Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Week Ahead…Thinking of Going Solar?  See Wednesday.

by Larry Janezich

Monday, July 11

1. ANC 6D meets at 7:00pm, 1100 4th St. SW,  DCRA 2nd floor meeting room

Among items on the agenda:

Buzzard Point health & stadium update

DC United infrastructure & utilities traffic control plan

Friends of Randall update

Proposed Bike Lanes: New Jersey Ave. SE

2. Community meeting to review revised plans for the apartment renovation at 626 E Street, SE. The full ANC6B will be considering the matter at its July 12 meeting. Developers will present their revised plans for community review and comment at an informal meeting Monday July 11, 2016 at 7:00 pm, at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop 545 Seventh Street SE

Tuesday, July 12

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

Among items on the agenda:

(Consent Calendar) Capitol Courts (Part 1), 1230 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE: Sassan Ghari, architect/developer.  [Note: the 1229 E Street, SE, (Shotgun House) portion of this historic preservation application will be discussed and voted on during tonight’s regular business meeting.

Alcohol beverage license renewals for:   Ted’s Bulletin, 505 8th Street SE and Matchbox, 517 8th Street, SE.

Beuchert’s Saloon, 623 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, substantial change for new sidewalk café with seating for six.

S.E. Market, 1500 Independence Avenue SE, substantial change in hours of operation, sales and consumption.

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

507 8th Street, SE, concept/visible 2-story addition on 2-story contributing warehouse building: Michael Oxman, architect

Capitol Courts (Part 2), 1229 E Street, SE, (Shotgun House): Sassan Ghari, architect/developer

Status Report on ANC6B’s Bureau of Zoning Adjustment Appeal on Andromena Substance Abuse and Mental Health Recovery Clinic at 15^th and Massachusetts, SE.

2. PSA 104 meets at 7:00pm, at J.O. Wilson Elementary School, 660 K Street, NE.

Agenda:

Open forum neighbor to police discussion on what’s important to residents in safety and security.

Wednesday, July 13

1. Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C meets at 7 pm, Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Toscana Cafe, 601 2nd Street N.E., change from class D to class C restaurant (adds spirits).

Park at 5th and I Streets N.E.—design, construction, maintenance.

Stuart Hobson field activity.

XO, 15 K Street N.E., application for sidewalk café.

1005 North Capitol Street NE, application for new residential construction including bike racks, landscaping, and canopy.

300 8th Street NE, revised historic preservation application to demolish structure and build four-story residential building with penthouse.

301-333 N Street, NE, revised application, consolidated PUD and PUD-related map amendment.

Proposed legislation: DCRA fine increase amendment; vacant property; homeowner protection from construction damage.

Wunder Garten, update.

Omnibus Amendment of 2016 governing ANCs.

2. Solar Energy Bulk Purchase Informational Meeting at SE Library. Neighbors in Lincoln Park and across D.C. are forming a co-op with the help of DC SUN to make it easier to save money on the purchase of solar panels and build a community interested in solar.  An informational meeting about solar energy and how the co-op simplifies the process of going solar while providing a discount through its bulk purchasing power. You DON’T have to live inthe Lincoln Park community to be a part of the co-op.

6:30pm-8:30pm, SE Library, 403 7^th Street, SE.RSVP Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/july-lincoln-park-solar-co-op-info-session-tickets-26101504302

Thursday, July 14

1. ANC6A will meet at 7:00pm. NOTE CHANGE IN LOCATION:  The meeting will be held Sherwood Recreation Center, 640 10th Street, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Recommendation: The ANC take no action with regard to H Street Country Club’s request to change its hours of live entertainment to allow entertainment through 1:00 am Sunday through Thursday.

Recommendation: ANC 6A write a letter to DDOT requesting that they evaluate the 400 block of 17th Street NE to see if it would be safe to have parking on the street.

Recommendation: ANC 6A write a letter to DDOT requesting that conduct a traffic-calming assessment for the 200 block of 10th Street, NE.

