Monthly Archives: January 2021

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The loosely organized city-wide convention of ANC Commissioners met last Monday night and reached a consensus to press the city on creating a process to fill empty ANC seats during the pandemic when it is not possible to comply with current procedures, and to press for increased funding for speed cameras for areas where they are most needed. Correspondence is in the process of being drafted for consideration at the next meeting on February 8.

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The Week Ahead…And Some Photos from the Past Week

Monday, February 1

ANC6C Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee will not meet in February.

Tuesday, February 2

ANC 6B Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For a link to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• 1381 Potomac Avenue, SE [6B07] Two-story rear addition. Special exceptions for lot occupancy (53% Current, 60% by right, 70% proposed) and 10 foot rule (10’8” past one adjoining property, 11’3” past the other.
• 102 9th Street SE [6B05] Penthouse addition for a stairway to roof deck. Special exceptions for general penthouse regulations in RF-1 zone.
• 515 10th St SE [6B04] Historic Preservation Application – concept for second story addition to existing accessory buildings/garage and stairwell. Special exception to lot occupancy (63.4% existing, 60 by right, 64.6% proposed. Concept review for addition on alley.
• 631 G St SE [6B03] Historic Preservation Application – concept for second story addition to existing garage.   
• 320 9th Street, SE [6B05] Concept for two-story side and rear addition.
• Consideration of proposal to remove Inclusionary Zoning Exemption for NC-6 Zone. Text amendment to add Inclusionary Zoning bonus height to NC-6 Zone (45 feet by right, 55 feet with IZ).
• ANC 6B Letter on HPRB Treatment of heights of alley and accessory buildings. Draft Letter: https://bit.ly/36rTfzW

Wednesday, February 3

ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

For a link to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Draft Resolution on Bike/Pedestrian Access Through Capitol Grounds http://bit.ly/36x1lrk
• Preliminary Discussion on Baltimore-Washington Superconducting Maglev Project DEIS http://bit.ly/3cpXQ9O

Wednesday, February 3

ANC6C Planning, Zoning and Economic Development will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm. 

For a link to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• 622 Eye Street, NE. Further-revised application of VBS Community Builders LLC, for a special exception to convert an existing residential building into a five-unit apartment house and for variance relief from the lot area requirements.
• Proposed rulemaking (Proposed text of amendments to accessory-building regulations.) ANC 6C previously considered this at the hearing stage in December and provided testimony; the rulemaking text reflects a number of changes, including in response to ANC 6C’s comments. Comment deadline: Feb. 8, 2021. (The ZC Secretary has suggested a mechanism for ANC 6C to provide comments after its Feb.10 vote.)
• Upcoming Council oversight hearings – The DC Council begins its annual agency oversight hearings in February. The PZE will discuss appropriate topics for ANC6C testimony. (Preliminary schedule as of Jan. 19)

Thursday, February 4

ANC6BB Transportation and Public Safety Committee will hold a virtual meeting 7:00pm.

For a link to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Updates from DDOT on recent ANC6C transportation items. The Committee will follow up with DDOT on recent ANC6C items sent over the past year. This includes, but may not be limited to the following: safety concerns along H Street, NE; Maryland Avenue, NE, bike lane around Stanton Park; recent traffic safety assessments submitted for 5th and 7th Streets, NE; and truck issues around 4th and 5^th Streets, NE.  Andrew DeFrank, DDOT Ward 6 Community Engagement Specialist
• Uncle Kenny’s Smokehouse, 732 Maryland Avenue, SE. Public Space application for a Sidewalk Café.  The proposed 875 sq. ft. cafe will include a total of 13 tables, or 46 seats total with fence and planters. Hours listed on the application are from 7am to 10:30pm, 7 days a week.
• 111 K Street, NE. Public Space application for a Sidewalk Café. New application for an unenclosed sidewalk cafe at the southeast corner of K Street NE and 1st Street, NE. The proposed 216 sq. ft. cafe will include a total of 10 tables, or 27 seats total, with umbrellas. Hours listed on the application are from 8am or 10am until 11pm or midnight, 7 days a week.
• North Capitol Street Concept Study sign-on letter. The Committee will review a sign-on letter from ANC6E to request the city to fund a concept study for the redesign of North Capitol Street between Massachusetts and Michigan Avenue, NE, in the FY22 budget. ANC 6C previously signed onto a letter from ANC 6E noting safety concerns along North Capitol Street and to request DDOT to take action in implementing the recommendations from NoMa BID’s North Capitol Needs Assessment.
• Second proposed rulemaking on Visitor Parking Pass Program. The Committee will review the second proposed rulemaking on the visitor parking pass program. ANC6C previously commented on the first rulemaking in October 2020.

