Monthly Archives: March 2017

The Week Ahead….CM Charles Allen at ANC6B & ANC6D Meetings

by Larry Janezich

1. ANC6D meets at 7:00pm, 200 I Street, SE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentation:  Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen

Presentation:  57th Annual Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival

Request for Public Space Permit for Slipstream (82 I Street, SE)

Presentation:  Cultural DC http://www.culturaldc.org/

Hotel Beverage Company, 1233 First Street, SE – New DT (Tavern) license

Masala Art, 1000 4th Street, SW – Amendment to entertainment hours

Zoning application:  Half Street Ballpark Site, Bowling Alley

Historic Landmark Application Federal Office Building No. 6 (400 Maryland Avenue, SW – Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building)

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

1. ANC6B meets at 7:00pm at Hill Center.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentation:  Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen

Letter to DDOT and DPR supporting Community’s Preferred Plan for the Renovation of Virginia Avenue Park

Historic Preservation Application for 411 8th Street, SE (Lake Arbor Dental); Redesign of the Primary Façade

Letter requesting a Traffic Signal at 11th & D Streets, SE, Intersection

Letter to DDOT/DPR on 6B07 Pocket Parks

Historic Preservation Application for 523 8th Street, SE (Ambar); Concept/Rooftop deck with a retractable roof and rear addition

Housing Coalition Statement of Principles on affordable housing that should be addressed as part of the review of the DC Comprehensive Plan

ANC 6B Input on Legislative Activities

Letter to the Mayor and the City Council requesting that funds be appropriated to renovate Parcel 1, as described in the Eastern Market Metro Plaza Comprehensive Plan (the plastic park area)

Resolution Concerning the Physical Renovation of Jefferson Academy Middle School

2. PSA 104 public meets at 7:00pm, Sherwood Recreation Center, Corner of 10^th and G Streets, NE

Wednesday, March 15

1. ANC6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm, Sherwood Recreation Center, Corner of 10th and G Streets, NE

Among items on the draft agenda:

Kingman Park Historic District: Request by residents to make Kingsman Park and surrounding areas a historic district.

1701 H Street, NE (Case Number 15-31): The PUD seeks a land use designation change from the existing C-3-A to C-2-B to construct a mixed-use building with approximately 14,342 square feet of ground-floor retail uses and 180 residential units on nine floors above.  The applicant will also use the PUD process to obtain relief from other requirements of the Zoning Regulations, including the parking, loading and roof structure requirements.

2. PSA 106 meets at 7:00pm CQ Community Center, 1000 5^th Street SE (5th & K SE)

Thursday, March 16

PSA 108 meets at 7:00pm, Liberty Baptist Church, 527 Kentucky Avenue, SE

City Bikes Opened Today at Its New Barracks Row Location  – Photos

by Larry Janezich

City Bikes returned to Barracks Row on Friday afternoon at 719 8^th Street, the former location of Capitol Hill Bikes, which closed last December.  City Bikes founder and owner Charlie McCormick told Capitol Hill Corner:  “We’re so happy to be back…the outpouring of support from the community has been humbling.”  McCormick cited the company’s deep roots in the community, referencing their previous location at 709 8^th Street, SE.  City Bikes left Barracks Row in March of 2016 after a five year run and relocated to Tenleytown.  He said, “We were sad to leave, but very happy to be back with a better presence and featuring the electric bike.”

The retail shop will be a “store within a store,” according to McCormick, offering electric bikes as well as standard bikes, and maintenance for both.

He said he has seen incredible growth and interest in the electric bikes at his Tenleytown location, calling the product a “spectacular success.”  The electric bike is often misconceived as similar to a Moped, but is actually still very much a bicycle according to McCormick.  A majority of his customers are women who want to ride with their partners or spouses, but who might not have the same fitness level – and the electric bike serves as an equalizer.

The shop will only offer products from top quality manufacturers; electric bikes are priced at $1200 and up, with most Tenleytown purchases being in the $2500 – $3000 range.

In addition to Barracks Row, City Bikes has outlets in Adams Morgan, Chevy Chase, and Tenleytown.

