Monthly Archives: December 2012

The Week Ahead …. Urgent Care Facility Coming to Eastern Market Block
June Tour de Fat Bike Parade to Skirt Capitol Hill

by Larry Janezich

January 2
Wednesday
ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Avenue, SE.

Bob Gilbert and Ulana Bilynsky will present the case in support of a certificate of need to establish Medstar Health, a primary care physician’s practice and urgent care practice on the ground floor of the Home Care And Hospice Association building at 228 7th Street, SE.

Also on the agenda:

Gina Arlotto will make the case for the Tour de Fat Parade on June 1, 2013. The Tour de Fat Parade is a costumed bicycle parade sponsored by New Belgium Brewing which made its Washington debut in 2012.. The event raises money for local nonprofits (generally in the world of bike advocacy – including trail maintenance, safety education, lobbying for better bicycle communities and other impact initiatives) through beer and merchandise purchases. Last year, a series of events raised more than $500,000. The parade is scheduled to begin at 10:00am from Yards Park and proceed to RFK Stadium via M Street, SE, and the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail and return to Yards Park by the same route.

David Blackstock and Diane Odell will present a request for a zoning variance to allow to allow construction of new three unit residential building on the empty lot at 1311 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

January 3
Thursday
ANC 6B ABC Committee Meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center. The agenda is uncertain.

Important Update: Metropolitan Police Release Eastern Market Metro Video of Suspects in Shooting

by Larry Janezich

This afternoon, DC Metropolitan Police released the video of persons of interest in assault with intent to kill, in the 14th and K Street shooting which occurred on Wednesday.

Capitol Hill Corner reader “Pedro” posted the following link in a comment posted to the previous story.

DC Crime solvers currently offers a reward of up to $1000.00 to anyone that provides information which leads to arrest and conviction.

Separately, Capitol Hill Corner has learned from the MPD that the victim of the Decemer 26 shooting is in stable condition. The name is not being released because police do not identify surviving victioms of crimes.

Update on 14^th and K Shooting – CHC Suggests Capitol Hill Community Meeting on Crime

by Larry Janezich

Thursday night, Metropolitan police were searching for a weapon or weapons in the area where the getaway car involved in Wednesday’s shooting was abandoned after hitting a fence in an alley behind South Carolina Avenue, SE.  It did not appear that the search – including a nearby storm sewer – produced any results. 

The suspects apparently fled the scene into a driveway on 10^th Street, SE, made their way through backyards to emerge on 9^th Street, SE, and then to Eastern Market Metro.  Police have reported that video cameras recorded the suspects entering the metro there.  Multiple crimes were involved in the December 16th incident, including assault with intent to kill, a stolen vehicle, and hit and run. 

Two recent shootings have alarmed residents – the Christmas Eve murder of Jason Emma and the December 26 shooting of an un-named victim at 14th and K Streets, SE.  The large number of shots fired in each case seems to be the only connection between them at this point.  The last report on the 14^th Street shooting was that the victim remains in critical condition following surgery for multiple gunshot wounds. 

Friday morning, Capitol Hill Corner sent an email to Councilmember Wells suggesting that it is time for a Capitol Hill community crime meeting. 

A nearby resident of the Capitol Power Plant tells of her asthma problems since moving to the neighborhood.

Residents Outraged Over On-going Use of Coal, Planned Increase in Emissions at Capitol Power Plant

Tommy Wells Says, “This In Not Acceptable”

by Cathy Plume  

Monday evening, Capitol Hill residents used a DC Department of the Environment (DDOE) public hearing to voice outrage over the continued use of coal and a proposal by the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to increase emissions at the Capitol Power Plant (CPP).   The purpose of the hearing was to discuss Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers’ request to construct and operate an additional combined heat and power system at the Capitol Power Plant that will be primarily fueled by natural gas, with fuel oil as a backup, but will not burn coal.  Approximately 50 people attended the meeting including Hill Residents and representatives from the DC Chapter of the Sierra Club and Greenpeace.

Speakers  noted that burning coal produces sulfur dioxide, soot, and carbon monoxide as well as mercury, lead, arsenic, dioxins, formaldehyde and radioactive elements (including radium and uranium.  The emission of these pollutants is eliminated or reduced when natural gas is burned.  Several nearby CPP residents noted the adverse effects to use of coal has on their asthma as well as the ash residue and “rain” (soot) that falls on sunny days when coal is being burned at the plant.  The short stacks with which the CPP is outfitted exacerbates the amount of pollution that drifts across the DC area.  Attendees also pointed out that coal burning and its impact on climate change are undeniable and that Washington, DC AND the AOC should be looking to sustainable energy options.

