Monthly Archives: May 2013

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, May 28

ANC6B Executive Committee Meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center to set the agenda for the full ANC6B meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 11.

Wednesday, May 29

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee meets at 7:00pm in the North Hall of Eastern Market.  Look for updates on the construction plan for the Hine project and the marketing plan for Eastern Market and associated vendors.  Also on the agenda:  progress reports on the attempts to solve both the North Hall’s acoustic issues and the South Hall’s infrared lighting/food spoilage problems.

 WAMU News Raises Questions About Donatelli Development/Blue Skye Construction

Partnership Was Sole Bidder on Prime Reservation 13 Parcels

by Larry Janezich

WAMU News is running a four part series on the relationship between DC developers, city officials, and campaign contributions.  Donatelli/Blue Skye are prominently featured in the first two stories, linked below.  Coincidentally, Donatelli/Blue Sky and city officials will meet with Hill East residents tonight to discuss the developer’s plans for the two prime parcels of land adjacent to the Stadium-Armory Metro stop on Reservation 13.  The ANC 6B Hill East Task Force is hosting tonight’s meeting from 6:30pm – 8:00pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Avenue, SE.  

Millions Dollar Properties – $1 Deals

http://wamu.org/news/13/05/21/million_dollar_properties_1_deals

Empty Promises:  Developers Often Don’t Deliver

http://wamu.org/news/13/05/22/empty_promises_developers_often_dont_deliver

Coming Thursday:  Timing of Campaign Contributions

Coming Friday:  Fixing the System

http://wamu.org/news

The Week Ahead…..

 Wednesday, May 22

ANC6B Hill East Task Force meets at 6:30pm at St. Coletta to hear representatives of Donatelli/Blue Skye Development present their plans (again) for parcels F1 & G1 on Reservation 13.  Ketan Gada of the Office of Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development will be in attendance to take questions from the community and Task Force regarding the process and timeline. 

Tuesday, May 21

The CHRS Board of Directors meets at Capitol Hill Townhomes, 750 6th Street, SE, second floor.

Tuesday & Wednesday, May 21 & 22

Traditional Building Conference Windows Summit will be held in Eastern Market’s North Hall, featuring lectures on the repair, restoration and replacement of windows in traditional and historic buildings.  Targeted to building trades; registration fee.  Details: Carolyn Walsh, (718) 779-1560, http://www.traditionalbuildingshow.com.

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