Category Archives: Uncategorized

 

“Tree Mansion” Has Archibald Walk Residents Up in Arms

by Larry Janezich

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

by Larry Janezich

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

The Week Ahead….

Monday, January 11

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

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

Presentation:  DC Housing Authority on developments in the Area

Presentation:  DC Office of Planning on Buzzard Point Plan

7:00pm – Business meeting agenda:

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

Wharf Quarterly Update

DC United Stadium Update

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

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

Marine Corps Marathon – October 2016

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

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

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

Overlay Modification for Half Street, SE

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

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

Tuesday, January 12

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

Among items on the agenda:

Presentation:  Leif Dormsjo, Director, District Department of Transportation

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

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

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

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

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

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee Report.

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

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

Wednesday, January 13

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

Among items on the agenda:

NoMa Parks update

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

D.C. Vision Zero Plan

301 K Street NE, curb cut and driveway

Street paving and crosswalk striping at Stuart Hobson Middle School

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

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

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

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

Alibi, 237 Second Street NW:  Settlement agreement

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

Thursday, January 14

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

Among items on the agenda:

Presentation:  Department of Human Services Director Laura Zeilinger

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Larry Janezich

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

by Larry Janezich

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mayor Comes to Eastern Market Metro To Announce Initiative Against Robberies

by Larry Janezich

Mayor Muriel ​Bowser came to Capitol Hill this morning to announce the launch of a Robbery Intervention Task Force to target what she characterized as robbery sprees occurring at the hands of a small group of repeat offenders who target ​certain areas and commit crimes in quick succession.

Bowser came to the Eastern Market Metro Plaza for the 10:30am news conference, she said, because “we had always planned on coming to Barracks Row” as part of the recently implemented comprehensive public safety plan and because her “office has been working closely with Councilmember Charles Allen regarding the increased robberies in the area.”

The heart of the new Task Force is increased cooperation and coordination between and among the​ MPD, the Metropolitan Transit Police, the Office of the DC Attorney General, and the US Attorney’s office.  The effort will allow sharing of information among public safety agencies in real time, utilizing special crime analysts to spot problems and sharing that information along with video from CCTV and Metro cameras as well as street intelligence from sources among public safety agencies.

For its part, the US Attorney’s Office will assign senior prosecutors to aggressively prosecute robberies, prioritize violent crime, make special efforts to coordinate evidence, and seek pre-trial detention to keep repeat offenders off the streets. ​  The prosecution rates of suspects accused of committing crimes on Capitol Hill – and elsewhere in the city – has been the subject of concern and discussion in the neighborhood, and ANC 6B Commissioner Denise Krepp was on hand at today’s conference to ask whether the US Attorney’s office felt the $2,000 raised from the community was sufficient to cover the cost of a FOIA she filed in order to ascertain those statistics, or whether to community would have to “bake more FOIA cakes.”  The US Attorney demurred, saying he was preoccupied with prosecution and others in his office dealt with gathering the material requested by Krepp.

The Mayor responded to Krepp by noting a District study is underway to collect some of the same data.  In her prepared remarks,​ Bowser deplored a recent assault on the Red Line near NOMA Metro stop and said she would not tolerate a lack of public safety on the Metropolitan Transit System.  MPD has video of the perpetrators in that case and she urged residents to view the video and help identify the suspects.

MPD Chief Lanier spoke to the need for the Task Force, citing the small number of individuals responsible for a large number of crimes – “a small group of individuals might be responsible for four or five or six robberies in a single night. The goal will be to make sure that one robbery doesn’t become more.”  Lanier said the new coordinated effort has been in operation since December 11 and listed multiple arrests which have occurred since then to demonstrate its success.

Also in attendance at the news conference were Councilmembers Charles Allen and Anita Bonds, DC Attorney General Carl Racine, US Attorney representative Richard Tischner, and MTP Chief Ronald Pavlik.

(During the press conference, a ABC Channel 7 News crew vehicle parked some 100 feet away was broken into and robbed.  See here:   http://bit.ly/1OAJIHY)

 

 

 

 

The Week Ahead….and Las Placitas is Open on Lower Barracks Row

By Larry Janezich

 

The Week Ahead…

Monday, January 4

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

Agenda:

Presentation by ABRA representative on license protests

2. Capitol Hill Restoration Society Historic Preservations Committee meets at 6:30pm, 420 10^th Street, SE.

Tuesday, January 5

1. ANC6C Parks and Events Committee is scheduled to meet at 7:00pm at Capitol Hill Medical Center/Kaiser Permanente, 700 Second Street, NE (2nd & G NE).

