Category Archives: Uncategorized

Eastbanc’s Hine Negotiator Named CEO of Georgetown BID

by Larry Janezich

Thursday, the Georgetown BID announced Joe Sternlieb will be its new CEO.  Sternlieb is familiar to those following the Hine development as the public face of Eastbanc in the Stanton Eastbanc partnership that won the bid from the city to develop the Hine project, and the chief negotiator with the ANC6B representatives on the memorandum of agreement outlining community benefits and amenities.  Since Sternlieb joined Eastbanc as vice president of acquisitions, Eastbanc has been awarded two plum city projects – the West End Library and the Hine development.  Both have aroused considerable controversy within their respective neighborhoods, although Eastbanc made far greater concessions to the community on the West End project once it became clear that Councilmember Jack Evans would not vote for the Land Disposition Agreement unless the developer did so.

In his new position, Sternlieb will be responsible for promoting Georgetown as a retail and entertainment destination as well as its potential as a location for new office buildings.  He will also oversee the BID’s administrative, financial and daily operations.

Sternlieb has a long record of service as a political activist, fundraiser and local government official.  He raised funds for Mayor Fenty and for Councilmember Mary Cheh.  His wife, Linda Singer, was appointed DC Attorney General by Fenty, and served a year before resigning, reportedly because Fenty relied more on the Office of DC General Council for legal advice.

In the early 1990’s he was an elected member of ANC 2C.  Between 1993 and 1996 he was the Staff Director of the D.C. Council’s Committee on Economic Development where he managed legislative work related to the creation of the Washington Convention Center Authority, the MCI Center, Industrial Revenue Bond Forward Commitments, and Business Improvement Districts.

While working for Eastbanc, Sternlieb was a reliable presence at DC Council hearings and ANC 6B meetings concerning the Hine Development.  His close ties to city government as well his own expertise made him a formidable force throughout the Hine Development project.  It is unclear whether Eastbanc will assign a new face to the Hine project, or whether local developers at Stanton will now take the lead in future discussions.

CHRS Considers Weighing In On City Closure of 7^th Street For Flea Market

by Larry Janezich

Last night the Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) Board of Directors heard a request from Barbara Eck, the Board’s representative to EMCAC, that the Board write a letter to the city in support of EMCAC’s position that the city close the 300 block of 7^th Street to accommodate the flea market during the construction period for the Hine project.  The request was supported by Board Member Chuck Burger, who sits on EMCAC in his capacity as a representative of CHAMPS, and Board Member Monte Edwards, who sits on EMCAC in his capacity as a representative of the Stanton Park Association.

In support of the request, Burger said, “We have to take care of the vendors.  The question comes up who should be responsible for the vendors?”  Board Member Gary Petersen said, “Who should control the vendors is a separate issue we shouldn’t have to get involved in.  The flea market is clearly a part of the culture of Eastern Market and we should support it.”

Board Member Elizabeth Nelson said she wasn’t sure the CHRS should take sides without assessing the impact on the “brick and mortar” businesses on the block.  Her concerns were shared by Board Member Shauna Holmes.

For the first time in the public debate, the issue of compensation for the “brick and mortar” merchants was raised.  Burger noted, “We need more ammo to get compensation for the brick and mortar merchants.”  It was unclear what he was referring to, but it is known that the brick and mortar merchants are formulating a position on the street closure at the request of ANC6B.  As a representative of CHAMPS, Burger is a likely participant or coordinator of that effort.  It is also noteworthy that one of the Hine developers, Stanton Development, owns several of the buildings housing the “brick and mortar” merchants on the block.

At the September meeting of the ANC, Commissioner Brian Pate announced he would postpone until October his resolution requesting closure of the street during the Hine construction period, in order to give the merchants on 7^th Street an opportunity to have input on the proposed street closure.  ANC6B has been at odds with EMCAC over the closure, with the ANC trying to provide some protection for the current flea market managers, and EMCAC trying to put the flea market under the control of the Eastern Market manager.

Although the CHRS Board evidently desires to stay out of the question of who controls the vendors, in effect, if the city closes the street by Mayoral order, the Department of General Services – and thus, the Eastern Market manager – will control the vending on the closed street, which is the position EMCAC has been advocating.

The consensus of the Board was that no vote was necessary to proceed, and the further consensus was that a letter would be drafted and circulated for consideration by email after the meeting.

Parliamentarian Brian Flahaven (standing at left) is forced to remove resident member voting provision in order to save ANC By-Laws Revision. Standing at right is Commissioner Garrison, with Commissioner Oldenburg between them. Commissioner Metzger is seated.

