Category Archives: Uncategorized

Historic Preservation Organizations Assert Voice on Historic Preservation Review Board Nominees

by Larry Janezich

After their unhappiness regarding the credentials of several Historic Preservation Board appointments under the Fenty Administration, the Historic District Coalition – which includes the Capitol Hill Restoration Society Board – has sent a letter to Mayor Gray and to Ron Collins, head of the Office of Boards and Commissions, laying down the over-all principles regarding the qualifications of acceptable potential nominees to fill upcoming vacancies on the Historical Preservation Review Board.  Individual names were not mentioned.  This marks the first time the organizations have involved themselves in this stage of the nominating process.

The Committee of 100 has prepared a list of potential nominees to recommend to the Mayor.  The CHRS Board subsequently voted to not take a position on potential nominees prior to the nominations being announced, but to ask the Historic Preservation Subcommittee, headed by Nancy Metzger, to make a recommendation to the Board on whether or not it should make specific recommendations in the future.

Restoration Board and Committee of 100 Persuade Zoning Commission to Reconsider Union Station North Plan

by Larry Janezich

At the January 18 Board meeting of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society, member Monte Edwards reported on the DC Zoning Commission‘s January 6 hearing on the proposed Union Station North (USN) development.  The Capitol Hill Restoration Society Board and the Committee of 100 presented new elevations demonstrating the mass and scale of the proposed Union Station North (USN) development.  The organizations hired an architect to provide the additional elevations correcting what some considered misleading elevations reflecting the height and scale of the project submitted by the developer.

At issue is where measuring the proposed building’s height should start.  The 1910 Height Act, limits building height to 130 feet.  Developers of USN want to measure from the H Street Overpass, some 30 feet above ground level.  This would be in accordance with a Tommy Wells’-sponsored amendment which passed the City Council, but as Committee of 100 testimony notes:

“In September 2010, C100 presented testimony to the Council of the District of Columbia on proposed (Wells’) amendment CH-2-1-7 and stated that the amendment amounted to an end run around the Height Act. Council listened and acted appropriately by specifically noting in the amended Policy CH-2-1-7 that no building should exceed the 130 ft. height limit imposed by the Height Act. But Council turned a blind eye to the fact that the ground, or platform, upon which the development would be built would be 30 ft. above the rail yards.”

The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) weighed in, endorsing the ground level measuring point and recommending against any change.

Committee of 100 testimony concluded testimony with:

“C100 is in total agreement with, and supports the recommendation of NCPC. The graphics submitted on behalf of the Committee of 100 on the Federal City and the Capitol Hill Restoration Society, and sponsored by Drury Tallant, demonstrate the deleterious effect the permitted artificial elevation will have on the views of Union Station. The graphics clearly illustrate the out-of -scale presence the proposed Union Station North development will have relative to Union Station and the US Capitol. The iconic view of Union Station will become shrouded by the height of the USN buildings regardless of their setbacks. If approved, this unwelcome encroachment will be lasting.”

Subsequently, the Zoning Commission required the developer to resubmit elevations in February showing what the building would look like from natural grade.

Committee of 100 testimony and the elevations can be viewed at the Committee of 100 website:  http://www.committeeof100.net

Challengers Dominate Officer Elections for ANC6b

by Larry Janezich and Anna Riehle

Neil Glick was elected Chair of ANC6b tonight, with the support of the newly elected ANC6b Commissioners plus incumbents Green and Campbell.  The vote was 7 – 3.  Those voting for:  Glick, Campbell, Critchfield, Flahaven, Frishberg, Green, Pate.  Those voting against:  Garrison, Metzger, Oldenburg.

Subsequently, Ivan Frishberg was elected Vice-Chair, Jared Critchfield was elected Secretary, Carol Green was re-elected Treasurer, and Brian Flahaven was elected Parliamentarian.

Barracks Row Restaurateur and Retailers Oppose Moratorium

by Larry Janezich and Anna Riehle

At last night’s ANC’s Retail Mix Taskforce Hearing on improving the Barracks Row retail mix, Eastern Market corridor business operators stated their opposition to a liquor license moratorium. 

