Monthly Archives: February 2020

The Week Ahead… & Reminder on Eastern Market Survey

by Larry Janezich

Reminder:  The opportunity to take the survey to provide community input on the future of Eastern Market ends soon – possibly this week.  Here’s the link to the survey:  https://www.easternmarketplan.org/

The Week Ahead….

Monday, February 10

ANC6D meets at 7:00pm, at 1100 4th Street, SW.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Public Safety Report- First District MPD (PSA 103, PSA 105 & PSA 106) Capt. Pulliam, Lt. Donigian, Lt. Anderson.

Consent agenda:

Letter of Support – Interim to Permanent Principal Dohrman at Jefferson Middle School Academy.

2020 Race for Hope, May 23, 2020

Resolution requesting increased funding to include shorter headways for Route 74 Buses.

Letter to DCHA RE: 20-year Transformation Plan.

Letter on Air Quality Concerns at Buzzard Point.

Presentations:

Short-term Family Housing Provider and Unity Update – Jay Melder.

Capital Grid Project Update – Jamaal Jordan.

Providence Health Imaging Center.

CitizenM, 550 School Street, SW – request for Class C Hotel liquor license.

Gatsby Restaurant, 1201 Half Street, SE – Public Space Application.

Atlas Brewing, 1201 Half Street, SE – Public Space Application.

Comprehensive Plan Resolution.

Riverpoint Bulkhead Comments.

ANC6A Community Outreach Committee meets at 7:00pm, Eastern High School, Parent Center, 1700 East Capitol Street NE (Enter from East Capitol Street)

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentation: 

Mr. Gottlieb Simon, Director, Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions.

Tuesday, February 11

ANC6B meets at 7:00pm, The Hill Center 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Consent Agenda

411 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Historic Preservation Application – Concept – New construction of 2 homes.

1249 South Carolina Avenue, SE, Zoning Adjustment Application – Special Exception/Variance to construct a rear addition to an existing apartment house.

Comprehensive Plan Comments:

ANC 6B Working Group Comp Plan Comments.

Capitol Hill Village Comp Plan Comments.

Environmental Protection Element Comp Plan Comments.

Transportation Element Comp Plan Comments.

Letter and 311 Notice to DDOT to Remove AM Rush Lane from 900 Block of I Street, SE.

Presentation:

Katherine Whitehouse, Office of At-Large Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr.

Tortuga Caribbean Bar & Grille, 514 8th Street, SE – Request for Substantial Change to add an Entertainment Endorsement with Cover Charge inside the premises only.

Finn McCool’s, 713 8th Street, SE – Request for Substantial Change for Class Change from a Retailer Class “C” Restaurant to a Retailer Class “C” Tavern license.

1624 E Street, SE, Zoning Adjustment Application – Special Exception to raze the existing two-story, semi-detached principal dwelling unit, and to construct a three-story, detached principal dwelling unit.

710 E Street, SE, Historic Preservation Application – rear 3-story addition.

Planning and Zoning Committee Comp Plan Comments:

Comp Plan comments on SE Boulevard.

Comp Plan comments on 1333M/Washington Gas Triangle.

Comp plans comments on 15th Street Commercial Corridor.

Traffic Safety Options for 16th & Independence Avenue, SE.

DDOT Plans to Widen D-4 Exit from 695 to 11th Street, SE.

Hill East Task Force report.

Livable Community Task Force report.

Letter to Public Space Committee on ANC 6B Input for Phase I of Eastern Market Metro Park Plaza.

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee report.

Working Group on Barrack’s Row report.

Election of Committee Chairs & Re-establishment of Task Forces.

ANC Resolution to commemorate 100 years of Women’s Suffrage.

Request for consideration of a resolution on the DC Archives.

Wednesday, February 12

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentation:

Christopher Wade, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Community Outreach Specialist.

Junction Bistro, Bar, and Bakery, 238 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, new, stipulated license.

Butter Chicken, 500 H Street, NE, ABRA-116156, new Class “D” tavern license.

Sidamo Coffee & Tea, 417 H Street NE, renewal, Class “C” restaurant.

RESA. 22 M Street NE, Public Space Application – parking garage safety improvements.

Logan School, 215 G Street, NE, Public Space Application – bike racks, fence, landscaping, new driveway.

1212 6th Street, NE, one story addition, multiple changes including porch, driveway, etc.

500 H Street NE, Public Space Application – sidewalk café.

H Street, NE, safety concerns – 3rd and 6th Streets, NE.

6th Street, NE, budget request – fixes between K and Florida, including ADA-compliance.

North Capitol Street, NE,  safety improvements between Massachusetts Avenue and R Street.

627 Orleans Place, NE, Zoning Adjustment Application – construction of a rear deck.

508 D Street NE, Zoning Adjustment Application – construction of a rear addition.

653 8th Street, NE, Zoning Adjustment Application – addition of a fourth apartment and rooftop equipment.

Draft amendments to Comprehensive Plan (Elements: Capitol Hill, Central DC, Upper NE Area, Generalized Policy Map, Future Land Use Map, Other elements).

