Author Archives: ljjanezich

 

ANC6B Signs Off On Major Retail Project on PA Avenue – Approves Community Benefits Package

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday night ANC6B voted to support the major retail/residential project at 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, and the package of benefits and amenities to compensate the community for allowing greater height and density than city regulations would otherwise allow.  The vote was unanimous, 8 – 0; the endorsement goes to the Zoning Commission where it will be taken into account while considering the developer’s request for zoning changes to accommodate the proposed size of the project.

The developer, CAS Riegler, said the mixed retail/apartment project is a retail project at heart, with 19,000 square feet “Class A” retail, 58 parking spaces, and 174 residential units.  The defining feature of “Class A” appears to by 18 foot ceilings in the retail space on the first floor.  Above, there will be six levels of residential with a masonry and glass façade.

ANC6B Commissioner Nick Burger’s Planned Unit Development (PUD) Subcommittee has met with residents over the past few months to solicit ideas for a package of benefits and amenities to present to the developer.  CAS Riegler responded with a list of projects the developer was willing to proffer to the community.  The ANC considers, amends, and subsequently agrees to or rejects the package on behalf of the community.

Here’s the package that the ANC agreed to:

Affordable housing (required by DC regulations but counted as a community benefit).  CAS Riegler says this takes away $734,160 from the value of the project for them.  This amounts to a developer subsidy that is made up for by increasing the costs of occupancy for the other market rate occupants of the project.  An unusual twist is that CAS Riegler will provide four 3 bedroom apartments (virtually unheard of) as half of their requirement, as well as two each of studio, one, and two bedroom apartments for their balance.  Value:  $734,160

Potomac Metro Plaza improvements including enhanced greenspace and improved safety.  Value:  $50,000.

Improvements to the playground at Friendship Chamberlain Elementary with the provision that the school will allow public access to the playground during non-school hours.  Value: $75,000.

Improvement to the playground at Hopkins Apartments with the provision that Hopkins will allow public access to the playground during daylight hours.  Value: $20,000.

Tree canopy improvement in Ward Six.  Value:  $5,000.

Enhanced and improved alley system behind the development between 14^th Street and Ives Place, SE. Value:  $65,000.

Transit benefits to promote reduction in the use of autos by residents of the development, including 1 year membership of Capital Bikeshare membership, 1 year of Car2Go membership, SmarTrip card, promotion of bicycle parking for residents, visitors, employees, and customers of the development, as well as a transit screen for the building’s lobby to inform residents and visitors of real time transit options.  Value: $65,550

At the insistence of ANC commissioner Daniel Chao, the developer agreed to contribute an additional $20,000 toward several projects requested by the residents of Potomac Gardens, including modification of the fence around the site, better security cameras, and increased access to Wi Fi.  PUD Subcommittee Chair Nick Burger pledged to seek additional funding for Potomac Gardens from two other developers – Insight Development and OPaL, LLC, which are undertaking Planned Unit Developments near the Southeast Safeway.

Before the vote on supporting the project and the benefits package, former commissioner Ken Jarboe – who participated in the discussion as a resident member of the Planning and Zoning Committee – questioned whether the community was receiving enough in exchange for the greater height and density being requested by the developer.  Jarboe said that the developer was asking for a building 78 high instead of the 50 feet permitted by right and doubling the density for the site.  In return, he said, the community was getting a lot of Class A retail, 4 three bedroom affordable apartments, and some $300,000 to spread around on various projects. Jarboe said that he personally thought the building was one floor too high.

Commissioner Nick Burger appeared to represent the consensus of the commission when he pointed out that two benefits which were not in the agreement were the transformation of a pizza outlet and a vacant lot into an asset for the community and cited the need to add more housing in a city with a housing crunch as justification for the height.  He said he was sensitive to the impact of the building on the neighborhood and urged the developer to take additional measures to change the perception of the height of the building.  He added that he agreed that “at some point we have to consider how much building development we want.”  But tonight was not the night when that question would be raised.

CAS Riegler recently developed the former Edmonds School in northeast Capitol Hill into condo units ranging from 500 square foot one bedroom apartments to 1700 square foot lofted three bedroom units.  CAS Riegler’s intention to develop the Pennsylvania Avenue project was first reported by Capitol Hill Corner last January:  See here:  http://bit.ly/1V7kul0.  A subsequent report was posted here:  http://bit.ly/1n8MJF2.

