Monthly Archives: January 2022

Ward 6 Arborist Talks About Trees: DDOT Is Working to Clear Storm-downed Branches

by Hilary Russell

Alex Grieve, DC Urban Forestry Arborist in the northeast section of Ward 6, appeared before ANC6C’s Environment, Parks and Events Committee virtual meeting on Tuesday night to answer tree-related questions – coincidentally, just after Monday’s snowstorm.  Grieve assured that DDOT contractors were busy clearing roads and sidewalks impinged by storm-damaged trees.

Grieve’s division, housed within the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT), is the primary steward of some 175,000 public trees that line the city’s streets and sidewalks.  He inspects such areas and encourages emails from interested citizens who would like the Urban Forestry Division to come up with a remedial planting plan.  He can be reached at alexander.grieve@dc.gov and at 202-671-5133, and welcomes communications from Capitol Hill residents on the following topics:

• Tree boxes: Technically, a permit is required to plant a tree in a tree box – preferably a large tree that contributes to DC’s canopy. Neighbors are required to maintain tree boxes, but without disturbing tree roots or adding plants with thorns or those that grow taller than 18 inches. Call 311 to report a tree box that needs a tree or a tree box that could be enlarged, thereby contributing to less impervious pavement. Installing permeable material over a sidewalk tree’s bulging roots has similar impact, but DDOT’s Sidewalk Division, not Urban Forestry, handles such requests.
• Watering of public trees: DDOT contractors plant trees and are responsible for watering and maintaining them for at least the first summer, while Casey Trees (the non-profit organization established in 2001 to restore, enhance, and protect the tree canopy of Washington) waters the trees they plant for the first three years. Urban Forestry works to hold their contractors to their warranties and encourages neighbors to water needy trees that are less than three years old. Mature public trees do not need to be watered.
• Troubled trees. Urban Forestry limits treatments to Gingko trees (to prevent fruit) and to American Elm for Dutch Elm Disease. The division tracks outbreaks of other diseases, such as crepe myrtle bark scale, and can recommend resources, such as the hiring of an arborist or a University of Maryland extension agent. There is a database of trees marked for removal and their level of priority, but it does not include schedules.

The discussion touched on challenges posed by private developers in reaching the 40 percent goal for the city’s tree canopy.  Grieve stated that the laws protecting current and heritage trees are difficult to implement and often the agency can’t protect private trees that obstruct a development plan.  He also acknowledged the challenge of communicating across a department as large and complex as DDOT as well as a tangle of agencies that deal with trees, such as DC’s Department of Energy and the Environment and the National Park Service.

Their website https://ddot-urban-forestry-dcgis.hub.arcgis.com provides more answers to more questions, along with current data on trees and tree-related plans in Ward 6.

Following is a chart showing distribution of current and projected tree plantings by ward in FY 2022.

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, January 4

ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

To join the meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/calendar/               

Among items on the draft agenda:

• 1247 E Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application – Modification of Significance to include general retail, service, and office uses in addition to the restaurant use within an existing, semi-detached, two-story with cellar, apartment house.  (This is the renovated building kitty corner from Peter Bug’s Shoe Academy at 12^th and E Streets, SE.
• Historic Landmark Nomination for The Seafarers Yacht Club, 1950 M Street, SE. Nominated by the owner – Seafarers Yacht Club – and DC Historic Preservation Office.  
• 133 Kentucky Avenue, SE. Historic Preservation and Zoning Adjustment applications for Special Exception to construct a rear addition to an existing, attached, two-story principal dwelling unit. 
• 751 10th Street, SE. Historic Preservation and Zoning Adjustment applications for Special Exception to construct a two-story rear addition and a two-story accessory garage, to an existing, semi-detached, two-story, principal dwelling unit.
• 310 9th Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application, Concept review for a proposal to build a rear addition to a row house not visible from street with no alley rear of property.

ANC6C Environment, Parks and Events Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

To join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Among items on the draft agenda: 

• A presentation from a representative of DC Urban Forestry to answer tree-related questions.

Wednesday, January 5

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

To join the meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/calendar/               

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Discussion of proposed ANC6B testimony on Southeast Boulevard.
• Other Issues to consider in 2021

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

To join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• 327 Constitution Avenue, NE. Historic Preservation Application for concept approval for second-story and attic addition to existing one-story rear portion of main row dwelling (two stories plus attic).
• Proposed Zoning Commission rulemaking re parking and loading. In the wake of its October 18, 2021 hearing on the topic the Zoning Commission recently published proposed amendments to the regulations governing requirements for parking and loading.

Thursday, January 6

ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

To join the meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/calendar/                

Among items on the draft agenda:

• 319 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. ZOCA & Crush – application for a restaurant liquor license.
• 721 8^th Street, SE. Rose’s at Home (catering) – application for a Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant license. 
• 500 8^th Street, SE. As You Are – application for a Class “C” Tavern license. 

ANC6C Transportation and Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

To join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• 518 E Street, NE. Public Space Application.   The committee will revisit a public space construction permit application at which proposes to replace the existing leadwalk, retaining wall, and existing gate. The combined height of a fence and retaining wall may be no more than 42” tall. The fence must be at least 50% open.
• Capitol Point North project) at 1st Street, NE & New York Avenue, NE. Public Space Application  for approval of a temporary curb cut to facilitate parking/loading access in the event that the two phases of a certain mixed-use project at Square 671 are not constructed sequentially (i.e., Phase B is developed prior to Phase A). The proposed curb cut would be temporary, and the final construction – regardless of timing – would ultimately provide access from N Street NE for both phases of the project.