Recommendation: ANC 6A write a letter to the BZA in support of 1111 H Street, NE, on condition of the removal of the rear yard relief request, provided that it is acceptable to the neighbors at 1115 H Street, the developer contribute $20,000 to the to pay for a mural designed by the condo association, and a security camera is provided by the owners of 1111 H Street to the condo association at 1115 H Street.

Recommendation: ANC 6A write a letter of support for a special exception to allow Halal Guys to operate at 814 H Street, NE, provided the applicant makes best efforts to reach out and provide letters of support to be submitted before the ANC meeting and subject to the following conditions: 1. the backyard will not be usable by customers, 2. the applicant will not use any public space, 3. the applicant will provide a trash receptacle in front of the building, 4. the applicant will make all deliveries via numbered side streets, 5. trash and grease will be kept in a covered, enclosed container in the backyard, 6. the applicant will provide re-usable utensils, and 7. the applicant will vent exhaust through the front of the establishment.

2. CHRS Zoning Committee meets at 7:30pm, Kirby House, 420 10th Street, SE.

Friday, July 15

1. Fundraiser Benefitting Eastern High School Students – “All White with a Touch of Sky Blue!” Featured Entertainment:  Comedian Billy the Kid w/ Music From Lissen Band and DJ Rough

8pm –12am Location: The Ukrainian, 4250 Harewood Road, NE, Washington, DC.  Tickets”  $60 – Includes Membership Dues & Catered Buffet, w/no corkage fee BYOB

For tickets contact EHSAA President James Thomas ‘82: (202) 258-7020.  All Ticket Proceeds Fund EHS Student Scholarships.

Work Starts on 49 Unit Condo Project at 11^th and I Streets, SE – Latest Rendering

by Larry Janezich

Work started July 1 on Madison Investment’s new built-as-matter-of-right residential building planned for 900 11^th  Street, SE, across the street from Ginko Gardens.  Madison plans units which will average 870 square feet – with 40% to 50% of them aimed at a two-bedroom family lifestyle market.  Ten percent of the square footage of the project (4 – 6 units) will fall in the affordable category, under inclusionary zoning requirements.   The project will provide 7 street-level parking spaces, an additional 23 spaces in a partly underground garage, and 26 bike spaces.  The most recent elevation of the project is featured above.

For more on this project and to see how the design has changed, see the CHC post here: http://bit.ly/29lFOr6

Urban Turf has published an overview of 14 residential projects on Capitol Hill and Hill East planned or currently under construction which will deliver a total of 1267 additional residential units.  See here:  http://bit.ly/29o3s0r

At Last – Non-Food Retail Coming to Barracks Row

Woman’s Exercise Apparel Outlet Will Focus on Green Brands

by Larry Janezich

Summit to Soul, a women’s fitness and lifestyle boutique will open by the end of July according to founder Kimberly Wattrick.  The retail space at 727 8^th Street on Barracks Row was formerly the home of Capitol Hill Sporting Goods which closed recently after 13 years.

Summit To Soul is a Washington, DC, based boutique that provides high-quality women’s fitness and yoga apparel and gear.  The store is committed to carrying only eco-friendly, sustainably-sourced, or Made in USA products.  Those brands include:  Beyond Yoga, Onzie, Wear It To Heart/WITH, Rese, Coeur, United By Blue, Manchuka, and Oiselle.

Wattrick said she chose to open on Barracks Row because she “lives on Capitol Hill and loves the community and saw a need for a women’s apparel outlet.”  After the store launches she has plans for Summit To Soul sponsored community events such as free run clubs and fitness groups.

