Category Archives: Uncategorized

Barracks Row Restaurant Update:  ANXO Opens Thursday, Chi-Ko on Friday – plus Proposed Hill Center Coffee Shop/Wine Bar

by Larry Janezich

ANXO:  The Barracks Row Cidery & Pintxos Bar will open at 7:00pm on Thursday in the old Phase 1 Bar location.  The venue will operate as a pop up for a six month trial period: owner Sam Fitz says “we are currently exploring how long we want to stay at this location.”  Fitz has has reached an agreement for a three year lease with the building’s owner which will allow him to continue if the concept is successful.

The restaurant has teamed with local artists to create an art installation that will serve food and drink, with emphasis on a menu of Northern Spain (San Sebastian) dishes designed to cater to an evening dinner crowd.  Pintxos (pincho = “spike”) is a small snack featured in bars in Northern Spain.  They differ from tapas in being served on a toothpick, usually with bread.

ANXO’s application for a change in operation hours (to open at 10:00am instead of 7:00pm as provided in the current license) comes up before ANC6B’s Alcohol Beverage Control Committee on Thursday.

ANXO has locations in Truxton Circle and Brightwood Park.  More information about ANXO including their craft ciders and the Spanish-themed menu is here:  http://www.anxodc.com/

Chi-Ko:  As reported by Eater DC https://dc.eater.com/ The new Chinese/Korean 40 seat restaurant Chi-Ko will have a soft opening on Friday, July 7, when it will begin serving dinner at 5:00pm.   The Barracks Row restaurant will replace the gourmet hot dog outlet DC-3 which the Matchbox group closed last summer. The restaurant’s application for a liquor license is also up before ANC6B’s Alcohol Beverage Committee on Thursday, meaning the soft opening will not be featuring alcohol.

For more, see here:  Chi-Ko https://twitter.com/ChikoFRC

New coffee shop/wine bar at Hill Center:  After Bayou Bakery closed its restaurant at Hill Center last year, the lease was taken over by Aaron Silverman (Rose’s Luxury/Pineapple and Pearls).  Silverman told Capitol Hill Corner that he will move the coffee shop from the Pineapple & Pearls location on Barracks Row to the Hill Center space formerly home to Bayou Bakery.  His plan is to expand the coffee shop offerings by day, and in the evening transition to a wine bar with an appropriate menu.

Asked what his timeline was, Silverman said he had filed an application for a remodeling permit with the DC Department of Consumer Affairs, and was uncertain when it would be approved – “it could by 2017 or 2018.”

 

The Week Ahead….Barracks Row July Fourth Parade Starts at 10:00am on Tuesday

Monday, July 3

6:30 pm

CHRS Historic Preservation Committee meets at 6:30pm, Kirby House, 420 10th Street SE, first floor.

Tuesday, July 4

The DC Department of Public Works will observe Independence Day; sanitation services and parking enforcement will be suspended.

Trash and Recycling Collections: Trash and recycling collections will “slide” to the next day, for the remainder of the week. This applies to both once-a-week and twice-a-week collection neighborhoods. Trash and recycling containers should be put out for collection no earlier than 6:30 pm the night before collection and removed from public space by 8 pm on the collection day to avoid sanitation enforcement.

DPW will not enforce parking meters, residential parking, rush hour lane restrictions or tow abandoned vehicles Tuesday, July 4, except along the streetcar line.

July 4^th Parade

The parade forms up under the Interstate at 8th St. & 695 at 9:00am and steps off at 10:00am sharp, from 8th & I St, SE, lead by the Marine Corps Marching Band and ends at Eastern Market Metro Plaza at 11:00AM.

Many Barracks Row businesses will be open during the parade – including District Doughnut, Capital Teas, Spring Mill Bread, Summit to Soul, Lola’s, Ambar, Matchbox, Ted’s Bulletin and Hills Kitchen.

Both The Skill Zone and Miracle Theater will have Open Houses beginning at 9am on the 4th for kids and parents as an oasis – for water, bathrooms and general cooling down.

Some restaurants like Ophelia’s Fish House will even do a special menu for the 4th featuring brunch with bottomless mimosas. However, others like Belga, Cava and Lavagna will be closed on the 4th to give staff a mid-summer break.

Wednesday, July 5

1. ANC6B Planning & Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm in the cafeteria at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence

Among items on the agenda:

Resolution or letter to City Council on Air B n’ B Legislation

Historic Preservation Application for 226 Kentucky Avenue, SE

Zoning Adjustment Application for 1349 South Carolina Avenue, S.E. to construct a three-story rear addition.