Barracks Row Anomaly Gets Face Lift and Maybe a New Restaurant

by Larry Janezich

Last Tuesday night, ANC6C’s Planning and Zoning Committee considered a Historic Preservation Application regarding the concept design for a new façade for the building housing Lake Arbor Dental Associates at 411 8^th Street, SE.  The building is owned by Zusin Development, which also owns buildings housing the 14th Street Matchbox and the Capitol Hill restaurant Bearnaise.

Architect Chuong Cao of Dep Designs, who presented the concept for the new design, told the committee that for now, only exterior work is being planned, though renovating the interior will come later.  When questioned about what kind of retail might occupy the space, Ghuong said, it was not certain, but that “a restaurant is what the street wants to have.”

Zusin Development co-owner Ilya Zusin said that the timeline for re-development is uncertain, and that he currently does not have a new client for the space.  According to DC tax records, Zusin Development purchased the building on January 17, 2017, for $2,110,000, apparently in a foreclosure sale.

Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg expressed some reservations about the plate glass window on the second floor, but ended up supporting the plan.  The committee moved to support the application, 12 – 0, and placed it on the ANC’s consent calendar for consideration at its March 14 full commission meeting.

For more on Zusin Development, see here:  http://www.zusin.com/

Barracks Row Serbian Restaurant Ambar Plans Roof Deck Expansion

by Larry Janezich

At Tuesday night’s ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee meeting, Gayll Worsley of W+W Associates Architects Pc, presented her design concept for Ambar’s planned rooftop deck with a retractable glass roof.  Pending before the committee was Ambar’s Historic Preservation Application, the first step in gaining city approval to proceed with the project.  The plan anticipates table seating for 48, plus an additional 5 at a bar.

The Alcohol Beverage Committee (ABC) Committee chair Chander Jayaraman pressed the architect to incorporate indoor trash storage in accordance with ANC6B’s  policy of encouraging existing restaurants to adopt best operating practices regarding rodent control and noise and odor abatement when substantial renovations are undertaken .  Worsley was amenable to addressing the issue of indoor trash storage.  The Planning and Zoning committee is currently considering a Historic Preservation application – the first step in gaining city approval for the expansion.  Technically, the indoor trash storage issue will come back before the ANC through its ABC Committee when the committee considers the restaurant’s request for substantial change in the alcohol license which the addition will entail.  Meanwhile, the Planning and Zoning deferred action on the Historic Preservation Application until the meeting of the full Commission on March 14, pending modification of the design concept.

DDOT Unveils Plan to Replace Streetlights on PA Avenue, SE, from 2^nd Street to Barney Circle

By Larry Janezich

Wednesday night, ANC6B’s Transportation Committee, heard an overview of DDOT’s design of the Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, lighting project from Sherwin Baga, P.E., DDOT Transportation Operations Administration (standing at left above).   Recently installed LED lights have been found to be inadequate and streetlights on Pennsylvania Avenue from 2^nd Streets, SE, to Barney Circle, SE, will be replaced with more distinctive lighting poles and elements.  The Project will begin in the 4^th Quarter of 2018, and will take one year.  The project will be disruptive for work area as it progresses, involving the closures of sidewalks and restrictions on parking, but will not cause an interruption in lighting of the streets and sidewalks.

ANC6B Set to Sign Off on Re-design of Virginia Avenue Park/Community Garden/Dog Park

by Larry Janezich

At Tuesday night’s meeting of ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee, 6B04 Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg presented the community-supported plan for the redesign of Virginia Avenue Park and asked the Committee to recommend that the full ANC endorse the project.

Virginia Avenue Park is currently part of the CSX Tunnel project, and the agreement between CSX and the DC Department of Transportation requires CSX to restore the park.  Oldenburg coordinated a series of meeting with residents and other community stakeholders to determine what the redesign of the park should include.  As part of the agreement with CSX, a dog park was to be included in the final design.