(For the March meeting: Baltimore-Washington SCMAGLEV Project DEIS: http://bit.ly/3cpXQ9O )

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Mayor Bowser’s Situational Briefing – Shake Up in Top Aides – COVID – Security

By Larry Janezich

Posted January 28, 2021

Mayor Bowser announced personnel changes in the top levels of her administration. 

• Kevin Donahue, interim City Administration, has been named City Administrator.
• Roger Mitchell, interim Deputy Mayor for Safety and Justice and Chief Medical Examiner is leaving for an academic post at Howard University.
• Christopher Geldhart, Director of DPW, has been named Deputy Mayor for Safety and Justice.
• Christine Davis, General Counsel for the Department of Public Works, has been named Director of DPW.
• Francisco Diaz, Chief Deputy Medical Examiner City, has been named Chief Medical Examiner.

Other takeaways from remarks by Mayor Bowser and by Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, DCDOH:

Bowser:  This week the Biden Administration committed to increasing DC’s vaccine allocation by 15% for the next three weeks.  The increase will be allocated according to the strategy currently in place. 

Bowser:  DC is now vaccinating:

• Individuals who work in health care settings Members of the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
• Residents of long-term and intermediate care facilities and residents of community residential facilities/group homes
• DC residents who are 65 years old and older
• Individuals experiencing homelessness
• Members of the Metropolitan Police Department
• Teachers and staff who are, or will be, working in person at a DCPS school or a DC public charter school
• Department of Corrections employees
• Continuity Government Operations personnel

Nesbitt: DC Department of Health remains opposed to creation of a waitlist because it makes it impossible to apply an equity model to insure people at highest risk get the vaccine. 

Nesbitt:  The perception that the most affluent neighborhoods are outpacing economic depressed neighborhoods regarding vaccinations does not take into account the distribution of residents over 65 who are found in greater numbers in affluent neighborhoods or the resistance to vaccination in some demographics.

Bowser:  The next group eligible for vaccinations is likely to be child care workers and a decision and announcement will be made soon.

Nesbitt: The rate of infection is dropping after a holiday surge.  Until we understand more about the virus variants and their increased rate of transmission, we are at risk for an accelerated rate of infection until we get to 10 cases per day or lower. 

Bowser:  Fencing around the White House and the US Capitol is temporary.  There are upcoming potentially volatile events requiring additional security.  We want the city and institutions to be safe but we don’t want fences or troops to be long term fixtures. 

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More Public Art Planned for Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park

by Larry Janezich                      

Posted January 27, 2021

At a progress briefing on Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park held on Wednesday by Diego Martinez, project manager for the Department of General Services, Martinez announced plans for a second and possibly a third piece of public art for the Plaza/Park.  This, in addition to Jay Coleman’s interactive sculpture “Loveful Hands” which will reside in front of the entrance to Eastern Market Metro.

Barracks Row Mainstreet is funding the fabrication and installation of Beth Nybeck’s “Found You” – three 5 & 7 foot metal sculptures of rabbits playing hide and seek. The artist describes the piece as a “hopeful, whimsical, playful experience to help people find the goodness and light existing within each other”. The stainless steel structures are perforated so that light from inside will sprinkle light on the ground at night.  The piece will be will be placed near the playground on Parcel 4 of the Plaza/Park. 