Historic Preservation Application for 818 Potomac Avenue, SE; concept/construct new four-story building.

Historic Preservation Application for 418-420 7th Street, SE; proposed condo conversion.

Historic Preservation Application for 418 New Jersey Ave., SE; concept new building.

Historic Preservation Application 400 D Street, SE; concept/construct 5 new townhouses.

Zoning Adjustment Application for 716 16th Street, SE, for special exceptions from the parking requirements and from the use restrictions to expand an existing accessory structure for residential use in the RF-1 Zone.

Zoning Adjustment Application for 220 2nd Street, SE, variance to add 13th apartment rental unit in basement of existing apartment house.

2. ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee meets at 6:30pm, Northeast Library, 7^th and D Streets, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

2 Patterson Street, NE (non-voting item) – Informational presentation on upcoming RFP (request for proposals) for 42,000sf lot currently used for surface parking.

Zoning Adjustment Application for 609 Orleans Place, NE, for a special exception from the lot occupancy requirements and the rear yard requirements to construct a rear deck addition to an existing, nonconforming one-family dwelling in the RF-1 Zone.  Filed for expedited review and decision on September 6; no hearing will be held absent a request by the ANC or other objector.

Zoning Adjustment Application for 714 4th St. NE, for a special exception from the minimum parking requirements to convert an existing accessory building into additional living space for the existing one-family dwelling in the RF-1 Zone.

Historic Preservation Application for 501 C Street, NE – Revised application of MGM Public Policy, LLC for concept approval for a rear addition and façade alteration. Representative: Andi Adams (architectural historian), Goulston & Storrs.

Historic Preservation Application for 418-420 7th Street, NE, to combine two houses; construct rear and rooftop additions; and construct a building at the rear of the property.

Proposed changes to zoning regulations– In March 2017, the Zoning Commission adopted a new rule in ZC 14-11B requiring zoning relief for “pop-backs” extending more than 10’ past an adjacent dwelling. These two followup rulemaking proceedings address whether certain permit applications should be grandfathered and exempted from the restriction and whether the regulation needs technical clarification.

Thursday, July 6

1. ANC 6B Alcohol Beverage Control Committee meets at 7:00pm, in the Frager’s Hardware Conference Room, Room 314, Third Floor, Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania, SE.

Among items on the agenda:

ANXO (pronounced An-cho), 525 8th Street, SE (Phase 1 Building), Substantial Change for Hours (to open at 10 am) of a Class “C” Tavern License  Current Hours: Mon-Th 7:00pm – 2:00am; Fri-Sat 7:00pm – 3:00am; No sidewalk Café; Seeking to open at 10:00am.

Chi-Ko, 423 8th Street, SE, (formerly DC-3), New Class “C” Restaurant License, 40 person capacity, Hours sought: Sun-Sat. 10:00am – 12:00am.  No other endorsements.

2. ANC6C Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm in the Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, 700 Second Street NE.

Among items on the agenda:

New Zipcar Spaces.  Carsharing provider Zipcar is looking to reserve four street parking spaces within ANC 6C for their cars. After previously presenting two options to the committee in April, the committee opted to further examine the areas and invite Zipcar to return. The current proposed locations are the first two spaces on 4th St. NE at the northeast corner of the M St. intersection (currently unregulated) and the first two spaces on 8th St NE at the southeast corner of the C St. intersection (currently Zone 6).

45 L Street, NE.  Public Space application – construction for new mixed-use building: paving, landscape, fixtures, etc.

150 M Street, NE.  Proposed traffic control plan for new mixed-use development currently under construction. Plan involves closing the westbound lane of M St. NE after Delaware Ave. from 7 am to 7 pm.

New York Avenue Streetscape.  DDOT is working to create a cohesive corridor streetscape and trail for all users of New York Avenue, NE. This project will identify improvements that include sidewalks, streetlights, plantings, trees, benches, public art and other public space improvements. Details can be found at https://www.newyorkavenueproject.com/. While the project area is outside of ANC 6C, this corridor is an important connection to our neighborhood and will interface with other important connectors (e.g., the Metropolitan Branch Trail and 4th Street).

6th Street, NE – Bike Lanes. New bike lanes have been painted on 6th St. NE by Florida Ave. and M Street. The committee will consider requesting bollards be added.

