Category Archives: Uncategorized

Lake Arbor Dental Associates at 411 8th Street, SE, which looks like this…

…will look like this if HPRB signs off on the planned changes to the facade envisioned by Dep Designs

Barracks Row Anomaly Gets Face Lift and Maybe a New Restaurant

by Larry Janezich

Last Tuesday night, ANC6C’s Planning and Zoning Committee considered a Historic Preservation Application regarding the concept design for a new façade for the building housing Lake Arbor Dental Associates at 411 8^th Street, SE.  The building is owned by Zusin Development, which also owns buildings housing the 14th Street Matchbox and the Capitol Hill restaurant Bearnaise.

Architect Chuong Cao of Dep Designs, who presented the concept for the new design, told the committee that for now, only exterior work is being planned, though renovating the interior will come later.  When questioned about what kind of retail might occupy the space, Ghuong said, it was not certain, but that “a restaurant is what the street wants to have.”

Zusin Development co-owner Ilya Zusin said that the timeline for re-development is uncertain, and that he currently does not have a new client for the space.  According to DC tax records, Zusin Development purchased the building on January 17, 2017, for $2,110,000, apparently in a foreclosure sale.

Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg expressed some reservations about the plate glass window on the second floor, but ended up supporting the plan.  The committee moved to support the application, 12 – 0, and placed it on the ANC’s consent calendar for consideration at its March 14 full commission meeting.

For more on Zusin Development, see here:  http://www.zusin.com/

Ambar, Servian Restaurant, Barrack Row.

The layout of the proposed roof deck for Ambar. Click to enlarge.

Barracks Row Serbian Restaurant Ambar Plans Roof Deck Expansion

by Larry Janezich

At Tuesday night’s ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee meeting, Gayll Worsley of W+W Associates Architects Pc, presented her design concept for Ambar’s planned rooftop deck with a retractable glass roof.  Pending before the committee was Ambar’s Historic Preservation Application, the first step in gaining city approval to proceed with the project.  The plan anticipates table seating for 48, plus an additional 5 at a bar.

The Alcohol Beverage Committee (ABC) Committee chair Chander Jayaraman pressed the architect to incorporate indoor trash storage in accordance with ANC6B’s  policy of encouraging existing restaurants to adopt best operating practices regarding rodent control and noise and odor abatement when substantial renovations are undertaken .  Worsley was amenable to addressing the issue of indoor trash storage.  The Planning and Zoning committee is currently considering a Historic Preservation application – the first step in gaining city approval for the expansion.  Technically, the indoor trash storage issue will come back before the ANC through its ABC Committee when the committee considers the restaurant’s request for substantial change in the alcohol license which the addition will entail.  Meanwhile, the Planning and Zoning deferred action on the Historic Preservation Application until the meeting of the full Commission on March 14, pending modification of the design concept.

Last night, ANC6B’s Transportation Committee, meeting in Hill Center, heard a presentation on DDOT’s proposed Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, lighting project.

DDOT Unveils Plan to Replace Streetlights on PA Avenue, SE, from 2^nd Street to Barney Circle

By Larry Janezich

Wednesday night, ANC6B’s Transportation Committee, heard an overview of DDOT’s design of the Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, lighting project from Sherwin Baga, P.E., DDOT Transportation Operations Administration (standing at left above).   Recently installed LED lights have been found to be inadequate and streetlights on Pennsylvania Avenue from 2^nd Streets, SE, to Barney Circle, SE, will be replaced with more distinctive lighting poles and elements.  The Project will begin in the 4^th Quarter of 2018, and will take one year.  The project will be disruptive for work area as it progresses, involving the closures of sidewalks and restrictions on parking, but will not cause an interruption in lighting of the streets and sidewalks.

Oehme van Sweeden’s design for Virginia Avenue Park – click to enlarge

ANC6B Set to Sign Off on Re-design of Virginia Avenue Park/Community Garden/Dog Park

by Larry Janezich

At Tuesday night’s meeting of ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee, 6B04 Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg presented the community-supported plan for the redesign of Virginia Avenue Park and asked the Committee to recommend that the full ANC endorse the project.