After the last stakeholder’s meeting in 2016, Oldenburg asked the internationally acclaimed landscape firm of Oehme van Sweden – whose offices are on Barracks Row – to help design the park on a pro bono basis, and the firm agreed, producing the design pictured above.

Oldenburg reported that the residents and community stakeholders approved the design and are ready to submit the plan to DDOT: “They judged the new design as inspired, one that would ensure the creation of a Park meeting the needs of a changing neighborhood.”

As Oldernburg earlier reported, “This design adds a sidewalk and street trees along 9^th Street, SE, creates a central entrance to the Park at 10^th Street, SE, enlarges the multi-purpose open space, and adds lawn terraces along the north side for use by kids and adults.  The Community Garden is reshaped into a rectangle and moved slightly eastward to accommodate the new sidewalk and a curb cut for its use on 9^th Street.  The shared bike/pedestrian path and dog park segment of the Park remain unchanged.”

The Committee voted 11 – 0 to recommend that the full ANC approve the plan at its March 14 meeting, and recommended it be placed on the consent calendar, all but ensuring its validation by the Commission.   The ANC’s endorsement will move the plan along in the process and allow DOT to initiate discussions who does what to put the park in place next year.

Criminal Justice Officials Brief PSA 107 on Juvenile Rehabilitation/Adult Detention

by Larry Janezich

At last Thursday’s PSA 107 meeting at Northeast Library, Seema Gajwani, DC Attorney General Racine’s Special Counsel on Juvenile Justice Reform, outlined work of the Juvenile Section of the DC Attorney’s Public Safety Division.  She said that rehabilitation is the preferred method of dealing with low risk offenders.  The services for rehabilitation include diversion programs, such as the Alternative to Court Experience (ACE) – an evidence-based intervention to assess a youth’s risks and needs and determine how to best to intervene.  The number one intervention is family therapy.  Another diversion program which has only been in use for 5 or 6 months is the Restorative Justice Program, which attempts to address the needs of victims and offenders by means of a long dialogue involving the victim and the offender and their families, where the offender is held accountable by admitting to the victim what he/she did, and the other participants explain how the offense affected them.  Participation is these programs are not available to offenders whose crimes involve guns or to those with long criminal records.  Preliminary analysis indicates an 80% success rate one year out for offenders who complete the programs, as opposed to a 40% success rate nationally.

Gajwani said that her office does not prosecute under the Youth Rehabilitation Act – which she said was mis-named, since 8 – 22 year old offenders falling under its province are considered adults, and prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office.  She did express interest in an idea raised by an audience member about steering individuals sentenced under the YRA to the Juvenile Section’s rehabilitation programs rather than sentencing them to relatively meaningless hours of community service and promised to carry the idea back to the agency.  For more on the Juvenile Section, see here:  http://oag.dc.gov/page/juvenile-section

Gajwani was followed by Doug Klein, ‎Assistant United States Attorney in DC’s United States Attorney’s Office.  Klein summarized his office’s detention practices in the prosecution of serious adult crime, which, he noted, is heard in federal court as opposed to juvenile crime cases which are tried in DC Superior Court.

Klein says that DC does not have a money bond system –  “we have a system which says you won’t be held because you can’t pay.”  The majority of crimes are misdemeanors, and thus a majority of offenders are not held, but released on personal recognizance.

Federal prosecutors have several options regarding detention or treatment after an arrest.  Individuals accused of a violent crime are automatically held for 3 days, then undergo a hearing to decide if the offender should be held for up to 100 days pending trial.  In addition, prosecutors have other options.  They may ask for detention in cases:

where the accused has outstanding criminal cases or a long criminal record;

where the accused is on probation, in violation of probation or supervised release;

and where the accused is a flight risk.