3. PSA 107 meets at 7:00pm, in the Sourtheast Library, lower level.

 

4. Friends of Southeast Library (FOSEL) meet at 5:30pm, Southeast Library, lower level.

In Face of Opposition, Hispanic Caucus Pulls Application for PAC Office Near the Capitol Building

by Larry Janezich

Today, the attorney for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) formally withdrew the group’s application for a zoning adjustment to permit CHC to use a residence in the 400 block of New Jersey Avenue, SE, as their PAC headquarters and event space.  The letter to the BZA withdrawing the application came from attorney Meridith Moldenhauer of Cozen O’Connor, and said in part, “On June 7, 2017, the [BZA] granted a continuance of the hearing to allow the Applicant additional time to further supplement the record.  As a result of further deliberation, the Applicant withdraws the Application.”  The sale of the townhouse to the CHC was apparently contingent on the zoning relief.

At issue was the application to waive DC regulations limiting nonprofit organizations operating in residential neighborhoods to buildings of 10,000 square feet or more.

No reason was given for the action, but neighbors believe that opposition from more than a dozen residential neighbors (who had hired their own attorney), ANC6B, the Capitol Hill Restorations Society, the Office of Planning, and the Architect of the Capitol, left CHC with slim chance of prevailing before the BZA.

One nearby neighbor told Capitol Hill Corner, “We’d certainly like all of the people with property to sell in this neighborhood and the realtors interested in selling those properties to know we are organized and effective.”  DC’s Office of Planning recommended denial of the variance, finding “it could result in a substantial detriment to the public good.”  The Architect of the Capitol found that the zoning change could “adversely harm the area adjacent to the jurisdiction of the US Capitol…and could result in a significant detriment to the character of the residential neighborhood.”

The block is home to several organizations currently operating businesses in a residential zone.  But the city is starting to take a hard look at the erosion of residential neighborhoods near the Capitol.

ANC Commissioner Jennifer Samolyk, in whose single member district the property resides credited the activism of neighbors whose efforts had contributed to shutting three down non-residential “party” houses on nearby D Street, SE.  In addition, as a result of a complaint which Samolyk filed with DCRA, the city has started an official investigation of another business that appears to be operating out of a New Jersey Avenue residence without a certificate of occupancy and in violation of the zoning regulations.

The decision is likely to affect the desirability of other properties on the block in the eyes of non-profit or non-residential users.  Currently there are two adjacent townhouses up for sale on the block, reportedly by a single owner.  433 New Jersey is listed at $1.4 million and its neighbor is listed at $1.77 million.  The real estate listing notes:  “Opportunity Abounds!  Your chance of a lifetime to own not just one, but two adjacent houses on New Jersey Avenue.  You could scarcely get closer to the US Capitol and House Office Buildings, the DNC and the RNC.”  The properties have been on the market since last December.

Asked for reaction, Samolyk told CHC, “If the variance was granted it would have set a precedent having far reaching affects across ANC 6B. Allowing special interest groups, like the Bold PAC, to take over residential homes for event spaces would ruin the unique residential character of Capitol Hill. The residents on New Jersey Avenue took a stand not only for their own street- but for all of Capital Hill and for that I am very grateful.”

CHC reached out to Moldenhauer but has not yet received a response.  CHC will update this post upon receipt.

The Week Ahead….BAZ Hearing on Hispanic Caucus Lobby Shop on NJ Avenue on Wednesday – CM Allen Looks at crime prevention Monday and Tuesday

by Larry Janezich

Monday, June 26

1. ANC6A Community Outreach Committee meeting.

 

2. Council Member Charles Allen holds oversight roundtable to consider the District’s Crime Prevention Strategies for Summer, 2017. The review of the full range of city agencies who work on preventing crime during the summer will feature government officials, community organizations working on the issue, local leadership, and concerned residents. The roundtable begins at 10:00am in Room 120 of the Wilson Building and will be streamed on the Council’s website, Here: http://dccouncil.us/granicus

Tuesday, June 27

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

 

2. Rosedale Community town Hall meeting on public safety, with CM Allen and MPD Chief Peter Newsham. Allen and Newsham will be joined by representatives of DC’s Office of the Attorney General to discuss public safety and what is being done to educate and protect DC residents.  6:30pm at Pilgrim AME Church, 17^th and Rosedale Streets, N.E.

