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Developer Selected for Capitol Hill’s Southeast Safeway

Community Meeting Scheduled for Monday, October 24

by Larry Janezich

At ANC6B’s October meeting Tuesday night, Planning and Zoning Committee Chair Nick Burger announced that Safeway, Inc., has selected the Alexandria based firm of Foulger-Pratt, a major regional, national and international real estate development firm to redevelop the Capitol Hill Southeast Safeway into a mixed use project.

Burger told the ANC that the developer had scheduled a community meeting to discuss plans for the site on Monday, October 24, at 7:00pm in Hill Center, adding that this would be the first in a series of engagements with the community.

Foulger-Pratt has filed a public space application with DC Department of Transportation – the first step in the development phase.  Under the special process for development of large tracts, DDOT requires a developer to file a plan to show how the project will interact with surrounding public space – in this case – public streets and alleys.  DDOT’s subsequent approval the plan will dictate the configuration of the site.

Foulger-Pratt plans a mixed use, retail and residential project.  The public space plan anticipates that the only access to the site will be through residential and a commercial garages via a widened alley behind the current Safeway building connecting D and E Streets for the residential garage and from 14th Street for Safeway .

Though the square footage of the proposal and how much will be allocated to residential and retail is uncertain at present, this public space plan would open up most of the huge space for construction.  The developer plans to build as a matter of right – meaning height will be limited to 50 feet plus a penthouse.

At the meeting on October 24, Foulger-Pratt will introduce themselves to the community, outline the basic plan for the project, and discuss the next steps in the process. For additional details on the process and the project, see the exclusive CHC post from March 30, 2016 here:  http://bit.ly/2ckTfHd

Foulger-Pratt is the developer of the spectacular Mormon Temple Visitor Center north of Kensington, MD, the Silver Sprint Metro Center mixed use project, and the Georgia Avenue Walmart among many other projects.  The firm is currently developing the Capitol Self Storage site at 301 N Street, NE, adjacent to the NOMA/Gallaudet Metro Station into a mixed use project including 370 residential units, retail, office space and a 175 unit hotel.  See DC Urban Turf here:  http://bit.ly/2dbhXGC

In June of 2016, the DC Zoning Commission found that the developer’s package of benefits and amenities offered to the community in exchange for rezoning the NOMA/Gallaudet Metro development site so inadequate that Washington Business Journal said it could threaten ZC approval if the developer didn’t up the ante.  See here:   http://bit.ly/2e8321Z   (Since the developer is not seeking a Planned Unit Development for the Safeway cite the question of a benefits package for the community is moot.)

Forger-Pratt has been an active player in local politics.  A 2013 WaPo article cited the firm’s contributions to Maryland politicians – which did not help the firm when the Montgomery County official deemed the company’s $119 million Silver Spring Transit Center “unusable and unsafe,” citing weak concrete and missing steel supports.  The Washington Post called the story “a major embarrassment to the county and its general contractor, Foulger-Pratt.”  See here:  http://wapo.st/2dUCuS1

There are six  residential or mixed use projects in the immediate area of Southeast Safeway which, when complete, will add up to some 1500 new residents in the neighborhood.  The projects include the Buchanan School site, Watkins Alley, the Bowie Signature site (all a stone’s throw from Safeway), and on nearby Pennsylvania Avenue, the NY Pizza Site, the Frager’s Hardware Site, and the Frager’s Garden Center Site.  How many more residents the Safeway site will accommodate is uncertain but in total, there will be a substantial increase in density for a formerly depressed non-residential (updated) neighborhood characterized by an empty school, an auto body repair shop, a trash hauler operations center, Peter Bug’s Shoe Repair Academy, Watkin’s Field – and Safeway.

The Week Ahead…

by Larry Janezich

Monday, October 11

Columbus Day.  No trash/recycling pickup.  Pickup will occur the day following the regular pick-up day.

