Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Week Ahead…Renaming Tyler and Brent? & Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

July 12, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Week Ahead…Renaming Tyler and Brent?

Monday, July 13

ANC6D meets at 7:00pm.  This meeting will be a Webex virtual meeting. Go here for the link & Call-In number to join this public meeting: https://www.anc6d.org/virtualmeeting/

Among items on the draft agenda:

Public Safety Report- First District MPD (PSA 103, PSA 105 & PSA 106) Capt. Dorrough, Lt. Donigian.

Request for investigation into environmental injustice for Buzzard Point community.

Letter of Support for application to install a mural adjacent to Syphax Gardens.

Letter of inquiry to EOM RE: inspection failure at Ward 6 Short Term Family Housing site.

Letter to DC AG concerning Monopoles.

Presentations:

DC Black Agenda – Latisha Chisholm.

Spin Equity Program – Alexander Davis.

Wharf Quarterly Update – Matt Steenhoek, Tony Albanese.

Discussion of DC United’s Plan to reopen with spectators.

Notice of Intent:  Installation of protected bikeways 900-1400 block of 1st Street, SE.

Van Ness Elementary School Redevelopment Project.

Illegally parked Verizon vehicles – Mario Acosta-Velez.

Letter concerning After Hours utility work.

WhyHotel Final Report.

Letter to DC Public Library to open Interim SW Library.

Tuesday, July 14

ANC6B meets at 7:00pm.  This meeting will be a Webex virtual meeting. Go here for the link & Call-In number to join this public meeting https://www.anc6b.org/calendar/

Among items on the agenda:

Address to the Capitol Hill Community: Chair Brian Ready.

419 8^th Street, SE, Historic Preservation Application – concept approval for adding a second story to existing building.

741 12^th  Street, SE, Historic Preservation Application – concept approval for two-story rear addition plus roof deck; One story garage at alley.

715 10^th  Street, SE, Historic Preservation Application – concept approval for two-story rear addition.

Rear 203 3^rd Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application – Special exceptions and variance to allow a second story addition to existing alley building.

Report from 1333 M Street SE PUD Subcommittee.

Letter to DDOT in support of temporarily conversion of selected parking lanes on Barracks Tow to pedestrian walkways.

ANC 6B’s Grant Applicants Review.

Resolution in support of Bill B23-0234, Advisory Commission on Monuments, Markers, and Symbols Establishment Act of 2019, as well as support for any potential student- or parent-led efforts to rename Brent and Tyler Elementary Schools in 6B.

ANC 6A Economic Development and Zoning Committee will meet at 7:00pm. This meeting will be a Webex virtual meeting. Here is the link and/or the call-In number to join this public meeting:

For those attending via WebEx: use this link:

https://dcnet.webex.com/dcnet/onstage/g.php?MTID=ee62928fcb3ce888920052fdc91f6ef00

Call-in Number: 202-860-2110 – Meeting number (access code): 160 264 6217

Among items on the draft agenda: 

308 11^th Street, NE – Historic Preservation Application – concept approval for a new third floor addition and roof deck over an existing house in the Capitol Hill Historic District.

722 19th Street, NE  – Zoning Adjustment Application for special exceptions to construct a second-story rear deck addition to an existing semi-detached principal dwelling unit.

1637 D Street, NE:  Informational discussion on a project to remove an existing concreat rear deck and replace it with a rear addition.

Here Are the Farmers Line and Arts & Crafts Vendors Who Will Be at Eastern Market this Weekend

by Larry Janezich

July 11, 2020

Here Are the Farmers Line/Arts & Crafts/Prepared Food Vendors Who Will Be at Eastern Market this Weekend, 9:00am – 3:00pm.  Tuesday Farmers Market hours are 12pm-4pm.

And remember that the indoor market is 9:00am – 5:00pm Tuesday – Sunday.

Mask and social distancing requirements are in effect.

https://easternmarket-dc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Saturday-7-11-20-Map.pdf

https://easternmarket-dc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Sunday-7-12-20-Map.pdf

The weekend flea markets are also back in business, Saturday on C Street, and Sunday on the 300 block of 7^th Street.  Maps of the vendor layout for these privately run entities are not available.