 

3. PSA 106 meets at 7:00pm in the Community Center at Capitol Quarter, 1000 5^th SE.

Wednesday, June 28

1. Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee meets at 7:00pm, North Hall, Eastern Market.

Among items on the agenda:

Market Manager’s Report:

Status of leases

Financial Report

Eastern Market Security Matters

Parking issues

Pot Luck Dinner

Eastern Market Main Street

2. The Bureau of Zoning Adjustment meets to consider zoning adjustment applications, including that of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ request to for an adjustment to permit conversion of a residence on New Jersey Avenue, SE, into office and event space. 9:30am, Room 2205, One Judiciary Square, 441 4^th Street, N.W.

BARRED IN DC Says: “Mini Union Market” Planned for 1401 PA Ave SE Condo/Retail Project

by Larry Janezich

Saturday evening, Barred In DC broke the story that CAS Riegler developers plan to create a mini Union Market to occupy the ground floor retail space in the mixed use condo/retail project at the old New York Pizza site at 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  According to Barred, the concept tentatively includes: a coffee/sweets shop, beer hall, cocktail/wine bar, food market (taco bar, pizza stand, and an Asian Fusion stand and a sit down restaurant.  For the full story, go to Barred In DC here:  http://bit.ly/2t8y6ZK

If it comes to fruition, the food and drink retail plan will bring with it several concerns for the community.  Among these is the seeming affirmation of the conventional wisdom that food and alcohol retail is becoming the only viable retail on Capitol Hill.  In addition, the issues associated with food and drink retail on Barracks Row – trash disposal, rodent, noise, and odor control – will need to be addressed through Settlement Agreements with ANC6B.  There will likely be changes in traffic patterns and parking availability – as it is, the developer is providing 50 parking spaces for the 174 condo residents, anticipating that a majority of occupants will depend on public transportation.  Will that be true for patrons of the Market?

In a related matter, DDOT is currently considering three different proposals for redesign of the PA Ave/Potomac Ave intersection and the Potomac Avenue Metro Plaza.  See here:  http://bit.ly/2qQ0OJe  (ANC6B supports the “Ellipse” design)

Historic Preservation Review Sends MGM Lobby Shop Back to the Drawing Board

Decision Marks a Win for ANC6C, CHRS, and Neighbors

By Larry Janezich

Despite the high priced talent hired by MGM’s Federal Lobbying Group to shepherd the plan for the design of their proposed headquarters on Stanton Park through the city bureaucracy, the HPRB sent the design back to the drawing board in a public hearing held on Thursday.  (For background, see prior post here:  http://bit.ly/2rmb4tV)

Opposition to the plan was led by ANC6C, represented by Mark Eckenwiler, who praised the restoration of the building as a “meritorious project” and said there was much to like in the proposal.  However, he said, ANC6C could not support the proposed rear additions and the elevator shaft.  He noted that although outside the scope of historic preservation, a serious issue for the ANC was the objections of neighbors who decried the potential for disruption and noise from events (fund raisers) on the 1600 square foot deck atop the one story additions at the rear of the building.

The Capitol Hill Restoration Society, represented by Beth Purcell, agreed that the design has many commendable features but raised concerns about the exterior elevator shaft, the roof top deck and the proposed pergola overlooking 5^th Street.  Regarding the associated issue of noise and disruption, she said “Lobbyists entertain – not to mention how the deck might be used by a future owner of the building.” Five nearby residents or building owners reinforced that concern with testimony before the Board.

(ANC6C Commissioner Scott Price, in whose single member district the project lies, is facilitating the negotiation of a neighborhood agreement between the neighbors and MGM reps regarding the use of the deck.)

If anything, the HRPB was more critical than either the ANC or CHRS.

After hearing from MGM reps respond to why the proposed design was necessary for the building to work for the owner, four of the board members spoke out against the exterior elevator and the deck.  The consensus seemed to be that the elevator should be inside the building, the size of the deck should be reduced and confined to the east side of the roof of the additions, the pergola moved east to the edge of the reduced deck, and access to the west side of the addition’s roof overlooking 5^th Street should be prevented by installation of a green roof or by enforceable easement.

Board member Joseph Taylor was particularly critical saying that the HPO staff report which had found the proposal compatible with the Historic District should have ruled it was incompatible because of the outside add-ons.  “I can’t support an exterior elevator…the elevator is a big dog, and you can’t just say be smaller.”

