First District Commander Morgan Kane Gets Promotion and a New Job
By Larry Janezich
Posted July 14, 2021
Today, MPD Chief Contee announced the creation of the Technical and Analytical Services Bureau (TASB) to oversee all information technology services, as well as research and analytical services used to support policing operations and public safety practices. Former 1st District Commander Morgan Kane – promoted to Assistant Chief – will oversee the new bureau. In addition to technology management the bureau’s research and analysis staff collects, analyzes, and disseminates intelligence throughout the department. TASB will also encompass the Records Division, providing services like fingerprinting, gun registration and background checks.
Kane will be succeeded at the First District by Commander Ralph McLean, previously a Captain within the Narcotics and Special Investigations Division.
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ANC6D, chaired by Commissioner Edward Daniels, held a virtual meeting last night. On the agenda was consideration of DC Circulator’s proposal to shorten the Eastern Market – SW Waterfront leg of Circulator Service and extend the L’Engant Plaza leg north to Mr. Vernon Square. The ANC oppoeses any change to the route.
ANC6D Blisters DC Circulator Re Changing Eastern Market/L’Enfant Plaza Route
by Larry Janezich
Last night ANC6D did not hold back in its criticism of DC Circulator’s proposal to eliminate the Eastern Market/Barracks Row portion of the bus service to L’Enfant Plaza via M Street and extend the route from L’Enfant to Mt. Vernon Square. In doing so, it joined ANC6B’s more measured opposition to cutting the Eastern Market/Barracks Row section of the route last week. ANC6D went further both in rhetoric and in action, opposing ANY change in the current service.
Commissioner Andrew Bosssi made the motion to oppose changing in the route, saying that L’Enfant Plaza was already well connected to Mt. Vernon Square by bus service and lamented the loss of a connection to Eastern Market for Southwest residents. He said a one-seat ride to Eastern Market and Barracks Row was critical to those who live in Southwest.
Commissioner Andy Litsky opposed both the proposal and the process, noting that Mayor Bowser attended last month’s virtual ANC6D meeting where transportation issues were central to the discussion and a handful of days later, DC Circulator put forward this proposal without notice. He termed DDOT’s skipping consultation with the ANC “nonsense – not the way to approach a route change”, adding “The Mayor should be ashamed … the Circulator needs to be preserved the way it is. I hope the Mayor embraces the ANC’s recommendation”.
Commissioner Rikki Kramer termed the proposal “outrageous” saying she had heard from constituents opposed to the route change. She noted that DDOT’s agenda “is not usually aligned with resident’s needs”.
The motion to send a letter opposing the route change passed unanimously, 7 – 0.
Visitors came back to the US Capitol Grounds this weekend after the surrounding security fence was removed on Saturday, July 10. One thing strollers noticed was the replacement of most of the grass on the West front with turf grass found on golf course greens.
ICYMI, the Great Hall and the Reading Room overlook reopened to visitors last Thursday. The Library has been open to accredited researchers for several weeks. The exhibits remain closed, but the Guttenburg Bible is on display. For information on how to get a timed entry pass, go here: https://www.loc.gov/visi
Here’s a shot of the Great Hall.
Last Tuesday, ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee voted to support the concept design for new signage and a landscaping upgrade for Friendship Chamberlain Independent Charter School of the DC Public School System. The School is at 1345 Potomac Avenue, SE, across from Harris Teeter.
Later this year, you’ll be looking at a new sign, a new fence, a pollinator garden, community garden beds, a shade structure and a public art feature. The ANC Committee voted to recommend that the full ANC support the renovation and the recommendation comes up before the full ANC on Tuesday.
Last Saturday saw the return of the Friends of Southeast Library (FOSEL) Book Sale for the first time since DC’s libraries closed owing to the pandemic. The Friends billed this sale as a “pop up” since it was held entirely outside owing to Library restrictions. There will be another in the series of community meetings on the renovation of Southeast Library on July 21 – check Capitol Hill Corner’s “The Week Ahead” on July 18 for details.
