Yearly Archives: 2013

ANC6B Butts Heads with Capitol Hill Restoration Society

ANC Flexible on Historic Standards for Adding Rear Third Story to Townhouse

by Larry Janezich

Backing away from the Historic District hard line backed by Commissioners Garrison, Oldenburg, and Frishberg on not supporting third story additions that are visible from the street in front of the residence, a majority of ANC6B Commissioner voted on Tuesday, June 11, to permit a third story rear addition at 639 South Carolina Avenue, SE.  The addition did not receive the approval of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) who weighs in on such matters before the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) with the same legal standing that any civic group has.  City code, however, requires the HPRB and other city agencies to “give great weight” to the opinion of the city’s ANCs.  

According to a summary released at tonight’s Capitol Hill Restoration Society Board meeting, the proposed new addition would be visible from South Carolina Avenue and from The Maples, a former DC landmark structure undergoing conversion to condos.  The CHRS Historic Preservation Committee – and thus, under the practices and precedents of the CHRS, the entire CHRS Board – found that the project is not compatible with the Historic District and noted that it does not comport with the DC Historic Preservation Guidelines for Additions to Historic Buildings.

Last Tuesday, ANC6B Commissioner Dave Garrison warned that once you start moving away from a hard and fast standard, you start down a “slippery slope.”  A majority of the ANC, however, felt that it was more important to permit the addition so that a young and growing family could stay in the neighborhood in a case where the additional was “minimally” visible.  ANC6B Chair Brian Flahaven, who supported the addition, said that the ANC was advising HPRB, and “the staff there might come up with a different conclusion.”  Ivan Frishberg, opposed the addition, saying that once you start making everything subjective it risks making the process a free-for-all where every architect will sell every owner on what they think they can get through, and the homeowner will suffer.  Flahaven said he thought Frishberg was overstating the threat to the neighborhood.  The Commission agreed, and the motion to approve the Historic Preservation Application for the addition was agreed to 7 – 3. 

The vote presages what is likely to be a struggle over the CHRS plan to expand the Capitol Hill Historic District under its “Beyond the Boundaries” project.  Many newer residents of Capitol Hill have found that the only affordable homes are outside of the Historic District and preservation of those townhouses under the strict rules for altering, upgrading or adding to these homes does not appeal.  Evidence of this was the move to create the Barney Circle Historic District in 2010 which seemed on track until derailed by push back by Hill East residents and the taking over of ANC6B by a group of reform candidates representing (by and large) a different demographic than exists inside the Historic District.  HPRB may well end up backing the CHRS, but any expansion of the Capitol Hill Historic District in Hill East will depend in large part on the backing of ANC6B. 

The project will be before the Historic Preservation Review Board on July 11.

Barracks Row Medical Marijuana Dispensary Aims For July Opening

Facebook Will Not Support Medical Marijuana Advertising

by Larry Janezich

Mike Cuthriell, owner of the future Barracks Row medical marijuana dispensary, Metropolitan Wellness Center (MWC), tells Capitol Hill Corner that he expects his dispensary, located at 409 8^th Street, SE, above the Barracks Row Popeye’s, “to open in July.”

He added that MWC is currently pre-registering patients and “walking them through the process by which they formally register with the Department of Health.  We are also actively participating with physicians to educate them on their rights and the rights of their patients, as well as the effects and uses of cannabis. Our team has been walking patients and physicians through the process to get signed up.”

Doctors are being directed to request the formal Recommendation Forms from the Department of Health.  These forms have to be completed so that the department can mail the official Recommendation Form to them.  Patients are being directed to fill out the Patient Application Form now.  This gets attached to their Physician’s Recommendation and mailed to the Department of Health for processing. The patient MUST select a single dispensary to become a member of in their application.  In order to prevent abuse the program, patients are not permitted to go to multiple dispensaries.

