CAPITOL HILL CORNER

ANC6A Convenes 2015 Session and Elects Officers – Photos

by Larry Janezich

Thursday night, ANC6A met at Miner School and elected ANC6A officers, committee chairs and members of permanent committees.

The results for officers and permanent committee chairs were as follows:

Chair:  Phil Toomajian, 6A02

Vice-Chair:  J. Omar Mahmud, GA01

Secretary:  Calvin Ward, 6A08

Treasurer: Stephanie Zimny, 6A06

Economic Development and Zoning Committee:  Co-chairs, Dan Golden and Andrew Hysell

Transportation and Public Safety:  Co-chairs Todd Sloves and Omar Mahmud

Alcohol Beverage Licensing:  Co-chairs Jay Williams and Christopher Seagle

Community Outreach Committee:  Co-chairs Dana Wyckoff and Raphael Marshall

Major Condo/Retail Project Coming to NY Pizza Site On PA Avenue, SE

Edmonds School Developer CAS Reigler Wins Bid for Mixed Use Project

by Larry Janezich

CAS Riegler, the developer of the Edmonds School Project, has won the bid to redevelop the 22,000 square foot residential/retail site at 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  Plans are in a very preliminary stage, but the site will roughly accommodate up to 80 apartments/condos and 15,000 square feet of retail.  The site is across Pennsylvania Avenue from Potomac Metro stop and the Harris Teeter at the Pennsylvania-Potomac Avenue intersection.  Last night, ANC6B’s Transportation Committee met with DDOT officials to view the latest design concepts for the redesign of the intersection (about which, more later).

CAS Riegler representatives met with the Office of Planning yesterday to discuss the concept.  According to Robin Bettarel, CAS Riegler’s Director of Development, OP expressed support for family sized units.  Much of recent residential construction on Capitol Hill has focused on smaller units.

A decision has not yet been made whether to build within the current 50 foot height limit or to seek a PUD which would allow greater height – up to 90 feet, though Bettarel was quick to point out, that height would never be approved for that location.

Bettarel says that it’s too early to discuss a specific time line, but she hopes to reach out to ANC6B and neighbors in the “next couple of months.”  The design phase is expected to take some six months, meaning that ground breaking could be a “couple of years out.”

Bettarel said, “This project is an opportunity to create a neighborhood asset and help spur further development of that area, which is already a great neighborhood.”

CAS Riegler recently developed the former Edmonds School in northeast Capitol Hill into condo units ranging from 500 square foot one bedroom apartments to 1700 square foot lofted three bedroom units.  The Edmonds project also included three 3500 square foot townhouses.  See CHC posting here:  http://bit.ly/1AuqCe2  Last year, the company developed a 38-unit luxury condominium building at 1101 Rhode Island Ave. NW in the Logan Circle neighborhood.

Plans Revealed for 45 High End Residential Units Near Capitol Hill Safeway

Jerry’s Custom Automotive Center To Be Transformed

by Larry Janezich

At last night’s ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee, Sean Ruppert of OPaL LLC revealed plans for a 45 unit mixed residential project comprised of townhouses, condos, flats and a carriage house for the site at 1309-1323 E Street, SE, currently occupied by an auto repair shop and its associated warehouse.  The Capitol Hill Safeway is at the east end of the block.  Watkins field is across the street at the west end.  Since the site is currently zoned for industrial use, a Planned Unit Development application will have to be filed.  The developer anticipates a stepped back project, 45 to 52 feet high, comprised of 30 three-bedroom townhomes, eight flats, six lofts, and a carriage house, with one level of underground parking providing one space per unit.  Ten percent of the units – five in this case – will be designated affordable under inclusionary zoning regulations.  As shown in the accompanying images, the plan features a ​“courtyard promenade” for pedestrians and community interaction.

Ruppert told the Committee that the site’s two parcels are under contract and the company is in a 30 day study period.  If all goes well, he hopes to file the PUD application in 30 – 60 days.  The units will be large, with townhouses 2200 to 1700 square feet and ranging in price from $1.1 to $1.3 million.  The two bedroom flats will be marketed from $850,000 to $950,000, and the one bedrooms from $150 to $250,000.

Last night’s presentation to the committee was billed as “informational” to brief the ANC on the company’s plans.  Ruppert said he had reached out to some 30 nearby neighbors and had met with them to inform them of the project.