The Week Ahead – ANC Highlights – and Some Photos from the Past Week
by Larry Janezich
Posted July 11, 2021
Highlights:
Tuesday: ANC6B likely protest of a retail liquor license for Sip Wine & Spirits, 1100 K Street, SE.
Tuesday: ANC6B – letter to DDOT opposing Circulator Plan to change Eastern Market/L’Enfant Plaza Route.
Sip Wine & Spirits, 1100 K Street, SE. Application for a retailer’s Class “A” Liquor Store license.
Kaiju Ramen Bar, 525 8th Street, SE. Application for a retailer’s Class “C” Tavern license.
La Casina DC, 327 7th Street, SE. Application for a retailer’s S.E.: Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant license. Note: This will be a request to extend the Petition Deadline to September 17th due to ANC 6B’s August Recess.
The Ugly Mug Dining Saloon, 723 8th St SE. Request to change/update the existing settlement agreement.
ABRA Letter regarding the proper procedure to request a deferral of an applicant’s protest petition deadline and maintain the right to protest the establishment if the applicant does not agree to the deferral or the ABRA Board denies the request.
Planning and Zoning Committee
Friendship Chamberlain Campus. 1345 Potomac Avenue, SE. Review of Concept Public Space Plans to add garden, public art, new signage, fence replacement, and outdoor classroom.
607 E Streets, SE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept: New second-story read addition and adding new windows on side yard.
Presentation: Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services, homeless encampments—Kevin Pham
Presentation: Folger Library construction update—Abbey Fagin, Chief Advancement Officer
Presentation: C. Office of Human Relations—Ajan Brown
Presentation: National Night Out, August 3—MPD rep, Lendia Johnson
Transportation and Public Space Committee
1133 North Capitol Street NE, streetscape between Pierce and M Streets, NE.
Georgetown Law Center, alley bridge near 2nd and E Streets, NW.
713 Maryland Ave NE, parking in public space.
Temporary bicycle lanes around the Capitol, neighboring ANCs also affected
Parking for Capitol Hill Montessori School at Logan; G, 2nd, and 3rd Streets NE
No turn on red at North Capitol and Massachusetts Ave NE
Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee
220 H Street, NE. PUD modification to allow affordable housing units.
55/75 New York Avenue, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Animal boarding use, ground floor; nightclub, bar, or restaurant in a penthouse; mixed use building.
7/9 New York Avenue, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Loading berth, penthouse height requirements, raze existing 3-story building to construct a 14-story apartment and penthouse.
899-999 North Capitol Street, NE. Zoning Application. Mixed use, residential and ground floor retail.
622 Eye Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Conversion of a residential bldg. to a 4-story apartment plus relief from 10 ft. limit on extensions past the rear wall of adjacent residential building.
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Under Circulator’s proposal, this stop at 7th and PA Ave and the one at Eastern Market Metro Plaza across the street, would be moved to 8th and L Streets, SE.
Ball Park Circulator Wants To Move Eastern Market Bus Stop to the Blue Castle
by Larry Janezich
Posted July 8, 2021
Last night, ANC6B’s Transportation Committee considered a proposal in the Circulator’s 2020 Transit Development Plan that would eliminate the Barracks Row portion of the Eastern Market to L’Enfant Plaza and move the bus stop to 8th and L Streets SE – the NE corner of the Blue Castle. The Plan also suggests extending the Circulator route from L’Enfant Plaza to Mt. Vernon Square. Here’s a link to the study: http://www.dccirculator.com/tdp2020/ (See pages 114 – 116)
As might be expected, Capitol Hill riders depending on transportation to and from the Wharf/Ball Park and businesses depending on traffic to and from Southwest are unhappy with the proposal to truncate the route. According Ken Ken Jarboe – former ANC6B commissioner and current Capitol Hill BID representative – the extension of the route to Mt. Vernon Square has been contemplated for some time, but cutting the route short on the Eastern Market end “came out of left field”.
Circulator planners say the move would boost ridership on the underperforming route and that riders from Eastern Market to SW would be accommodated by the Circulator which transverses Barracks Row on the way to Anacostia and a transfer to the L Street – Mt. Vernon Circulator.