The Next Two Weeks Ahead….and ANC6B Special Call Meeting on Tuesday

Monday, January 18

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  Most city agencies closed.  Trash and recycling will be picked up on Tuesday.

(ANC6A Transportation Committee, which is scheduled to meet the third Monday, will meet this month on Thursday – see below)

Tuesday, January 19

1. Canceled.  [ANC6A Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00pm in Sherwood Recreation Center, corner of 10th and G Streets, NE.]

2. ANC6B will hold a Special Call Meeting on the Planned Unit Development at 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, (NY Pizza Site Development) at 7:00pm in Hill Center.

The purpose is to discuss and vote on a Memorandum of Understanding with the developer and package of Community Benefits to compensate the community for a change in zoning permitting increased height, mass, and density for the project.  The draft MOU and Benefits documents will be posted on the ANC website prior to the meeting.  http://www.anc6b.org/

3. Capitol Hill Restoration Society Board of Directors meets at 6:30pm in Capitol Hill Townhomes, 750 6th Street, SE

Wednesday, January 20

1. ANC6A Economic Development and Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm, in Sherwood Recreation Center, Corner of 10th and G Streets, NE.

Agenda:

1701 H Street, NE:  The PUD seeks a land use designation change from the existing C-2-A to C-2-B in order to develop the Property. The property is currently unimproved and the Applicant proposes to construct a mixed-use building with approximately 14,342 square feet of ground-floor retail uses and 180 residential units on nine floors above.  The applicant will also use the PUD process to obtain relief from other requirements of the Zoning Regulations, including the parking, loading and roof structure requirements.

1300 H Street, NE:  The developer will update the ANC on our progress and confirm in-person that we remain on schedule. The developer also wants to inform the ANC of technical modifications of plans that were submitted. They are submitting a refined level of building drawings to the BZA.

2. PSA 105 meets at 7:00pm in Southwest Public Library, 900 Wesley Place, SW (corner of Wesley Place and K St. SW)

Thursday, January 21

Police Service Area (PSA) 108 meeting at 7:00 p.m. in Liberty Baptist Church, 527 Kentucky Avenue, SE.

Monday, January 25

1. ANC6A Transportation & Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm at Capitol Hill Towers, 900 G Street, NE. (Photo ID required)

Agenda not available at press time.

2. ANC6A Community Outreach Committee meets at 7:00pm at Maury ES (multi-purpose room), 1250 Constitution Avenue, NE. (enter from 13th Street, NE)

Agenda not available at press time.

Tuesday, January 26

1. ANC6B Executive Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center to set the agenda for the February 9 meeting of the full ANC6B.

Monday, January 25

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee meets at 7:00pm in the North Hall of Eastern Market (Instead of on Wednesday, January 27) 

The Fridge Hosts Art Exhibit to Benefit Bogota Orphanage

by Larry Janezich

Columbian artist, art director and designer Mas Paz, http://maspaz.co/, curated the fundraiser supporting La Casa De La Madre Y El Niño orphanage, Bogota, Colombia. This exhibit features over 70 artists from DC, New York, LA, Miami, Canada, Puerto Rico and Peru.  According to The Fridge, all proceeds raised will go towards the construction of a new dining room for the children at La Casa, where MasPaz was adopted.  The show runs through January 31.  More than 500 people attended the show’s opening reception.

The 12″x12″ pieces are priced at $300.  Limited edition prints and t-shirt will also be available.

Additional events associated with this exhibit include:

Saturday, January 16, 3 – 4 pm

Make your own 12”X12” canvas.  Bring your creative soul and come surround yourself for 2 hours with amazing pieces of art as you paint something unique with the help of artist and curator of the show, MasPaz. He has taught workshops in Colombia, Canada, Brazil, and NYC.   the Bronx all the way to VA!

• Open to all ages.
• Come with a creative mind and painting clothes
• All supplies provided: canvas, paints, brushes. (If you have any materials (cut outs, photos, paints, brushes, markers) that you might like to use, feel free to bring them along)

$30 (or pay what you can) including materials

JUST SHOW UP + PAY AT THE DOOR (cash/credit)

Thursday, January 21 – Artist Panel Discussion*

Saturday, January 23 – Graff Class with DECOY*

Friday, January 29 – Closing Reception

*Contact Alex for registration here:  http://www.thefridgedc.com/

The Fridge is located at 516 1/2 8th Street, SE, across the street from Matchbox Pizza on Barracks Row, and behind the Shakespeare administrative offices.