Agenda not available at press time.

2. The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) Finance Committee will meet at 7:00pm in the North Hall of Eastern Market.

Agenda

Discussion of the budget, the financial statement and the need for a long term reserve fund.

Wednesday, January 6

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

Among items on the agenda:

418-426 C Street, NE  – Application of 418-426 Stanton Park LLC for concept approval for rear additions, penthouses and roof decks at 418-426 C Street, NE.

631 Lexington Place, NE – Application of Redux Properties LLC for concept approval for attic expansion and new basement entrance at front of 631 Lexington Place, NE.

301-331 N Street, NE (non-voting) – Informational presentation by Foulger-Pratt Development, LLC concerning its pending application for the consolidated review and approval of a Planned Unit Development and related zoning map amendment for the property known as 301-331 N Street, NE.  The related Map Amendment proposes to rezone the site from the C-M-1 Zone District to the C-3-C Zone District.  The applicant seeks to create a mixed-use residential and commercial project with a significant historic preservation component, consistent with the goals of the D.C. Comprehensive Plan. The project will create approximately 370 residential units, approximately 175 hotel rooms, office space, and ground floor retail. The project will contain an approximate FAR of 6.68 and will have heights of 110 and 120 feet.  As part of this project, the Applicant proposes to retain and rehabilitate a historically significant building, possibly improve N Street in front of the subject property, and promote arts and arts-related uses.

301 Florida Avenue, NE – Application of 301 FL Manager LLC for consolidated review and approval of a Planned Unit Development and related zoning map amendment to rezone the Property from the C-M-1 District to the C-3-C District. The Property is currently improved with a one-story building and associated surface parking, surrounded by a variety of uses including low- to high-density residential, industrial warehouses, and commercial uses.  Applicant proposes to raze the existing building to build a mixed-use building composed of retail and residential uses. The PUD will have a density of approximately 7.57 floor area ratio (“FAR”) and will include a total of approximately 66,010 square feet of gross floor area. Approximately 61,173 square feet of gross floor area will be devoted to residential use (approximately 56 units) and approximately 4,837 square feet of gross floor area will be devoted to retail use.

2. ANC6B’s Transportation Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center.

Among items on the agenda:

DDOT Southeast Boulevard Feasibility Study Draft Report: Jonathan Rogers, DDOT

DDOT Proposed “Vision Zero” Rulemaking

3. ANC6B Commissioners Chander Jayaraman and Denise Krepp host a community meeting on the 7-11 coming to the 15^th and Independence Avenue, SE, intersection.  7:00pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Avenue, SE.

4.  PSA #106 meets at 7:00pm with Lt. Avery at Arthur capper Senior Public Housing, 900 5th Street SE, Community Room (Just walk straight through past the security desk, through the courtyard and to the community room).

Thursday, January 7

1. ANC 6B Planning and Zoning Committee meets outside of its regularly scheduled first Tuesday meeting. The meeting will be as usual at 7:00pm at St. Coletta’s of Greater Washington.  (The committee will return to its standard meeting day (Tuesday) in February.)

Among items on the agenda:

655 C Street, SE, concept/infill, dogleg, addition to garage

240 Kentucky Avenue SE, concept/rear addition.

The Furies Collective Building (219 11th Street, SE), historic designation.

325 5th Street, SE. Motion for Reconsideration by Parties in Opposition Robert A. Shelton and Mark Flynn. BZA hearing: January 19, 2016

1330-1336 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Request to Reopen the Record. William Wooten, (abutting neighbor). BZA hearing: not yet scheduled.

801 Virginia Avenue SE, driveways (close existing; open new), landscaping, utilities excavation, building projections, paving new driveway, etc. Nathan Hamman, Northfield Development. PSC Hearing: January 28, 2016

516 Archibald Walk, SE, construction of existing tree house.

Raze Permits for 1341, 1345, 1347, and 1349 K Street, SE.

1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE PUD, Memorandum of Understanding and ANC 6B Testimony.

2. ANC 6C Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm at Capitol Hill Medical Center/Kaiser Permanente, 700 Second Street, NE (2nd & G NE).

