Yard’s request for improved pedestrian crossings at 8th & M Streets SE.  The letter will likely request a meeting of stakeholders with DDOT to alleviate the serious pedestrian crossings and traffic backups connected with some 4,000 Navy employees’ cars which drive into the Navy Yard.

Presentation

In other business, Lee Blackmon, DC Office of Unified Communications (911 Call Center) & National Association of Government Employees Local R3-07, will make a ten minute presentation regarding 911 Call Center Staffing Concerns.

The Week Ahead……

by Larry Janezich

Monday, May 6

CHRS Historic Preservation Committee meets at 6:30pmat 420 10^th Street, SE.

Tuesday, May 7

ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm, at St. Coletta of Greater Washington.

Among the items on the agenda:

Public Space application for a sidewalk café at Ambar Restaurant, 523 8^th Street, SE.

Review of Stanton-Eastbanc’s public space plans for the Hine Development

Wednesday, May 8

ANC6B’s Transportation Committee meets at 6:30pm at Hill Center.

Among the items on the agenda:

Briefing on new funding mechanism for neighborhood improvements in Performance Based Parking areas

Review of Stanton-Eastbanc’s construction site plans submitted to DDOT for approval

Thursday, May 9

Alcohol Beverage Control Committee meets at 7:00 p.m., in Hill Center.

Among items on the agenda:

Change of hours of operation and sales for Congressional Liquor, 404 1st Street SE.

License renewals for:

Tortilla Coast

Young Chow Asian Restaurant

Zest Bistro

Ted’s Bulletin

Sneart’s oyster & Chop House

Ninnella

Matchbox

Pacifico

Molly Malone’s

Chesapeake Room

La Lomita Dos

Las Placitas

The Ugly Mug

Banana Café

National Democratic Club

Bullfeathers

Talay Thai Restaurant

Folger Theatre

Ambar

Hill Center

Capitol Hill Tadnor and Grill

Il Capo Di Capitol Hill

Tunnicliffs

Boxcar

Beuchert’s Saloon

La Plaza

Pound the Hill

Thursday, May 9

CHRS Zoning Committee meets at 7:30pm at 420 10^th Street, SE

May 11 – 12, Saturday and Sunday

CHRS Capitol Hill House Tour.

Addresses of the houses on the Tour:

209 C Street, SE

127 C Street, SE

124 Rumsey Court, SE

138 E Street, SE

126 E Street, SE

101 E Street, SE

518 First Street, SE

101 Duddington Place, SE

122 Duddington Place, SE

521 Second Street, SE

210 South Carolina Avenue, SE (Capitol Hill Day School)

226 South Carolina Avenues, SE

612 Third Street, SE

Refreshments:  American Legion Post 8, 224 D Street, SE

The Week Ahead …… and a Look Back at CHRS and EMCAC

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, April 30

ANC6B Executive Committee meets at 8:30pm in Hill Center to set the agenda for the regular May meeting of ANC6B. 

Wednesday, May 1

EMCAC Marketing Committee meets at 6:30pm in Eastern Market North Hall to discuss a marketing plan for Eastern Market, focusing both on the next six months and a longer term strategy. 

Friday, May 3

Capitol Hill Village Symposium: Addressing the Future, Housing Options on Capitol Hill, 8:30am to 4:00pm, in Hill Center.

This event – free and open to all – will enable attendees to learn about how to stay in their own homes or in the neighborhood throughout life.  Topics covered will include: preparing multi-floor townhouses for ease of use, moving to one-level living, choosing co-housing or one-level living with communal space, financing changing needs, and moving to small neighborhood skilled nursing homes when 24 hour professional attention is the best solution.  Space is limited and those planning on attending must RSVP by 3:00pm on Wednesday, May 1.  Email info@capitolhillvillage.org or call CHV office at 202 543 1778.  Attendees need not attend all sessions.  For the agenda and more information, go to www.CapitolHillVillage.org/Housing

EMCAC Miffed At Lack of Input on Vendor Licenses for Lower 7^th Street

Last Wednesday, at the April meeting of the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee meeting, Chair Donna Scheeder said that the limited opportunity for EMCAC input into the process for licensing flea market vendors to operate on 7th Street “left a lot to be desired.”  Grudgingly admitting relief that a licensing agreement has been worked out for flea market vendors to use 7^th Street between C Street and Pennsylvania Avenue once they are displaced from the Hine parking lot, Scheeder told the other members of EMCAC that the way the process worked is “not the way I think we should be doing business.  If we’re supposed to be consulted, we should be.”

According to Saturday flea market vendor Carol Wright, the lower 7^th Street contract was signed April 3 after six months of negotiation with DC’s Department of General Services, who will provide oversight of the vending operation through Eastern Market Manager Barry Margeson.  Wright says the two vendors will pay the same rent – $2000 per month each  – for the 17,000 square feet on 7^th Street that they did for the 55,000 square foot lot they have now.  The contract is for two years, starting August 1.  The vendor’s current contract runs until July 12.   Stanton Development expects asbestos removal from the Hine building to begin in July and demolition to begin in this fall.  The vendors hope to negotiate a partial occupation of the parking lot for the bigger vendors on a temporary basis.  Wright said she was very happy that the license had been signed with DGS and the mayoral order issued for closing 7^th Street on weekends for the two year period.   

CHRS Nominating Committee Announces Slate of Candidates for Upcoming CHRS Election

The slate of officers put forth by the nominating committee appointed by the President is as follows.  The election will be held in June, and the newly elected board will announced at the annual meeting in June.  The list was announced with the proviso that if any nominee proved to be unqualified under the Society’s bylaws, that slot would be filled by backup candidate Elizabeth Purcell.  It was unclear what the Board’s reason was for this proviso, since the discussion of the nominees took place in secret session.  

President                     Janet Quigley

1^st VP                          Monte Edwards

2^nd VP                         Lisa Dale Jones

Secretary                     Susan Burgerman

Treasurer                     Patrick Crowley

Delegate 2 year           Chuck Burger

Delegate 2 year           Drury Talent

Delegate 2 year           Ben Klay

Delegate one year       Undine Nash

Two delegate are finishing their first year

Maurice Walters

Lisa Wilson

In other business, current President Janet Quigley announced the appointment of Board member Maurice Walters as the new CHRS representative to the Eastern Market Community Advisor Committee, replacing Barbara Eck, who resigned last month. 

The CHRS Board also heard Historic Preservation Committee Shauna Holmes explain the committee’s reasoning in recommending a setback of at least five feet for the glass façade on the proposed addition to Frager’s Hardware which will front on 11^th Street.  Holmes said that the committee felt the only way to make the starkly modern look of the building compatible with the neighborhood would be to set it back to subordinate the addition to the main building.