Jarboe says that idea undercuts the marketing of the “one seat ride” from Eastern Market to the Wharf and the Ball Park. “How that increases ridership is beyond me”, he said, adding that the proposal was “not thought through very well.’ He noted there had been no study of shortening the route and that Circulator does not have the data to justify the move. Jarboe noted, that if this is locked in now, it will move forward.
Originally, Circulator was open to comment through June 25. At the request of ANC6B and others, CM Charles Allen prevailed on them to extend the comment period until the end of July, affording ANC6B time to weigh in. Jarboe said the Capitol Hill BID has already commented with a letter, the gist of which is “Please don’t do it”.
Chair Kirsten Oldenburg moved that the Committee recommend to the full ANC that they write a letter to Circulator officials in opposition to eliminating the Barracks Row leg of the route. That motion was agreed to 9 – 0. A second motion urging a study be undertaken of ways to make the Circulator turnaround at Eastern Market more efficient was agreed to 8 – 0 – 1.
The recommendation will be considered by the full ANC6B at its virtual meeting on July 13.
Yesterday, following her march down Barracks Row in the July 4th Parade, Mayor Bowser spoke again (following an event in June) to commemorate the opening of the renovated Eastern Market Metro Plaza. She credited Councilmember Charles Allen and pledged to continue working hand in hand with him.
After the Mayor departed for another parade in Palisades, Allen said that the community had been presented with a rare opportunity to change the nature of the space. He said “We can do the big stuff, but we can’t forget the small stuff”. He cited the preservation of one of the benches (from the parcel which now accommodates the playground) which had been restored by neighbor Peter Riehle as a Eagle Scout project a few years before his death in 2015. “That’s who we are”, Allen said, “remembering the small things that hold us together in addition to the big stuff”. Above, Allen along with Martin Smith of Barracks Row Main Street and Nicky Cymrot (partly obscured) cut a ribbon – the City Council’s recognition of the official opening of the Plaza.
On Monday of last week, representatives of the Defund the Police Coalition and a representative of the Justice Lab DC both appeared before ANC6A’s Community Outreach Committee chaired by Roni Holloman. The organizations made presentations in support of their respective positions on police reform. The committee voted to recommend the full ANC support he more moderate position of Justice Lab DC, endorsing the recommendations of the Police Reform Commission. See here: https://dccouncil.us/police-reform-commission-full-report/ The recommendation comes up before the full ANC at its meeting on Thursday.
Update on Door Dash. Last Tuesday, ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee Chair Corey Holman told his ANC colleagues that DCRA has asked Door Dash to revise their building permit as it regards parking. Holman said that if DCRA doesn’t ask for a revision of the permit as it regards loading he would forward the ANC’s appeal of the building permit on the grounds that the proposed loading space violates zoning regulations. More information on developments may be available at Tuesday night’s committee meeting.
Door Dash has been doing some lobbying of ANC commissioners and residents by holding an in person or virtual open house to introduce skeptics to their operation. CHC wasn’t invited, but here’s a look inside of the old Frager’s space as Door Dash looks forward to opening at a time TBD.
On Thursday, Councilmember picked a particularly hot afternoon to hold his first community office hours since the city shut down for the pandemic. This was in Eastern Market Metro Park, near the playground.
And last Friday, AP and The Hill newspaper reported that the US Capitol Police have a plan to remove the remaining fencing around the Capitol Building as soon at July 9. A more encompassing outer fence was removed in March. The decision seems to be a political one, since the Capitol Police Board (comprised of the Senate and House Sergeants at Arms and the Architect of the Capitol) recommended Congressional leaders keep the fence up until September.
The Week Ahead…Highlights…Some Photos from the Past Week
by Larry Janezich
Posted July 5, 2021
Highlights
Wednesday – ANC6B Transportation Committee – Circulator Plan to Change Eastern Market/L’Enfant Plaza Route.
Wednesday – DDOT Proposal to add Advisory Bike Lanes to 12th Street SE & 100 Block of North Carolina Avenue, SE.