Tuesday, October 11,

1. ANC6B meets at 7:00pm at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Among items on the agenda:

Presentation:  11th Street Bridge Park, Scott Kratz, Executive Director

The Capitol Lounge, 229 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, renewal of Class C Tavern license with entertainment, dancing, summer garden, and sidewalk café endorsements.

Capitol Hill Tandoor & Grill, 419 8th Street SE, renewal of Class C Restaurant license (continued from May 2016).

Report on the Status of ANC 6B License Renewal Protests: Good Stuff, Bearnaise, and We the Pizza; Hank’s on the Hill; and Ambar.

1230 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Traffic Report: Sassan Gharai, SGA Companies Inc.

2. PSA 104 meets at 7:00pm, J.O. Wilson Elementary School, 660 K Street, NE (7^th and K Streets).

Among items on the agenda:

MPD PSA 104 Crime Report

US CSOSA Report – Michael Bonds, US Attorney Office (DC) Doug Klein

Understanding Policing in the Neighborhood and community problem solving.  Discussion with MPD.

Thursday, October 13

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

Among items on the agenda:

Community Presentation:  Melinda Bolling, Director, Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA)

Amendment to Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar Settlement Agreement adding the following language: (1) “Any reference to existing DC laws and/or regulations in this Settlement Agreement is meant for informational purposes only ANC 6A does not intend for a violation of any DC law or regulation to also be considered a violation of this Settlement Agreement.”; and (2) Replace Section 4(c)(2) with the following language: “Applicant shall not offer any type of live music on the patio. Applicant may provide pre-recorded music on the patio in the form of portable, non-professional grade speakers used to play music from iPods, iPhones, and the like. Such music must cease no later than 8:00 pm.

Letter to DDOT in support of a proposal for a rear curb cut onto Constitution Avenue NE from 808 Massachusetts Avenue NE on the condition that the owner assume any expenses required by DDOT, including moving the light post and installing the curb cut.

Letter to DDOT asking that 11th Street NE (from Maryland Avenue NE to Massachusetts Avenue NE) be designated as a local street and not a collector street, and that DDOT develop a traffic management plan for ANC 6A that routes trucks on all appropriate streets, not including local streets.

Letter to DDOT expressing the desire for DDOT to develop a traffic management plan for the Apollo project on the 600 block of H Street NE that removes fewer residential parking spaces to accommodate the entrance and exit of trucks from the property and that otherwise limits the prohibition on parking to the hours for commercial loading.

Appeal of permits issued for 1511 A Street, NE, as requested by the neighbors of the 1500 block of A Street NE and unit blocks of 15th and 16th Streets NE.

Letter to BZA in support of the application by the owners of 1341 H Street NE for a special exception under the enlargement and design requirements, to construct a mixed-use building in the NC-14 Zone, on condition that the design to be updated to bring it into conformance with the H Street Overlay, best efforts are made to get letters of support from neighbors, restrictions be included in sales documents prohibiting placing anything on the H Street balconies, including hanging or displaying anything, residential permit parking (RPP) restrictions written into the sales documents, and restrictions on amplified music on the roof deck to be included in sales documents.

Application to HPRB for historic designation of Emerald Street NE.

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

Among items on the agenda:

Presentation:  Parking issues, Christopher Shorter, DPW Director

Presentation:  D.C. Statehood, Gene Solon, Mayor’s Office

Presentation:  D.C. WASA lead service line replacement program, Melanie Mason

Presentation:  Candidate for the D.C. State Board of Education, Ashley Carter

501 H Street NE public space construction—sidewalks, benches, bike racks, planters, landscaping, traffic control for construction vehicles

National Park Service, developments in D.C., including new memorials, pocket parks, and other issues—Peter May, Associate Regional Director – NoMa Parks, status of NoMa Parks, Stacie West, NoMa Parks Foundation

