Category Archives: Uncategorized

Two ANC’s and H Street Businesses Have Had Enough of DDOT’s Slights

By Larry Janezich

Last Tuesday night, the Transportation Committees of ANC6A and ANC6C held an unusual joint meeting to plan a response to DDOT’s ignoring repeated requests to address traffic and safety issues on H Street NE.  The committees are chaired respectively by Mark Brumer and Christy Kwan.  Brumer chaired the joint meeting.

Commissioners cited a January 10, 2021, letter signed by 25* H Street businesses to then DDOT Director Jeff Marootian describing a December 22nd incident when a reckless driver lost control while speeding down H Street NE and crashed into Joy of Motion Dance Center, severely damaging the studio space. The letter said, “Luckily, no one was hurt, but with this being the third such incident in three months along the H Street Corridor, next time we might not be so lucky.  We … believe that the current configuration of H Street a public safety hazard and urged DDOT to consider large-scale safety improvements.”

The ANC Committees want a comprehensive review of transportation and safety issues on H Street and are requesting a traffic study of the corridor from North Capitol to 15^th Street NE.  A Special Committee was formed to write a letter to DDOT, copying CM Charles Allen. The letter will reiterate the asks from the H Street merchants which they believe will make H Street safer:

• Bus/Streetcar-only lanes. Convert the right travel lanes in each direction to all-times, red carpet bus/streetcar-only lanes. Bicyclists should not be encouraged to ride in these lanes due to the danger associated with the streetcar tracks.
• Wider Sidewalks. Reclaiming a significant portion of on-street parking spaces would allow for creation of wider sidewalk “bulb” outs. This space could be used for increased transit rider space, al fresco dining, and bicycle parking.
• Pick-Up/Drop-off Zones only. Long-term parking on H Street should not be allowed. We propose those remaining spaces not reclaimed by sidewalk be used as pick-up/drop-off zones with maximum parking time of no more than 30 minutes.

Once drafted, the letter will come up before the full ANCs for their approval, probably at their March meetings.

Among the city agencies which give the ANCs short shrift, DDOT has a reputation of being especially cavalier in attitude.  ANC6B has jousted with DDOT for years over traffic safety issues on the “17^th Street Speedway”.  Marootian has recently moved on, having been named as Special Assistant to the President for Climate and Science Agency Personnel in the Biden Administration.

The 25 businesses signing the letter to DDOT are as follows:   Atlas Doghouse, Atlas Performing Arts Center, AtlasVet, Aurora Salon, Craft Beer Cellar, DC Harvest, Fare Well, Granville Moore’s, H Street Country Club, Joy of Motion Dance Center, Maketto, Moody Graham Landscape Architecture, Mozzeria DC, Pie Shop, Physicality DC, Pow Pow, Rice Bar,  [solidcore], Solid State Books, Sospeso, The Daily Rider, The Pug, The Queen Vic, Toki Underground, Yoga District.

• 

Bowser Situational Briefing:  New Group Eligible for Vaccination Starting Today

by Larry Janezich

Posted February 18, 2021

Mayor Bowser held a Situational Briefing today and announced two new groups eligible to sign up for vaccinations. 

The first group becomes eligible today at 6:00pm in certain zip codes along with those who are 65 and/or are members of an eligible workforce group.  Tomorrow the new group will be added to those 65 and/or are members of an eligible workforce group living anywhere in the city.  Those in the new group include: grocery store workers, Health and Human services outreach workers, workers in manufacturing, and those in food production.

This week the Thursday and Friday sign up portals and phone lines open at 6:00pm – next week they will open at 9:00am, and alternate by week thereafter.  The Call Center Number is 855 – 363 – 0333.  The website is https://coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccinatedc

The second group will become eligible on Monday, March 1.  This is 1C Tier 1 – those from 16 to 64 with qualifying medical conditions.  Those conditions include:

• Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and other Chronic Lung Disease.
• Bone Marrow and Solid Organ Transplantation
• Cancer
• Cerebrovascular Disease
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Heart Conditions, such as Heart Failure, Coronary Artery Disease, or Cardiomyopathies
• HIV
• Hypertension
• Immunocompromised State
• Inherited Metabolic Disorders
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Liver Disease
• Neurologic Conditions
• Obesity, MBI – 30 kg/m2
• Pregnancy
• Severe Genetic Disorders
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Thalassemia

Those signing up will self-attest when registering.  Documentation from a health care provider will not be required. 