Another piece which is under consideration for addition to the project is Hiroshi Jacobs” “Weaving”.   The 4X20X9 construction of plate steel encourages interaction and can be experienced in different ways.  It would be sited on Parcel 6 – the small triangle park in front of Trader Joe’s.  The artist says it “represents intersection and interaction among people, providing seating and promoting communication”.  David Perry, Chairman of Barracks Row Mainstreet, measured the enthusiasm of the community stakeholders who attended the meeting and said he would take a proposal to fund the piece to the Barracks Row Mainstreet Board. 

Artist Jay Coleman’s piece, “Loveful Hands” was selected last year by the Eastern Market Metro Plaza Advisory Taskforce as the first choice for public art located near the Metro entrance on Parcel 4.  “Found You” and “Weaving” also enjoyed considerable support from stakeholders in the community resulting efforts to find ways to fund additional pieces for the Park/Plaza project. 

For more information on the original 8 artistic concepts submitted for consideration for the project, see here:  http://bit.ly/2Hnji1R

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The Park Kennedy is now leasing on Reservation 13. A window banner proclaims as part of the sales promotion, “Not for the faint of heart.” (What?)

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The Week Ahead…

By Larry Janezich

Posted January 24, 2021

The Week Ahead…

Monday, January 25

ANC6A Community Outreach holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For information on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

Representatives from CM Charles Allen’s office, DC Board of Education, and all DCPS and charter schools in ANC6A have been invited to present at the meeting. 

Laura Marks, Chief of Staff, Office of CM Charles Allen

Jessica Sutton, Ward 6 Member, State Board of Education (SBOE)

Eastern Senior High School

• Sah Brown, Principal
• Elizabeth Braganza, IB Coordinator
• Regina McClure, NAF Director, Eastern Academy of Health Sciences
• Antwanette Starks
• Benjamin Davis
• Heather Schoell, PTO President

Apple Tree PCS -Lincoln Park

• Shirvon Smith, Acting Principal
• Jamie Miles, Chief of Schools

 Eliot Hine Middle School

• Marlene Magrino, Principal, (invited)
• Lena Heid (invited)
• Robert Campbell (invited)

Kingsman Academy

• Kennesha Kelly, Head of School (invited)

Maury Elementary School

• Helena Payne Chauvenet, Principal (invited)
• Jean Kohanek (confirmed)

Monument Academy

• Jeffrey Grant, Principal (invited)

Ludlow Taylor Elementary School

• Shaunte Daniel, Principal (invited)
• Rachel Turow, PTO President

Miner Elementary School

• Bruce Jackson, Principal (invited)

School within School @ Goding

• John Burst, Principal (invited)
• Nick Rutar, (invited)

ANC6A Transportation and Public Space Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

For information on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda: 

• Discussion with DDOT of traffic calming options for 1300-1400 block of North Carolina Avenue, NE and related bike lane connectivity issues as part of C Street NE redesign plans.
• Status update and discussion with DDOT on pending Traffic Safety Assessments and other critical areas of concern previously identified by the ANC.

Tuesday, January 26

ANC6B Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm to set the agenda for the February 9 meeting of the full ANC. 

For information on how to join the meeting, go here:  http://bit.ly/2MoLyDq

ANC6A Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

For information on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Discussion of a request for support for application for a stipulated license for new establishment at 1378 H Street NE, subject to existing June 21, 2004 settlement agreement with Rose’s Dream, Inc.
• Discussion of additional conforming changes to template settlement agreements identified while making updates as identified at December meeting.

Wednesday January 27

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

Join Zoom Meeting: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89629323553?pwd=N2h1U0ZuZkJSTFFVU3dPbDJDdjFZZz09

Meeting ID: 896 2932 3553

Passcode: 960508

One tap mobile

+19292056099,,89629323553#,,,,*960508# US (New York)

+13017158592,,89629323553#,,,,*960508# US (Washington DC)

Dial by your location

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Report of the Chair
• Report of the Market Manager
• Strategic Plan Update
• Possible return to normal operating hours update
• Status of the conflict resolution proposal
• Signage and banner update
• Eastern Market Metro Plaza Update

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Vaccines and Security – Mayor Bowser’s January 21 Situational Briefing

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 21

On Friday, January 22, at 9:00 a.m., 740 additional appointments will become available to any DC resident who is 65 and older or any individual who works in a health care setting in DC.