220 L Street NE, revised application for a consolidated PUD and zoning map amendment

1200 3rd Street NE, application for a consolidated PUD and zoning map amendment

1511 A Street NE, building permit for 18-unit apartment on site downsized in 2015

3. CHRS Zoning Committee meets at 7:30pm, Kirby House, 420 10^th Street, SE, first floor.

Saturday, October 15

1. Payne Community Fall Festival, 10:30am – 1:30pm at Payne Elementary, 1445 C Street, SE. Free event: Bouncy Houses (please have children wear socks), Face Painting, Chili, Food Trucks, Bake Sale, East City Bookshop, DC Library, Balance Gym, Pumpkin Decorating, Pumpkin Sale, Science Activities.  Canned food donations for DC Central Kitchen accepted for entrance.  Event is outdoors and will occur rain or shine.  Contact: events@payneelementary.com

Sunday, October 16

CHRS House Expo, 10 am – 4pm, Eastern Market North Hall.  CHRS will hold a free House Expo at the Eastern Market North Hall, featuring over 30 home service exhibitors:  architects, contractors and interior designers, roofers, ironworkers, electricians and handymen, landscapers, window specialists, solar installers, tuck-pointers, HVAC experts, home inspectors, mold & termite contractors, home security professionals and historic researchers.

 

Some Surprises in Over-all Look at Capitol Hill’s PSA 107/108 Crime Stats for Past Nine Years

by Larry Janezich

A look at the year-by-year October to October crime statistics for PSAs 107 and 108 which encompass the area from 2nd Street east of the Capitol Building to RFK lying on each side of East Capitol for the past nine years shows some surprising results:

Homicides are rare, but occur with nearly equal frequency in PSA 107 and PSA 108.

Sex abuse crimes occur more frequently in PSA108 and are trending upward there.  (Sex abuse is broadly defined to cover incidences of inappropriate touching.)

Robberies where no gun is involved occur more frequently in PSA 107 – likely owing to the commercial corridors along Pennsylvania Avenue, Barracks Row, and near Eastern Market.

Robberies with guns occur with nearly equal frequency in PSA 107 and PSA 108.

Assaults without a gun are far more frequent in PSA 108, possibly owing to disputes between students at or near Eastern High School as well as domestic violence in the primarily residential area.

Assaults with a gun occur rarely, but twice as frequently in PSA 108.

During the period examined, PSA 107 has had about 17% fewer violent crime than PSA 108

Burglaries occur at similar rates in the two PSAs – PSA 107 has had about 9% more, but burglaries are trending downward in both PSAs.

Far more opportunity crimes – thefts and thefts from autos – occur in PSA 107.  Thefts include packages, bikes, clothing, and phones – again, likely owing to the commercial corridors.

A lot of autos are stolen and they occur at nearly the same frequency in both PSAs.

Arson is rare and – during the period examined – occurred exclusively in PSA 108.

In the past nine years, PSA 107 has had about 36% more property crime than PSA 108.

Drug crimes – which don’t show up in statistics until an arrests is made – are not tracked on the MPD Crime maps.  MPD’s Public Information Office occasionally issues an activity report whenever the Narcotic Enforcement Unit, Gun Recovery Unit, and Criminal Interdiction Unit announce recent arrests in the District.

The MPD Crime Map website where crimes reported to MPD can be tracked according to a variety of geographic criteria is here:  http://crimemap.dc.gov/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Week Ahead…. ANC’s Protest of Liquor Licenses for Spike Mendelsohn Restaurants on Wednesday

by Larry Janezich

Monday, October 3

1. ANC6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00pm at Capitol Hill Medical Center/Kaiser Permanente, 700 Second St. NE (2nd & G NE).

Agenda not available at press time

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

Tuesday, October 4

1. ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 19^th and Independence, SE.

Among items on the agenda:

219 9th Street SE, addition of 2nd floor to garage

119 7th Street SE, addition to 1960’s residence

1211 Independence Avenue SE, addition of a trellis above existing garage roof deck

4 4th Street SE, Marquette University, revisions to previously approved plans

1109 D Street SE, concept/two-story garage

328 12th Street SE, special exception from the lot occupancy requirements to add a two-story rear addition to an existing one-family dwelling.