Virginia Avenue Park is currently part of the CSX Tunnel project, and the agreement between CSX and the DC Department of Transportation requires CSX to restore the park.  Oldenburg coordinated a series of meeting with residents and other community stakeholders to determine what the redesign of the park should include.  As part of the agreement with CSX, a dog park was to be included in the final design.

After the last stakeholder’s meeting in 2016, Oldenburg asked the internationally acclaimed landscape firm of Oehme van Sweden – whose offices are on Barracks Row – to help design the park on a pro bono basis, and the firm agreed, producing the design pictured above.

Oldenburg reported that the residents and community stakeholders approved the design and are ready to submit the plan to DDOT: “They judged the new design as inspired, one that would ensure the creation of a Park meeting the needs of a changing neighborhood.”

As Oldernburg earlier reported, “This design adds a sidewalk and street trees along 9^th Street, SE, creates a central entrance to the Park at 10^th Street, SE, enlarges the multi-purpose open space, and adds lawn terraces along the north side for use by kids and adults.  The Community Garden is reshaped into a rectangle and moved slightly eastward to accommodate the new sidewalk and a curb cut for its use on 9^th Street.  The shared bike/pedestrian path and dog park segment of the Park remain unchanged.”

The Committee voted 11 – 0 to recommend that the full ANC approve the plan at its March 14 meeting, and recommended it be placed on the consent calendar, all but ensuring its validation by the Commission.   The ANC’s endorsement will move the plan along in the process and allow DOT to initiate discussions who does what to put the park in place next year.

Doug Klein, Assistant US Attorney for DC, addresses attendees at PSA 107 meeting in Northeast Library, last Thursday night.  Seema Gajwani, Special Counsel on Juvenile Justice is second from left in the front row.  ANC6A Commissioner Scott Price, who organized the meeting, is in the front row, far right.

Criminal Justice Officials Brief PSA 107 on Juvenile Rehabilitation/Adult Detention

by Larry Janezich

At last Thursday’s PSA 107 meeting at Northeast Library, Seema Gajwani, DC Attorney General Racine’s Special Counsel on Juvenile Justice Reform, outlined work of the Juvenile Section of the DC Attorney’s Public Safety Division.  She said that rehabilitation is the preferred method of dealing with low risk offenders.  The services for rehabilitation include diversion programs, such as the Alternative to Court Experience (ACE) – an evidence-based intervention to assess a youth’s risks and needs and determine how to best to intervene.  The number one intervention is family therapy.  Another diversion program which has only been in use for 5 or 6 months is the Restorative Justice Program, which attempts to address the needs of victims and offenders by means of a long dialogue involving the victim and the offender and their families, where the offender is held accountable by admitting to the victim what he/she did, and the other participants explain how the offense affected them.  Participation is these programs are not available to offenders whose crimes involve guns or to those with long criminal records.  Preliminary analysis indicates an 80% success rate one year out for offenders who complete the programs, as opposed to a 40% success rate nationally.

Gajwani said that her office does not prosecute under the Youth Rehabilitation Act – which she said was mis-named, since 8 – 22 year old offenders falling under its province are considered adults, and prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office.  She did express interest in an idea raised by an audience member about steering individuals sentenced under the YRA to the Juvenile Section’s rehabilitation programs rather than sentencing them to relatively meaningless hours of community service and promised to carry the idea back to the agency.  For more on the Juvenile Section, see here:  http://oag.dc.gov/page/juvenile-section

Gajwani was followed by Doug Klein, ‎Assistant United States Attorney in DC’s United States Attorney’s Office.  Klein summarized his office’s detention practices in the prosecution of serious adult crime, which, he noted, is heard in federal court as opposed to juvenile crime cases which are tried in DC Superior Court.

Klein says that DC does not have a money bond system –  “we have a system which says you won’t be held because you can’t pay.”  The majority of crimes are misdemeanors, and thus a majority of offenders are not held, but released on personal recognizance.