Here’s a list of Farmer’s bios and contact info – http://easternmarket-dc.org/our-farmers/

For more information, see here:  http://easternmarket-dc.org/

Bowser’s Press Briefing Today: Capitol Hill Homicide, Police Reform, Football

by Larry Janezich

July 6, 2020

Mayor Bowser’s 11:30 briefing today, where she appeared with members of her administration, was largely concerned with public safety – particularly the three homicides which occurred last Friday and Saturday.  One was on Capitol Hill, and that 11pm July 4^th event occurred the McDonalds on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  Chief of Police Peter Newsham said it stemmed from a disturbance when fireworks were set off inside, and the restaurant and when a patron –36 year old Antonio Gardiner – “went outside to see what was going on, he  ended up getting shot”.  He was pronounced dead at the hospital.  Newsham said he anticipated a quick closure of this case.

The two other deaths were on July 4^th when 11 year old Dayvon McNeal at 1400 Cedar, was an unintended victim of gunfire in front of his home following a “peace cook out” hosted by his mother who works as a violence interrupter, and that of 20 year old Jordan Simmons on July 3^rd who was another unintended victim of gunfire resulting from a parking dispute at 1900 18th Street, SE,

Other points from the briefing:

• Bowser said that she will act tomorrow on city council passed Emergency Police Reform legislation. She said she has delayed action because the bill “involves serious issues and we want to make sure we understated the implications for public safety.”
• Regarding the decision to reduce the budget for violence interrupters by $800,000, she said there is no magic answer to solve gun violence reflected in the budget or the city council’s approach.  There are lots of reasons to fight back against cuts to the police budget; when there’s an attack on the community or on a child people want the police to do something about it.  Bowser said, “Budget cuts won’t affect their desire to do something; there will just be fewer to do it”.
• Bowser said she was pleased that Northern Virginia is still in the posture of not having bars open in their Phase III opening, and hoped they would remain in that posture.
• On COV-19, DC has not seen cases increase related to transmission by mass gatherings but the DOH continues to monitor. Mass gatherings continue, so they can’t excluded them as source.  Currently DOH is seeing increased cases resulting from household transmission, essential activities, and other activities coming on line related to slow phase reopening.
• On football, Bowser said she is happy to see the team and the league moving to change the name and hopes they make clear what the process is to do that. She said that minority owners of the team looking to get out of the franchise provide a great opportunity for more diversity in ownership.  “A team called Washington-anything”, she said, “should be playing in Washington,” adding that “the name is not the only issue” …“there are lots of issues.”

On Capitol Hill, free walk up COVID Testing continues this week at FEMS Engine 8, 1520 C Street, SE – Thursday, Friday, 4-8 pm; Saturday 12 pm–4 pm.  Appointment not necessary.

The Week Ahead…& a Photo from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

July 5, 2020

Tuesday, July 7

The ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm. 

This meeting will be a Webex virtual meeting. Go here for the link & Call-In number to join this public meeting. https://www.anc6b.org/calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

419 8th Street, SE, Historic Preservation Application – concept for adding a second story to existing building.

741 12TH Street, SE, Historic Preservation Application  – concept for two-Story rear addition plus roof deck, one story garage at alley.

715 10th Street, SE, Historic Preservation Application for two-story rear addition.

Testimony for Roundtable on proposed text amendments to expand the scope of Inclusionary Zoning.

Rear 203 3rd Street,  SE, Zoning Adjustment Application – second story addition to existing alley building. Special exceptions for height and setback requirements. Variance for minimum alley width requirement.

Report from 1333 M Street, SE, PUD Subcommittee.

Wednesday, July 8

ANC6B Transportation Committee meets at 7:00pm. 

This meeting will be a Webex virtual meeting. Go here for the link & Call-In number to join this public meeting. https://www.anc6b.org/calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

DDOT Presentation on Pennsylvania Avenue SE Corridor Study.

Request to DDOT to Temporarily Convert Selected Parking Lanes to Pedestrian Walkways.

Discussion on GoBus Proposed Stop at Stadium-Armory Metro Station. (tentative)

Thursday, July 9

The ANC6B Alcohol Beverage Control Committee will not meet this month.

Near Eastern Market:  Opening, Re—opening, and Opening Soon

by Larry Janezich

July 3, 2020

 

 

 

 

Bullet Points from Mayor Bowser’s Briefing on Tuesday – Phase III/Breitbart/The Nats

by Larry Janezich

June 30, 2020

Mayor Bowser and members of her administration held a situational briefing today.  Here is a quick summary of key points made during the Q&A with reporters.