On Tuesday, Councilmember Tommy Wells weighed in with DDOE, voicing his opposition to any increased emissions and continued use of coal at the plant, noting that the “proposed installations ‘will likely result in increased emissions for the facility.’  This is not acceptable.”  The full text of Wells’ letter is here:  http://www.tommywells.org/2012/12/wells-letter-to-1.php

For decades the CPP has burned coal for steam and hot water during the winter.  Some 10 years ago, the plant was reengineered to burn natural gas and diesel both of which burn much “cleaner” than coal.  In March 2009, an estimated 2,500 protesters blocked the five main gates to the CPP to protest the burning of coal in the facility.  In response to the protest and later in the same week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Leader Harry Reid released a letter asking the Capitol Architect to switch the Capitol Power Plant from coal to 100 percent natural gas by the end of 2009. 

Since 2009, the amount of coal burned in the plant has dropped but still continues.  Many attendees were unaware and outraged that coal is still being burned at the plant.  A Sierra Club representative showed photos tracking the reduced size of a pile of coal at the CPP over time. The AOC, at best, has slow-walked the request from Congressional leadership, though coal burning in recent years has been reduced.  According to the DC Environmental Network, the plant burned 11,406 tons of coal in 2009 compared with 1,902 tons of coal in 2010.  However, the Defense Logistics Agency has recently solicited bids for 20,000 tons of coal for delivery to the Plant in 2013 for the 2013-2014 winter season.

Several speakers noted that DDOE, despite the call for a public hearing on the issue, seems to already be siding with the AOC.  The DDOE website notes, “Two of the large boilers at CPP can and have historically burned coal.  Their coal use, however, is quite small compared to most coal burning facilities.”  DDOE goes on to state, “The permits actually propose to significantly lower the emission limits at the power plant and therefore limit the amount of coal that CPP can use”.

A few notes of clarification:

·         The CPP does not have to burn coal at all as it has been reengineered to burn natural gas.

·         The use of coal in this plant is small as the CPP itself is small since it only services the Capitol and a few other government buildings (vs. several cities as is the norm for most coal-fired power plants).

·         The permits would establish facility-wide emission limits, which would limit, but not ban, coal usage at the facility.  However, the AOE is using a 2007-2009 baseline for emissions – years that were characterized by high levels of coal burning versus emissions from more recent years when coal burning at the CPP have been reduced.

DDOE representatives seemed unprepared for the large number of attendees at the meeting.  Officials were unable to answer seemingly basic questions regarding the decision-making process for the permits or the timing of the decision.  DDOE was also widely criticized for their lack of public outreach regarding the hearing and residents lauded the Sierra Club for their efforts to inform residents about the meeting.

The Washington Times published a story on the meeting that can be found at:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/dec/17/use-of-coal-in-capitol-plant-draws-protesters/print/#.UM_myK5qB68.email

To continue following this issue, contact the DC Chapter of the Sierra Club. http://dc.sierraclub.org/

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

December 17, Monday

Capitol Power Plant Air Quality Permits

Nearby residents are worried that the Capitol Architect’s request for permits will allow continued operation of the plant as a coal powered rather than a natural gas facility.  Details will be forthcoming at a public hearing held on the request for the air quality permits at 5:30pm at the District Department of the Environment offices at 1200 First Street NE.  Interested parties wishing to testify at this hearing must submit in writing their names, addresses, telephone numbers, and affiliation, if any, to Mr. Stephen Ours at DDOE by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 17, 2012.  Stephen.Ours@dc.gov   No written comments postmarked after December 17, 2012 will be accepted. 

December 18, Tuesday

CHRS Board of Directors meets at 6:30pm at Capitol Hill Townhomes, 750 6th Street, SE, 2nd floor.

December 19, Wednesday

ANC Scheduling

ANC 6B Executive Committee meets at 6:30pm, Hill Center.  The Executive Committee will set the agenda for the first meeting of the newly elected ANC6B on Tuesday, January 8

 December 19, Wednesday

Vacant and Blighted Houses

ANC 6B Outreach and Constituent Services Task Force will meet from 7:00pm – 9:00pm at Hill Center.  At the meeting, the task force will review ANC 6B’s inventory of vacant and blighted properties and 2013 technology initiatives. 

Thursday, December 20

Zoning Regulation Re-write

ANC 6B’s newly created Zoning Regulations Review Task Force will hold its initial meeting on 7:30pm – 9:30pm at the Hill Center.  The objective of the task force is to review the Office of Planning’s proposed rewrite of the city’s zoning regulations (see http://www.ZoningDC.org) and make recommendations to ANC 6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee.  ANC 6B residents interested in assisting the task force in its efforts are encouraged to attend.  Residents with questions about the task force should contact either their 6B Commissioner or the task force chair, Commissioner Dave Garrison (david6b01@anc6b.org). 