2. ANC6C Parks & Events Committee meets at 7:00pm at Capitol Hill Medical Center/Kaiser Permanente, 700 Second St. NE (2nd & G NE).

Agenda not available at press time

3. ANC6C Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee meets at 7:00pm at Capitol Hill Medical Center/Kaiser Permanente, 700 Second St. NE (2nd & G NE)

Among items on the agenda:

712 8th Street, NE– for variances from nonconforming structure requirements202.2, the lot occupancy requirements, and the rear yard requirements to construct a rear deck addition to an existing one-family dwelling.

220 L Street, NE (aka 1109 Congress Street) – Revised application requesting approval of a consolidated PUD and related zoning map for property located at 220 L Street, NE and 1109-15 Congress Street, NE. The Property is currently improved with two structures, which will be replaced with a new mixed-use building comprised of residential uses and production, distribution, and repair (“PDR”) space. The PUD will provide approximately 59,254 square feet of residential use (including penthouse space) and approximately 3,580 square feet of PDR uses. Of the total residential gross floor area, the Applicant will dedicate 8%, or 4,740 square feet, to inclusionary zoning units, or approximately five units. The Applicant will devote two IZ units to households earning up to 50% of the area medium income (“AMI”); the remaining three units will be set aside for 80% AMI households.

1200 3rd Street, NE/Central Armature Works (ZC 16-09) – Application  for approval of a consolidated PUD and PUD-related map amendment in order to construct a mixed-use development including retail, hotel and residential uses. The proposed PUD includes approximately 50,000 square feet of retail, 200 hotel rooms, and 650 residential units, including approximately 50 affordable units. The project will have a maximum height of 120 feet.   Approximately 353 parking spaces, including 60 hotel valet spaces, will be provided on-site.

400 Florida Ave. NE – Application of for approval of a consolidated PUD and related zoning map amendment.

The Applicant proposes to raze the existing structures in connection with redevelopment of the Property to construct a new mixed-use building composed of residential and hotel uses. The PUD will include a total of approximately 98,836 square feet of residential use (110 units, plus or minus 10%) and approximately 65,540 square feet of hotel use (164 rooms). Of the total residential gross floor area, the Applicant will dedicate six percent to households earning up to 50% of the area medium income (“AMI”) and another six percent to households earning up to 80% of the AMI.

The Property is located in Ward 5, is within the boundaries of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5D, and is adjacent to the boundaries of ANC 6C.

730 & 732 3rd St. NE – Applications of Maurice Knight and Drury Tallant for concept approval for the construction of two new mirror-image two-story carriage houses

Zoning regulation amendments – Discussion of changes to regulations governing the Zoning Administrator’s discretion to allow deviations from/modifications to approved plans. Record held open for ANC 6C comments requested by ZC Chair.

1511 A St. NE – Discussion of potential BZA appeal in coordination with ANC 6A. DCRA issued a building permit this month for an 18-unit apartment house for a site downzoned in 2015 from C-2-A to R-4.

Wednesday, October 5

1. ANC6B Protest of liquor license renewal for Spike Mendelsohn Restaurants: Good Stuff Eatery, We the Pizza, and Béarnaise on the basis of trash, order and rodents. Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration Hearing at 2000 14^th Street, NW, Suite 400 South, 4^th  Case is scheduled for 1:30pm.

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

Agenda:

Review and discussion of DDOT’s signal synchronization of Pennsylvania Avenue traffic lights with Mr. Wasim Raja, project manager

Thursday, October 6

1. DC City Council Committee of the Whole Meets holds public hearing on DC Statehood – the proposed Constitution of the State of New Columbia – at 6:30pm, Room 500, in the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Those who wish to testify are asked to email the Committee of the Whole at cow@dccouncil.us, or call Evan Cash, Committee Director at (202) 724-8196, and to provide your name, address, telephone number, organizational affiliation and title (if any) by close of business Tuesday, October 2, 2016. Persons wishing to testify are encouraged, but not required, to submit 15 copies of written testimony.