Since OPaL will seek a PUD to change the zoning from industrial to residential multifamily zoning, the company will be required to provide amenities and benefits to the community to compensate for the increased density the project will bring.  Ruppert asked the ANC for suggestions what form the benefits and amenities might take, offering – for example –​to upgrade a park or engage in some similar undertaking which would benefit the community.

The plan would not take advantage of the full height permitted on the site as a matter of right – which Ruppert said was 60 feet.  The plans distributed to the committee were described as an​ early preliminary concept.  As neighbors who follow community development​ already know​, early renditions can change considerably as they move through the PUD process before a final version is laid before the Zoning Commission for a PUD hearing.  Since the project lies outside the Capitol Hill Historic District, it will not be subject to review by the Historic Planning Office.

Ruppert pointed to another OPaL project located in Shaw – Naylor Court Stables – which also features a “courtyard promenade” as a successful project completed by his company.

The Week Ahead….What’s Happening with Community Policing in ANC6B? 

by Larry Janezich

Community Policing:

“PSA 107 will not meet in January as the SE Library is closed on the scheduled day: 1/1/2015.  The next meeting will be 2/5/2015.”

Is this the only meeting place available?  Why isn’t ANC6B more involved…and why isn’t the community more demanding?  More later.

The Week Ahead…

Tuesday, January 6

ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee meets at 7:00 pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington.

Among items on the agenda:

213 11th Street SE, concept/addition to garage & trellis

1330-1336 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, (La Lomita) for variances from floor area requirements, lot occupancy requirements, & off-street parking requirements to allow construction of mixed-use residential structure with ground floor retail in C-2-A District.

The Ugly Mug Dining Saloon, 723 8th Street SE, add fixture.

Informational presentation on proposed condominium development at 1309-1323 E Street, SE:

Wednesday, January 7

Transportation Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center.

Among items on the agenda:

Discussion on Eastern Market area weekend parking with officials from District Department of Transportation (DDOT)

Discussion on changes to Pennsylvania & Potomac Avenues SE Intersection Pedestrian Improvement Project with representative of DDOT Anacostia Waterfront Initiative Program.

Petition on widening Water Street SE from 18 feet to 24 feet between 11th & M Streets, SE.

Thursday, January 8

Among items on the agenda are the following:

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6A meets at 7:00 pm, Miner Elementary, 601 15th Street, NE

The Commission will consider the nomination and election of its officers, committee chairs, and members of the permanent Committees for 2015.

Class C Tavern License renewal of Lattice Partners LLC t/a Copycat Co. at 1110 H Street NE.

1101 Convenience Mart at 1101 H Street NE for an exemption from the Ward 6 singles ban.

Amendment to its Settlement Agreement with Cusbah at 1128 H Street NE stating that (1) the establishment’s sidewalk cafe close at 11:00 pm on weeknights and 1:30 am on weekends and (2) no noise from the sidewalk cafe will be heard from any nearby residence.

Thursday, January 8

ANC6B Alcohol Beverage Committee meeting scheduled for this day has been cancelled.

The Week Ahead…..Photo Essay – Retail Spaces Opening Up On Barracks Row

by Larry Janezich

The Week Ahead….

Nothing scheduled.

Recent changes on Barracks Row are opening up some new – and some old – retail spaces on Barracks Row.

Verizon moves in early January from 427 8^th Street to the space formerly occupied by 32 Degrees Frozen Yogurt at 703 8^th Street – a little farther than the one block the sign in the window states.

The ANC6B-designated nuisance property at 531 8^th Street, formerly Today’s Pizza, is getting a face lift and a makeover.

The Shasha Bruce House at 745 8^th Street goes on the block.  The property was formerly a thrift store.

Pinktini – the womans’ clothes boutique next to Port City Java which opened up earlier this year and closed earlier this month – is up for lease.

The Week Ahead…..

No meetings scheduled this week.

Best wishes for the holiday season and in the coming year.

Capitol Hill Corner

Gibbs School awarded to Monument Academy and Community College Prep Academy

Will Start Operating in the 2015-16 School Year

by Larry Janezich

The Gibbs School at 500 19th Street NE was awarded to the Charter School Incubator Initiative, which will house Monument Academy and Community College Preparatory Academy Public Charter Schools.