1133 North Capitol Street, redevelopment update – Mr. Courtney.

Rock ‘n Roll Marathon, March 28, 2020.

NoMa Parks Foundation, update.

Draft Comprehensive Plan (Elements: Environmental Protection, Arts and Culture).

Thursday, February 13

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentations:

Lewis Ferebee, Chancellor, District of Columbia Public Schools.

Oversight of the Office of ANC – Shawn J. Hilgendorf, Director, Committee on Facilities and Procurement.

Letter to District of Columbia Homeland Security and Management Agency in support of the 2020 Capitol Hill Classic.

Motion to add the comments of the TPS to those of EDZ regarding the DC Comprehensive Plan and submit the comments.

Letter to DDOT in opposition to the application for a driveway through public space at the rear of 1518 North Carolina Avenue, NE.

Letter to DDOT asking for enforcement of DCMR 24-102 with respect to overgrown hedge at 100 14th Street, NE, for safety reasons and request the online 311 be modified to facilitate reporting of public space violations.

Consideration of whether to alter or amend a letter of opposition to DDOT for an application to permit the construction of a fourth apartment and the installation of new rooftop mechanical equipment, in an existing three-unit apartment house at 653 8th Street, NE/ 807 G Street, NE (BZA #20190) in the RF-1 Zone, based on the fact that there would be fewer than 250 square feet on the lot per unit.

Letter to real estate agents active on Capitol Hill informing them of the Residential Parking Permit restrictions in place for any address on H Street.

Submission changes to the DC Comprehensive Plan that are a merger of the already approved recommendations and the changes submitted by Capitol Hill Village.

Letter of support to Mr. Clifford Dixon, Permit Expeditor regarding permits for excavation foundation and building not issued yet) for:

1. an after-hours permit application that would allow work by the Eliot-Hine Middle School construction team to start at 6:00 am Monday through Saturday; and
2. authorization to work on the following holidays in 2020 to ensure the ability to meet the construction schedule: Washington’s Birthday, 02/17/2020; DC Emancipation Day, 04/16/2020; Memorial Day, 5/25/2020; Independence Day, 7/3/2020; Labor Day, 9/7/2020; Indigenous Peoples’ Day, 10/12/2020; Veterans Day, 11/11/2020.

Letter to DDOT re: Small Cell Design Guidelines.

And then there’s this:

The Week Ahead… and 100% Chance of Snow on C Street at Eastern Market

By Larry Janezich

Monday, February 3

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Junction Bistro, Bar & Bakery – 238 Massachusetts Avenue, NE – request for support of stipulated restaurant liquor license for pending application.

Butter Chicken Company 2 – 500 H Street, NE – new application for a Class “D” Tavern license.

Sidamo Coffee & Tea – 417 H Street, NE – renewal of Class “C” Restaurant license.

Tuesday, February 4

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

710 E Street, SE – Historic Preservation Application for rear 3-story addition.

411 New Jersey Avenue, SE – Historic Preservation Application for construction of 2 homes. Tentative.

1249 South Carolina Avenue, SE – Zoning Adjustment Application to allow construction of a rear addition to an existing apartment house.

1624 E Street, SE – Zoning Adjustment Application to raze the existing two-story, semi-detached principal dwelling unit, and to construct a three-story, detached principal dwelling unit.

Rezoning petition for triangle between 12th/Water/M to MU-13 (potential helipad site).

ANC 6B Comments on Amendments to Comprehensive Plan

Wednesday, February 5

ANC6B Transportation Committee meets at 7:00pm, in the Rear Meeting Space – 2nd Floor, The Yard, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Request for Removal of AM Rush Lane on the 900 Block of I Street, SE, to enable residents of the block to use their RPP/Zone 6 curbside parking spaces 24/7.

Presentation on Stop Light at 16th Street & Independence Avenue, SE. DDOT Director Marootian is scheduled to brief the Committee on efforts underway to add a stoplight at 16th and Independence Ave SE.

Brief Update on Status of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Corridor Study.

Discussion on DDOT Plans to Widen 695 Eastbound Exit onto 11th Street, SE.

Final Recommendations on CompPlan Transportation Chapter.

ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee meets at 6:30pm, Northeast Library, 7^th and D Streets, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

627 Orleans Place, NE – Zoning Adjustment Application to permit construction of a rear deck addition to an existing attached principal dwelling unit

508 D Street, NE – Zoning Adjustment Application to permit construction of a rear addition to an existing attached principal dwelling unit.

653 8th Street, NE – Zoning Adjustment Application to permit construction of a fourth apartment and the installation of new rooftop mechanical equipment, in an existing three-unit apartment house.

Draft amendments to Comprehensive Plan – Review of the following Draft Plan elements, including Capitol Hill Area Element, Central Washington Area Element, Upper Northeast Area Element, Generalized Policy Map, Future Land Use Map (FLUM), Any elements not previously discussed, and Elements discussed in November/December/January to be re-discussed/reconsidered.

Thursday, February 6

ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee will meet at 7:00pm at the Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Yaju Ramen, 525 8th Street, SE – Request for Substantial Changes to Retailer’s Class “C” Tavern license.