Wednesday – ANC6C Planning and Zoning Committee – Construction of up to 11-story, 130’ mixed-use building at 899-999 North Capitol Street, NE.
Thursday – ANC6B Alcohol Beverage Committee – Sip Wine & Spirits, 1100 K Street, S.E. Application for a Retailer’s Class “A” Liquor License.
Review of Concept Public Space Plans to add garden, public art, new signage, fence replacement, and outdoor classroom. Friendship Chamberlain Campus. 1345 Potomac Avenue, SE.
607 E Street, SE. New second-story read addition and adding new windows on side yard. Historic Preservation Application – concept review.
232 10th Street, SE. Historic Preservation and Zoning Adjustment Applications for concept/three-story rear and roof addition, roof deck, remove garage.
ANC6C Environment, Parks, and Events Committee is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
220 H Street, NE aka Senate Square. Zoning Application – Supplemented application for a modification of consequence to an approved 2005 PUD to allow the required affordable housing units to be rented rather than sold.
55/75 New York Avenue, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application for a special exception permit an animal boarding use on the ground floor and for a special exception from the penthouse use to permit a nightclub, bar, cocktail lounge, and/or restaurant use within a penthouse in a new mixed-use building at New York Avenue NE/1300 First Street, NE.
7/9 New York Avenue, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application for a special exception from the minimum loading berth requirements and for a special exception from the penthouse height restrictions to raze the existing three-story building and to construct a 14-story, 116-unit apartment building with penthouse at 7 New York Avenue, NE.
899-999 North Capitol Street, NE. Zoning Application for design review to allow development of a mixed-use building with lodging and/or residential use and ground-floor retail uses and renovations and ground-level retail expansion of existing office buildings at 899-999 North Capitol Street, NE. The Property is located on the east side of North Capitol Street, NE between H and K Street, NE, in the NoMa neighborhood of Ward 6. The Property consists of approximately 134,579 square feet of land area located in the High Density Commercial land-use category on the Future Land Use Map of the Comprehensive Plan. The project will redevelop Lot 854 with an up to 11-story, 130’ mixed-use building with up to approximately 163,788 square feet of gross floor area of lodging and/or residential use and upbto approximately 8,000 square feet of retail/commercial use, along with introducing significant hardscaping and landscaping improvements. The project will also renovate the existing office buildings and construct ground-level additions at the front of these buildings containing approximately 6,980 square feet of retail/commercial uses (and these buildings will also be reduced by approximately 5,306 square feet of office use). In total, the project will add up to approximately 165,462 square feet of gross floor area to the Property.
622 Eye Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Further-revised application for a special exception to convert an existing residential building into a four-unit apartment house and for a special exception from the 10’ limit on extensions past the rear wall of any adjacent principal residential building.
Presentation: DC Police Reform Commission – Naïké Savain, Policy Counsel, DC Justice
Letter to DPMED requesting that the decision regarding Hill East Redevelopment Phase II/Reservation 13 prioritize housing for seniors and that at least 50% of the units be designated as deeply affordable housing as defined by 30% AMI.
Resolution in support of the recommendations put forth in the DC Police Reform Commission Report (issued on April 1, 2021: https://dcpolicereform.com/
Request to amend the Settlement Agreement for Pie Shop at 1339 H Street, NE, to allow live and prerecorded music on the summer garden, change the hour of operation for the summer garden, place restrictions on the use of speakers in the summer garden, and prohibit entertainment in the form of live bands and of DJs in the summer garden after 8:00pm.
Request to amend the Settlement Agreement for the Gold Room Bar and Lounge at 1370 H Street, NE to allow prerecorded music in the summer garden and restrict the use of speakers in the summer garden.
Resolution to be sent to Councilmember CharlesbAllen supporting naming the alley fronting Sq4546 bLot018 in Rosedale in honor of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson. The proposed name is “Mamie Peanut Johnson Court.”