2. ANC6B ABC Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center.

Among items on the agenda:

Barrel, 613 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, renewal of Class C Tavern license with entertainment and sidewalk café endorsements.

Wisdom, 1432 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, renewal of Class C Tavern license with entertainment and sidewalk café endorsements.

The Capitol Lounge, 229 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, renewal of Class C Tavern license with entertainment, dancing, summer garden, and sidewalk café endorsements.

Capitol Hill Tandoor & Grill, 419 8th Street SE, renewal of Class C Restaurant license (continued from May 2016).

Report on the Status of ANC 6B License Renewal Protests: Good Stuff, Béarnaise, and We the Pizza; Hank’s on the Hill; and Ambar.

3. ANC6C Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00 pm at Capitol Hill Medical Center/Kaiser Permanente, 700 Second St. NE (2nd & G NE).

Agenda not available at press time.

4. PSA 107 meets at 7:00pm, Southeast Library, lower level, with Lt. James Black.

5. Friends of Southeast Library, (FOSEL) meet at 5:30pm, Southeast Library, lower level. Anyone interested in joining FOSEL (primary activity is supporting Southeast Library by helping to set up and take down the almost-monthly used book sale) is invited to attend.

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

Monday, September 26

(Rescheduled)

ANC6A Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at Maury Elementary School, 1250 Constitution Avenue, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Newly proposed DDOT Residential Permit Parking (RPP) program regulations.

http://ddot.dc.gov/release/ddot-announces-proposed-rulemaking-revise-residentialpermit-parking-rpp-program

Request to connect 808 Massachusetts Avenue to Constitution Avenue via rear driveway

Retaining wall and fence for 1400 C Street, NE

Truck traffic on 11th Street NE

Tuesday, September 27

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

Wednesday, September 28

The Capitol Hill Restoration Society will host Matthew Gilmore’s presentation, “Missing Bones: Exploring Washington’s Lost Cemeteries” at 7 p.m. in the Chapel at the Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE. Matthew is an independent scholar who specializes in the history of Washington, DC and the metro area.  With expertise in urban planning, cartography and GIS, library science, information systems, and photography, he has published several books and articles on a wide variety of topics related to DC history.  Open to the public, no reservation required.

Saturday, October 1

Book Sale sponsored by Friends of Northeast Library – at Northeast Library – 10:00am until 1:00pm.  All funds go to support the library.

“Found on The Hill”- Purveyor of Found Objects – Opens Saturday Near Eastern Market

by Larry Janezich

The latest venture of Ari Gejdenson, founder of Mindful Restaurant Group (Acqua AL 2, Ghibellina, Harry black, Sotto, and Denson) is the marketing of a collection of curious items and furniture originally purchased as design and aesthetic elements for the restaurant group.

“Found on the Hill” opens at 11:00am on Saturday, September 24, at 323 7^th Street, SE – a space occupied until recently by Criston Mize’s custom furniture design and construction outlet, “septcarrés septième rue” (Seven Squares Seventh Street).  That venture was also the brainchild of Gejdenson, and the reason for the transition from “septcarres” to the new venture is not entirely clear, though the assertion that “Found” will market made-to-order items hints at a continuing relationship.

A press release from the Mindful Restaurant Group notes, “The store is a mix of ‘found’ objects, think vintage fans, old radios, and unique lighting fixtures, and pre-owned furniture, as well as some made to order items. Many of the chairs, bar stools and such from the restaurants are made specifically for them, and can be produced on a made-to-order basis for homes as well.”

For now, “Found” will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-6pm.