Federal prosecutors have several options regarding detention or treatment after an arrest.  Individuals accused of a violent crime are automatically held for 3 days, then undergo a hearing to decide if the offender should be held for up to 100 days pending trial.  In addition, prosecutors have other options.  They may ask for detention in cases:

where the accused has outstanding criminal cases or a long criminal record;

where the accused is on probation, in violation of probation or supervised release;

and where the accused is a flight risk.

Prosecutors can also ask for ask for high intensity supervision monitored by the Pretrial Services Agency if the offender has a stable place to live, a phone number.  High intensity security involves monitoring by the Independent federal Pretrial Services Agency and wearing a GPS device which is monitored by a second federal entity, the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA).  In addition, prosecutors can ask that a case be referred to Mental Health Court for sentencing involving in-and outpatient mental health services and drug testing.  For more on the US Attorney’s office, see here:  https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc

Following the presentations, MPD Lt. Crystal Beslow, explained MPD’s return to the “Sector Concept” of the 1990’s.  The revival of the older concept, she said, would allow greater allocation of resources to address crime and community policing rather than confining resources to one PSA.  Longer 10 hour overlapping shifts and a 4 day work week will permit a higher concentration of officers during peak crime hours and works to the benefit of officers who will have longer weekends.  For more on the Sector Concept, see here:  http://bit.ly/2l5tsDV

The appearance of the officials at the PSA meeting was arranged by ANC6A Commissioner Scott Price, who noted at the end of the meeting that CM Charles Allen would hold a City Council Roundtable on sentencing in June.

Hine projects residential building, seen from the NE corner of 8th and C Streets, SE, looking into the Southwest. Circa 3:30pm, Friday, March 3.

The Week Ahead….CM Allen Addresses ANC6A on Thursday.

by Larry Janezich

Monday, March 6

1. ANC6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00pm, Kaiser Medical Center, 700 2^nd Street, NE.

On the agenda:

DC Live, LLC trading as XO, 15 K Street, NE.  Request for extended holiday hours

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

Tuesday, March 7

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Letter to DDOT and DPR supporting Community’s Preferred Plan for the Renovation of Virginia Avenue Park.

Historic Preservation Application for 742 9^th Street, SE; one-story garage addition.

Historic Preservation Application for 407A 4^th Street, SE; Permit/roof-top and rear additions.

Historic Preservation Application for 523 8th Street, SE; Concept/Rooftop deck with a retractable awning and Rear addition.

Historic Preservation Application for 411 8^th Street, SE; Redesign of the primary façade.]

Zoning Adjustment for 420 12th Street, SE; special exception to permit the location of rooftop mechanical equipment on an existing public school in the RF-1 Zone.

Zoning Adjustment for 1 Library Court, SE; Rear one-story addition with a roof deck on addition.

Zoning Adjustment for 1241 Independence Avenue, SE; Remove and Replace an existing mechanical shed and pergola.

Housing Coalition Statement of Principles on affordable housing that should be addressed as part of the review of the DC Comprehensive Plan.

2. ANC6C Parks and Events Committee which usually meets on the first Tuesday of the month, will not meet in March.

Wednesday, March 8

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

Agenda not available at press time.  Update will follow upon availability.

2. ANC6B Transportation Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.

On the agenda:

Request for a Traffic Signal at 11th & D Street, SE Intersection.

Committee 2017 Planning Discussion.

Letter to DDOT / DPR on 6B07 Pocket Parks.

Thursday, March 9

1. ANC6A meets at 7:00 pm, at Miner Elementary, 601 15^th Street, NE

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentation by Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen.

Presentation by Washington Gas: Update on PROJECT pipes pipeline replacement project with Doreen Hope, Community District Manager, and Marie Johns and Dwanda Glenn-Woodward, Project Consultants

Letter of support to the Mayor’s Task Force on Special Events for the Capitol Hill Classic Race.

Letter to the DC Council stating its opposition to the Small Business Parking Permit Act of 2017.