The Taskforce began functioning in the tense atmosphere created by ANC6b’s institution of what some call a de facto liquor license moratorium for Barracks Row.  The issue, though not on the table for the Taskforce, is one that continues to come before them, since proponents of the moratorium promote that issue as a remedy for the decline of mixed retail on the street.  Moratorium supporters heard little to confirm that view last night. 

The Taskforce heard first from Xavier Cevera, owner of Molly Malone’s, Lola’s, and the Chesapeake Room  He also plans on opening a new restaurant – Pacificos – in the space now occupied by Capital Video

Cervera told the Taskforce that support for a moratorium comes from residents adjacent to Barracks Row.  Though some restaurateurs on Barracks Row want a moratorium, not all do.  It can, he said, be a stigma even for retail wanting to come in.  Restaurants which opened most recently are doing well because they put enough money into their structure.  Some older restaurants which don’t have money to renovate and haven’t kept up with food quality are struggling. 

He faulted the ANC for being caught in a moratorium dilemma of its own making by rationalizing that since they opposed one license, they have to oppose all, and that leads to losing good people. 

One of the issues driving the moratorium is the impact of parking on residential streets.  Spaces in the under-the freeway-parking lot are underutilized, partly because people don’t feel safe.  Four restaurants on the street support valet parking, and that has helped restaurants and could help retail. 

Cervera soft-pedaled the idea that modified voluntary operating agreements could solve the concerns of residents, noting that people going to their cars late at night will be loud.  There will be additional foot traffic, rodents, and noise – this is a commercial corridor.  He said that there is not really a boiler plate voluntary agreement that will solve all the problems. 

Few ideas emerged about the kind of retail which would thrive on the street, although a bakery, a cupcake shop, and a hardware store were mentioned.  Cervera noted that neither the buildings nor their facades on Barracks Row were made for retailers.  Many existing storefronts were originally houses and it costs a lot of money to renovate buildings not built for commercial.  Establishing an enterprise zone and tax breaks would help, as would giving landlords money towards modifying facades. 

The Taskforce then heard from two retailers operating on the corridor, Kathleen Clayton, Labyrinth Games (on Pennsylvania Avenue) and Manuel Cortez, Groovy DC (on 8^th Street). 

Cortez said that a liquor license moratorium would be contrary to progress  and that more retail was unlikely to happen until landlords receive some incentive or tax credit for renting to retail.  Landlords are hoping for a restaurant and that’s why rents have gone up so much.  Retail won’t open until it can afford to.   He said he would like to see some sort of business loan made available to retail. 

Problems for retail include a lack of promotion of the corridor as a destination, the kind of foot traffic Barracks Row attracts, trash on the street, too many homeless people, and the Metro bus stop.  There is foot traffic, but bar and restaurant patrons or those who come to Marine Barracks events are often on their way somewhere else or don’t want to carry a bag.   It doesn’t help staying open later. 

Ms. Clayton, who recently opened a retail store on Pennsylvania, noted that she found a cool reception on Barracks Row when she inquired about opening there.  “No one would talk to me.…”  She opened on Pennsylvania Avenue and is “paying outrageous rent” and would love a tax incentive.   She also urged greater cooperation among both businesses and business organizations, noting the only Capitol Hill business organization that showed any interest in her endeavor was CHAMPS. 

She had no trouble finding financing for her business and noted that the Washington Investment Fund helps businesses find money.  She agreed with Cortez that lack of promotion is a problem.  She doesn’t think there should be a moratorium.

Changes conducive to retail include tax incentives, more signs, more Barracks Row events, Second Saturdays, and a parking garage.   One of her concerns is groups of unruly teenagers who have committed acts of petty vandalism in her store. 

A third Taskforce hearing on January 17 will feature landlords, realtors, and representatives of business groups.  The invitation list for this hearing is not yet complete.  The meeting will be held at Brent Elementary School, from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.