Conservative Group’s Community Benefits Package Advances to Full ANC6B
by Larry Janezich
Posted May 10, 2024
Thursday night, ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee voted to support the community benefits package its Alley Closing Subcommittee had negotiated with the Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) to compensate the community for loss of access to public space by privatizing the alley behind the former Capitol Lounge on the 300 block of PA Avenue, SE. The building, now owned by CPI, along with adjacent buildings is the headquarters of the Institute.
The vote on the motion to support the benefits package along with supporting the application to close the alley and forward the language to the full ANC was 8 – 5 – 0. Also included was a recommendation that the Community Benefits Agreement be incorporated into any legislation the city council passes approving the alley closing.
The most significant benefit is a $100,000 grant to the Capitol Hill Community Foundation for the benefit of other community organizations. The ANC struggled to find a recipient for the funds. selected the Foundation as an organization that would best serve the Capitol Hill community. (See Sroufe comment below.)
In addition, the proposal was controversial for two other reasons. Resident members of the committee objected to the lack of language limiting use of the courtyard (which is planned after closing the alley) during the period of time close to the presidential inauguration. They spoke of nearby neighbor’s fears of how the space could be used in another January 6 insurrection incident. Such language was part of the negotiations, but did not make it into the final agreement.
The second reason – one which some ANC Commissioners had concerns about – had to do with language in the agreement, as follows:
“Until the DC Council votes to approve or reject the alley closing, a representative of the ANC will periodically contact DC’s Ward Six Councilmember to urge Council approval of the alley closing.”
Two Commissioners – Frank Avery and Kasie Durkit – opposed the language. Avery’s opposition was based on a fundamental principle that government can’t encumber itself and basic contract law requires a termination date. Durkit’s concern went to whether the ANC usually follows up with urging action in a written agreement like this and that the requirement appears to be novel. She said she agreed with a resident who characterized the requirement as a “bridge too far.”
Committee Chair Frank D’Andrea said that while it was not impossible to re-open negotiations to tweak the language, it would be “a tough lift,” and suggested that the best way to proceed was to vote on the pending motion and if that failed, to then decide how to proceed.
Earlier in the meeting, Commissioner David Sobelsohn opened the discussion with a statement on the importance of honoring the Constitution. He said there were few who liked the applicant for – among other things – supporting politicians who ignore the Constitution. But, he said, “We’re Americans and must follow our principles…the Constitution requires equal treatment – communists and fascists have equal rights and the right to equal treatment from government, including the ANC…it can’t matter if CPI support unconstitutional principle – we can’t take that into consideration. Government discrimination on the basis of belief is un-American….We were in negotiations for months – not once did ideology affect our negotiation positions. We treated them exactly as we would have treated any other property owner trying to close a dead end alley.
As above, the Committee voted to support the benefits agreement and associated recommendations to the full ANC which will meet next Tuesday May 14, to consider the matter.
Here’s how the roll call vote broke down:
In favor: Commissioners Sroufe, Sobelsohn, D’Andrea; Resident Members Rutkowski, Smith, Girod, Jarboe, and Holman.
Opposed: Commissioners Avery and Durkit; Resident Members Friedman, Robertson, Bruggman.
Not voting: Resident Member Taylor.
Here’s a link to the full text of the community benefits agreement: https://bit.ly/3JDye8F
CM Charles Allen leads a community input walk to hear from the community on modernization of the five areas comprising Watkins Field Rec Center at 6:00pm on Monday, May 6. The Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of General Services will also participate. The goal is to hear from the community what its vision is for the modernized Rec Center. Meet at the Watkins Playground on D Street. RSVP here. https://bit.ly/44JAyFb Above, Watkin’s Field.
Watkin’s Basketball Court.
The Hocky Rink.
The Playground.
The Splash Pad.
Here’s an image of Radici’s last hours on Tuesday morning. That’s Brigitte Sasso at rear, receiving condolences and a hug from a Radici patron.
Radici’s Classy Farewell. Last Tuesday morning found former Radici co-owner Brigitte Sasso in the former Radici space packing up and delivering a final special order of pastries to a long-time customer. Asked what her thoughts were, she replied: “We’re terribly sorry to go – but we can leave with our heads held high. I was able to create what I found in Italy – an alimentari – a place to go in the morning for coffee and pastry – in the afternoon for pasta and sauce – and the evening for wine and an opportunity to enjoy the community… that’s the reason I worked 7 days a week – because there aren’t eight.
In the morning, we had the yoga ladies – young interns from the Hill would come in the evening for a glass of wine. We were a focal point – a rock – we attracted celebrities and members of Congress – we had the First Lady (Michelle Obama). It’s heartbreaking….a sad goodbye. I’m dehydrated from crying so much.
It’s just so sad … the overwhelming outpouring of love, support and affection from the community… the event we held last night for the community to show their appreciations for the staff was fabulous – so many people came. (Tickets were $15 – all proceeds went to the staff.)