For the CHC post on “septecarres” see here:  http://bit.ly/2bvRQyj

City Agency Oks Concentration of Substance Abuse Recovery Facilities in Hill East

by Larry Janezich

On Tuesday, the Board of Zoning Adjustment denied ANC6B’s appeal of the city’s sanctioning of a Hill East substance abuse recovery facility located 400 feet from another larger facility (CAG) which will provide the same services in the coming weeks.  Both are located in Hill East on the 15^th Street commercial corridor, surrounded by a residential neighborhood, with a 24/7 7-Eleven convenience store and a liquor store between them.

The question of concentration as such was not before the BZA.  Mayor Bowser told ANC Commissioner Chander Jayaraman during her walk in Hill East last week, that it is not within the city’s capacity to approve or deny a certificate of occupancy to any business that meets the “internal requirements.”  The issue before the BZA was a technicality over whether the Andromeda Recovery Center should be defined as an “office” or a “medical office” – the straw the ANC had grasped at to challenge the planting of the Andromeda treatment center in Hill East.  (It didn’t really matter – Andromeda could have opened up as a matter of right under either definition but would have had another bureaucratic hurdle if defined as a medical office.)

The appeal was denied by a vote of 4 – 1.

Zoning Commission Chair Anthony Hood – who also chairs the DC Zoning Commission – said he thought the ANC had a valid point, and the regulations should be clarified.  He said would take the matter back to the Zoning Commission and speculated on the need for more specific language in the regulations, and  said, “We’ll see where we go.”

What Chairman Hood should take back to the Commission is the question of what changes in the Zoning Code are necessary to address the concentration of substance abuse facilities in residential neighborhoods and what can the Zoning Commission do to assure that community responsibility of hosting substance abuse recovery facilities is shared equally throughout the city.  That’s unlikely to happen.

For their part, health providers who receive city and federal funds for providing mental health and substance abuse recovery programs locate where their clients are or where their clients can get to easily on public transportation.  According to Ms. Phyllis Jones, Chief of Staff of DC Behavioral Health, 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 Andromeda center serves clients from Wards 6, 7, and 8, who previously had to travel to Andromeda facilities on 14th Street, NW; one third of Andromeda’s clients reside in those three wards.

Mayor Bowser has said she will ask the Department of Behavioral Health to work with the community to achieve a written community agreement with two Hill East substance abuse treatment facilities – CAG and Andromeda – regarding community concerns. (See here:  http://bit.ly/2cES19Z

The appeal was shepherded through the bureaucratic appeal process by ANC6B Commissioner Chander Jayaraman, who maintained throughout that the issue is not the facility itself – despite the unhappiness of the residential neighbors in immediate proximity – but the close proximity to another substance abuse facility offering similar services.

Asked for comment, Jayaraman said, “The Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) voted to deny ANC 6B’s Appeal…I believe that they were swayed by the existing regulations that a clinic or a medical facility is allowed by right in a C-2-A zone as well as testimony from the applicant stating the limited size of their operations (limited to 20 clients) at the 201 15th Street and the low level services they would offer including “wrap-around” services.

However, the BZA did recognize ANC 6B’s contention that a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Facility more closely aligns under a “Medical” use category as opposed to “Office-General.” … While I am not satisfied with the outcome of the decision, I was pleased that the Chair intends to bring this issue before the Zoning Commission and to seek a way to address the lack of clarity in both the 1958 Zoning Regulations and the current Zoning Regulation-16. On a broader policy level, I intend to testify before the City Council to advocate for the addition of legislative language that requires the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) to notify and request the opinion of the ANC at the time of application by SUD providers.”

ANC6B will have four substance abuse/mental health recovery facilities – two located at the intersection of 8th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, and the two in Hill East.  One of the Hill East facilities – CAG, near the intersection of 15th and Independence, currently resides at 13th and Pennsylvania, but will relocate to the new location in the coming weeks.

For previous posts on the Andromeda facility, see here: http://bit.ly/2a3jPUq

 

 

The Week Ahead…..

by Larry Janezich

Monday, September 19

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

Among items on the agenda:

Newly proposed DDOT Residential Permit Parking (RPP) program regulations.  See here: http://bit.ly/2cIUn5O

Request to connect 808 Massachusetts Avenue to Constitution Avenue via rear driveway.