All physician info is outlined here: http://mwcdc.com/physicians/

All patient info is outlined here: http://mwcdc.com/join-mwc/

Advertising the dispensary is important for its success, but it has not been easy.  Cuthriell says that on the MWC’s Facebook page, he, following the practice of other businesses, “tried to pay to boost posts” – Facebook’s advertising tool for businesses.  He was then notified by Facebook that MWC posts “will not be permitted for advertising because Facebook’s policy doesn’t support the nature of our business.”  Cuthriell found this especially odd since the particular posts he was trying to boost “were specifically about the Department of Health’s applications for patients and the recommendation forms for Physicians.  I’ve since learned that this has been their policy for years and no [marijuana dispensary] has been able to use Facebook as an advertising platform other than having a page setup for that business.”

At Mayor Gray’s community meeting on Thursday night hosted by the adjoining ANC6A across East Capitol the question was raised of how much DC Department of Health is doing to increase awareness among physicians and patients about how to participate in the program.  Gray pledged to reach out to medical marijuana dispensaries for input about their needs.  The Mayor also cited a little-known fact that medical marijuana dispensaries will have to be conducted on a cash basis, since credit card companies will not honor marijuana transactions – a federal crime.  To that end, the mayor said, ATMs will be placed in dispensaries to facilitate the needs of patients and to reduce the crime hazard involved in carrying cash to the dispensaries. 

For additional information including pre-registration of patients, please visit:  http://www.mwcdc.com

 You can follow Metropolitan Wellness Center on twitter here:  twitter.com/mwcdc

Currently at The Fridge: Men of Steel, Women of Wonder*

The Week Ahead…The Fridge Holds Benefit Concert for Frager’s

by Larry Janezich

Monday, June 17

The Friends of Rosedale Library (FORL) will hold a general meeting at 6 p.m. at the Library (1701 Gales Street NE).  The topics will include Library programs and services; FORL activities including fundraising events, committee formation and outreach; and recent Library news.  For more information or to join FORL, please email FriendsoftheRosedaleLibrary@gmail.com or call 571-213-1630.

Tuesday, June 18

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

Wednesday, June 19

ANC 6B Outreach & Constituent Services Task Force Meets 7:00pm – 8:30pm, Hill Center

Thursday, June 20

CHRS membership Forum, The Height Act: Friend or Foe?  Guest speaker is Attorney Laura Richards –  6:45pm, The Hill Center. 

PSA 108 Meeting featuring MPC Lt. Michael Thornton, 7:00pm-8:00pm, Liberty Baptist Church, 527 Kentucky Avenue, SE

Friday, June 21

Event: Benefit Concert for Frager’s Hardware, 6:30pm – 9:00pm. The DC Rollergirls and The Fridge are hosting a benefit concert on behalf of Frager’s Hardware.  Doors open at 6:30pm. All proceeds from ticket sales for the event will be donated to the Frager’s Fund set up by The Capitol Hill Community Foundation.

Lineup includes:

■The Throckmortens

■The NativeMakers

■Rodney Henry of The Glenmont Popes

Tickets are $20 online or at the door. 

Sponsored by DC Brau Brewing Company, Dangerously Delicious Pies and Quicksilver Productions.

*Currently at The Fridge in The Mini-Fridge: Men of Steel, Women of Wonder –Through June 30.   2013 brings the 75th anniversary of Action Comics #1 (1938), the first appearance of Superman and Lois Lane in print. For Men of Steel, Women of Wonder.  Curator Asad “ULTRA” Walker has invited up-and-coming names in DC’s underground and street art scene to bring their vision to modern mythology: comic book heroes.

ANC6B Backs City Dogs Boarding and Grooming for 1310 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

by Larry Janezich

Last Tuesday night, ANC6B supported establishing City Dogs boarding and grooming service at 1310 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  The Commission voted 9 – 0 – 1 to support the variance and special exception City Dogs’ owner is requesting from the Bureau of Zoning Adjustment in order to operate the pet service business.  The City Dogs proposal appeared to be in trouble after significant opposition to the business from nearby businesses and residents arose in the ANC’s Planning and Zoning Committee hearing earlier this month.  Subsequently, Commissioner Nichole Opkins, in whose single member district the site is located, won concessions in a written Operational Conditions Agreement from City Dogs operators regarding sound, trash, odor control, parking, and deliveries.  In addition the agreement establishes a liaison committee with the neighborhood to address any problems which might arise.  However, not all neighbors were mollified, and some expressed considerable unhappiness, maintaining that the proposed business was not compatible with businesses or residences on the block.