Everyone wants to know when we’ll be back. We’re looking – hopefully we’ll find something on Capitol Hill.”
Enrico Sasso and Brigitte Sasso host a staff appreciation event last Monday night.
Here’s a video from the staff appreciation event on Monday night. There were multitudes.
The Week Ahead…
Highlight: On Thursday, (see below), ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee will consider a community benefits proposal (including a $100,000 grant to the Capitol Hill Community Foundation for grants to community organizations) as a benefit to the community for privatizing public space. The Conservative Partnership Institute’s (CPI) application to privatize the alley behind the former Capitol Lounge on Pennsyvania Avenue, SE, is pending before ANC6B. Last Wednesday, the ANC6B Subcommittee on Alley Closings voted 4- 1- 0 to support the proposed community benefit and to recommend that the ANC’s Planning and Zoning Committee likewise support and forward the proposal to the full ANC, and, further, to recommend that the full ANC request the City Council to include the entire community benefit agreement in legislation related to this specific alley closing. The one vote in opposition was from a resident member who – as a neighbor – said she could not support the proposal without some restrictions on use of the court yard which the CPI intends to construct in the space created by closing the alley.
Monday, May 6
ANC6D will hold a virtual Administrative Meeting at 7:00pm.
Mayor’s Proposed FY2025 Budget – Lindsey Appiah, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice
Consent Agenda
Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis
Motion that ANC 6A protest the license application of Jumbo Liquors unless a Settlement Agreement is reached between the ANC and the license applicant prior to the protest deadline.
Recommendation: ANC 6A take no action with regard to the license renewal application of New H Wine & Spirits.
Motion that ANC 6A take no action with regard to the license renewal application of Montana Liquors.
Motion that ANC 6A take no action with regard to the license renewal application of H Street Beverage Warehouse.
Motion that ANC 6A take no action with regard to the license renewal application of H Street Spirits.
Motion that ANC 6A protest the license application of Smokin’ Pig unless a Settlement Agreement is reached and that Interim Chair Velasquez represent the ANC in the matter.
Transportation and Public Space
Motion that ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT in support of Lane Re-configuration of westbound C Street NE between 17th and 16th Streets NE, with one suggested addition for study and consideration: to reduce the travel lanes of westbound North Carolina Avenue NE from two lanes to one from 16th to 14th Streets NE to reduce driver speeding and improve pedestrian safety.
Motion that ANC 6A send a letter of support to the BZA for a request for a Special Exception to construct a rear addition to an existing, attached, two-story with basement, principal dwelling unit at 430 10th Street NE in the RF-1 zone.
Plenary Session
Motion that ANC 6A protest the license renewal application of Noble Liquor and Tobacco and that Interim Chair Velasquez and the Chair and Vice Chair of the ANC represent the ANC in the matter.
Motion that ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT in support of Vision Zero Hardening at the intersection of 13th Street NE/Constitution Avenue NE/Tennessee Avenue NE with the following changes: 1) to slightly shift the pedestrian island on the north side of the intersection on 13th Street NE and Constitution Avenue NE to the east, putting a two-foot barrier between the west side bike lane and travel lane and making the pedestrian crosswalk two feet shorter east-to-west; and 2) to narrow the vehicle travel lane to improve pedestrian safety and move the 13th Street NE northbound bike lane curbside from North Carolina Avenue NE all the way through intersection with Constitution Avenue NE, while retaining vehicle parking.
ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
138 E Street, SE Project: Zoning Adjustment Application – To construct a second story addition to an existing detached accessory garage to an existing, attached, three-story, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
138 E Street, SE Project: Historic Preservation Application – To construct a second story addition to an existing detached accessorygarage to an existing, attached, three-story, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
816 G Street, SE Project: Historic Preservation Application – To construct a two-story side addition to an existing semi-detached rowhouse in the RF-1 zone.
Consideration of Community Benefits Agreement for Alley Closing in Square 762 (this is in regards to the application of the Conservative Partnership Institute to privatize the alley behind the former Capitol Lounge on the 300 block on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know:
NE Library May 11 Book Sale Cancelled
The joint NE/SE Library Book Sale scheduled for Saturday, May 11, has been cancelled owing to a conflict in scheduling use of the space. The next book sale will be on Saturday, June 8.
Hill Center Concert:
Masters of Irish & Cape Breton Fiddle Featuring Musicians Caitlin Warbelow and Troy MacGillivray – Saturday, May 11 @ 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm. $20 . Tickets here: https://bit.ly/4a616Bh
Help the Anacostia Watershed Society preserve funding for vital watershed conservation programs in DC!
Anacostia Watershed Societ Petition:
Mayor Bowser’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget proposes to sweep funds collected under the DC Bag Law out of the Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Fund and into the general fund to help close the anticipated FY 2025 budget gap. Sign the petition urging the Mayor and DC Council to ensure Bag Law funds are invested as intended, in projects and programs to protect and restore the Anacostia River, Rock Creek, and other District waterways. https://bit.ly/4bjowEZ
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 