Thursday, December 20

The Difficulty of Adding a Third Floor in the Historic District

Historic Preservation Review Board meets at 9:00am at 441 4th Street NW, Room 220 South.  One of the cases it will hear illustrates the  problem of trying to add additional space to a home in the historic district.  Residents at 426 11th Street, SE, are seeking approval from the HPRB for a third story roof addition to accommodate a growing family.  The applicant sought the approval of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society – who weighs in on these matters invoking the same right any citizen or any civic organization has to submit an opinion to HPRB – for the project, but failed to meet the criteria of the Society’s Historic Preservation Committee, who submitted a letter to HPRB opposing the addition because a fraction of it will be visible from public space.  HPRB’s Zoning Committee, on the other hand, found – regarding the applicant’s application for zoning relief to allow a third story addition and roof deck – found that the addition “does not substantially visually intrude upon the character, scale and pattern of houses along the street frontage.”  ANC6B, who also opines on historic preservation and zoning matters – under the dictum that its opinion be given “great weight” by government agencies – was unable to render a recommendation, deadlocking twice on a 5-5 vote on the question of approval, and voted to take “no position” before HPRB.   Aside from demonstrating one of the disadvantages of living in the Capitol Hill Historic District, the case points up the fact that there is no uniformity of standards on these questions, a complaint raised by the applicant before ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee.  Indeed, the criteria appear to be in part subjective, given the language in the CHRS’s Historic Preservation Committee’s protest to HPRB: “visibility is by necessity something to be judged on a case-by-case case basis due to such variables as a structure’s location, configuration, and relationship to its neighbors and placement in a block.”  According to Brian Flahaven, ANC6B Commissioner, the HPRB staff as well as the CHRS will oppose the current concept of the proposed addition.   If the opposition prevails, the applicant will be far from the first resident to have spent thousands of dollars in planning for an addition and then be denied approval by HPRB.

The Hawk & Dove Will Reopen In Early February According to Owner Xavier Cervera

The Week Ahead…..Photo Update on Hawk & Dove

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, December 11

ANC6B meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center. 

There are a few items on the agenda that deserve attention. 

The Slow Progress on the Signals at 10th and PA Avenue Gave False Hope to Residents Opposed to Installation of Lights At the Only PA Avenue Crossing Without Them

New Traffic Signals at 10^th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

The installation of new traffic signals at 10^th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, is a done deal.  DDOT officials are being asked to present their rational for the signals and Soumya Vev and James Cheeks from DDOT are scheduled to appear.  Commissioner Oldenburg’s Transportation Committee, locking the barn before more horses escape, passed a resolution which will come before the full ANC later on the agenda, calling upon DDOT to consult with the community before any such action is taken in the future.  Passage is a safe bet.    

New Liquor License for New Barracks Row Restaurant

The ANC will vote on a license for Rose’s Luxury, 717 8th Street SE.

401-403 15th Street, SE – Payne School in Background

401-403 15^th Street, SEThe ANC will consider a raze permit for 401-403 15^th Street, SE, to make way for new retail and condos.   Sheldon Jones, partner in the mysterious Gideon Kingston, LLC, and Michael Regignano, of CAS Engineering, will explain why they need ANC approval now for a raze permit for the properties.  According to Jones, the partnership is “contemplating a mixed use project with a maximum height of 50 feet, with retail on the ground level and four levels of residential with 11 or 12 residences, split between one bedroom and two bedroom units.”  Jones plays his cards close to his vest, and has stipulated that any information regarding Gideon Kingston’s plans and the parties involved be regarded as confidential and privy only to the commissioners on ANC6B.  It’s not clear that communications with a government agency on community matters can be confidential unless proprietary information is involved, and it is hard to see how it could be at this stage.

XAVIER CERVERA ENTERTAINS OFFERS TO BUY HIS CAPITOL HILL RESTAURANTS

by Larry Janezich

This afternoon, local restaurateur Xavier Cervera confirmed to Capitol Hill Corner that he has received offers to buy all nine of his Capitol Hill operations, and that he is reviewing these offers seriously.  “I have been approached by a private equity group out of Boston and have made large offers which I have not accepted,” Cervara said on the phone this afternoon.  “The offers grow larger every week.  They have a lot of experience in the restaurant business.  They have looked very closely at my operation and like what they see.  They are being very aggressive.”

Cervera added:  “I am close to all of my restaurants and the 345 employees.  You don’t build this kind of operation in four and a half years without great staff.  It’s hard to let something like that go.”

Over the past few years, Cervera has opened several restaurants in the neighborhood:  those currently in operation include Lola’s, Molly Malone’s, the Chesapeake Room, Senart’s Oyster & Chop House, Pacifico, and The Box Car Tavern.  Three more are scheduled to open soon: the Park Tavern will open in three weeks (corrected) in the Navy Yard neighborhood in Southeast; the Hawk & Dove will open early in February; construction has just started on Willie’s Brew and Que, also (corrected) near the Navy Yard.

This would not be the first time Cervera sold his developments as a package.  Originally from Miami, he developed several boutique hotels there and sold them as a package some 15 years ago.