Chairperson Heath agreed, and moved that MGM work with HPO staff to address the Board’s concerns and come back next month where the issue will be placed on the consent calendar for action after the Board has an opportunity to review changes to the design.  The motion passed unanimously.

In other action, the HPRB gave unanimous approval to PGN Architect’s design for Capitol Hill Baptist Church’s proposal to build five townhouses on church property facing 6th Street, NE.  (For prior post on this issue, go here: http://bit.ly/2syUk6a)

 

 

Week Ahead… Thursday:  HPRB Hearing on MGM Lobby Shop & Baptist Church Townhouses

by Larry Janezich

Monday, June 19

1. ANC6A Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm, Capitol Hill Towers, 900 G Street, N.E.

Among items on the agenda:

Presentation by DDOT officials of 90% plans for Maryland Avenue, N.E. redesign project and discussion regarding plans to redesign Florida Avenue, N.E.

Tuesday, June 20

1. ANC6A Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00pm, Sherwood Recreation Center, 10^th and G Streets, N.E.

Among items on the agenda.

Discussion of request for change to entertainment endorsement filed by The Elroy Bar, LLC t/a The Elroy (1423 H Street, N.E.)

Discussion of request for new CT Restaurant license filed by Dynamix Lounge, LLC t/a Dynamix Lounge (1220 H Street NE)

2. Capitol Hill Restoration Society Board of Directors meets at 6:30pm, Capitol Hill Townhomes, 750 6^th Street, S.E.

Wednesday, June 21

1. ANC6A Economic Development and Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm, Sherwood Recreation Center, 10^th and G Streets, N.E.

Agenda not available at press time.

2. Capitol Hill Restoration Society Members Meeting. Presentation:  Ruth Trocelli, HPRB Archeologist will speak on “What Secrets Lie Beneath the Shotgun House”.  Trocelli and her team will present the results of their excavation of the Shotgun House site.  A display of found artifacts will accompany the excavation.  7:00pm at the Hill Center.  Free and open to the public.

Thursday, June 22

The Historic Preservation Review Board meets to consider various historic preservation cases.  At circa 11:15am, the Board will consider the concept for the Capitol Hill’s Baptist Church proposal for five townhouses on church property, at 525 A Street, S.E.  At circa 1:00pm the Board will consider the MGM Corporation concept and proposed rear additions to the building at 501 C Street, N.E.  The Board meets at 441 4^th Street, N.W., Room 220 – south.

 

ANC6C Approves Historic Preservation Concept for Church’s 5 Townhouses on 6^th Street, NE

by Larry Janezich

Wednesday night, a divided ANC6C voted 4 – 2  (Commissioners Wirt and Miller)  to support the Historic Preservation Application for five new townhouses containing a total of ten family units planned for the unit block of 6^th Street N.E., by the Capitol Hill Baptist Church.  (For previous post see here: http://bit.ly/2sdiG5R)

Although several church members were present to endorse the project, a number of nearby residents voiced their concerns or opposition.

Many of these concerns had to do with the impact of the new residences on parking, not only from residents of the townhouses, but also from parishioners attending Sunday services.  One resident questioned the commitment of the church to be part of the neighborhood, alleging that his efforts to engage the church had been rebuffed.  Another said that she had been surprised and disappointed to find that five townhouses meant ten units, and another complained that her bedroom windows face the project and rooftop decks on two of the units affect her quality of life.

After the meeting, a nearby resident told Capitol Hill Corner, “The church has not been forthcoming and is appearing more and more deceptive. Rather than new townhouses that could contribute to the DC tax base, it seems to be an expansion of the church.  [If the church has the] use classified as religious, this will amount to very fancy dorms on prime real estate.” Update:  A representative from the church has informed Capitol Hill Corner that if constructed, these homes would be subject to property taxes just as they would be for any other private owner.  (The church also owns 8 dwellings in the immediate area around its address at 525 A Street, NE, including four on East Capitol, NE.)

Associate Pastor Jamie Dunlop told the ANC the new housing will replace rental housing which the church already has in the neighborhood for pastor trainees.  Renters will be families, some long term, some shorter – for 4 or 5 months.  He said that construction will result in the loss of 8 parking spaces on site, and a total of 14 on Sunday.  The church is attempting to secure commercial parking for those parishioners who drive, but half of the congregation lives within walking distance of the church.