• There will not be a swift transition to Phase III.
• There is no need to impose travel restrictions to DC because the opening under Phase II does not attract visitors.
• Hospitals are not seeing an increase in the hospitalization of younger victims of COV-19.
• Mayor Bowser is not in favor of reducing funding for the MPD – a broader discussion is necessary on how long it will take for MPD to respond to calls.
• The city administration is working with the BID and the business community to making final plans on how to preserve Black Lives Matter Plaza in a permanent way.
• The Mayor thinks the name of Woodrow Wilson High Scholl should be changed but it needs a larger discussion and it needs to be done in an appropriate way.
• Homeless encampments should be removed – there is no suspension during the pandemic. The city has shelters for the homeless.
• The Mayor said she was perplexed by the Breitbart event where Second District MPD tweeted “Today in the Second District, members from @BreitbartNews & 2D residents stopped by to deliver lunch to our officers and show appreciation for their great work.” The tweet was quickly deleted.  Bowser said that someone in MPD Public Information a very bad mistake in attaching that post to Breitbart News. It is being investigated internally.
• The city has signed a letter of agreement in principle with NAACP on how to move to the organization from Baltimore to DC. She anticipates an RFP on the razing of the Reeves Building at 14th and U to make way for a new building for NAACP.
• The Nationals have been granted a waiver for training and games, but with no fans.
• The city is trying to resolve the ban on sale of fireworks. Currently, only Costco is being permitted to sell them.

ANC6B Seeks Community Benefits from Developer of Massive Mixed Use Project at 1333 M Street

by Larry Janezich

June 29, 2002

Last Wednesday night an ANC6B Subcommittee held a virtual meeting to begin negotiating community benefits regarding the construction of the 900 unit mixed use building at 1333 M Street.  Since the development anticipates greater height, massing, and density than the current zoning of the site would allow, regulations provide that the community is entitled to benefits and amenities to offset the impact on the community.  The process by which the zoning is changed occurs under the regulations for construction of a Planned Unit Development (PUD).  The ANC’s role is to make recommendations on benefits and amenities to the Zoning Commission, which incorporates those conditions in the order changing the zoning.

Stephen Cochran from the DC Office of Planning told the Subcommittee that the Planned Unit Development process was designed to encourage developments of higher quality with more public benefits than would accrue if the project were built as a matter of right.

A benefit is a superior feature which benefits the neighborhood or general public.

An amenity is a type of benefit that enhances the attractiveness, convenience, or comfort of the project for occupants and the immediate neighborhood.  It is typically not what the developer would normally do anyway, or things considered as mitigation for issues created in the community by the development.

The offer of benefits and amenities represent a sacrifice on the part of the developer involving an extra expense.

Examples of PUD benefits and amenities include exceptional architecture, affordable housing above the 10% which is required by Inclusionary Zoning, use of minority businesses, contributions to public schools/libraries or neighborhood events, sustainability features, services for elderly/handicapped citizens, public space and parks, transportation,  community meeting space, and subsidized retail space for local businesses.

So far, the developer seems willing to increase the residential floor area for affordable housing  to 11% (above the required 8% to 10% under Inclusionary Zoning regulations) as a benefit, and the expenditure of $6.7 million – mostly in transportation infrastructure, landscaping, and the creation of open space as an amenity.

Planning and Zoning Committee and Subcommittee Chair Corey Holman, characterized the offer as “paltry”.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Capitol Hill Village stepped up with a suggestion for a community benefit – an adult day center.  They cited community need for a center for adults with physical and cognitive issues and suggested the use of 9000 square feet for a multipurpose room, therapy rooms, and a warming kitchen. CVC said that in initial discussions, the terms of the proposal were not acceptable to the developer, reportedly not because of the care center per se, but because of specific terms of rent and the use of space.  Discussions of the proposal will continue with the development team.

Holman said that he continues to struggle with the fact that every dollar spent on other benefits comes from affordable housing – clearly his top priority.  He said, he thinks the approach should be to push on the size and the amount of affordable housing and show that “it’s our number one priority…It shouldn’t be either or, but the affordability proffer should be more that 11%.”