Wattrick is a long time DC resident, a former collegiate tennis player and avid exercise enthusiast.  After a career in socially responsible investing, she founded Summit To Soul in 2015.   She received her BA from Georgetown University and an MA in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins SAIS, where she won a national business plan competition for sustainable business practices.  For more information on product lines, see the store’s website here: https://www.summittosoul.com/

Capitol Hill residents who have been pining for non-restaurant retail to return to 8^th Street will undoubtedly welcome the news.  In addition to Capitol Hill Sporting Goods, two other “real” retail stores on the block closed recently:  Homebody lost its lease to make way for Pineapple and Pearls – Aaron Silverstein’s high end, $250 fixed price companion restaurant for Rose’s Luxury – and City Bikes closed earlier this year because of an increase in rent.   Barracks Row has struggled to attract retail on a commercial corridor where some landlords hold out for higher rents only food and drink establishments can afford.  As word spreads of the clout of the well-organized nearby neighbors who have been successful in requiring new restaurants to meet best operating practices, these landlords may be waiting for a while.

 

Vandals Damage/Destroy Capitol Hill School Art Work at Hine Development Site

by Larry Janezich

Over the holiday weekend, vandals damaged or destroyed at least eight paintings which were part of a Capitol Hill schools’ art project featured on the construction fence surrounding the Hine development site.  A sharp instrument was used to slash the canvas paintings.  In most cases, the remnants of fabric were left hanging, attached to the frame.  In the case of the the painting from River Park Nursery, a large piece of canvas was completely removed.  Where possible, the pieces have been repaired.  The vandalized art includes the works from St. Coletta, Tyler School, Hill Preschool, St. Peter School, River Park Nursery, Peabody Elementary, Miner Elementary and Capitol Hill Day School.  27 schools participated in the art project which opened on September 29, 2015.

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

Monday, July 4

1.Independence Day Parade on Barracks Row.  10:00 am

Tuesday, July 5

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

Among items on the agenda:

1101 Pennsylvania Avenue SE – (Frager’s), construction public space plan

420 12th Street, SE – Watkins Elementary School, public space plan in connection with Watkins school renovations

Capitol Hill Squash Club, 218 D Street, SE – Application of Capitol Hill Squash Club Associates for a special exception to use the second floor of a building as a group instruction (exercise) studio in the CAP/R-4 District

622-624 North Carolina Avenue, SE – Application of Kenneth A. Golding, for variances from the penthouse height requirements and special exceptions from the apartment house expansion requirements and the penthouse setback requirements and expand an existing apartment house in the R-4 District.

626 E Street, SE – façade alterations to non-contributing 3-story apartment building

507 8th Street, SE – (Shakespeare), concept/visible 2-story addition on 2-story contributing warehouse building

411 New Jersey Avenue, SE – (National Democratic Club), new construction

Capitol Courts, 1229 E Street SE & 1230 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE – Historic Preservation Application

2. ANC 6C Parks and Events Committee meets at 7:00 pm, at Kaiser-Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, 700 2^nd Street, NE

Among items on the agenda:

Park at 5^th and I Streets, NE – Discussion with Insight Property Group, LLC, concerning the design, construction schedule, administration and maintenance of the improvements at the National Park Service park at 5^th and I Streets, NE

3. Capitol Hill Restoration Society Historic Preservation Committee meets at 6:30pm, Kirby House, 420 10^th Street, SE.

Wednesday, July 6

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

Among items on the agenda:

Review of DDOT Proposed Rulemaking on Red Top Meters

Status Report on MPD Efforts to Reduce Red-light Running at the intersection of Kentucky/Potomac Avenues & 15^th/C Streets (tentative)

Letter to DDOT Requesting Closure of the 2^nd Street, SE, alignment under the SE/SW Freeway at Garfield Park

2. ANC6C Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee meets at 7:00pm at Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, 700 Second Street NE.

Among items on the agenda:

300 8^th Street, NE – Revised application of Community Three Development, LLC, to demolish existing noncontributing structure and for concept approval to construct a new four-story residential building with penthouse.

301-331 N street, NE– Revised application of Foulger-Pratt Development, LLC for approval of a consolidated PUD and a PUD-related map amendment to facilitate the development of 301-331 N Street, NE, for a mixed-use project. The Applicant proposes to develop the property into a project of two integrated buildings with a mix of uses. The east building will contain residential and ground floor retail uses, and the west building will contain residential, hotel, office, and ground-floor retail uses. In total, the project will contain approximately 366 residential units, approximately 175 hotel rooms, and approximately 250 underground parking spaces. The overall floor area ratio of the project will be approximately 6.65, and the maximum building height will be 120 feet.