ANC6C Planning and Zoning Chair Mark Eckenwiler made the motion to support the Historic Preservation Application, noting that there were still a few minor historic preservation issues to be addressed, such as suggested changes to hardscaping, landscaping, and exterior stairs.  Regarding parking, he said he heard what people are saying, but that the parking problems are the result of a broken regulatory system, and until significant changes are made, it will continue to be a problem: “The church is not the enemy; this is a Historic Preservation Application, not a zoning application.”

Asked later if there were zoning issues associated with the project, Eckenwiler said “The church asserts that the project is matter-of-right as to zoning. I don’t have specific reasons at this stage to think their claim is incorrect, but it’s impossible to be certain based on the limited information typically submitted for HPRB concept review.  Such submissions are far less detailed than applications for building permits, and this project has not yet reached the permitting stage.”

The Historic Preservation Application will come before the Historic Preservation Review Board on June 22.

ANC6C Unanimously Opposes HPA Plan for MGM’s Proposed DC Lobbying HQ on Stanton Park

by Larry Janezich

Last night ANC 6C voted unanimously (6 – 0) to oppose MGM’s Historic Preservation Application (HPA) for modifications to a building on Stanton Park that the company wants to be the home of their 10 person Washington, DC lobby headquarters, at 501 C Street, NE.   The vote could delay the project and require MGM to go back to the drawing board if the Historic Preservation Review Board gives the required “great weight” to the ANC opinion.

Last week the Commission’s Planning and Zoning Committee voted to recommend to the full ANC that they oppose the application, citing a number of concerns.  (See here:  http://bit.ly/2rU1HEe)

On Monday, MGM submitted revised plans to the Historic Preservation Office, with a number of modifications to the design they brought before the Planning and Zoning Committee, in an attempt to address some of the committee’s concerns.

Mark Eckenwiler, chair of the Planning and Zoning Committee told the commission last night that while the committee was generally supportive of the renovations proposed for the building itself, there were still areas of concern.  He acknowledged that the revised plans resolved concerns regarding the use of public space for parking.

However, he noted, the committee’s main concerns regarding the additions at the rear of the building had not been modified at all.  These included the exterior elevator shaft extending beyond the eaves, the trellis running the length of the large roof top deck on top of the one-story historic structures added to the building, as well as the deck itself.  He also cited failure to conserve the façade of the historic structures behind the building and the proposed use of stucco on the exterior of the rear additions.

Though not directly related to historic preservation, Eckenwiler said that concerns of the nearby neighbors regarding the noise from rooftop deck gatherings (fundraisers) had not been addressed.

An MGM senior vice president for government affairs responded, asserting that the building will be used for office space for fewer than 10 people, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM.  Regarding the noise concerns of Capitol Hill neighbors she said that and MGM intends to be a good neighbor, is very sensitive to noise issues, and that residents could call upon her personally to address any issues.  She said MGM would use the deck for “small functions” and would “work with neighbors.” She said that the company’s operations would result in no parking or traffic disruptions – employees who do not live in the neighborhood, will use public transportation or rental parking.  Attendees at fundraisers will use Uber or Lyft.

Anne Adams, representing MGM on matters regarding historical architecture, said that it was not possible to put the elevator shaft inside the building because it would disrupt the historical interiors which MGM is trying to preserve.  She noted that the elevator made the building ADA accessible and that it will be partly hidden by the trellis running the length of the rooftop deck.

Some of the nearby neighbors rose to express their concerns, including the lack of outreach to the community and the lack of enforceability of activities on the rooftop deck.   One neighbor asked what MGM meant by “small gatherings.” An MGM representative replied 20 to 30 people

Commissioner Scott Price guessed that the deck could be as large as 900 square feet and could accommodate a much larger gathering.  He worried that if MGM sold the building, the community would be stuck with the potentially bad behavior of a future owner, with no community ability to hold the owner accountable.  He cited similar problems which had arisen regarding decks used by the Heritage Foundation and a nearby Georgia State University student housing facility.

After the meeting, Price took the initial steps to create a dialogue between the nearby neighbors and MGM, with the hope of reaching a community agreement regarding MGM operations should a roof deck ever be sanctioned by the city.  However, given the unanimous opposition of ANC6C as well as that of the Board of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society, it seems unlikely that the project can go forward under the latest proposed plan.  The hearing before the Historic Preservation Board which will decide the matter will take place Thursday,  June 22.

Update:  June 16, 2017.  A Historic Preservation Office staff report made available today, concluded, “The HPO recommends the Board find the concept to be compatible with the Capitol Hill Historic District, and delegate final approval to staff.”