ANC6B Votes to Oppose Tree House Extension in Public Space Over Archibald Walk

by Larry Janezich

Last night, ANC6B voted to recommend that DDOT deny the public space permit the agency issued which permits a tree house in Archibald Walk to project some two feet into public space over the narrow pedestrian residential alley.  See CHC post here:  http://bit.ly/1P4gqO0

The vote came after considerable hand wringing by some commissioners.  Planning and Zoning Chair Nick Burger said he didn’t see the harm of the projection into public space, “we see bays in public space all time.”  None the less, he said, “the regulations are clear that balconies are not permitted to extend into public space. I don’t support the opponents of the treehouse regarding their objections that the tree house is not in keeping with the historical nature of the alley, but regarding the application for a balcony the rules are clear. I will probably abstain. I don’t see a clear path forward.”

Burger questioned the owner as to why DDOT had classified to structure as a balcony, noting that absent the public space issue, the matter would not be before the ANC.  The owner said he had relied on DDOT’s judgement.

Commissioner Samolyk expressed sympathy for the applicant saying that he was paying the price for a “screw up by DCRA – these people spent money and relied on DCRA’s judgment that they wanted to build would not need a permit.”

Apparently, DCRA has no provision for issuing a permit for the construction of a tree house, and property owners have a right to build whatever they please as a matter of right.

Commissioner Jim Loots, in whose single member district the tree house lies, said, “It seems to me the applicant has been consistently and inappropriately dismissive of the neighbors’ concerns. The opposition of the neighbors is not retaliatory, not anti-child, and not generational as he stated to me today. The question is whether this particular special public space should be used for this purpose.”

Nearby neighbors submitted the names of 11 nearby residents opposing the tree house and provided extensive documentation backing up their claim that the tree house owner had been negligent in informing neighbors of his proposed construction and cited discrepancies in the owner’s written claims to DDOT, particularly his assertion that he had contacted ANC6B during construction, when he had not.  Neighbors claim that permits are supposed to be a matter of public record, available on line, but this permit was not.  They filed a Freedom of Information Request to get the permit and accompanying documentation.

Commissioner Brian Flahaven, who will resign his seat on Friday for family reasons, suggested language to amend the Planning and Zoning Committee’s recommendation that the ANC oppose the public space permit to clarify that the ANC was making the recommendation on the basis that DDOT had classified the structure as a balcony and DC regulations prohibit balconies from projecting into public space.

The Commission voted to approve the language by a vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, and 2 abstentions – Commissioners Krepp and Samolyk.

 

ANC6B Commissioner Brian Flahaven to Resign Seat on Friday

by Larry Janezich

Last night, ANC6B09 Commissioner Brian Flahaven announced that he will resign his seat on ANC6B effective Friday, January 15.  The reason, he said, is that he and his wife are expecting their second child in April.  The couple had their first child last year.

Flahaven was first elected to ANC6B 2010 with a group of reform candidates determined to bring change to an ANC which was widely regarded as insular and unresponsive to community concerns.  He drew support from residents in Hill East who sympathized with his claim that the proposed Barney Circle Historic District was being foisted on Hill Easters against the wishes of a majority of the community.  The proposal, which had received ANC6B approval, died while before the Historic Preservation Review Board after Flahaven was elected.  Flahaven went on to establish the ANC’s Hill East Task Force largely comprised of community residents to advise the ANC on matters concerning Hill East.

Flahaven served two years as Chair of the ANC, in 2013 and 2014.  During his tenure, he lead a successful effort against proposed residtricting changes for Hill East in 2011 and pushed the city to close DC Gerneral.  Flahaven was regarded by many as a strong voice for development in ANC6B as evidenced by his support for the Hine Development, development of Reservation 13, RFK, and the new Southeast Boulevard as well as residential projects on Pennsylvania Avenue and along the 15^th Street, SE, commercial corridor.  Flahaven also pushed hard for redevelopment of the Boys and Girls Club in Hill East, but turned critical of the Department of General Services (DGS) restrictions which seemed to limit the financing to Low Income Housing Tax Credits.  The community and Flahaven strongly supported a mixed income project.  Community opposition eventually lead DGS to withdraw the RFP.