Letter of support to BZA for the application of the owners of 619 Elliot Street, NE, for a special exception under Subtitle E § 5201, from the lot occupancy requirements to permit the construction of a third-story addition with roof deck to an existing one-family dwelling in the RF-1 Zone on condition that the owners get letters of support from 621 Elliott and updated letters from other neighbors that had signed letters last year, use best efforts to get letters of support from tenants and owners from buildings facing the unit, extend brick treatment on the sides of the house (10 feet or so), and increase the size of the deck railing on the front.

Letter of support to BZA for the application of the owners of 1123 Constitution Avenue, NE, for a special exception from the lot occupancy requirements rear yard requirements to permit the construction of a two-story garage in the RF-1 Zone on the condition that the owners make their best efforts to get letters of support from the owner at 1131 Park Street, NE.

Letter of support to HPRB for the proposed design at 1123 Constitution Avenue, NE, on the condition that the owners make their best efforts to get letters of support from the owner at 1131 Park Street NE.

3. ANC6B ABC Committee meets at 7:00pm, at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

On the agenda:

Discussion on Committee goals for the year including oversight and compliance with Settlement Agreements.

Discuss legislative / regulatory options for addressing community issues.

Saturday, March 11

1. Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon 6:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. road closures throughout ANC 6C area (subject to change)

2. Book Sale, Southeast Library, 10:00am – 3:00pm.

Capitol Hill Business Improvement District (BID) Map

Mayor Bowser at the annual meeting of the Capitol Hill BID last Tuesday morning, sporting a DC United scarf.

CM Allen followed Bower’s lead in platforming her appreciation of the BID’s work in supplementing city services. Allen noted that five of the city’s ten BIDs are in Ward Six – and that a new one is being formed in Shaw.

BID President Patty Brosmer was re-elected to lead the CH BID, and presented the annual report to the group of stakeholders.

Those attending the annual meeting included board members, merchants, property owners, elected officials, and the men in blue. (click to enlarge)

What You Need to Know about Capitol Hill BID – Non-profit Praised by Bowser and Allen

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday morning, at the annual meeting of the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District (BID) in Hill Center, Mayor Bowser and CM Charles Allen raised the profile of the event substantially by their presence.

The politicians, flush from the excitement of Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the DC United Stadium on Buzzard’s Point (Bowser still wearing the DC United scarf she wore the previous day) mustered praise for an organization which contributes substantially to the viability of the Capitol Hill Community and simultaneously works to address problems of homelessness and criminal recidivism, while being substantially funded by Capitol Hill business owners investing in their own community.

Bowser began her remarks by speaking about the previous day’s groundbreaking, and continued, referencing “the 1000 new residents arrive in the city every month…the city will be over 800,000 residents again over the next 20 years…our private sector is outpacing government as a source of jobs…we’ve had the best financial quarter in the city’s history…an audit of the past two years of my administration is clean – no internal weaknesses…economic development is my passion … attracting more retail and restaurants…providing good salaries.”   You get the point.

She went on to cite the CH BID, acknowledging the organization’s contribution in providing extra service to the community beyond what the city can provide – specifically, snow removal from business-district sidewalks and at bus stops during the January blizzard of 2016…”I don’t believe in closing the city…over time we’ll change the perception of the effect of snow on the city, but we’ll have to pay to change the perception.”  She saluted the BID, noting that it had paid for the snow removal effort.

For his part, Allen joked about his youthful appearance which, he said, had prompted him to grow a beard and then echoed Bowser’s remarks on the BID’s service contribution, praising the BID’s efforts to “push things in the right direction.” He committed to partnering with BID, and “working every single day to make a better community.”

And yet, there was so much more to be said.

The Capitol Hill BID – one of ten in the city – is a nonprofit organization established in 2008 to maintain and beautify Capitol Hill’s commercial corridors.  Its funding comes from assessments of its 500 member commercial property owners, at a rate of .15 cents per $1000 of assessed property value – e.g., $1500 for a $1 million dollar property.  In 2016, assessments accounted for $1,302,408 of the CH BID’s revenue.