Asked about the eligibility for postal workers who were originally between the grocery workers and those with medical conditions, Bowser said the city is hoping to arrange vaccinations for them through FEMA along with other federal employees. 

For additional details on Bowser’s presentation, including a complete list of those DC is now vaccinating, go here:  https://bit.ly/2OFylaz

• 

Handle 19 Will Reapply for Gambling License After DC Lottery Denial

by Larry Janezich

Posted on February 17, 2021

According to an article by Jill R. Dorson published in the internet trade publication Sportshandle http://bit.ly/2NCtWof , Handle 19 – whose sports betting application was denied by DC Lottery – has withdrawn the application and will restructure the business and reapply in the next 60 – 90 days.  The company had the right to withdraw after the denial, but in doing so, forfeits the $100,000 application fee.  It will have to pony up another $100 grand to resubmit.  Vetting a new application will take another six to nine months, pushing any opening into next year. 

ANC6B in support of nearby neighbors, voted last November to file a protest with ABRA against a liquor license for Handle in hopes no liquor license would discourage the owners from opening at the location close to neighborhoods, schools, and day care centers.  The ANC previously supported a sports gambling license for The Brig on Barracks Row.  The difference is that The Brig is not located near schools and day care, and sports gambling is a component of the Brig’s primary business rather than the main business.    

Last night, ANC6B sponsored a community meeting to receive a briefing from attorney Kerry Verdi – whom the Commission has engaged to represent them – about the status of the ANC’s liquor license protest.  The virtual protest hearing before ABRA is scheduled for April 8, at 10:00am.  The ANC is protesting the license as not appropriate on the basis of peace, order, and quiet including noise and litter and residential parking needs and vehicular and pedestrian safety.  A separate ANC motion to dismiss the license application on the basis that the proposed business can’t meet the 45% annual income from food sales based on its seat-to-occupancy ratio was denied as being premature. 

Handle 19 can open a sports book without a liquor license, but must have some other auxiliary business at the location – a requirement which would be satisfied by food service that does not include serving alcohol.  Handle says it will open once it gets a wagering license, liquor license or not.

Owner Shane August continues to hope to find a way to convince neighbors that his business will be an asset to the community and help revitalize the hard hit hospitality sector on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. 

• 

• 

Barracks Row Extreme Pizza Opens WED Feb 17 with Classic, GF, and Cauliflower Crusts

by Larry Janezich

Posted February 16, 2021

Barrack Row’s newest restaurant – Extreme Pizza – is opening on Wednesday in the space formerly occupied by Orchid at 520 8th Street, SE.  It will join four other pizza providers on 8^th Street – &Pizza, Pizza Boli’s, Matchbox, and Mediterranean Café, but it will be the only one offer four different crusts: classic, wheat, gluten free and cauliflower.

On the menu:  Double columns of Gourmet Signature Pizzas – 15 Carnivore and 10 Veggin’ Out – or the Create Your Own Pizza with an astonishing number of toppings – including vegan bites and cheese. 

Also on the menu:  9 different subs, farm fresh salads, 5 different wings, sides, and desserts. 

You can see their menu here on FB: https://www.facebook.com/ExtremePizzaBarracksRow  

According to Wikipedia, the company was founded in San Francisco in 1994 and has more than 30 locations in the US.  The theme of West Coast restaurants is extreme sports, and the décor features photos of athletes in action.  Restaurants on the East Coast differ in that they reflect the style and local of the neighborhood.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Here’s a link to a petition against building a permanent fence around the Capitol:  http://bit.ly/3jTpbCT

The Week Ahead – Highlights of Upcoming ANC Meetings – Photos

By Larry Janezich

Posted February 14, 2021

Highlights of Upcoming ANC Meetings

• Tuesday – ANC6A & ANC6C Transportation Committee hold a joint meeting on H Street traffic and safety issues
• Wednesday – ANC6D holds a special meeting on Public Safety, with CM Charles Allen

The Week Ahead…

Tuesday, February 16,

Special virtual Joint Meeting of ANCs 6A & 6C Transportation & Public Space Committees at 7:00pm, to discuss speeding and safety issues along the H Street Northeast corridor.

For info on joining the meeting, go here: 

https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the agenda:

• Introductions & Announcements (10 minutes)
• Community Comment (90 minutes)
• Please Note: Public comment will be limited to 3 minutes per person so that all participants have the opportunity to speak. Additional public comment or materials can be submitted for the record in writing via email.
• TPS and ANC member discussion of action items and next steps.