As ANC parliamentarian, Flahaven undertook the massive job of rewriting the ANC’s by-laws and worked long to continue the work started by former ANC commissioner Brian Pate to update and modernize the ANC’s website.

Flahaven’s last ANC6B meeting will be tonight at 7:00pm in Hill Center.  To read his statement announcing his retirement posted last night on his website, go here:  http://bit.ly/1JH3nWz

Once the vacancy is official, the Board of Elections will announce procedures for a special election to fill the seat for the remainder of Flahaven’s term through January 1, 2017.

 

“Tree Mansion” Has Archibald Walk Residents Up in Arms

by Larry Janezich

Lax enforcement of public space regulations by DDOT appears to be the culprit at the heart of the squabble which has the residents of Archibald Walk up in arms over what one observer called a “tree mansion” which extends over the alley.  Those angry neighbors are unanimous in claiming the structure has a negative impact on their quality of life.

Last Thursday night, ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee considered an application for a public space permit by the owner of the tree house that would retroactively sanction the extension of the tree house into the public space over Archibald Walk.

In brief, the owners of one of the homes on the narrow, U-shaped pedestrian residential alley in the center of the block bounded by G and E Streets and 6^th and 7^th Streets, SE, undertook the construction of a large tree house for their children.  After being told by the Department of Regulatory Affairs that no permit was necessary, the owners proceeded with construction, until receiving a stop work order issued by DDOT, apparently because of the public space issue.  Despite the demonstrable projection of the tree house some two feet into public space over the alley, and for reasons that are unclear, DDOT subsequently issued a ten day permit for the construction of a “balcony” and the owners completed construction.

Although the structure is within the Capitol Hill Historic District, since no DCRA permit is required, there is no historical preservation review of the structure.  Still nearby Barracks Row Heritage Trail signage speaks to the historical character of the alley: “In 1897 the alley had 22 tiny dwellings sheltering well over 100 people. Today six remain….The six survivors are now prized residences along Archibald Walk, named for long-time Capitol Hill resident Archibald Donohoe.” See here:  http://bit.ly/1Se698w

One of the owners of the tree house told the Committee that neighbors’ objections to the treehouse are retaliatory, based of actions of children in Archibald Walk who damaged their potted plants “illegally placed in public space”  and because “they don’t like kids.”

Neighbors say DDOT ignored DC regulations prohibiting balconies from projecting over alleys, and are asking ANC6B to deny the applicant’s request for retroactive approval of the DDOT permit which residents uncovered through a Freedom of Information Act request.  They note that the extension over the alley into public space which DDOT sanctioned requires a variance which would have brought the matter before the ANC for consideration.  Neighbors also point to the precedent-setting nature of the permit asking, “Do we want tree houses protruding into public spaces all over Capitol Hill?” There are no letters from immediate neighbors which support the treehouse and five strongly-worded letters in opposition.

ANC6B Commissioner James Loots (in whose single member district the project lies) told the applicant, “If the permit for use of public space is not granted [the applicant] will have to remove the treehouse.  I 100% disagree with the characterization of the applicant that the neighbors’ complaints are retaliatory. The question is, is this appropriate use of public space?”

In the end, the Committee voted to recommend to the full ANC that DDOT deny the public space permit that would allow the tree house to extend into public space.  The vote was 7 ayes, 2 nays, and 2 abstentions.  Planning and Zoning Chair Nick Burger and Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg voted against the recommendation.

In an email to Archibald Walk residents last month, Loots said: “We were successful in getting DDOT’s Public Space Committee to hear this as a formal matter rather than just approve the requested permit administratively, which is why ANC6B will get to formally weigh in on the case when it is heard by DDOT.  Because ordinary procedures do not appear to have been followed in this matter, it was not properly noticed or timely ….”  Loots went on to say that he had been told informally that the permit may be heard at the Public Space Committee Hearing on January 28.

The full ANC6B will consider the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Committee when it meets next Tuesday, January 12, at 7:00pm in Hill Center.