It was the first BID in the city to pilot public space recycling and work-rehabilitation programs.  The CH BID’s signature “Ready, Willing & Working” (RWW) program provides the manpower behind its “clean team” comprised of some 50 formerly homeless and incarcerated individuals – the “men in blue” –  who provide street cleaning services throughout the city through BID contracts.  Currently the CH BID contracts with Capitol Hill, Barracks Row, Capitol Riverfront and Southwest DC.  The newly formed Eastern Market Main Street is also a potential customer.  In 2016, revenue from contracts amounted to $2,046,652.

Some three-fourths of the clean team members are permanent employees, with city-provided health and retirement benefits.  One fourth of the team members are temporary employees many of whom become full time employees as positions open up.  BID President Patty Brosmer later told Capitol Hill Corner that turnover is low; nearly half of the current clean team has been in place since 2008.  She also cites a 70% recidivism success rate for employees who have been in RWW for three months.

BID collaborates with CHAMPS, BRMS and Market Row by promoting its members, providing marketing services, streetscaping, sponsoring events and contracting for cleaning services.

The BID kicks off the winter holiday season with the lighting of the Capitol Hill Community Tree and Menorah Lightings on the northeast quadrant of Eastern Market Metro Plaza.  In addition, the BID collaborates with community and city organizations on Capital Bikeshare and the DC Circulator.

For 2016, the CH BID’s total revenue and support amounted to $3,457,204, while its expenses were $3,271,804.

Progress on Watkins School Modernization from 12th and E Street, SE.  February 26, 2017, circa 4:30pm.

The Week Ahead…CM White’s Bill: 10 Residential Parking Permits to Restaurants for Workers (see Monday & Thursday)

by Larry Janezich

Monday, February 27

1. ANC 6A Transportation & Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm, Capitol Hill Towers, 900 G Street, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Maryland Avenue Redesign Project – 65% designs now available online

Request from Capitol Hill Classic Race for letter of support

Traffic concerns regarding development of Chik-Fil-A at 1401 Maryland Avenue, NE

Discussion of Small Business Parking Permit Act.  Councilmember White has introduced legislation to allow small businesses to get up to 10 parking permits to allow employees to park in RPP zones.

2. ANC6A Community Outreach Committee meeting has been CANCELLED. The next meeting of the COC is scheduled for Monday, March 27 at 7:00 pm at Maury Elementary School, 1250 Constitution Avenue NE.

Tuesday, February 28

1. ANC6B’s Executive Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center, to set the agenda for the full ANC6B meeting on March 14 in Hill Center.

Wednesday, March 1

1. ANC6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee meets at 6:30pm, in Northeast Library, 7th & D Streets, NE

Among items on the draft agenda:

638 Orleans Pl. NE (BZA 19467) – Application for a special exception from the rear yard requirements and the nonconforming structure requirements and variances from the building height requirements and the lot occupancy requirements to construct a third story addition and fourth story mezzanine to an existing two-story, one-family dwelling in the RF-1 Zone. application file)

316 G Street, NE – Application for a special exception from the non-conforming structure requirements, the lot occupancy requirements, and the rear yard requirements to construct a rear three-story addition and partial third-floor addition to an existing one-family dwelling in the RF-1 Zone.

316 G Street, NE – Application for concept approval for rooftop addition and new three-story rear addition.

Union Station Expansion Project – Section 106 Proposed study area

Discussion of upcoming Council oversight hearing

Thursday, March 2

1. ANC 6C Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm, Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center 700 2nd Street, NE, Room G3-G4

Among items on the draft agenda:

Florida Avenue Multimodal Transportation Study.  DDOT has released 30% design plans for Florida Avenue, which includes a cycletrack and sidewalk improvements.

Discussion of Small Business Parking Permit Act.  Councilmember White has introduced legislation to allow small businesses to get up to 10 parking permits to allow employees to park in RPP zones.