Proposed legislation – Discussion of:

1. the DCRA Infractions Fine Increase Regulation Amendment Act of 2015;
2. the Vacant and Blighted Buildings Enforcement Amendment Act of 2015;
3. the Vacant Property Enforcement Amendment Act of 2016; and
4. the Homeowners Protection from Construction Damage Amendment Act of 2016.

Thursday, July 7

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

Among items on the agenda:

Ted’s Bulletin, 505 8^th Street, SE – Renewal of Class C Restaurant license

Matchbox, 517 8^th Street, SE – Renewal of Class C Restaurant license

Beuchert’s Saloon, 623 Pennsylvania Avenue SE – Substantial change for new sidewalk café with seating for six.

S.E. Market, 1500 Independence Avenue, SE – Substantial change in hours of operation, sales and consumption.

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

2. PSA 107 meets at 7:00pm in Southeast Library, lower level.
3. Friends of Southeast Library, FOSEL, meet at 5:30pm, lower level.

 

First Images for New Shotgun House and Capitol Courts’ Micro Apartments on PA Ave SE

by Larry Janezich

Thursday night, Sassan Gharai of SGA Architects met with neighbors of the Shotgun House and the space currently occupied by Frager’s Garden Center in the 1200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, to reveal the preliminary concepts for development of those sites.

Gharai, developer of nearby Butterfield House, has a Historic Preservation Application before DC’s Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) for “Capitol Courts” – a 119 unit mixed use development for the north side of the 1200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, and the restoration and development of the Shotgun House at 1229 E Street, SE.  The projects are being presented as a package to the HPRB, though they are technically two separate projects.

Some 100 of the 119 units will be 400 square foot “junior bedrooms” – there will be a few one bedrooms and larger units.  The junior bedrooms will rent for $1200 a month with a minimum six month lease.  The units will be marketed to a “young crowd” and will be semi-furnished, with a bed, sofa, and coffee table.  “It’s a different way of living,” Gharai said, adding that “the rooms will essentially be glorified hotel rooms, with tiny, tiny, tiny, kitchens.”

The plan for Capitol Courts includes 5,000 square feet on the ground floor Southeast corner of the project, for a specialty foods and deli outlet featuring principally prepared food.  Gharai said he doesn’t want a restaurant because they’re “not clean and generate trash.”  He said he is talking with a new start up – Street Market & Café – as a possible tenant for the retail space.  See here:  http://streetsmarketcafe.com/

The four story apartment building would rise to 50 feet, plus a penthouse “party area” featuring entertainment for the tenants including television, a pool table, ping pong, a lounge, and a wading pool to facilitate cooling off for sunbathers.  The penthouse level will also feature bedrooms which can be rented to accommodate tenant’s guests.

There will be 21 underground and surface parking spaces, a bike room, and car sharing program.  Management will encourage renters not to own cars and Gharai anticipates banning renters from applying for Residential Parking Permits.  (Update: by making no RPP a condition of the lease)  Access to parking will also allow E Street neighbors to have new first time access to their back yards means of an easement Gharai will provide those residents.

SGA hopes to break ground in the spring of 2017.  John Weintraub, owner of Frager’s Hardware, said last night that the new Frager’s Hardware store across Pennsylvania Avenue will not be available until mid-2018 and he has not yet found a place to relocate the Garden Center.

The plan for the Shotgun House anticipates creation of two separate units which, unlike the apartments in Capitol Courts, will be sold.

SGA Architects plan to move the Shotgun House over to abut the adjacent house to the west.  The front 26 feet of the house will be preserved –  dismantled, reconstructed with “custom milled siding and a hand-crimped tin roof and custom windows.”  The restored Shotgun House will be one unit, and two-story extension in the rear will constitute the second unit.

Gharai said he hopes to start on the Shotgun House before the end of the year, if HPRB signs off on it and permits can be obtained.

ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee will consider the Historic Preservation Applications of the two projects next Tuesday at its July meeting at 7:00pm, at St. Coletta’s.  The full ANC6B will then consider the HPAs at their monthly meeting on July 12, at 7:00pm at Hill Center.  These two meetings may be the only opportunities for the community to weigh in on the design elements of the projects.  Since the Capitol Courts is being built as a “matter of right,” no zoning changes will be required that will bring the project to back before the ANC regarding issues pertaining to height, massing, density, or light.

For previous CHC post on development of the Shotgun House and the Pennsylvania Avenue site, go here:  http://bit.ly/28NQ7Cg

Hill East Residents Vent About Open Air Drug Market & Gunfight at 17^th and Independence

MPD Chief Lanier Promises Action

by Larry Janezich

Wednesday night, some 50 Hill East residents, called together by ANC6B Commissioner Denise Krepp, met yet again at St. Coletta of Greater Washington to talk about crime.  Present last night were MPD Chief of Police Cathy Lanier, top brass from MPD District 1, Doug Klein from the US Attorney’s office, Santha Sonenberg from the DC Attorney General’s office, Council Member Charles Allen, and ANC Commissioners Krepp, Kirsten Oldenburg, Chander Jayaraman, Daniel Chao, Daniel Ridge, Nick Burger, and Calvin Ward.

The overwhelming concern of those attending was what residents called an open air drug market at 17^th and Independence, the scene of a semi-automatic gunfight early last Sunday morning between a group of young men hanging out at the intersection and another group of young males in a car which stopped at the scene.  A witness’s verbal description indicated that as many as 20 to 30 shots could have been exchanged.  One minor injury to a female bystander was reported along with considerable property damage.

Residents living nearby related their on-going experiences with those who they say are selling drugs on the corner but who live outside the District.  It is these visitors residents blame for the series of violent incidents that have occurred at the intersection and they want to know why police can’t prevent people from hanging out on the block.  One resident said the police are taking the problem too lightly.

Chief Lanier denied police are taking the issue lightly, and says that MPD faces a Constitutional rights hurdle prohibiting police from requiring those who loiter at the intersection to move elsewhere.  She said that some individuals had been arrested multiple times and that efforts of plain clothes officers against the alleged drug dealers would continue.  “I will make sure our team takes action,” Lanier said, “we know who the players are.”

Lanier believes that that we need to take a look at the criminal justice system.  She told residents that 50 of the most violent repeat offenders who are on the street today in DC have a total of 857 arrests among them.  Some 35 of the 50 are out serving part of their sentences in the community.

Krepp asked, “Why aren’t they in jail?’

Lanier responded, “You’re asking the wrong person.  My cops ask me that every day and I’ve got to get them out and on the streets.”

Residents near the intersection expressed their frustration.  One property owner who said she had lived in the neighborhood for forty years criticized the police for the way they “engage” the drug dealers, alleging that on the night of the recent shooting, police spent two hours talking to those hanging out at the corner “like they were friends” before being called away to another incident.  The shooting last weekend, she said, happened after police left.

The same longtime resident added, “They don’t respect your officers.  People are out there drinking alcohol.  I’m sorry [the police] are not doing their jobs.  I believe the officers are scared of them because they have bigger guns than the police.  None of them live on the block.  I lived there 40 years.  I grew up there and I know them.”

Another resident told police that the drug market used to be low-key and tolerable.  “Now, there are shots fired every six months.  The only thing preventing a homicide is peoples’ bad aim.  We need to focus on a long term strategy that will make clear that drugs can’t be sold with impunity on the corner.”

A third resident said that there were “so many shots [Saturday night] that I can’t believe it wasn’t a semi-automatic weapon.  It’s terrifying being awakened by gunshots – is scared the shit out of me.”

Krepp asked officials, “How do we get kids who don’t live there out?’  It turns out that there is not only no easy answer, there is no answer at all.

First District Commander Contee: “That’s the challenge.”

Chief Lanier:  We can’t tell people they can’t hang out on the block.”