Prosecutors can also ask for ask for high intensity supervision monitored by the Pretrial Services Agency if the offender has a stable place to live, a phone number.  High intensity security involves monitoring by the Independent federal Pretrial Services Agency and wearing a GPS device which is monitored by a second federal entity, the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA).  In addition, prosecutors can ask that a case be referred to Mental Health Court for sentencing involving in-and outpatient mental health services and drug testing.  For more on the US Attorney’s office, see here:  https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc

Following the presentations, MPD Lt. Crystal Beslow, explained MPD’s return to the “Sector Concept” of the 1990’s.  The revival of the older concept, she said, would allow greater allocation of resources to address crime and community policing rather than confining resources to one PSA.  Longer 10 hour overlapping shifts and a 4 day work week will permit a higher concentration of officers during peak crime hours and works to the benefit of officers who will have longer weekends.  For more on the Sector Concept, see here:  http://bit.ly/2l5tsDV

The appearance of the officials at the PSA meeting was arranged by ANC6A Commissioner Scott Price, who noted at the end of the meeting that CM Charles Allen would hold a City Council Roundtable on sentencing in June.

The Week Ahead….CM Allen Addresses ANC6A on Thursday.

by Larry Janezich

Monday, March 6

1. ANC6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00pm, Kaiser Medical Center, 700 2^nd Street, NE.

On the agenda:

DC Live, LLC trading as XO, 15 K Street, NE.  Request for extended holiday hours

2. CHRS Historic Preservation Committee meets at 6:30pm, at Kirby House, 420 10^th Street, SE.

Tuesday, March 7

1. ANC6B Planning & Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Avenue, SE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Letter to DDOT and DPR supporting Community’s Preferred Plan for the Renovation of Virginia Avenue Park.

Historic Preservation Application for 742 9^th Street, SE; one-story garage addition.

Historic Preservation Application for 407A 4^th Street, SE; Permit/roof-top and rear additions.

Historic Preservation Application for 523 8th Street, SE; Concept/Rooftop deck with a retractable awning and Rear addition.

Historic Preservation Application for 411 8^th Street, SE; Redesign of the primary façade.]

Zoning Adjustment for 420 12th Street, SE; special exception to permit the location of rooftop mechanical equipment on an existing public school in the RF-1 Zone.

Zoning Adjustment for 1 Library Court, SE; Rear one-story addition with a roof deck on addition.

Zoning Adjustment for 1241 Independence Avenue, SE; Remove and Replace an existing mechanical shed and pergola.

Housing Coalition Statement of Principles on affordable housing that should be addressed as part of the review of the DC Comprehensive Plan.

2. ANC6C Parks and Events Committee which usually meets on the first Tuesday of the month, will not meet in March.

Wednesday, March 8

1. ANC6C meets at 7:00pm at the Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

Agenda not available at press time.  Update will follow upon availability.

2. ANC6B Transportation Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.

On the agenda:

Request for a Traffic Signal at 11th & D Street, SE Intersection.

Committee 2017 Planning Discussion.

Letter to DDOT / DPR on 6B07 Pocket Parks.

Thursday, March 9

1. ANC6A meets at 7:00 pm, at Miner Elementary, 601 15^th Street, NE

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentation by Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen.

Presentation by Washington Gas: Update on PROJECT pipes pipeline replacement project with Doreen Hope, Community District Manager, and Marie Johns and Dwanda Glenn-Woodward, Project Consultants

Letter of support to the Mayor’s Task Force on Special Events for the Capitol Hill Classic Race.

Letter to the DC Council stating its opposition to the Small Business Parking Permit Act of 2017.

Letter of support to BZA for the application of the owners of 619 Elliot Street, NE, for a special exception under Subtitle E § 5201, from the lot occupancy requirements to permit the construction of a third-story addition with roof deck to an existing one-family dwelling in the RF-1 Zone on condition that the owners get letters of support from 621 Elliott and updated letters from other neighbors that had signed letters last year, use best efforts to get letters of support from tenants and owners from buildings facing the unit, extend brick treatment on the sides of the house (10 feet or so), and increase the size of the deck railing on the front.

Letter of support to BZA for the application of the owners of 1123 Constitution Avenue, NE, for a special exception from the lot occupancy requirements rear yard requirements to permit the construction of a two-story garage in the RF-1 Zone on the condition that the owners make their best efforts to get letters of support from the owner at 1131 Park Street, NE.