Capitol Hill Residents Turn Out to Support Frager’s at Tabula Rasa Fundraiser

Tabula Rasa Frager’s Fundraiser, June 14, 2013

Tabula Rasa Frager’s Fundraiser, June 14, 2013

Tabula Rasa Fundraiser, June 14 2013

Amanda Clarke, Owner of Tabula Rasa, Thanks Frager’s Supporters. Also pictured is Gary Peterson of Capitol Hill Community Foundation

Tablua Rasa Hosts Frager’s Fundraiser

by Larry Janezich

Tabula Rasa, the Barracks Row event and meeting venue, and several Capitol Hill businesses and restaurants joined forces to sponsor a fundraiser for Frager’s on Friday evening.  All proceeds went directly to the Capitol Hill Community Foundation to support the businesses and employees displaced by last week’s fire.

Co-sponsors of the event included ArtSee, Barracks Row Main Street, Capitol Hill Community Foundation, CAVA, DCanter, First Vine, Highway to Hill Flowers, Le Pain Quotidien, Schneiders, tabula rasa, TCI Typecase Industries, Occasions Caterers, and Zest.

Capitol Hill Fitness is the Brainchild of Breelaun Marchai, pictured above

Barracks Row Capitol Hill Fitness Opens Saturday, June 15, at 725 8^th Street, SE

by Larry Janezich

The new fitness studio’s grand opening will be held Saturday, June 15, from 10-4 pm.

Capitol Hill Fitness is featuring a kick-off ten week special designed to help Washingtonians get fit – every Sunday, from 12-3 p.m., and Tuesday, from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Until Labor Day, everyone is invited to stop by for a NYOP (Name Your Own Price) class.

Capitol Hill Fitness says it is dedicated to helping individuals build their core muscles and improve their posture, flexibility, strength and endurance through low-impact circuit training:  “While a lot of exercise programs are harmful to your joints, low-impact exercise is all about strengthening your joints. Trainers will lead clients through a circuit of 8 to 14 exercises during each class, making the workout well-rounded and fun. There is no monthly fee; just pay for the classes you take. It is small-group personal training at an affordable price.”

The training ability behind Capitol Hill Fitness is Breelaun Marchai, a former Air Force instructor, Emergency Medical Technician and fitness expert from Los Angeles. This is his first studio on the East Coast.

Classes will be held from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., including the Full Circuit, Circuit 3.0, and 20M Ab’s. Each class is $15, with discounts for purchasing a 10-class-pass. There are no dues or commitments. Additional class opportunities, such as Pilates, yoga, total-body conditioning and meditation, will be added.  Visit http://www.CapHillFitness.com for a class schedule or to join the mailing list.  They will be open seven days a week

Mayor Gray at Miner Elementary School on June 13, 2013

Mayor Gray and ANC6A Chair David Holmes

Mayor Gray Looks and Sounds Like a Candidate in Tommy Wells’ Ward

by Larry Janezich

Last night, as part of its regularly scheduled June meeting, ANC 6A hosted Mayor Vincent Gray for a discussion and question and answer period concerning Ward 6 transportation projects. 

The Mayor appeared relaxed and in top form as he addressed more than 50 residents who gathered in a lunchroom/auditorium at Minor Elementary School.  He touted his administration’s progress in financial stability, employment, public safety and sustainability, pointing to progress in each category.  Toward the end of his speech, as the Mayor cited city accomplishments and national rankings, he emphasized the importance of coaxing retail back into the city and expanding neighborhood-based public transportation in order to accommodate the city’s growing population. 