According to a press release dated today, “Monument Academy PCS, which will operate as a weekday boarding school, seeks to serve 160 students in grades 5-8 who are currently in the foster care system or who have touched the system. It is the first program of its kind in the District geared towards this population of students, which typically has poor outcomes in traditional school environments. Monument Academy staff will be specifically trained to provide students with intensive social supports, alongside a strong academic program. Community College Preparatory Academy adds an adult education component to the site and will operate two sessions per day serving approximately 50 adults seeking to complete their high school equivalency examination and to equip themselves with the skills necessary to move into the workforce and post-secondary opportunities.”

See full text of press release here:  http://1.usa.gov/13c6Sju

For more, see CHC posting here:  http://bit.ly/1wbwVi7

ANC6B Holds Emergency Sunday Meeting to Save Funding For Payne

by Larry Janezich

ANC6B Chair Brian Flahaven convened the ANC’s Executive Committee on Sunday afternoon in emergency session to authorize sending a letter to the DC City Council urging support for a proposal by Mayor Gray and DC School Chancellor Henderson to reprogram unneeded school funds in wards 4 and 7 and use them to complete school modernization in Wards 6 and 8.

 Update:  On Monday, December 15, CM Yvette Alexander announced Mayor Gray had rescinded the reprogramming.  See here:  http://bit.ly/1qW9v3U

Nine million dollars of the $16 million in question would allow the completion of modernization of  Payne Elementary School, the first phase of which took place in FY14.  Funds for completion were not included in the FY15 budget.  The proposal would allow all Payne students to have access to modernized classrooms and make the school compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act by adding an elevator, new ramps, and a connector bridging the two wings of the school.

Mayor Gray and Henderson say that the reprogramming would not threaten new schools in Wards 7 and 4 where the funds were originally allocated.  None the less, Council Member Yvette Alexander of Ward 7 has introduced a resolution of disapproval of the reprogramming which will be considered by the Council on Wednesday, December 17.

The ANC’s letter avoided criticizing Alexander, saying only, “We are particularly disappointed at some of the rhetoric being used to describe this reprogramming, including a statement that funding is being taken away from Ward 7 students.  In addition to serving Ward 6 students, Payne Elementary School serves a significant number of Ward 7 students, including students who live in the Temporary Emergency Family Homeless Shelter at DC General located in Ward 7.  These students, many of whom live in extreme poverty, deserve to go to a school that is fully modernized and accessible.”

Others were not so reticent.  Long time Hill activist Jim Myers posted to the newhilleast listserv the following:  “Is it possible that Ward 7 Council Member Yvette Alexander does not even know that Ward 7 children have been attending Payne School, even though it is in Ward 6? The DC General Family shelter and other facilities on Res. 13 have been part of Ward 7 since the last redistricting by City Council….So now it seems that Alexander wants to deny modernization funds for the school that little Relisha Rudd attended, because it is in Ward 6.  For shame.”  And ANC6B 10 Commissioner elect Denise Krepp – who attended Sunday’s meeting – “It seems terribly un-Christian to take this funding away from the children who attend Payne in this holiday season.”

The Week Ahead….And a Look Back

by Larry Janezich

A Look Back….

ANC6B’s Last Hurrah

Last Tuesday, ANC6B met for the last time in this two year term.  Six of the ten current commissioners did not seek re-election and one resigned.  It will next convene on January 13, 2015, in Hill Center with the three returning and seven newly elected members. Pictured below is the current commission in its last meeting.

ANC6B Supports Making It Harder to Build Pop Ups

At its last meeting on Tuesday, ANC6B voted 6-3 to in favor of an Office of Planning proposal to limit the matter-of-right height for townhouses in residential zones from 40 feet to 35 feet.  The OP will consider the proposal next year, taking into account the opinion of the ANCs.  The current 40 foot height limit would still be allowed under a special exception if certain criteria are met, as follows:  The applicant shall demonstrate the overall building height will not have a substantially adverse effect on the use or enjoyment of any abutting or adjacent dwelling or property, particularly regarding light and air, privacy of use and enjoyment of neighboring properties, and that the resulting building or structure height, as viewed from the street, alley and other public way, shall not substantially visually intrude upon the character, scale and pattern of houses along the subject street frontage.