Truck traffic on 11th Street, NE.

Tuesday, September 20

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

Among items on the agenda:

Discussion of request by Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar (1104 H Street, NE) for changes to its current Settlement Agreement.

2. Community Meeting on Rewrite of Zoning Regulations, co-hosted by ANC6B Chair Kirsten Oldenburg and ANC6B Co-chair Nick Burger, at 7:00pmat Hill Center. Presentation summarizing changes by the DC Office of Planning.  Panel discussion with with Jennifer Fowler, Fowler Architects; Sarah Davidson, Insight Property Group; and Gary Peterson, CHRS.

3. CHRS Board of Directors meets a 6:30pm, Capitol Hill Townhomes, 750 6^th Street, SE.

Wednesday, September 21

1. ANC6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm at Sherwood Recreation Center, 640 10^th Street, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

1511 A Street, NE: Request of neighbors of 1500 Block A NE and Unit Blocks of 15th and 16th NE for ANC sponsorship of a BZA appeal.

313 11th Street, NE.  Application for a special exception to construct a two-story garage with accessory apartment in the RF-1 Zone.

543 Tennessee Avenue, NE.  Application for a special exception to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing one-family dwelling in the RF-1 Zone.

808 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.  Application of owner to connect the rear of his property to Constitution Avenue through construction of a driveway.

1341 H Street, NE.  Application for a special exception to construct a mixed-use building in the NC-14 Zone.

H Street Overlay Amendment: Proposed H Street Overlay regulations amendment to clarify preservation requirements to protect buildings from being razed while still claiming preservation and to result in more consistent application of regulations.

Emerald Street Historic District: Request by residents to make Emerald Street, NE a historic district.

2. PSA 106 meets at 7:00pm, 200 Eye Street, SE. Since this is a public vuilding, ID will be required for admittance.

On the agenda:  Discussion of synthetic drugs with MPD Lt. Christopher Avery.

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

Among items on the agenda:

Elections Committee Report: Chuck Burger

Report on Marketing /promotions committee: Chuck Burger

Hine Update

Market Managers Report

Status of the Leases

Capital Improvements Report

Tenant’s Council Report

Thursday, September 22

1. The Watkins School Modernization Community Meeting – 6:00pm – Elliot-Hine auditorium, 1830 Constitution Avenue, NE. contact:  tuch@dc.gov

2. Community Connections sponsors a Health Fare in the park at 8th and D Street, SE, from 10:00am until 2:00pm, as part of National Recovery Month. The event will feature food and vendors, according to organizers.

Saturday, September 24

1. Barracks Row Festival, 11:00am – 5:00pm

ANC6B Squares Off Against Department of General Services (DGS) on Watkins School Design

by Larry Janezich

ANC6B wanted to hear directly from DGS why the Commission was not brought into the historic preservation design review for Watkins School at a point where they could have some input instead of after the deal was done and all they could do was rubber stamp the plan.

DGS Project Manager Greg Benson showed up for the meeting with ANC Tuesday night, apparently believing that a good offense is the best defense.  He was accompanied by Perkins Eastman Architect/consultant Sean O’Donnell, who was tasked with explaining why the ANC didn’t need to be consulted. O’Donnell went to some lengths to demonstrate the extent of community input on the Watkins School renovation project.  Then he told the ANC that since the building was being done as a matter of right, HPO says DGS is not required to contact the ANC for review citing language from the agencies’ “Notice to Advisory Neighborhood Commissions”

He would have been better served by remembering that even when you are going to have your way with the ANC, you have to at least pay lip service to them.

Commissioner Denise Krepp, expressed the sentiment of the entire Commission:  “I’m not going to have DGS tell us we don’t have a role in the review of this project.”

She cited the opening paragraph in the “Notice to Advisory Neighborhood Commissions”:  “HPO and HPRB welcome and encourage ANC participation in historic preservation review process.  HPRG gives great weight to duly adopted written ANC views on matters of significance to neighborhood planning and development.”