Former commissioner and ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee chair Nick Burger cautioned against attempts to segregate affordable housing to less desirable parts of the buildings, and supported pushing the envelope on energy efficiency.  He said that an adult day center was an interesting idea and wondered how the CHV would conduct outreach to engage minority members of the community.  The CHV responded that the group was one of their main targets.

The Subcommittee will meet several times over the summer with the goal of making a recommendation on benefits and amenities to the full ANC6B in the fall.  The next meeting will be on Thursday, July 2, when the focus will be on public space and transportation issues, with the participation of representatives of DDOT.  This meeting will be a Webex virtual meeting. Go here for the link & Call-In number to join this public meeting. https://www.anc6b.org/calendar/

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

By Larry Janezich

June 28, 2020

Tuesday, June 30

ANC6B’s Executive Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

This meeting will be a Webex virtual meeting. Go here for the link & Call-In number to join this public meeting. https://www.anc6b.org/calendar/

Agenda: 

To set the agenda for the July 14 meeting of the full ANC6B.

Wednesday, July 1

Livable Communities Task Force (LCTF) Meeting – Wednesday, July 1st at 7:00 PM

This meeting will be a ZOOM virtual meeting. Go here for the link  to join this public meeting. https://www.anc6b.org/calendar/

Agenda:

Updates on the opening date of the parcel 1 park including the playground which will be able to open in Phase 2, and to discuss recommendations for ANC6B to consider regarding the development of parcels 2 – 6 of the Eastern Market Metro Park.  Construction on the remaining parcels, including Parcel 4 where the entrance to Metro is located, will begin in October.

Thursday, July 2

ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Subcommittee on Benefits and Amenities re 1333 M Street, SE, Planned Unit Development (PUD ) meets at 7:00pm.

This meeting will be a Webex virtual meeting. Go here for the link & Call-In number to join this public meeting. https://www.anc6b.org/calendar/

Agenda:

Public Space and Transportation Issues.

Saturday, July 4

The Annual Barracks Row Fourth of July Parade goes virtual.  See here:  https://www.capitolhill4thparade.com/

ANC6B Has Grants for Ward 6 Organizations Providing COV-19 Humanitarian Relief – Apply by 7/13

By Larry Janezich

June 28, 2020

ANC6B is responding to the DC City Council’s encouragement to use a portion of ANC6B operating funds “to support organizations providing humanitarian relief, including food or supplies.”

The Commission has allocated $45,000 of its administrative reserve for grants to organizations providing humanitarian relief in Ward 6.

According to a press release, the Commission says, “We recognize that this is a very modest effort in the face of the havoc of the pandemic, but we hope it will be a significant contribution to the important work being undertaken by the grant recipients.”

Organizations serving Capitol Hill and Ward 6 can download a grant the application  from the ANC6B website here https://bit.ly/2NCuYgZ . The suggested request range for grants is between $5K and $15K; final submission date is July 13.

The Commission notes that in offering a grant project designed to address an emergency, ANC6B is most interested in funding organizations with programs already in place — those who can use the grant funds immediately to accelerate their humanitarian efforts.

For additional information about the grant program please contact Commissioner Jerry Sroufe at 6B02@anc.dc.gov.

Here Are the Farmers Line and Arts & Crafts Vendors Who Will Be at Eastern Market this Weekend

by Larry Janezich

June 26, 2020

Here Are the Farmers Line/Arts & Crafts/Prepared Food Vendors Who Will Be at Eastern Market this Weekend, 9:00am – 4:00pm (apparently the previously announced 3:00pm close has been extended).  In addition, Diverse Markets Eastern Market Flea Market will be on the 300 block of 7th Street on Sunday, 9:00am – 4:pm.

And remember that the indoor market is 9:00am – 5:00pm Tuesday – Sunday.

Mask and social distancing requirements are in effect.

https://easternmarket-dc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Saturday-6-27-20-Map.pdf

https://easternmarket-dc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Sunday-6-28-20-Map.pdf

Here’s a list of Farmer’s bios and contact info – http://easternmarket-dc.org/our-farmers/

For more information, see here:  http://easternmarket-dc.org/

Eastern Market will be open the following hours on the July 4th Weekend:

Friday, July 3: Regular Hours

Saturday, July 4: Closing early at 3pm

Sunday, July 5: Regular Hours