Commissioners Flahaven, Campbell, Frishberg, Pate, Oldenburg and Jayaraman voted for the limit, citing opposition to the increasingly frequent pop ups on Capitol Hill.  Asked why they voted against the measure, the three commissioners who voted in opposition provided the following:

Sara Loveland:  “I support increased density for my SMD and many r-4 zones around the city that have similarly awesome transportation networks.  Modest pop ups are one great way to add it and either allow families to grow in their homes or provide some of the smaller unit sizes and workforce housing we are particularly lacking in this neighborhood.  I don’t see the need to make home owners jump through hoops for that extra five feet.  Arguments required to request a special exception to build to 40′ under the new code would require highly subjective interpretation. Design is key but the ANC isn’t a design committee.  I think decreasing the height limit might also actually exacerbate undesirable design when combined with space constraints of small lots.  Facade and street view are covered in Historic districts and we do need the city beyond those to evolve.”

Phil Peisch:  “I do not think the “pop-up” problem warrants decreasing the by-right height limit across the entire R-4 district.  The proposal is overbroad and will have unintended consequences.  It will require special exceptions for far more than just pop-ups and there is a real cost to that.  In addition, I think the test proposed for the special exception is extraordinarily subjective.  As a result, it is impossible to tell exactly what will and will not be prohibited.  There is some subjectivity in many zoning inquiries, but the level of subjectivity proposed here is unprecedented (in my experience) on the zoning side (more akin to a historic review analysis).”

Nichole Opkins:  “I felt that the proposed language was overbroad.”

Planning Commission Nods at Marion Park for Swamp Fox Statue

On Wednesday, December 3, The National Capital Planning Commission supported locating the proposed memorial to Francis Marion in Marion Park. In its comments the Commission recommended that if the sponsor chooses Marion Park as the preferred site they should develop design concepts that protect open space and public uses in the park.

CM Tommy Wells voted against the Marion Park site along with Commissioners Robert E. Miller, and Ellen McCarthy, reportedly after expressing reservations about Marion’s background.  See CHC post here:  http://bit.ly/1wzFEQs

The Marion Park site is the only one of the five sites under jurisdiction of the NPS – the other alternative sites belong to the District.  Given the strong feelings about Marion’s background, it seems unlikely the District would cooperate with the federal government to make any of the sites under its control available for the memorial, thus increasing the likelihood that Marion Park will become the statue’s destination.

Excerpts from the NCPC PROJECT SUMMARY

Public Law 110-229 authorizes the Marion Park Project to establish a commemorative work that honors Brigadier General Francis Marion on federal land in accordance with the Commemorative Works Act (CWA).  In accordance with the CWA, NCPC approves site and design for new commemorative works.

The National Park Service, on behalf of the Marion Park Project, submitted the Marion Memorial Site Selection Overview, a preliminary study of six potential sites, to the National Capital Planning Commission for review and comment. The Site Study alternatives include:

1. Garfield Park (West), between New Jersey and 2nd Street, SE
2. Garfield Park (East), between 2nd and 3rd Street, SE
3. Marion Park, on South Carolina Avenue between 4th and 6th Streets, SE
4. Pennsylvania and South Carolina Avenues, SE
5. South Carolina Avenue and C Street, SE
6. South Carolina and Massachusetts Avenues, SE

The Commission is not formally approving a site at this time. Moving forward, the memorial sponsor will take NCPC’s comments into account as it identifies a preferred site and develops design concepts.

Marion Barry

Through the gate of Congressional Cemetery.  Straight ahead to the chapel and turn left.  Take the next right.  The grave site is on the right hand side, half way down.

The Week Ahead…..

Monday, December 15

The second leaf pickup period starts today and runs through the 27^th.  Leaves should be piled in tree boxes for removal.

Monday, December 15

ANC 6A Transportation & Public Space Committee Meets at 7:00pm in Capitol Hill Towers (900 G Street, NE).

Among items on the agenda:  

Update from DC Streetcar officials regarding the final stages of the project and commencement of revenue service.

Request from residents for traffic calming on 15th Street NE near Miner Elementary School.

Tuesday, December 16

ANC 6A Alcoholic Beverage Licensing at 7:00pm at Sherwood Recreation Center (10th and G NE).

Among items on the agenda:

Class C Tavern license renewal for Lattice Partners LLC t/a Copycat Co. at 1110 H Street, NE.

Discussion of request by 1101 Convenience Mart for an exemption from the Ward 6 Singles Ban.