 

The Week Ahead….and New Multi Residential in 1300 Block of K Street, SE

by Larry Janezich

Last Thursday night, Gene Pecar of Pecar Properties LLC, told ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee of his plans to raze three town houses and a church (1341, 1345, 1347, and 1349 K Street, SE) an build a 36 unit by-right residential project.  Pecar told CHC that a decision on apartments vs. condos as well as the size of the units has not yet been determined.  He hopes to finish construction in late 2017, barring unforeseen circumstances. By-right means he will not seek zoning changes.  Since the property lies outside of the Historic Preservation District, it will not come before the ANC for review.

The Week Ahead….

Monday, January 11

1. ANC6D meets at 7:00pm at 1100 4th Street, SW, 2nd Floor

Among items on the agenda:  (Presentations begin at 6:15pm)

Presentation:  DC Housing Authority on developments in the Area

Presentation:  DC Office of Planning on Buzzard Point Plan

7:00pm – Business meeting agenda:

Public Safety Report – First District MPD (PSA 105 & PSA 106) – Sgt. Architzel, Lt. Beslow, Lt. Avery

Wharf Quarterly Update

DC United Stadium Update

Parking  M Street, SW, (Eastbound  6th – 4th St.) – Resident Petition to convert parking to RPP 11th Street Bridge Park Update

Buzzard’s Point Health Assessment – Letter to DC’s Dept. of Health

Marine Corps Marathon – October 2016

PUD for Wharf Pier 4, 2nd Stage and Modifications to 1st Stage PUD

PUD for Wharf 7th Street Recreational Pier, 2nd Stage PUD

BZA 19175, 2 Eye Street SE, Square 695W, Lot 21

Overlay Modification for Half Street, SE

Overlay Revision and Variances for 355 & 385 Water Street, SE

Letter to DC FEMS re: dry run (CSX Virginia Avenue Tunnel)

Tuesday, January 12

1. ANC6B meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center

Among items on the agenda:

Presentation:  Leif Dormsjo, Director, District Department of Transportation

Historic preservation application for 655 C Street, SE, concept/infill, dogleg, addition to garage

325 5th Street, SE. Motion for Reconsideration by Parties in Opposition based on design changes.  BZA hearing: January 19, 2016

1330-1336 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, (La Lomita condo development).  Request to Reopen the Record owing to incomplete information filed by applicant.  For CHC report on the proposed development, see here: http://bit.ly/1PYMGai

516 Archibald Walk:  Public Space Permit for construction of a tree house which neighbors claim intrudes inappropriately into public space.  PSC Hearing: January 28, 2016

Raze Permits for 1341, 1345, 1347, and 1349 K Street, SE, to permit by-right construction of a 36 unit residential building.

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee Report.

NOTE: The following item has been removed from the January 12 meeting agenda by unanimous consent of the Planning and Zoning Committee:  Memorandum of Understanding, Community Benefits Package, for development at 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue.  The ANC will further discuss and vote on this Planned Unit Development at a Special Call Meeting on a date in January 2016 to be announced.  (See related CHC report here:  http://bit.ly/1Zm9t60)

2. Police Service Area (PSA) 104 will meet at 7:00pm at Stuart Hobson Middle School, 410 E Street, NE.

Wednesday, January 13

1. ANC6C meets at 7:00pm at the Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

NoMa Parks update

Neighborhood use of Stuart-Hobson Middle School fields and other issues

D.C. Vision Zero Plan

301 K Street NE, curb cut and driveway

Street paving and crosswalk striping at Stuart Hobson Middle School

418-426 C Street, NE: Historic preservation concept approval for rear additions, penthouses, and roof decks

631 Lexington Place, NE:  Historic preservation concept approval for attic expansion and new basement entrance at front entrance

301-331 N Street NE, Update on PUD and related map amendment, mixed use residential and commercial development

301 Florida Avenue, NE:  PUD and related map amendment, rezone from C-M-1 to C-3-C Zone District

Alibi, 237 Second Street NW:  Settlement agreement

2. Watkins Alley PUD Transportation Impacts Meeting:  The Watkins Alley PUD project (on the 1300 block of E St SE) has completed its transportation study and will be presenting the results, January 13th, at 7pm at the Hill Center.

Thursday, January 14

1. ANC6A meets at 7:00pm, Miner Elementary School, 601 Fifteenth Street, NE

Among items on the agenda:

Presentation:  Department of Human Services Director Laura Zeilinger

Report (nonvoting item): The ABL Committee reviewed and approved Ocopa’s plans for its Entertainment Endorsement. Per the vote taken at the November 2015 ANC meeting, the ANC’s protest of Ocopa’s Entertainment Endorsement request has been withdrawn.