Benson, silent until then but realizing O’Donnell had wandered onto this ice, quickly spoke up, saying, “We’re not saying that at all.  We came here at your request to show we’re not trying to skip over you.”

But the presentation tonight and before ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee on September 6, contradicted his words.

Last week, the DGS presentation before the Committee appeared to be an afterthought – and given the lack of detail and depth in that presentation, clearly reflected the attitude of casual indifference with which some city agencies treat ANC opinion.

Tuesday night, in attempting to be transparent, DGS made a presentation that raised additional questions, including how long the current design concept had been available (most members of the community had never seen the latest design before a posting on CHC last week), whether the public engagement had been adequate, the possibility of a full court gymnasium, and the health hazards associated with the use of polycarbonate windows for the site.  This, in turn, demonstrated how the community could have been better served by earlier involvement of the ANC.

Commissioner Jim Loots suggested what appeared to him to be DGS’ operating principle: “It’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission.”  Loots told the DGS reps:  “It’s absurd to assert you don’t have to go before the ANC unless the ANC reaches out and then to say, if ANC does reach out, HPO has to give the ANC opinion great weight.

Loots continued, “I’m disappointed.  The community was involved on a lot of issues – all important, but not historic preservation issues.  Projects need to come before ANC in design phase.  Especially in a non-conforming building in the historic district.”

ANC6B Vice Chair Nick Burger was willing to give DGS a qualified benefit of the doubt – having little choice.  He said one of the goals of tonight’s presentation was aimed at getting the clarification on the project the ANC needs.  But the other was “to send a clear signal what we expect in the future.”

An unenthusiastic ANC voted to approve the design concept, 5 – 0 with four abstentions.  That vote was followed by a 9 – 0 vote in support of sending DGS and DCPS a letter that ANC6B expects to be notified of any further developments in ANC6B in a timely manner, and to express concerns about the lack of notification on the Watkins project.

For the CHC post on Planning and Zoning Committee protest on DGS’ failure to notify, go here: http://bit.ly/2bZCXml

For photos of the design concept, go here:  http://bit.ly/2cCc7za

Photos – Mayor’s  Hill East Walkabout/Support for Community Agreement on CAG and Adromeda

by Larry Janezich

After touring Hill East on foot yesterday, Mayor Bowser said she will ask the Department of Behavioral Health to work with the community to achieve a written community agreement with two Hill East substance abuse treatment facilities – CAG and Andromeda – regarding community concerns.

ANC Commissioner Jayaraman, who has taken the lead on trying to mitigate the impact of the facilities on the community told CHC, “I appreciate the Mayor facilitating negotiations between the community and Andromeda.  The battle was never about Andromeda, but concentration of recovery facilities in the neighborhood.  The Mayor says it is not within the city’s capacity to approve or deny any provider that meets Department of Behavioral Health internal requirements.  But the community is worried about their external impact.   To the extent that we have her support it goes a long way toward satisfying community concerns – especially loitering and littering.”  As one example, he pointed to the No Smoking within 25 feet of the facility signs outside Andromeda, which, he says, pushes smokers and the consequent littering into the nearby residential areas.  Jayaraman said it would be better for Andromeda to have a confined smoking area that can be maintained.

Asked for comment on the Mayor’s walk, ANC Commissioner Denise Krepp said:  “The Mayor’s community walk-about in Hilleast this afternoon was an impressive examination of community problems ranging from broken sidewalks, traffic, vacant buildings, trash, and crime.”

“Mayor Bowser ended the walk-about with a thorough summary of get-backs and I’m confident that the mayor’s folks will complete the assigned tasks in a timely manner to the community’s satisfaction.  These assigned tasks include adding trash cans and traffic calming measures; increased assistance from DCRA; new community agreement with Andromeda; and examination of next steps regarding the Boys and Girls Club property.” Supports Community Agreement on CAG and Andromeda