The Mayor also gave the residents an update on transportation projects including forthcoming changes to pedestrian improvements on Maryland Avenue, C Street, NE; 17th and 19th Streets, and Florida Avenue.  He anticipated Ward Six’s and the city’s first trolley line coming on line in the next few months following completion of testing of the trolley cars and offered ANC6A the opportunity to take a bus trip to view the car testing.  A small group of District Department of Transportation (DDOT) officials joined the meeting to supplement the Mayor’s remarks and answer questions from citizens directly. 

During the question and answer period, the Mayor showed no real willingness to discuss policy.  He brushed off one question regarding whether the culture of testing and punishment pervading the public school system has gone awry by reiterating his support for early childhood education, longer school days, and a longer school year. But when it came to addressing specific resident problems, or steering the city’s bureaucracy to serve its residents better, the Mayor and the coterie of officials he brought with him were responsive and impressive.  Issues addressed included sustainability, contractor misconduct, troublesome tree branches, and public safety. 

Throughout this portion of the meeting, the Mayor seemed intent on connecting with his Capitol Hill audience.  He spoke at length about his longtime loyalty to Frager’s hardware store and repeated his vow to help the store rebuild from its four-alarm fire on June 5th.  He greeted some residents by name, and referred to his appearances at multiple ribbon cuttings and a memorial service in the neighborhood. 

In a stellar performance, some notes the Mayor struck sounded off.  In his summary of DC accomplishments, the Mayor mentioned several facts which are the result of the federal government’s presence in the city, rather than any particular policy; his reference to DC as having “the most college degrees of any city,” seemed the most glib example in this regard, given the state of DC’s education system, including its public university. 

But in the main, the Mayor’s performance was a deft reminder that, under his stewardship, the city has functioned well and to a remarkable degree.

One thing that was unsaid, and was unasked, was why the Mayor came to the meeting in the first place.  It could be that he and his staff have identified ANC 6A as a crucial neighborhood in the city:  with a mix of residents both new and old, and also black and white, the ANC is microcosm of the city.  It also has a significant number of transportation projects underway, and the Mayor might have judged it wise to bring a segment of DDOT officials to answer to local residents. 

Most likely the answer is political.  Does the Mayor’s visit signal that he will run again?  If so, he showed real vitality last night.  Or was the visit an attempt to demonstrate capable leadership against which forthcoming ethics investigations should be judged?  It is impossible to predict the future, but so far the campaign to pressure Gray to resign or impugn his administration has not broken the Mayor’s stride.  Unless U.S. Attorney Ron Machen’s office has a smoking gun, it seems likely that Mayor Gray will be able to fall back and rely on the vast network of connections and experience he has built upon to produce an electoral coalition. 

In an administration that the mainstream press has defined and judged based largely on campaign failures, Mayor Gray reminded his audience on Capitol Hill last night that, as mayor, he has been a success.

The Mayor concluded his presentation by giving away two tickets to the Verizon Center Friday night to the audience member who could recall the three H Street restaurants visited by the Obamas–a question that seemed to congratulate both the neighborhood and the city on its development record.

Donatelli/Blue Skye Project for Hill East Wins Support of ANC6B…With Reservations

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday night, ANC6B voted 10 – 0 in favor of letter of support for the Donatelli/Blue Skye plan to develop two mixed use buildings on plum parcels on Reservation 13 next to the Stadium/Armory Metro Stop.  The letter stated that “While ANC6B is very disappointed that the most recent RFEI (Request for Expressions of Interest) received only one response, we urge DMPED to move forward expeditiously with the project.”

The letter went on to list some specific concerns the ANC has, which, among others included the following:

• That the developers pursue a mix of neighborhood serving restaurants and retail stores in the retail plan
• That the current design “falls below the standard of excellent urban design present in other Donatelli projects across the city” and ANC 6B wants to see additional improvements to the building designs
• That DMPED and DDOT  make the project more accessible to residents traveling to the site from east of the Anacostia River
• That ANCs 7F and 6B have an opportunity to weigh in on designs in conjunction with the Zoning Committee design review
• That Mayor Gray and DMPED immediately develop a plan to close the temporary homeless shelter at DC General and begin transitioning homeless families and individuals into better housing options. 