Tortuga Caribbean Bar & Grille, 514 8th Street, SE – Request for Substantial Change to add an Entertainment Endorsement with Cover Charge inside the premises only.

Finn McCool’s, 713 8th Street, SE – Request for Substantial Change for Class Change from a Retailer Class “C” Restaurant to a Retailer Class “C” Tavern.

ANC 6C Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm, Kaiser Permanente, 700 2nd Street, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

22 M Street, NE – RESA – parking garage safety improvements. RESA is a new apartment building located in NoMA where the parking garage entrance/exit faces Patterson Street, NE. DDOT advised management to seek ANC support to remove parking spot(s) immediately adjacent to the garage’s entrance/exit to provide extra visibility for people using the garage and along Patterson.

215 G Street, NE – Logan School Public Space Application for renovation including: 22 bike racks, a fence, and landscaping and planting for 14 trees. The existing driveway will remain to serve the proposed parking lot; a new driveway will serve as an exit out of the public alley.

1212 6th Street, NE – Public Space Application – proposal to perform an addition/alteration repair, 1 story addition above existing 2 story, single family unit to create a two family unit; new open porch, lead walk with steps, window well, driveway off alley and knee wall with fencing. Response to request for additional information.

500 H Street, NE, Butter Chicken Company 2 Sidewalk Cafe Application – proposal for unenclosed sidewalk cafe with eleven tables (two ADA accessible) and a total of 42 seats. All tables will have umbrellas with 8’ clearance when open. Proposed hours of operation are from 10am to 12am, 7 days a week.

H Street NE safety concerns. The Committee will discuss ways to improve safety along H Street, NE. At 3rd Street NE, residents have noted that signal timing incentivizes eastbound drivers to run the red light. In addition, on January 15, a person on a bicycle suffered a crash — near the same location as Mr. Malik Habib’s fatal 2018 crash — due to the streetcar tracks and was subsequently hit by a moving vehicle. At 6th Street, NE, neighbors have experienced near misses and desire a left turn signal at 6th Street, NE.

6th Street, NE budget request. The ongoing implementation of safety improvements along 6th Street, NE, between K Street, NE, and Florida Avenue, NE, was included as a part of the interim improvements for Florida Avenue; however, funds for permanent fixes (such as ADA-compliant sidewalks) are not included in the full Florida Avenue project. The Committee will discuss next steps on requesting funds for permanent fixes for this stretch of 6th Street, NE.

North Capitol Street sign on letter. In January 2019, the NoMa BID presented to the Committee the North Capitol Needs Assessment, which identified specific safety improvements along North Capitol Street from Massachusetts Avenue to R Street. However, in 2019, four pedestrians were fatally struck on or near North Capitol Street, including Mr. Hubert Hinds in December, 2019 while crossing H Street, NE. The Committee will review a sign on letter developed by the ANC6E Transportation and Public Space Committee and others to DDOT Director Marootian requesting DDOT to take immediate action in implementing the recommendations.

Saturday, February 8

Community input on the renovation of Southeast Library. 9:00am – 1:00pm, North Hall Eastern Market.

DC Public Library has hired the design-build team of Whiting-Turner Construction and Quinn Evans Architects to renovate Southeast Library. Members of the design team will be in the North Hall at Eastern Market from 9:00am – 1:00pm this Saturday. DCPL invites residents to stop by for 15-20 minutes and share their ideas for what they would like to see in the renovated library.

Here’s a link to the online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DCSoutheastLibrary

In addition, on Tuesday, March 3, at 7:00pm, DC Public Library will host a Community Meeting in the North Hall at Eastern Market. At this meeting, residents will 1. Meet the design team, 2.Learn about the project, 3. Share ideas.

Friends of the Southeast hold a Book Sale from 10:00am – 3:00pm.

History, biography, mystery, fantasy, literature, photography, cookbooks — many brand new. Plus, most books are only $1. Proceeds from sales help fund library programs for children.

On Barracks Row:  Spring Mill Bread Going – “Jew-ish” Deli Coming

By Larry Janezich

Capitol Hill Corner went to check out Spring Mill Bread’s last day on Barracks Row yesterday.  Owner Katherine Rurka was on site, cleaning out the store.  The company’s logo had already been removed from the front of the building.  Asked why they were closing, she replied simply, “Our lease was up,” adding, “I’ve got to call the fire department, we’ve got smoke.  Where’s my phone?”  CHC offered a phone, but Rurka found hers, exclaiming, “On our last day,” and made the call.

Three DC Fire Department vehicles arrived within minutes and located a faulty breaker switch in the basement and no cause for alarm.

It didn’t seem like an opportune time to press for additional details.  Spring Mill Bakery closed their Bethesda location when their lease was up in January 2018.  Outlets in Arlington, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Takoma, and Spring Mill, Pennsylvania remain open.

As first reported by Popville, the popular “Jew-ish” Deli Call Your Mother will open in the space vacated by the bakery this spring.   It will join Bullfrog Bagels near Eastern Market, giving Capitol Hill a second source of bagels.  Here’s a link to Eater DC’s report http://bit.ly/2RPoeis and here’s a link to Call Your Mother’s menu https://www.callyourmotherdeli.com/menu.