Recommendation: The ANC protest the request by Sally’s Middle Name for a Substantial Change to its license unless the ANC and Sally’s Middle Name can reach a Settlement Agreement amendment that includes language related to noise mitigation on the establishment’s outdoor space.

Recommendation: The ANC protest the license application for Rosato, LLC t/a Sospeso unless a signed Settlement Agreement is submitted prior to the protest date.

Suggested Motion: The ANC write the Department of Transportation requesting that once operational and providing passenger service, the streetcar’s hours be extended to include Sunday service, so as to provide passenger service 7 days per week.

Recommendation: The ANC write a letter to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) in support of the application for variances from the off-street parking requirements, the parking aisle width requirements, and the loading berth requirements, and a special exception from the H Street Overlay requirements to convert a vacant church at 1301 H Street, NE into a new four (4) story, mixed-use commercial and residential building.

Hill East Residents Confront Both City and Provider on Proposed Substance Abuse Recovery Center

by Larry Janezich

More than 40 Hill East residents gave up their Friday evenings in order to meet with DC Department of Behavioral Services representatives and the leadership of Andromeda Transcultural Health Services to express their concerns about the plan to establish a recovery center in Hill East.  Located at 15th and South Carolina Avenue, SE, (the intersection of Independence and Massachusetts Avenues and 15th Street, SE) the proposed center would provide services – counseling, job training, life skills, exercise, nutrition advice – to outpatients recovering from substance abuse and mental health issues, and who are considered “stable.”  Contrary to rumor, it would not dispense methadone or any other medication.

The community meeting was organized by ANC6B Commissioners Chander Jayaraman and Denise Krepp, though only Jayaraman was present last night owing to a prior commitment that kept Krepp away.

The location of the proposed center was the major concern expressed by residents.  15th Street is a commercial corridor, and the facility is moving in as a matter of right, just as any other business could do, if properly licensed to operate.  But neighbors cited the administrative offices of the social services agency Community Action Group (CAG) a block away, the methadone clinic and open air drug market at DC General four blocks away, and another substance abuse recovery service facility at 12th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE—suggesting that the concentration of social services within a four block radius invited problems, including illicit drug markets that prey upon clients of these facilities.  Several attendees also pointed to the proximity of local schools, and in particular Payne, which lies less than a thousand feet away.

Adding to neighbors’ concern is the recently announced plan to open 24 hour 7-11 “sandwiched” between CAG and the site of the Andromeda center.  A corner store selling beer and wine also lies between the two locations.  Like the substance abuse treatment center, 7-11 is occupying this location as a matter of right.

At the meeting last night, residents expressed appreciation for the work of the clinic and a desire to learn more.  Several people noted the persistent problems centered around the intersection of 8th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, in the area of Community Connections, Metro Park, and another local 7-11 convenience store (reported on here: http://bit.ly/1UFeHD5).

On hand to explain the relationship between the city and the service provider was Ms. Phyllis Jones, Chief of Staff of DC Behavioral Health.  Jones’ agency is in charge of certifying the health care provider, a process which depends on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate they have the ability to deliver services, attract a client base, and the accessibility of the facility to its clients.  Jones said that DBH factors in community input in the form of letters from advocates, agencies and neighbors, but “opposition from the community is not a sufficient reason to deny certification.” Although Andromeda has been operating for 20 years in Adams Morgan, certification of the new location is not automatic and must be assessed on its own merits.  As of yet, Andromeda has not applied for certification, though they have entered into a three year, $6000 a month lease for the location and spent some $55,000 on cosmetic work on the building.

According to Jones, much of the justification presented for establishment of a treatment center in a community is “people have a right to be treated where they want to be treated.”  The Hill East center anticipates clients from Wards 6, 7, and 8, who currently have to travel to Andromeda facilities on 14th Street, NW; one third of Andromeda’s clients reside in those three wards.

Residents heard from Dr. Alvaro Guzman, Executive Director of Andromeda.  Guzman cited the success and lack of issues related to two clinics on 14th Street which have been in operation for 20 years.  Guzman said, “The need is big – we are helping people lead more productive lives through counseling and job training.  We want to become part of the community and improve it, just as we have done on 14th Street.”