2. PSA 107 Meeting. 7:00pm.  Note: this meeting will be held at the DC Library, 330 7th Street NE.  Commissioner Scott Price has set up an agenda for the meeting that includes presentations on YRA and GPS monitoring.  In addition, MPD will provide crime data.

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

Friday, March 3

Ceremony launching the new Eastern Market Main Street Organization, featuring Mayor Bowser.  10:00am – 10:30am, Eastern Market, North Hall.

A townhouse at 145 D Street which neighbors say is a event/party house.

What Neighbors Say Is an Event/Party House Near Capitol Comes Under City Scrutiny

By Larry Janezich

Some houses in residential areas near the Capitol Building are being used as event/party houses, and neighbors are complaining.  Such commercial use of residences not occupied by owners is not permitted under city regulations.

Neighbors of 145 D Street, SE, say that the otherwise unoccupied two bedroom house owned by Jennifer Tye – who has an Alexandria address and who also owns the catering company DCTaste – is being used several times a week as a venue for catered events – some of which appear to be fundraisers for politicians.

Apparently, in an effort to comply with city regulations regarding vacant properties, the owner has posted a “For Rent” sign on the property.  Neighbors say the house is listed at $6000 a month.

DCRA recently shut down another nearby event/party house in the same block at 125-127 D Street, after complaints by neighbors, who worry if fines are not levied against the owner of 145 D Street, the operation at 125-127 will start up again.  The difference between the two cases is the owner of 125-127 D was quite open about the business being conducted there, and the owner of 145 D, according to neighbors, is not.

ANC6B Commissioner Jennifer Samolyk contacted the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) regarding 145 D Street last November 15.  The resulting investigation seemed dismissive; according to Samolyk, the response was, in essence, “people can have parties.”

As the activities at the house continued, a second inquiry on December 9, this one involving an expression of interest from the office of Councilmember Charles Allen, prompted DCRA to reopen the investigation.

On February 7, DCRA Investigator Deborah Britt told Samolyk that the re-opened investigation had been finalized and would be submitted shortly for enforcement action and that the Office of Zoning Administration would be notified of the case findings.  Britt offered Samolyk an opportunity to submit additional information.

Yesterday, Samolyk submitted additional evidence: the presence of aproned waiters on the nights of parties, a timeline of parties recorded by neighbors, photos neighbors say show attendees arriving for an event, a laundry truck picking up linens from the address, no evidence of an occupancy permit, a lack of evidence that anyone is living in the house, and a Facebook page for DC Taste showing the company’s location at 145 D Street, SE. (See here:  http://bit.ly/2lgDqoT)

Neighbors say that several houses on nearby New Jersey Avenue are  well known for their use as event/party houses, and D Street residents are resisting the same thing happening to the 100 block of D Street.  “We don’t want to see D Street turn into New Jersey, one told CHC, “it changes nature of the neighborhood. It’s cheating, not to mention being an annoyance to the neighbors.”

For another case of a townhouse near the Capitol being used for commercial purposes, see CHC post here:  http://bit.ly/2m8CCki

Last Thursday, Ristorante Acqua Al 2 – across from Eastern Market – got a new paint job.

The Week Ahead……

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, February 21

1. CANCELLED.  ANC6A ABC Committee meets at 7:00pm, Sherwood Recreation Center, corner of 10th and G Streets. NE.

Agenda not available at press time.

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

Agenda not available at press time.

Wednesday, February 22

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee meets at 7:00pm in the North Hall of Eastern Market.

Among items on the agenda:

Market Managers Report

Status of the Leases

Financials

Hine Update

Tenant’s Council Report

Thursday, February 23

1. Budget Engagement Forum #1, 6:30pm – 8:30pm, Woodrow Wilson High School, 3950 Chesapeake Street, NE. RSVP here:  http://bit.ly/2kOmXog

Saturday, February 25

1. Budget Engagement Forum #, 1:00pm – 3:00pm, Department of Employment Services, 4058 Minnesota Avenue, NE. RSVP here:  http://bit.ly/2kOmXog