Ward 6: DPR Ready2Play Virtual Meeting, from 6:30-8:00pm

• The Ready2Play team will be hosting a series of virtual meetings by ward to discuss the Ready2Play Master Plan and the recreational needs and desires of the different neighborhoods within each ward. To register for the Ward 6 meeting go here:  https://bit.ly/3jLXA6N

Wednesday, February 17

ANC6A Economic Development and Zoning Committee virtual meeting, 7:00pm.

For info on joining the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• 1637 D Street, NE. Zoning Application for a special exception to permit construction of a two-story with basement addition to an existing, nonconforming, two-story with basement, principal dwelling unit.
• 135 13th Street, NE. Zoning Application for a special exception for constructing a second dwelling unit.  
• 1101 H Street, NE.  Zoning Application for a special exception to permit the construction of a new mixed-use residential building. 

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

ANC6D Special virtual Meeting on Public Safety, with CM Charles Allen, 7:00pm. 

For information on joining the meeting, go here: https://www.anc6d.org/virtualmeeting/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Introduction of the Commission and Featured Guests
• Southwest Public Safety Meeting w/ Councilmember Charles Allen

Thursday, February 18

Mayor Bowser’s 2021 Budget Engagement Forum #2, at 6:00pm. 

For information on how to register and receive a video link for the event, go here: http://bit.ly/2Nqtzgy

• Join fellow DC residents at virtual forums to share your values, priorities, and ideas with the Bowser Administration as the FY2022 budget is developed.

Twitter: @MayorBowser Instagram: @Mayor_Bowser Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowser

• 

Redistricting:  CM Allen “Ward 6 Will Look Different by This Time Next Year”

By Larry Janezich

Posted Feb. 14, 2021

At last Thursday night’s, ANC6A meeting, Commissioner Brian Alcorn raised the subject of redistricting with CM Charles Allen, saying “we like being in Ward 6 and hope the City Council will recognize the importance of the coherence of community and will keep us part of Ward 6.”  Allen attended the virtual meeting of ANC6A as part of his spring tour of the Ward 6 ANCs.

Allen took the opportunity to lay out how the redistricting following the 2020 census will unfold, saying that redistricting is “not a fun process,” that Ward 6 is the biggest in the city, and “it will look different by this time next year”. 

Allen said that we’ll see what the census numbers look like by the end of March.  The city’s total population will be divided by 8 to establish an average.  Regulations require that each ward be plus or minus 5% of the average number.

The City Council’s Redistricting Subcommittee (comprised of at-large members – Bonds, Henderson, Silverman) will hold public hearings about which boundaries need to move to achieve the population goals. The Committee will make proposals in June and the City Council will vote.  Allen said, “I can’t make promises – I don’t know what will happen.”  He advised individuals to reach out to the Redistricting Committee to express concerns.

Within each ward a committee – appointed by the Ward Councilmember – will make recommendations about ANC and SMD boundaries.  No sitting ANC Commissioner will be on the committee.  The City Council will vote on the resulting proposed map of ANCs and Single Member Districts. 

ABRA Denies ANC6B Motion to Dismiss Handle 19 Liquor License Application

by Larry Janezich

Posted February 12, 2021

Wednesday, the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) handed ANC6B a setback in their effort to prevent Handle 19 from opening a sports book operation at 319 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  The Board denied the ANC’s motion to dismiss Handle’s application for a liquor license on the basis that Handle could not meet the criteria for a restaurant under their proposed business model.

DC regulations say a sports book business can’t open as a standalone, but must be associated with another operation – like a restaurant.  ANC6B has no ability to protest the granting of a gaming license issued by DC Lottery, so it – in support of a number of nearby neighbors –launched two actions with ABRA to deny Handle a liquor license. 

First, ANC6B filed a protest with ABRA based on “peace, order, and quiet” against the liquor license application in hopes a denial would make pursuing the proposed wagering outlet less attractive. 

On a separate track, ANC6B filed a motion with ABRA to deny a liquor license on the grounds that Handle 19 did not qualify as a restaurant.  The ANC’s rational was that Handle 19 did not meet the criteria for a restaurant because – given the ratio of the number of dining seats to the total occupancy of the building – Handle can’t meet the 45% gross annual food receipts as required by DC regulation. 