ANC6B Backs Away From Reforming Its By-Laws: Commissioners Retain Power – Community Representatives Still Limited – Revised

by Larry Janezich

Monday night, ANC6B’s efforts at By-Law Reform stalled when the Commission failed to adopt a key provision.

The proposal would have more actively engaged the community by giving all resident members of committees a vote on questions coming before the committee.  Currently, the resident members may vote only if the commissioner from their single member district is not present, or when the question concerns a matter in their single member district.  Resident commissioners have only recently been installed in ANC6B, part of the initial round of reforms and compliance with By-Law requirements adopted by the ANC in 2011 when a number of reform candidates were elected.  A motion to strike the provision by Commissioner Garrison failed on a 4-4 vote, with Commissioners Garrison, Oldenburg, Metzger, and Green voting to strike it.  Voting in support of extending the right to vote were Chair Critchfield, Parliamentarian Flahaven, and Commissioners Pate and Campbell.  Commissioners Glick and Frishberg were absent.

Revision of the By-Laws requires approval of seven commissioners, although proposed amendments only require a majority of those present and voting.  At the beginning of the meeting, Commissioner Garrison had warned that “for me and others, there are a couple of provisions that are deal breakers.”  He went on to say that although there was much in the proposed streamlining of the By-Laws he approved of, he would vote against the entire package at the end if the provisions he objected to remained.  Even if both absent Commissioners had been present and had voted for the resident member’s voting provision, there would not have been enough votes for final passage if the 4-4 vote indicated the final strength of the provision’s opponents.

Faced with losing months of work on the consolidation and streamlining of the By-Laws, Flahaven called for a recess prior to the vote on final passage.  When the Commission reconvened, Flahaven moved to strike the language providing a committee vote for resident members.  That motion was agreed to, 6-2, with Parliamentarian Flahaven and Commissioners Campbell, Green, Metzger, Oldenburg, and Garrison voting aye.  Chair Critchfield and Commissioner Pate opposed.

Prior to the vote, Commissioner Pate said of the opponents of resident member voting that it was “poor form to oppose the whole set of By-Law reforms in order to muscle this amendment on resident voting through.”  He called the opposition to the amendment giving them a vote in committee “shortsighted, myopic, and a position that cuts against the grain of progress.”

Stripped of the provisions, the By-Laws were adopted by a vote of 7-0, with Commissioner Green voting in the negative.  During the meeting, she had pressed for stronger and more specific language regarding compliance with the regulations of DC Code.  Three of the commissioners voting against reform last night have previously been found in violation of the By-Laws by this ANC: Commissioners Garrison, Metzger, and Oldenberg.

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

Monday, September 17

ANC 6B Bylaws Special Call Meeting, 7pm – 9pm, Brent Elementary School, 301 North Carolina Avenue, SE, to consider revised bylaws and proposed standing rules.

Why should you care?  Brian Flahaven, ANC6B Parliamentarian, is trying to make it easier for young professional with families to serve on the ANC, in addition to revising the confusing and contradictory ANC6B bylaws.  He will likely meet resistance from Commissioners Garrison and Oldenburg.  This would seem to be an important meeting for all serious ANCB candidates to attend.  So far this month, Randy Steer, candidate for retiring Commissioner Norm Metzger’s seat, has attended the September ANC meeting, Steve Holtzman, challenging Commissioner Brian Pate, has attended the ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee meeting, and Philip Peisch, also a candidate for Metzger’s seat, attended the ABC meeting (he’s a resident member of the committee) as well as the September ANC6B meeting.   

Tuesday, September 18

CHRS Board of Directors meets at 6:30 pm, Capitol Hill Townhomes.  The meeting is open to CHRS members – and possibly, members of the press. 

Why should you care?  I’ve been attending theses meetings for more than ten years, and members of the Society never attend.  Maybe they should.  CHRS totally went in the tank on the Hine Development and cited their representation of the thousand-members of the Capitol Hill community to endorse Stanton-Eastbanc’s controversial concept design for the Hine project.

Saturday, September 22

Barracks Row Fall Festival, 11am – 5pm, 500 – 700 block of 8^th Street, SE.

Why should you care?  Beats me.  If you go, pay attention to the signs advertising the sponsors of the event.  Last year, CSX – who is about to wreak havoc on the quality of life on lower 8^th Street and the south side of the freeway on Capitol Hill – was a major sponsor.  Bet they will be this year too.