Letter to DDOT requesting that they install radar feedback signs and other traffic calming measures on D Street and East Capitol Streets during the C St improvement project, expedite traffic calming on C Street, NE, from the 1500 block to 800 block, and work to clarify connectivity for cyclists at the western end of the C Street project scope.
Application of Capitol Square Bar and Grill for an unenclosed sidewalk cafe with conditions, including certain requirements regarding the use of public space for a sidewalk café, that occupancy of the café be limited to 35 seated patrons and no more than 40 total standing and seated guests, certain limitations on the hours of operation for the sidewalk café, that individual table umbrellas be used instead of a single tent covering, and that outstanding trash issues be resolved.
Letter to DDOT requesting an urgent response to several outstanding requests, including to take traffic calming measures on H Street NE, including curb extensions and speed cameras, and to address pending all-way stop sign requests previously made by the ANC6A to DDOT for 14th and A Streets NE; 15th and A Streets NE, 15th Street and Constitution Avenue NE; and 13th and I Streets, NE.
Letter to DPW requesting that, due to health and safety concerns, they move the trash collection for the 800 block of West Virginia Avenue NE, the 1000 block of 9th Street NE, and 800 block of K Street, NE to the rear alley of those blocks from its current location on West Virginia Avenue NE.
Letter of support to DDOT for TSA Service Request for traffic calming measures for the 1000 block of 10th Street, NE, (intersection with Florida Avenue), including consideration of speed bumps and raised crosswalks.
Letter to DDOT requesting an urgent response to sidewalk repair issues which are either beyond their expected service resolution date or represent an immediate accessibility issue or safety hazard.
Letter to DDOT requesting that they provide consistent parking signage on the 200 and 300 blocks of 8th Street, NE.
ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Sip Wine & Spirits, 1100 K Street, S.E. Application for a Retailer’s Class “A” Liquor License.
Kaiju Ramen Bar, 525 8th Street, S.E. Applcation for a Retailer’s Class “C” Tavern License.
La Casina DC, 327 7th Street, S.E. Application for a Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant License.
The Ugly Mug Dining Saloon, 723 8th Street, SE. Retailer’s Class CR License, Request to change/update the existing settlement agreement.
Letter to ABRA regarding the proper procedure to request a deferral of an applicant’s protest petition deadline and maintain the right to protest the establishment if the applicant does not agree to the deferral or the ABRA Board denies the request.
ANC6C Transportation and Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
1133 North Capitol Street, NE. Public Space Application for public space streetscape work at a new residential building at the site of the DC Housing Authority. The plan includes new street trees, street lights, curbside bio retention, curb cuts for loading dock and for garage entrance, and Pepco vaults.
Georgetown’s McCourt School, Public Space Application – conceptual review of a proposed bridge over the alley between Georgetown’s existing Law Center campus and the McCourt School of Public Policy building. The alley is located near 2nd and E Streets, NW.
713 Maryland Avenue, NE. Parking in public space at – the Committee will revisit the discussion from May 2021 on parking concerns at 713Maryland Ave NE where vehicles have been parking in the public space.
Temporary bike lanes around the Capitol. The Committee will discuss sending a potential letter with neighboring ANCs on requesting DDOT to install temporary bike lanes around the Capitol on Constitution and Independence Avenues to create a viable bicycling route from Capitol Hill to downtown and L’Enfant Plaza while the Capitol grounds remain closed. Constitution and Independence Avenues around the Capitol are both marked in DDOT’s master plan, MoveDC, for future planned improvements for the Bicycle Priority Network.
Updates on past Committee items including 5th Street NE traffic safety assessment; resident-only parking blocks letter from March 2020 (ANC letter); notice of intents issued for stop signs at 7th & A Street, NE, and 7th & C Street NE; and notice of intent issued for no right turn on red and daylighting at North Capitol Street & Massachusetts Avenue.
Library of Congress will open to visitors on July 8.
As usual, the Marine Corps Band lead the parade, stepping off precisely at 10:00am.
Council Member at Large Elissa Silverman, a Barracks Row July 4th regular showed up.
As did Ward Six Councilmember Charles Allen, who was especially well received by the crowd.