The Board denied the ANC’s motion to dismiss application for the license on this basis “because the question of whether the establishment qualifies as a restaurant is a question … that can only be resolved at hearing, not through pre-hearing speculation” and that Board would have to consider other criteria that could be introduced into evidence.  In addition, the Board noted, there are multiple ways to comply with the food sale requirement and that the regulations provides some flexibility to make corrections to operations if a restaurant is found deficient in food sales. 

With respect to the ANC’s protest of the license based on “peace, order, and quiet”, ABRA granted ANC6B’s motion to put off the protest hearing until April 8, to accommodate the travel schedule of ANC6B’s counsel.  That protest hearing remains on ABRA’s schedule, even though as reported earlier, on January 28, the Office of Lottery and Gaming issued an Executive Director’s Order denying Handle 19’s Sports wagering license.  According to ANC6B Alcohol Beverage Committee resident member Chander Jayaraman, Handle has until February 18^th to appeal. 

Handle 19 has not indicated how it will respond to the denial, but it is reported to be “negotiating” with DC Lottery as was reported at Tuesday night’s ANC6B February meeting.  Conceivably, there are paths forward – such as winning an appeal or reapplying – for Handle 19 to continue to pursue the wagering license. 

Correction:  An earlier post on CHC mistakenly stated that Handle 19 – not ANC6B – had filed the motion to dismiss the application for the liquor license.  Additionally, the application fee for a sports betting application is $100,000, not $5,0000. CHC regrets the errors.

• 

DC Will Revamp Vaccine Appointment Process in March

by Larry Janezich

Posted February 11, 2021

Mayor Bowser held a situational briefing today to announce some forthcoming changes in the vaccine registration process and other vaccine related news.  Here are the highlights:

• In early March, the registration process will be updated to allow individuals to sign up to be notified when there is vaccine available to them. Tier eligibility, zip code and timing of registration will be the three criteria (an “equity lens”) which will determine when those who are registered will be eligible to receive an appointment and DOH will notify registrants accordingly.  Once a group of registrants is notified, people in the group will have a limited amount of time to accept or decline.  If they accept, they can schedule appointment at a place convenient for them.  Then the DOH will notify the next group as vaccine becomes available. 
• Next week’s allotment of vaccine will be 14,275 doses – up 50 % from two weeks ago.
• Approximately 40% of seniors will be vaccinated by the end of this week and 70% by the end of February. Grocery store employees will become eligible next month, including small groceries and delis. 
• Friday (February 12) morning, 2500 doses will be available to seniors and health care workers in all zip codes. Web portal appointments have gone faster than phone call appointments. 
• DOH has asked FEMA to supply and administer vaccine to federal employees including Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches, the Postal Service, Federal Reserve and WMATA.
• Next week will see an adjustment in time regarding when the web portal and phone bank will open, since 9:00am is not convenient for everyone.
• Last night, the DC Department of Health was notified by the CDC that three cases of the UK variant and one case of the South African variant have been found in the District. There are likely more cases, since not all cases are examined for genetic sequencing – only a sample.  Dr. Nesbitt urged continuing use of masks and social distancing. 

• 

Councilmember Charles Allen at Tuesday Night’s ANC6B Meeting

CM Charles Allen on Vaccinations, Capitol Fences, and Public Safety

by Larry Janezich

CM Charles Allen addressed ANC6B last night regarding a number of current issues facing the City Council and the city. 

Vaccine Update:  Allen says he is frustrated like everybody else about the way the city has set up the vaccination system; pitting neighbor against neighbor in the search for vaccination appointments is not the best way to proceed.  He and other council members have recommended a one-time registration with appointments then scheduled by the Department of Health as the vaccine becomes available.  He noted that not everybody can be online at 9:00am, and this leads to disparity.  Likewise, prioritizing by zip codes is not the right geography. 

The Department of Health is meeting this week to make some changes in the Tiers regulating eligibility for receiving vaccinations.  Some of the changes likely to be included are to insure earlier access to the vaccine for pregnant women and to further break down the next eligible age group (18 – 64), perhaps to a 50 – 64 year old population.  He said that changes agreed to would likely be announced later this week.

Capitol Fences:  Thursday night, February 11, Congresswoman Norton will host a virtual town hall on the impact of the U.S. Capitol attack on D.C. residents and public spaces at 6:00 p.m. All D.C. residents are invited to attend.  Charles Allen and representatives from the U.S. Capitol Police will also attend.  Anyone interested in attending should RSVP by emailing NortonEvents@mail.house.gov.