The Week Ahead……

by Larry Janezich

Monday, September 10

Planning and Zoning Commission meets and is expected to announce what changes – if any – it will require developers to make to the Hine project in order to re-zone the site for greater mass and density.  6:30pm at One Judiciary Square, 441 4th Street, NW.  There are nine cases on the agenda and it is unclear where the Hine case will fall.  The meeting will be available by live webcast.  Access by clicking the appropriate link located near the end of the list on the right side of the page found at:  http://dcoz.dc.gov/services/zoning/commish.shtm

Tuesday, September 11

ANC 6B September Meeting at 7:00pm, Hill Center.

Issues to watch:

Liquor and entertainment license for Ambar (Balkan Concepts, LLC), 523 8th Street SE;

Letter to Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development regarding the closure of the 300 block of 7^th Street, SE, during construction of the Hine development;

Consideration of a resolution on extension of the Performance Based Parking north of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Thursday, September 13

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

Saturday, September 15

H Street Festival, 11:00am – 5:00pm, 800-1300 blocks of H Street, NE

Architect’s Rendering of Ambar’s First Floor

Balkan Cuisine Coming to Barracks Row – Jordan’s 8 To Become Ambar

by Larry Janezich

Ivan Iricanin, one of acclaimed chef and international restaurateur Richard Sandoval’s partners in two 14th Street restaurants – El Centro and Masa 14 – expects to open Ambar on Barracks Row this fall – perhaps by November.  The restaurant will serve Balkan cuisine, focusing on dishes from the owner’s native Serbia.  The name “Ambar” refers to the bin where corn is stored after harvest in Serbia, and according to Iricanin, is part of every Serbian household.   Iricanin has leased the 3,000 foot space at 523 8^th Street, formerly occupied by Jordan’s 8.  The restaurant will initially serve dinner and brunch, but eventually the owner hopes to serve all three meals.

Iricanin appeared before ANC6B Commissioner Carol Green’s ABC Committee last Thursday to seek the Committee’s endorsement for a liquor and entertainment license for the new restaurant.   It was the latter that caused the most concern among commissioners and nearby residents.  The applicant offered assurances that the entertainment would be limited to creating a “vibe” to enhance the dining experience and not for dancing.  He envisions strolling musicians and occasionally, a DJ.

The ANC voted 8-0 to take no position in referring the matter to the full ANC6B meeting for consideration on Tuesday, September 11.  Iricanin agreed to work with ABC Committee Chair Green on a voluntary agreement limiting potential problems foreseen by commissioners and nearby neighbors before the Tuesday meeting.  Although the DC Alcohol Beverage Review Board will have the last word, it is charged with giving “great weight” to the recommendation of the ANCs in issuing liquor licenses.

New Weekend Parking Restrictions Near Eastern Market On the Way – ANC6B Set to Expand Performance Parking Program North of Pennsylvania Avenue –

by Larry Janezich

Wednesday night, ANC6B’s Transportation Committee voted unanimously to recommend to the full ANC6B that the Commission request that the Department of Transportation expand the Performance Parking Program north of Pennsylvania Avenue, up to but not including East Capitol Street.  The affected area would extend to South Capitol on the west and to 11^th Street on the east.

The purpose of the program is to protect parking for residents who find it increasingly difficult to park near their homes as more traffic is drawn to areas around the Capitol Building and Eastern Market.

The Transportation Committee recommended that the full ANC request that one side of each block retain the existing Residential Permit Parking allowing two hour parking for non-residents of Ward 6.  The other side of the block would be designated Resident Parking Only, Monday through Saturday, from 7:00am until 8:30pm.  At the request of Commissioner Ivan Frishberg, a special zone around Eastern Market bounded roughly by 5^th Street, 8^th Street (both sides), East Capitol, and Pennsylvania Avenue would extend the Resident Only restrictions to 7:00am – 8:30pm seven days a week.

Each household would receive an annual reusable hard copy parking permit to accommodate non-resident parkers.  The ensuing so-called “dinner party problem” for households expecting more than one non-Zone 6 car would be addressed by the householder making a trip to the MPD Substation at 500 E Street, SE, and picking up as many one day passes as needed.  It would not be necessary to provide tag numbers for each vehicle.

According to DDOT, once the request is formally submitted by ANC6B, it could take as little as three months to implement.  Experience south of Pennsylvania Avenue has taught that it could take longer.

One community benefit which will result from extension of the program is access to around $1 million in parking revenues which the city makes available to Performance Parking areas for non-automotive transportation projects.  Some examples include bike racks, trash compacters, landscaping and the proposed Metro Plaza Info Hub.  Proposals for funding can go to DOT through an ANC Commissioner or directly to the Department of Transportation.

ANC6B will take up the Transportation Committee recommendation at its September 11^th meeting next Tuesday at 7:00pm at Hill Center.