Ms. District of Columbia brought grace and beauty to the proceedings.
And the Capitol Hill BID brought barrels of candy and glass bead necklaces.
Capitol Hill schools sent contingents…here’s Brent’s…
and Tyler’s…
and Payne’s.
The Capitol Hill Fife and Drum Corps mustered.
The parade was smaller this year, having come together in three weeks after a last minute decision to hold it. But the crowds turned out, anxious to put the confinement of the pandemic behind them. The popular South American dance troupes which have closed the parade in past years were not present this year, but organizers still saved the best for last.
Here comes the Mayor.
Mayor Bowser was all smiles as she received the applause and cheers of onlookers grateful for the parade, for the holiday, and grateful for the words of the Mayor, “DC Is Open”.
DC Alcohol Board Lets Chef Mendelsohn Escape Liquor License Protest
By Larry Janezich
Posted July 1, 2021
ANC6B fired a warning shot across celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn’s bow in May when they voted unanimously to ask the Alcohol Beverage Regulatory Administration for a 30 day extension of the deadline to protest the proposed move of his Santa Rosa Taqueria to the corner of 3rd and PA Ave, SE. The letter to ABRA said the Commission would formally protest the move if Mendelsohn did not agree to the extension or if ABRA did not approve it. Mendelsohn owns a string of side by side restaurants on PA Ave, SE, including We the Pizza, Good Stuff Eatery, and Santa Rosa. He plans to add an ice cream parlor to the mix located in the former Lustre Cleaners location next to We the Pizza.
ABRA – apparently failing to give the ANC decision the “great weight” it’s entitled by DC regulations – refused the requested extension and ignored the ANC’s stated intent to protest if ABRA didn’t grant it.
Mendelsohn is close to Mayor Bowser who appointed him head of DC’s Food Policy Council in 2015 and last year appointed him (and his sometime representative hospitality industry attorney Andrew Kline) to the ReOpen DC Committee on restaurants and food.
ANC6B and Mendelsohn have jousted before over rodents and trash, and neighbors continue to produce evidence of Mendelsohn’s on-going failures to address their concerns, as pictured above.
ANC6B Alcohol Committee resident member Chander Jayaraman was behind the push for the deadline extension to give neighbors an opportunity to meet with the restaurant’s owner to discuss their concerns. As a former ANC commissioner and former Chair of the ABC Committee, Jayaraman had used the ANC’s power to vote to support or oppose liquor license applications to exact best operating practices from food and beverage outlets seeking to operate in Southeast Capitol Hill. The ANC has been trying for years to require Mendelsohn to provide indoor trash storage as other restaurants have agreed to do.
After ABRA rejected the request to delay, the ANC had no opportunity to act before the expiration of the period for protest. In an attempt to salvage something, the ANC agreed to support the relocation contingent upon receipt of a signed Settlement Agreement detailing best practice operational standards, including a requirement for indoor trash storage. Mendelsohn signed the Settlement Agreement, after striking through the indoor trash storage requirement.
At the June 8 meeting of the full ANC, a majority of the ANC yielded, figuring some of the loaf was better than none, and vowing to try again when the liquor license is up for renewal in two years. The vote to support the move – technically a “substantial change” in the liquor license – was 6 – 1 – 3, with commissioner Sroufe opposed and abstentions coming from Holman, Oldenburg and Holtzman. Some of those who abstainte objected to Mendelsohn’s refusal to appear before the ANC in support of his application.
ANC6B Chair Brian Ready subsequently told colleagues that in a follow-up conversation with a representative of ABRA he was told that the appropriate procedure would have been to simultaneously file a protest and a request for an extension. The agenda for the upcoming July 13 meeting of the ANC includes a request to ABRA to send that requirement in writing.
Asked for comment, Ready said, “This Settlement Agreement did not have most of the items that the ANC and the community wanted but having some agreement is better than no agreement. When the liquor license comes up for renewal, the community will be able to get the items needed in the Settlement Agreement or the license will be protested.”
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CAPITOL HILL CORNER 