The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from Last Week

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from Last Week

By Larry Janezich

Posted October 6, 2024

ANC6B’s Parks and Public Spaces Taskforce met last Monday night.  Above center (L-R):  Brian Ready, Executive Director of Barracks Row MainStreet; Taskforce Chair ANC6B Commissioner Jerry Sroufe, and Throne Lab’s Senior Operations Manager Terryl Monroe.  Monrone presented an update on the Throne public restrooms, one of which resides on Eastern Market Metro Plaza.  That Throne has serviced 2900 users since it’s installation in mid-June.  1900 of those visits were unique.  Most users – 93% – accessed the restroom via the text option: the user texts “Throne” to the number on the unit, then responds with the code provided. The Public Restroom Pilot is managed by DPW which has funded the pilot program for six Thrones through September 2025. The Thrones are open from 7am until 10pm and currently average three cleanings per day.  For more info, go here:  https://www.thronelabs.co/       

Here’s a series of photos from Sunday’s Literary HillFest in Eastern Market’s North Hall.  Volunteers at setting up tables by 9:00am.

Doors opened at 11:00am.   A photo from circa 11:15 features HillFest volunteer Abby Yochelson with Wally Mlyniec.

A 2:20pm panel discussion “From the Page to the Screen,” moderated by (R-L) Sean O’Brien (The White House Clubhouse Series) included three authors whose works have become screen plays:  Louis Bayard (The Pale Blue Eye, The Wildes),  James Grady (Six Days of the Condor, The Smoke In Our Eyes). and  Susan Coll (Acceptance, Real Life and Other Fictions). 

Here’s a close up.

At 3:00pm HillFest volunteers Robert Pohl and Liz Cohen announced the end of the event and the beginning of the poetry reading at Tunnicliffs across the street. 

Tunnicliffs’ Patio was the venue for a live mic poetry reading.  Cliff Bernier led off with reading from his latest book, Ocean Suite.  For more on Bernier, go here:  https://www.facebook.com/cliffber/

The Week Ahead…

Monday, October 7

ANC6D holds an Administrative Meeting at 7:00pm.

Please contact the office at 6d@anc.dc.gov if you wish to have a link to view the Admin meeting.

Agenda:

• To discuss the agenda for the October meeting of ANC6D. 

Tuesday, October 8

ANC6B will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm. 

Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; First Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).

For info on how to join the meeting virtually, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Consent Agenda
• September Minutes
• Alcohol Beverage & Cannabis Committee Consent Items
• Transportation Committee Consent Items
• Planning & Zoning Committee Consent Items
• Public Safety Committee Consent Items

Community & Commission Announcements and Speak Out

Presentations:

• Chris Weiss, DC Environmental Network, Bottle Bill Presentation
• Belinda Perry, Office of Campaign Finance General Counsel Presentation
• Selah Goodson Bell, Energy Justice Program, Center for Biological Diversity

ANC 6B Resolution on DC Utility Shutoff Ban

Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee

• High Demand, 511 11th Street SE; New Medical Cannabis Retailer; Status hearing October 2, 2024.
• Saint Georges, 301 7th Street SE, new Retailer Class “B” Beer & Wine Store.
• Saint Georges, 301 7th Street SE, new Retailer Class “C” license.

Transportation Committee Report

• Near Collision on 1st and Independence Ave SE
• Speeding on 600 block of G Street SE
• Follow-up on NOIs at 11th and D and 11th and G St. SE

Planning & Zoning Committee (09/30/2024*)

816 G Street, SE Project.  Zoning Adjustment Application.  To construct two-story rear addition to an existing, semi-detached, two-story, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.

510 8th Street, SE Project.  Historic Preservation Application.  To construct a rear addition and add a third story to an existing, attached row house.

Text & Map Amendments to Create Navy Yard East (NYE) Zone [N/A] Project: Text amendments to the Zoning Regulations that would establish a Navy Yard-East Zone on land that is currently un-zoned as “Federal”.  The recommendation would be to set-down (or not set-down) the matter before the Zoning Commission for a public hearing.

Reports:

• Public Safety Committee
• Southeast Library Task Force
• Public Parks and Recreation Spaces Task Force
• Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC)

Other business: 

• Administrative Assistant
• Bylaws
• Standing Rules

ANC 7D will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.   

For information on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://7d0761.wixsite.com/anc7d-1

Among items on the draft agenda: 

DC Government Updates/Presentations

• Brittney Ehteridge, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations & Services (MOCRS) Ward 7 Representative,
• Francis Campbell, Office of Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray Casework Representative,
• Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Representatives (1D, 5D, 6D all invited),

Approve FY 2025 Proposed Budget  

ANC7D Committees Nominations

• Commissioners to propose any Committee nominees Upcoming Meetings

Commission Business

• ANC 7D to consider further commenting on BZA #20768
• ANC 7D to consider further commenting on BZA #20769
• ANC 7D to consider letter to DC Water requesting adherence to 72-hour emergency parking notices  

Wednesday, October 9

ANC6C will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Among items on the draft agenda: 

Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee

• 502 Constitution Ave. NE (BZA 21188)
• 401 6th St. NE (HPA 24-475)
• 16 3rd St. NE (HPA 24-472) (for opposition)
• 622 I (Eye) St. NE (BZA 20280A) (for opposition)

 Plenary Matters

Transportation and Public Space Committee (Michael Upright, Chair)    

• Transportation Options, Programs & Services (TOPS) – 600 K St NE – JO Wilson Elementary School
• Notice of Intent (NOI) – DDOT Proposes Changes to Curbside Regulations along H St NE

Thursday, October 10

ANC6A will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Community Presentation

• Fred Moosally, Director, Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA)

Consent Agenda

• Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter to DDOT requesting urgent action along the corridor and then clarify their plans for traffic calming along 11th Street NE between Florida Avenue NE and East Capitol Street.
• Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter to DDOT requesting an all-way stop sign at the intersection of Tennessee Avenue NE and 14th Street NE, requesting repainting of the bike lane on 14th Street NE between E Street NE and Tennessee Avenue NE, and requesting restoration of a raised crosswalk at 14th and E Streets NE.
• Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter to DDOT requesting an all-way stop sign at the intersection of Tennessee Avenue NE and E Street NE. Economic Development and Zoning.
• Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter of support to the BZA for Special Exceptions from the roof top and upper floor element requirements in order to construct a third story with roof deck and a three-story with cellar rear addition, to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone at 910 12th Street, NE.  

Standing Committee Reports:

Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis (ABC)

Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to the DC Council Chair Mendelson and Mayor Bowser requesting the following actions:

(1) The City Council adopt and the Mayor sign legislation making public input on medical cannabis licenses equivalent to the input allowed for liquor licenses, specifically allowing adjacent property owners and a group of five to protest medical cannabis licenses, as provided for in in Title 25 of D.C. Official Code and Title 23 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations.

 (2) The City Council adopt and the Mayor sign legislation providing for moratoriums on new medical cannabis licenses equivalent to the provisions for liquor licenses contained in Title 25 of D.C. Official Code and Title 23 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations.

 (3) The City Council adopt and the Mayor sign legislation providing for fines for landlords who allow for and eviction of tenants who engage in serious violations of liquor and cannabis law and regulation and, certificates of occupancy and basic business licenses in furtherance of operating any business that violates liquor and cannabis law.

 (4) The City Council adopt and the Mayor sign legislation requiring temporary or permanent closure of establishments who fail to remediate serious violations of liquor and cannabis licenses or health, safety, or other licenses and permits required in furtherance of operating a business that engages in the commerce of liquor or cannabis or illegal substances. Further, that such action should be taken immediately if the Chief of Police deems public safety and immediate and serious risk, including but not limited to violent acts or the recovery of firearms.

Recommendation: ANC 6A will automatically send a letter of protest of alcoholic beverage license and medical cannabis applications and renewals unless the Commission is able to meet and consider such an application before the published protest deadline.  In that case, the protest will be due to the effect of the establishment on peace, order and quiet, including the noise and litter provisions, pursuant to the allowable appropriateness standards set forth in DC Municipal Regulations.

Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT requesting conversion of the 1400 block of G Street NE to a one-way westbound.

New Business

• Suggested Motion: ANC 6A send a letter to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Appiah, the City Council and relevant Council committees recognizing the serious and life-threatening failures of the Office of Unified Communications (OUC) and requesting measures to include, but not limited to: monthly (at minimum) reporting to a public meeting of the Council or its designated committee, and an attestation to the accuracy by the OUC Director. Such reporting would include performance against key national 911 performance metrics, as well as against staffing metrics and adverse event reporting and analyses. The letter would also request that the Council review the need for an external monitor or advisor to oversee the operations and performance of the OUC.

Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:

Tuesday, October 8

East City Bookshop welcomes George O’Connor to discuss his middle grade graphic novel, Asgardians: Thor.  Hybrid event.  7:00pm.  Free. 

645 Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast ##100

Event lasts 1 hour

Note on Format: This hybrid event will have both an in-person component with limited seating as well as a virtual broadcast via Zoom Webinar.

Hill Center Event: Freedom Was in Sight! with Historian Kate Masur

Wednesday Oct 9

East City Bookshop offsite event: Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital.  7:00pm.  Free.

Revisiting Reconstruction in DC: Freedom Was in Sight! Historian Kate Masur Discusses her New Book in Conversation with Maya Davis.

Register for the event here:  https://www.hillcenterdc.org/event/noted-historian-dr-kate-masur-discusses-her-new-book-freedom-was-in-sight-a-graphic-history-of-reconstruction-in-the-washington-d-c/

Saturday, October 12

NE/SE Library Book Sale, 10am – 3pm.

The Friends of the Southeast Library (FOSEL) together with the Friends of the Northeast Library (FONEL) will hold a joint book sale this Saturday, October 12.  The sale will be at the Northeast Library at 7th & Maryland Avenues NE.

The sale begins when the library opens at 10:00 am. The sale is on the lower level of the library.

Entrance to the sale is through the library (and down the stairs or elevator).  Volunteers are welcome to help set up the book sale on Friday, October 11, at 1:00pm.