Commissioner Ivan Frishberg expressed his personal concern that since Donnatelli/Blue Skye made the only offer, they have all the leverage and no incentive to make concessions on the project.  He said he felt that the ANC should push extra hard and build political alliances with colleagues in Ward 7 to impress upon the developer that they have an obligation to meet a higher standard.  Justifying his concern, Frishberg said, “I don’t trust them more than I trust any developer…I think that (the city) will take whatever they can get at the lowest possible cost.”

On May 21, WAMU News raised questions about Donatelli Development/Blue Skye Construction in a four part series on the relationship between DC developers, city officials, and campaign contributions. http://wamu.org/news/13/05/21/million_dollar_properties_1_deals

ANC6B Moves Against Nuisance Properties

by Larry Janezich

Update:  An earlier version of this story cited Holy Comforter Cyprian Community Action Group as the owner of 125 15^th Street, NE – one of the nuisance properties targeted by the ANC.  In fact, according to Commissioner Brian Pate, Holy Comforter owns 124 15^th Street, across from 125 15^th Street.  Pate said that the list provided to ANC6B at Tuesday’s meeting was subsequently edited to reflect that fact and the notification letter will be amended accordingly.  .  Pate said, “Both properties (124 and 125) are, indeed problems but we’ll be focusing on the residential property first.”  In a further clarification Pate noted that Reuben Pemberton is no longer the head of DCRA’s Vacant Building Enforcement and has been succeeded by Heather Vargas. 

Last Tuesday night at its regular monthly meeting, ANC6B voted 8-0-1 to send a list of priority problem houses to Reuben Pemberton, Vacant Building Enforcement Unit, DCRA.  Commissioner Brian Pate’s Constituent Services and Outreach Committee has worked for the past several months to survey ANC6B and compile a list of vacant and blighted properties.  The ANC also voted to send letters to owners of six of the worst on the list asking the owner to fix up their properties.  The letter, in part, read as follows:

“ANC6B notes the condition of your property at xxx and respectfully requests your attention to mitigate its vacant, run-down condition.  ANC6B has registered its concern with the City’s Vacant Building Enforcement unit and encourages you to work with this City agency to address the condition of your property.”  The letter also notes that properties in the Capitol Hill Historic District may be eligible for grant programs designed to repair and restore historic properties. 

Commissioner Dave Garrison expressed concern that the ANC might be exceeding its authority abstained from voting.  Commissioner Oldenburg was not present for the vote. 

The list forwarded to Pemberton is as follows:

531 8th Street, SE, owned by Houshang H. Momenian – no address given

1125 Independence Avenue, SE, owned by Jeffrey Bruck – no address given

242 14th Street, SE, owned by Aurelia C. McCauley, Washington, DC

125 15th Street, owned by Mattie Nance – no address given

1247 K Street, SE owner by Geraldine Watkins, Washington, DC

1251 K Street, SE owned by Ruthie B. Buckman, Washington, DC

1257 K Street, SE – owned by 368 LLC, Baltimore, MD

1259 K Street, SE owned by 368 LLC, Baltimore, MD

102 9th Street, SE, owned by Elizabeth D. Lunsford, Washington DC

1616 Potomac Avenue, SE owned by Andrew L. Mealy, Jr., Temple Hills, MD

803 Kentucky Avenue, SE, owned by Gail Sirmans of Mount Vernon, NY

1612 Massachusetts Avenue, SE – owner not listed

Owners Momenian, McCauley, Nance , Buckman, Lunsford, and Sirman were the recipients of the request for mitigation from ANC. 

Residents with concerns about nuisance properties should contact their ANC Commissioner.  Contact information can be found here:  http://www.anc6b.org/