Andromeda staff told the residents that they expect to have a maximum of 100 patients enrolled and that 35 to 40 visits per day is the norm.  The hours of operation for the proposed center will be 9am – 7pm, Monday through Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday.

Those present seemed skeptical regarding Guzman’s assurances.  Guzman expressed willingness to enter into a written agreement with the community and the ANC that would include such items as: a prohibition on the distribution of medication; a security plan for the surrounding area beyond the facility’s boundaries; continued collaboration with the community, ANC, and law enforcement.  While the willingness to put assurances in writing was welcomed, one resident summed up what seemed to be the consensus:  “We appreciate what you’re doing while maintaining our objections.”

Asked to comment on the meeting, Jayaraman told Capitol Hill Corner, “Last night, the community recognized the good work by Andromeda but remained steadfast in rejecting the degradation of the neighborhood by unchecked, ‘by-right’ development.”

It seemed clear that some of the attendees at last night’s meeting intended to continue exploring ways to stop the certification.  To that end, there was considerable support for seeking the intervention of CM Charles Allen.  In addition, some in the crowd saw proximity of the clinic to Payne School as being inconsistent with city regulations.  Jayaraman said he would ask ANC6B to seek an opinion from the DC Attorney General on that question.  The matter is likely to come before ANC6B when it meets next Tuesday, at 7:00pm, in Hill Center.

 

 

Capitol Hill’s Proposed Southeast Boulevard: Up to Ten Years and $190 Million

by Larry Janezich

DC Department of Transportation planner Jonathon Rogers told Capitol Hill’s ANC6B Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg’s Transportation Committee last night that any of the three proposals for development of the proposed Southeast Boulevard between Barney Circle and the 11th Street Bridge could take up to ten years and cost up to $190 million. (See the three proposals here:  http://bit.ly/1ZaDqWm)

Rogers also told the committee that there are no “fatal flaws” standing in the way of any of the three concepts proposed by DDOT planners.  Rogers’ remarks came during his presentation of the DOT SE Boulevard Feasibility Study to the committee; the study considered potential obstacles – land ownership, travel demand, a three-block-long underground garage for tour buses, and cost issues.  (See here:  http://bit.ly/1Uy5pbS)

Rogers said that the study shows a four lane boulevard would be the most advantageous for the surrounding community resulting in far less traffic on nearby neighborhood streets than a two lane boulevard.

The projected costs of the project range from a low of $121 million without the underground garage to a high of $188 million with a garage – all in 2015 dollars.  (The major difference between the high and low figures is the cost of adding the underground garage – about $65 million.)

The (optimistic) projected time line for completion of the project is between 7 to 10 years, with the lower figure based on a model anticipating parkland adjacent to and on the boulevard and the higher figure based on surrounding redevelopment construction (residential and commercial infill).

In order to move forward, the next step would be an Environmental Assessment study – for which 2016 funding has already been provided.  It will be up to ANC6B to push the project forward by requesting the study.

The prospective underground garage for tour buses anticipated by all three prospective concepts has raised the most concerns by community stakeholders.  Commissioner Daniel Chao, in whose single member district most of the project lies, expressed concerns about the impact of the proposed garage on the quality of life of nearby residents, including Potomac Gardens and Hopkins Apartments, as well as the traffic congestion buses would bring to the community.

ANC6B commissioner Brian Flahaven, told DDOT last night:  “I wish you had never brought the garage up – it has distracted from the benefits of the overall project.  What’s there now is terrible – there’s no access to the water (the Anacostia River).  Any of the three concepts is better than what we have now.”

Commissioner Nick Burger suggested that DDOT consider a SE Boulevard completely below the surface, leaving the ground level available for residential development.  Rogers responded that the Environmental Assessment could include that concept.

Flahaven, a prominent Hill East activist, suggested that any committee action be delayed for a month to provide an opportunity for the committee to receive community input, consider options, and weigh how best to proceed.

Oldenburg proposed that the Transportation Committee consider a draft letter to DDOT to support going ahead with the Environmental Assessment and include “additional ideas” at its next meeting in February.  That proved to be the consensus of the committee. Additional details will be made public at the next regular ANC6B meeting on January 12, in Hill Center, when the commission receives the committee report.