Wednesday, December 17

ANC 6B Executive Committee Meets at 6:30pm in Hill Center to set the agenda for the January 13, 2015, meeting.

Wednesday, December 17

ANC6A’s Economic Development and Zoning committee meets at 7:00pm at Sherwood Recreation Center, 640 10^th Street, NE.

Among items on the agenda:

Special exceptions for residential properties at 240 9^th Street, NE, 815 8^th Street, NE., 915 C Street, NE, and 1020 F Street, NE (might be a pop up).

Wednesday, December 17

ANC 6B’s Outreach and Constituent Services (O&CS) Task Force meeting at 7:00pm, is cancelled.

Wednesday, December 17

DC Public Service Commission meets at 6:00pm in the Commission’s hearing room at 1333 H Street, NW, 7th Floor East Tower, on the proposed Exelon and Pepco merger.

ANC6B passed a resolution last Tuesday requesting the City Council to not the merger without assurances that the merger will enhance availability of local, clean, affordable, reliable electricity for all customers in DC.  The vote was 6-0 with 3 abstentions.

Thursday, December 18

PSA 108 Meets at 7:00pm at Liberty Baptist Church, 527 Kentucky Avenue.  The meeting will feature Lt. JB Dykes.

A First Look at Office of Planning’s Three Concepts for Southeast Boulevard

by Larry Janezich

Last night, some 70 residents attended a meeting on the Southeast Neighborhood  Planning Study to offer input on three concept designs unveiled by the Office of Planning (OP) for a proposed Southeast Boulevard connecting 11^th Street, SE, to Barney Circle.

CM Tommy Wells, who hosted the meeting, told the audience that the original plan for the boulevard designed by DOT traffic engineers had been a disappointment.  Wells got the Office of Planning involved to explore opportunities to “knit the community together,” he said.

The three options presented by OP provide three different approaches to doing this, though all have the common feature of connecting the residential area south of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, to the Anacostia Waterfront.  Two of the options would address Capitol Hill’s tour bus problem, providing low visibility below grade parking for buses which now traverse and sometimes park on Capitol Hill streets.  The plans for all three options will be available on the Office of Planning’s website on Monday.  http://1.usa.gov/1Ar1XWE  Contact information for project manager Dan Emerine is on this page and comments may be emailed to him.

The first option would provide a FOUR lane boulevard separated by new townhouses and multifamily housing and provide parking for buses under the boulevard.

The second option would provide a TWO lane boulevard with parking on both sides, and new separated by townhouses and multifamily housing but no parking for buses.

The third option provides a FOUR lane boulevard split around a long park – two lanes on the north and south sides, no additional housing, and bus parking under the park.

One question a resident asked for which no direct answer was provided was why the boulevard is necessary at all.  Reasons offered during different portions of the meeting to justify the project included:  to accommodate current and future traffic, to provide access to new development on the Anacostia Waterfront, and to provide easy access from Ward 7 to downtown.  DDOT was not prepared last night to discuss expected traffic loads for the boulevard or to say how the project would fit into the traffic patterns in neighborhoods to the north.

The designs are preliminary and will be modified by community input.  The next step will be for DDOT to undertake a feasibility study to determine which elements of the three plans are actually possible.  Some of the issues that will be considered could include changing the classification of the land in question, the cost of the infrastructure, what’s underneath the land, the impact of a four vs. two lanes, bus issues, and the impact on Ward 7.

One theme that emerged at several points during the meeting concerned the heavy hand exercised by DDOT in carrying out its plans; even CM Wells said at one point that his office had not been kept aware of DDOT’s intentions.  ANC6B commissioner Brian Pate reinforced that notion, telling CHC that DDOT had not been transparent in relating to either the ANC or the community as it moved ahead with re-opening the Southeast Freeway or with planning the proposed Boulevard.

Asked to react to the proposed concepts, ANC6B Chair Brian Flahaven told CHC:  “All the OP concepts are much better than the initial freeway replacing freeway concepts provided by DDOT. All extend the neighborhood grid and connect residents to the Anacostia waterfront. While I appreciate DDOT support and involvement in the OP study, I am concerned that DDOT is not willing to put a timeline on the feasibility study that they say they need to conduct of the OP alternatives. I plan to urge the agency to expedite this additional study.”

A DDOT representative present pledged to meet with ANC6B on a quarterly basis to keep them abreast of the progress on moving to the feasibility study phase for the project.