Among items on the agenda:

NoMa Circulator Route – DDOT is proposing to add a new Circulator route to serve the NoMa area. The route has not been chosen (not even the destination!), and they are looking for public input. Details of the proposal, including possible routes, can be found at http://www.dccirculator.com/explore/improvements-and-projects/noma-study/.

Prostitution on K Street, NE.  Residents have sent a petition to the Mayor to address the ongoing prostitution issues along K Street, NE. The contents of the letter will be discussed, and Lt. Cullen from MPD will be present to answer questions about the police’s efforts in combatting this issue.

Planned Parenthood (1200 block 4th Street, NE) – construction in public space.  Planned Parenthood is redeveloping the warehouse next to Two Rivers Charter School and will be presenting their project and public space elements of the new facility. Discussion will focus on curb cuts, sidewalk design, parking signage, and landscaping. The applicant presented to the ANC in October and is returning to address comments.

301 K Street, NE – curb cut and driveway in public space.  Owners of a residential property (two-unit condo) at the corner of 3rd and K Street, NE are looking to widen existing curb cut on 3rd Street, and install a driveway in public space.

3. PSA 107 meets at 7:00pm in Southeast Library, lower level, with Lt. Eddie Fowler.

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

Friday, January 8

1. ANC6B Commissioners Denise Krepp and Chander Jayaraman host a community meeting on the proposed Andromeda Clinic proposed for 15tt and South Carolina Avenue, SE.  7:00pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Avenue, SE.

The Week Ahead…..

by Larry Janezich

No events scheduled.

There are no events.  All is calm.

Hill East Community Pays Tribute to Activist Will Hill: 1939 – 2015

“Leave the comfort of your homes and go out into the community and make a difference.” – Pastor Anthony Owens

by Larry Janezich

Last night, Councilmember Charles Allen led a group of community stakeholders who gathered at Liberty Baptist Church in Hill East to remember and pay tribute to Hill East activist Will Hill who passed away November 24.  More than 50 of Will Hill’s friends and family were in attendance.

Allen remembered Hill’s contributions to the community and said he would support a suitable memorial after consultation with the community and ANC6B.  Mayor Bowser’s Ward 6 representative Seth Shapiro read a letter from the Mayor recalling Hill’s service as an Orange Hat Patrol leader, as Chair of the MPD’s First District Citizen’s Advisory Council, his presidency of the Capitol Hill Garden Club, and his 21 years of service on ANC6B.

David Healey, past president of the Garden Club and Past President of the National Capital Area Garden Clubs, related how Hill became the first African American to integrate the Capitol Hill Garden Club, and served two terms from 1982 to 1986 as its president.  Healey said, that he thought that Hill’s presidency “was a turning point for the club,” and credited Hill for playing a major part in keeping the club going.

Former ANC6B Chair Peter Waldron remembered Hill’s dauntless work on the Orange Hat patrols and his role in mentoring Waldron as he sought election to be chair of the ANC.

MPD Assistant Chief Diane Groomes said she had met Hill in his capacity as Orange Hat Patrol leader when she was still a sergeant in the First District.  Robert Pittman, current Chair of the MPD First District Citizens’ Advisory Council called Hill a hero who will be missed for his work in and dedication to the community.

Longtime colleague, friend and community activist Ellen Opper-Weiner cited Hill’s leadership role in the Southeast Citizens for Smart Development that led the five year community effort to prevent the planned Boys’ Town project from being built where Harris Teeter now stands  Opper-Weiner told the crowd that when Boys’ Town sued the two of them, Hill was prepared to sell his house to cover legal fees “before the ACLU stepped up and volunteered to represent us.”

But it was the members of the community whose lives were directly touched by Hill that provided the most poignant view of the depth of Hill’s impact on the community.  Peter Bug Matthews said that at a point in his life when he was “on the borderline of the fence, Will Hill pulled me back, saying “You want to be on this side.  He always kept me straight – always kept me in line.”  Matthews said he would carry on Hill’s tradition of mentoring youths in the community.  Finally, Zachary Jenkins, a long time neighbor of Hill’s tearfully called Hill “his best friend for forty years:  When I met him, I was lost.  He gave me my first job in his print shop….He saved my life.”

At program’s end, the Reverend Anthony Owens – Pastor of Liberty Baptist Church – said Hill’s life of leading by example was a message to the community, and the message was:  “Leave the comfort of your homes and go out into the community and make a difference.”

The memorial was organized by Will Hill’s friend and former Chair of the MPD First District Citizens’ Advisory Council, Nancy Rosen.