Here’s the link to additional information AND the DC vaccination portal:  https://coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccinatedc   

 If you previously attempted to get an appointment and you did not receive a notification with a confirmation code, date and location, you must re-register.

Here are some highlights from today’s briefing.

• Next week, DC will receive 8,775 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 5,600 doses of Moderna vaccine.
• Going forward: Appointments will be released every Friday a 9:00am for eligible groups in ALL DC zip codes.  Appointments will be released every Thursday at 9:00am for eligible residents in PRIORITY zip codes – most of Wards 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8.
• Vaccinations are prioritized based on two factors: Prevention of morbidity and mortality and preservation of societal functions.
• Vaccinations to prevent morbidity and mortality are well underway for those over 65 and others. (See CHC post from January 11.)
• Preservation of societal functions vaccinations have also started – including health care workers, EMS workers, and frontline public health workers.
• Beginning the week of January 25, additional groups will become eligible under preservation of societal functions including teachers and support staff at DC Public Schools and DC Public Charter Schools, members of the MPD, and “Continuity of DC Government” personnel.
• Public school teachers and staff will receive direct communication to schedule their appointments far vaccinations at Dunbar High School.
• DC Public Charter Schools will receive guidance from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
• Restaurants will be able to resume indoor dining up to 25% capacity as of Friday, January 22.

Inaugural Security

• The out-of-state National Guard is beginning to return home starting today.
• DC National Guard will remain in DC through January 30.
• The Mayor will make a to-be-determined request for National Guard assistance for the State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress, likely to occur in late February.
• Right wing extremism will continue to be a persistent threat and the city is planning for a short, medium, and long range posture to counter the threat.
• Fences lining DC Streets are being taken down and most will be removed by tomorrow.  The fences around the Capitol Building – maybe the Capitol Complex – are likely to remain through the end of the month.  

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Highlights from Mayor Bowser’s January 19 Situational Update

by Larry Janezich

Mayor Bowsers held a situational update in the middle of the median on Pennsylvania Avenue, at 7^th Street, SE, this afternoon, along with Council Members Charles Allen and Brook Pinto, MPD Chief Contee, HLS Director Chris Rodriquez, Deputy Mayor Mitchell, and others.

She said she wanted to check in ahead of the Inaugural and discuss what’s in the future for DC.

Here are some of the highlights:

• Sousa, 11^th Street, and South Capitol Bridges, originally scheduled to be completely shut down inbound, will remain partially open with traffic reduced to one lane inbound.
• Every MPD Police District has contingency plans and resources for any demonstrations which spill into residential neighborhoods.
• DC’s overall need for COVID-19 vaccine is much greater than supply. With the intense scarcity, the distribution will be imperfect until we get more vaccine.  The allocation by ward was meant to address issues concerning those who were underrepresented in the number of vaccinations administered and over represented in the numbers of those infected.  Creation of a central registry to administer the vaccine would still involve a question of how to select people for vaccinations.
• The city is looking into whether there are any additional federal funds to compensate business adversely affected by the security lockdown.
• Bowser said DC doesn’t want fences or armed troops longer in the city than they have to be – “but we want to be smart. We want to see the best approach to hardening our security posture without looking like were hardening.”
• There are no indications of specific or credible threats to any building outside the federal enclave.
• The Mayor has nothing to announce regarding the end of the ban on indoor dining at restaurants now in place until 5:00am on January 22.
• The majority of those arrested under the Inaugural security restrictions have been charged at the federal level and will appear in District Court.

Four ANCs On/Near Capitol Hill Elect Officers

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 19, 2021

Last week the four ANCs on or abutting Capitol Hill met for the first meeting of 2021.  As part of the regular order of business new officers were elected, many held over from last year.  A noteable exception was the election of Edward Daniels as Chair of ANC6D. Those officers marked with an asterisk in the list below are newly elected to the post. 