Allen said that the US Capitol Police is proposing a razor wire permanent fence around the Capitol.  “I am absolutely opposed”, Allen said, adding that “we have to make Members of Congress safe as well as neighbors and staffers, but the answer is inside of the Capitol and inside the Capitol Police.  A giant fence with razor wire is the lazy was to address the problem – it’s not a good look for the community.”  He noted that a number of ANC’s are passing resolutions opposing a permanent fence around the Capitol Grounds, and urged ANC6B to consider doing the same.  ANC6B later unanimously passed a resolution  Bike and Pedestrian Access Through Capitol Grounds – see here:  http://bit.ly/36x1lrk

Public Safety:  Allen noted two categories of crime which have seen marked increases over a year ago – gun violence and carjackings and thefts.  One positive step regarding the former, he said, was the appointment of Linda Harllee Harper, the city’s new Director of Gun Violence Prevention – a position created under legislation sponsored by Allen.  Her job will include looking at the root causes of gun violence including behavior, housing, and education well as the trauma of gun violence.  Harper’s mission is to bring agencies across the administration to bear upon the problem.  Allen called the increase in gun violence a public health emergency exacerbated by the pandemic that will take more than the police to resolve. 

Carjackings are occurring across the entire city.  There is no targeting of cars or persons, rather these seem to be crimes of opportunity.  MPD has created a carjacking task force focusing energy on this.  Allen said he has consulted the Attorney General to see if there are ways for that office to intervene.  He said every city is seeing this phenomenon right now and that these crimes are being committed by young people – including juveniles.  Allen said that societal structures closed by the pandemic are contributing to the problem.   

DC Lottery Denies Handle 19’s Application for Gambling License

by Larry Janezich

Posted February 8, 2021

On January 28, the Office of Lottery and Gaming issued an Executive Director’s Order denying Handle 19’s Sports wagering License.  Business owner Shane August applied for the license last May to open a sports book gambling outlet at 319 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Once his intention became public, neighbors began organizing to oppose the granting of a liquor license in hopes that a denial would discourage August from opening at the location.  The possibility that DC Lottery would deny the license seemed remote.  and the conventional wisdom was that August had the right to open the gambling outlet, liquor license license or not.  A divided ANC6B weighed in on behalf of the neighbors, voting to protest the liquor license and hired an attorney to represent the ANC at a protest hearing before the Alcohol Beverage Regulatory Administration.

As to why DC Lottery denied the application, the Executive Director’s Order says:

“The Application and supporting documentation were reviewed by the [Office of Lottery and Gaming’s] Regulation and Oversight Division and a due diligence background investigation was conducted on both Handle 19 and its Individual Qualifiers.

Based upon the information contained in the application and the results of the due diligence background investigation, on January 4, 2021, the OLG’s Director of the Regulation and Oversight Division issued a [Recommendation] Memorandum recommending the application be denied…after determining Handle 19 did not meet the requirements for licensure due to investigative findings related (sic) its Individual Qualifiers.

After a review of the Recommendation Memorandum, the Executive Director agrees with and adopts the Recommendation Memorandum in full….”

The Order directed that the Recommendation Memorandum produced by the Regulation and Oversight Division “shall only be sent to Shane August …and not released to the public because [it] contains information that is confidential under D.C. Official Code…”

The order says that if Handle 19 withdraws its application within 15 business days the application status shall be changed from denied to withdrawn.  The $100,000 sports wagering application fee is not refundable.

Capitol Hill Corner asked former ANC6B Chair and Alcohol Beverage Committee Chair Chander Jayaraman to comment on the gambling license denial.  He said, “I appreciate DC Lottery doing their job investigating applicants and denying applicants who do not meet the standards the city expects.”  Though no longer on the Commission, Jayaraman has been heavily involved in the ANC’s protest of Handle 19’s application for a liquor license.

In a related development, on February 3, ABRA granted ANC6B’s motion to delay the protest hearing on Handle’s application for a liquor license until March 31.  That issue is separate from the gaming license, and August could continue to pursue a liquor license, though it is unclear whether he desires to limit his business model to a restaurant or whether there is some other avenue to a gaming license approval.  ABRA has scheduled a hearing on Wednesday to review the protestant’s January 27 motion to dismiss the protest hearing regarding the liquor license.