Letter of support to HPRB for the proposed design at 1123 Constitution Avenue, NE, on the condition that the owners make their best efforts to get letters of support from the owner at 1131 Park Street NE.

3. ANC6B ABC Committee meets at 7:00pm, at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

On the agenda:

Discussion on Committee goals for the year including oversight and compliance with Settlement Agreements.

Discuss legislative / regulatory options for addressing community issues.

Saturday, March 11

1. Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon 6:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. road closures throughout ANC 6C area (subject to change)

2. Book Sale, Southeast Library, 10:00am – 3:00pm.

What You Need to Know about Capitol Hill BID – Non-profit Praised by Bowser and Allen

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday morning, at the annual meeting of the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District (BID) in Hill Center, Mayor Bowser and CM Charles Allen raised the profile of the event substantially by their presence.

The politicians, flush from the excitement of Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the DC United Stadium on Buzzard’s Point (Bowser still wearing the DC United scarf she wore the previous day) mustered praise for an organization which contributes substantially to the viability of the Capitol Hill Community and simultaneously works to address problems of homelessness and criminal recidivism, while being substantially funded by Capitol Hill business owners investing in their own community.

Bowser began her remarks by speaking about the previous day’s groundbreaking, and continued, referencing “the 1000 new residents arrive in the city every month…the city will be over 800,000 residents again over the next 20 years…our private sector is outpacing government as a source of jobs…we’ve had the best financial quarter in the city’s history…an audit of the past two years of my administration is clean – no internal weaknesses…economic development is my passion … attracting more retail and restaurants…providing good salaries.”   You get the point.

She went on to cite the CH BID, acknowledging the organization’s contribution in providing extra service to the community beyond what the city can provide – specifically, snow removal from business-district sidewalks and at bus stops during the January blizzard of 2016…”I don’t believe in closing the city…over time we’ll change the perception of the effect of snow on the city, but we’ll have to pay to change the perception.”  She saluted the BID, noting that it had paid for the snow removal effort.

For his part, Allen joked about his youthful appearance which, he said, had prompted him to grow a beard and then echoed Bowser’s remarks on the BID’s service contribution, praising the BID’s efforts to “push things in the right direction.” He committed to partnering with BID, and “working every single day to make a better community.”

And yet, there was so much more to be said.

The Capitol Hill BID – one of ten in the city – is a nonprofit organization established in 2008 to maintain and beautify Capitol Hill’s commercial corridors.  Its funding comes from assessments of its 500 member commercial property owners, at a rate of .15 cents per $1000 of assessed property value – e.g., $1500 for a $1 million dollar property.  In 2016, assessments accounted for $1,302,408 of the CH BID’s revenue.

It was the first BID in the city to pilot public space recycling and work-rehabilitation programs.  The CH BID’s signature “Ready, Willing & Working” (RWW) program provides the manpower behind its “clean team” comprised of some 50 formerly homeless and incarcerated individuals – the “men in blue” –  who provide street cleaning services throughout the city through BID contracts.  Currently the CH BID contracts with Capitol Hill, Barracks Row, Capitol Riverfront and Southwest DC.  The newly formed Eastern Market Main Street is also a potential customer.  In 2016, revenue from contracts amounted to $2,046,652.

Some three-fourths of the clean team members are permanent employees, with city-provided health and retirement benefits.  One fourth of the team members are temporary employees many of whom become full time employees as positions open up.  BID President Patty Brosmer later told Capitol Hill Corner that turnover is low; nearly half of the current clean team has been in place since 2008.  She also cites a 70% recidivism success rate for employees who have been in RWW for three months.

BID collaborates with CHAMPS, BRMS and Market Row by promoting its members, providing marketing services, streetscaping, sponsoring events and contracting for cleaning services.

The BID kicks off the winter holiday season with the lighting of the Capitol Hill Community Tree and Menorah Lightings on the northeast quadrant of Eastern Market Metro Plaza.  In addition, the BID collaborates with community and city organizations on Capital Bikeshare and the DC Circulator.

For 2016, the CH BID’s total revenue and support amounted to $3,457,204, while its expenses were $3,271,804.