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ANC6A Officers and Commissioners

• Amber Gove 6A04, Chair
• Keya Chatergee 6A01, Vice Chair*
• Laura Gentile 6A05, Secretary *
• Brian Alcorn 6A08, Treasurer
• Other Commissioners:
• Phil Toomajian 6A02
• Mike Soderman 6A03
• Robb Dooling 6A06
• Sondra Phillips-Gilbert 6A 07

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ANC6B Officers and Commissioners

• Brian Ready 6B03, Chair
• Steve Holtzman, Vice Chair *
• Jerry Sroufe, Secretary
• Corey Holman, Treasurer
• Kirsten Oldenburg, Parliamentarian *
• Other Commissioners:
• Jennifer Samolyk 6B01
• Edward Ryder 6B07
• Peter Wright 6B08
• Alison Horn 6B09
• Denise Krepp 6B10

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ANC6C Officers and Commissioners

• Karen Wirt 6C02 Chair
• Mark Eckenwiler 6C04, Vice Chair
• Christine Healey 6C01, Secretary
• Joel Kelty 6C05, Treasurer
• Other Commissioners:
• Jay Adelstein  6C03
• Drew Courtney 6C06

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ANC6D Officers and Commissioners

• Edward Daniels  6D07, Chair*
• Fredrica “Rikki” Kramer 6D05, Vice Chair*
• Jared Weiss 6D02, Secretary*
• Ronald Collins 6D03, Treasurer
• Other Commissioners: 
• Andrew Bossi 6D01
• Andy Litsky 6D04
• Rhonda Hamilton 6D06

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Extreme Pizza To Open on Barracks Row

by Larry Janezich

An Extreme Pizza franchise is on the cusp of opening in the space formerly occupied by Orchid at 520 8^th Street, SE.  There it will join four other pizza providers: &Pizza, Pizza Boli’s, Matchbox, and Mediterranean Café.

According to the websites of two Arlington outlets, the restaurant will offer salads, subs, calzones and wings in addition to pizza.  You can check out the menu for the Pentagon City location here:  http://bit.ly/3bRAvNY

According to Wikipedia, the company was founded in San Francisco in 1994 and has more than 30 locations in the US.  The theme of West Coast restaurants is extreme sports, and the décor features photos of athletes in action.  Restaurants on the East Coast differ in that they reflect the style and local of the neighborhood.

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The Week Ahead…& Photo Essay of US Capitol Security

Monday, January 18

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.  DC Government closed. No trash or recycling.

Wednessday, January 20

Inaugural Day.  DC Government closed. No trash or recycling.

ANC 6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For information on joining the meeting, go here:  http://bit.ly/3p95vNI

Among items on the draft agenda:

• 1637 D Street, NE.  Zoning Adjustment Application for special exception to construct a two-story with basement addition to an existing, nonconforming, two-story with basement, principal dwelling unit.
• 1300 I Street, NE,  Zoning Adjustment Application for a special exception under the residential  to construct a third story, with rear and side additions, and to construct six residential units to an existing, two-story, detached building. 

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This map from the Washington post shows where the 7+ foot non-scaleable fencing was up. Since then, additional fences hav been erected around the House Office Buildings and the US Capitol Police HQ and parking losts north of the Hart Senate Office Building.

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Vaccination/Inaugural Safety Update

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 17, 2021

The District government is closed on Monday for MLK, Jr. Day and on Wednesday for Inauguration Day.  No trash/recycling pick up.  

Vaccinations: 

DC’s vaccination appointment portal will open at 9:00am Monday for DC residents over 65 and health care workers.  There are 1,436 appointments available.  Here’s the link:  https://coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccinatedc

Inaugural:

For public safety alerts related to the Inaugural, text INAUG2021 to 888777.

For crime and emergency alerts from public safety officials, sign up for DC Alerts here:  https://hsema.dc.gov/page/alertdc          

To send an anonymous tip, text 50411.

On January 11, Mayor Bowser extended the order pausing Phase 2 activities – including indoor restaurant dining – until 5am on Jan 22. Here’s a link to the order.  https://bit.ly/2XNutWw

On January 11, Mayor Bowser extended the Public Emergency and Public Health Emergency through March 31. Here’s a link to the order.  https://bit.ly/3bLV1zm