Klein – “Unfortunately, there are no anti-loitering laws – they’re unconstitutional.  Police can make arrests, but they have to be there when a crime is committed.”

Krepp suggested a crime summit to bring together all city agencies to consider ways to address the problem and asked CM Allen what he thought.  Allen said that a community meeting would not solve the problem, that much of the problem was caused by the courts, and the courts had no accountability.  He suggested exploring ways to empower the community to be proactive in addressing crime issues.

Lanier says that the justice system is broken, and that before being proactive an analysis is needed to identify problems so they can be fixed.  She suggested that the first steps have been taken in the collection of data by the Mayor’s Criminal Justice Coordination Council.

Lanier’s first priority seems to be guns and getting them off the streets.  She talks about having to tell her officers who have taken guns off the streets to go back and “do it again, and do it again, and do it again” from the same people who are on the streets with new guns.  “There were 23 homicides last year by people with previous convictions for homicides who were out on the street,” she added.

Deputy US Attorney Doug Klein said that despite questions being raised about prosecution rates, the Department of Justice is processing the 350 cases it gets on a weekly basis “month after month,” and prosecuting those cases it thinks are winnable.

It may well be that the imminent opening of a 24 hour 7-11 convenience store at 15^th and Independence – two blocks west – will solve the problem for the residents at 17^th and Independence.  The outlet will offer food and drink 24/7, a natural hangout location, and a drive-through alley behind the store.  If not solved, the problem may be displaced, creating problems for a different set of neighbors.

 

To Lanier’s larger point, nothing illustrates more clearly that the criminal justice system is broken than the incarceration rate for the United States compared with other countries. According to the BBC half of the world’s prison population of about nine million is held in the US, China or Russia.

According to the Institute for Prison Policy Research, prison rates in the US are the world’s highest, at 724 people per 100,000.  In Russia the rate is 581.  Stats for the top ten incarcerating countries are as follows:

1             United States of America               2 217 947

2             China                                                  1 649 804

3             Russian Federation                          651 360

4             Brazil                                                  622 202

5             India                                                   418 536

6             Thailand                                             319 883

7             Mexico                                               255 138

8             Iran                                                     225 624

9             Turkey                                                187 609

10           Indonesia                                          180 347

Phase 1 – Barracks Row’s Iconic Lesbian Bar and Nightclub Looks Closed for Good

by Larry Janezich

From Phase 1’s Facebook page, dated February 5:  “Phase is closed until further notice.  Please check back with us for further updates. Thank you for all your patronage and support.”

On May 11, Phase 1, in response to a question posed on its Facebook page, said, “We are permanently closed.”  The LGBT press reported in February that the entire staff had been let go, and now a “For Sale or Lease” banner has appeared on the building.

Phase 1, the iconic lesbian bar and nightclub at 525 8^th Street, SE, laid claim to the distinction of being the oldest continually operating lesbian bar in the United States and the oldest operating LGBT bar in Washington, according to Wikipedia.  The bar was founded by Allen Carroll and Chris Jansen in 1970.

CHC contacted Carroll and asked him about the status of Phase 1.  Allen said, “I’m not open right now – I’m taking a break.  I don’t know what I want to do.  I’ll be 75 in November – I’ve been open 46 years.  I’ve got it up for sale or lease.”

Martin Smith, Executive Director of Barracks Row Main Street said he understood that the bar had closed some time ago and called it “Truly a disappointing loss both to the local lesbian community and to Barracks Row and the Hill overall – Phase 1 was one of the oldest businesses on 8th Street.”

Barrack’s Row formerly hosted several bars serving the gay community – most have fallen away or moved.  Bachelor’s Mill remains on lower Barracks Row near the Navy Yard.  Remington’s – a gay bar at 637-639 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, closed on April 14, 2014, after more than 30 years in business.  The adjacent buildings which were formerly Remington’s now house a Sprint outlet and a 7-11 convenience store.  See here:  http://bit.ly/294KmhF and here http://bit.ly/29b4Ze1