CAPITOL HILL CORNER

Eastern Market Potluck. “Little Red and the Renegades” started early and played late. The popular regional band played a mix of Zydeco, New Orleans Funk, and World Beat. That’s band leader Little Red (Tom Corradino) on squeeze box.

More than two hundred neighbors turned out for the first of what will be an annual event.

Market Manager Barry Margeson’s pig roasted in a Caja China Roasting Box was well received.

Later that evening

The Week Ahead …..And Photos from Eastern Market’s Potluck

by Larry Janezich

Monday, May

ANC 6A Transportation & Public Space Committee Meets at 7:00pm, (NOTE LOCATION CHANGE) Maury Elementary School (1250 Constitution Avenue, NE).  Chair:  Omar Mahmud.

Among items on the Agenda:

Maryland Avenue, NE, pedestrian safety community meeting with DDOT to be held May 21, 2014 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Northeast Library

Request to install stop sign at 13th Street NE and I Street NE (convert intersection to a four-way stop)

Monday, May 19

ANC 6A Community Outreach Committee meets at 7:00pm at Maury Elementary, 1250 Constitution Ave NE (enter from 13th St.)   Chair Elizabeth Nelson.

Agenda:

Review of grant request: Miner ES PTO (athletic equipment)

Tuesday, May 20

ANC6A Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00pm, Sherwood Recreation Center (10th and G Streets, NE).  Chair:  Jay Williams.

Among items on the Agenda:

Update on status of XII and Cusbah protest hearings.

Update on requests by Little Miss Whiskey’s, H Street Country Club, Rock N Roll Hotel, and Vendetta to terminate their Settlement Agreements with ANC 6A.

Discussion of new tavern license application for Mythology & Lore at 816 H Street, NE

Discussion of new license application for Gallery O on H at 1354-1356 H Street, NE

Discussion of application for later Summer Garden hours by Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar at 1104 H Street NE

Tuesday, May 20

CHRS Board of Directors meets at 6:30pm, Capitol Hill Townhomes, 750 6th Street, SE, second

floor.  Chair:  Janet Quigley

Wednesday, May 21

ANC6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm in Sherwood Recreation Center 10th St, NE.  Co-Chair Dan Golden.

Agenda:

Historic Preservation Board application for placement of cell phone antennae atop existing church at 1301 North Carolina Avenue, NE

BZA approval for special exception from lot occupancy requirements and for variance from court width requirements, as well as HPRB approval for design of two-story addition to rear of existing row house at 1122 East Capitol Street

Wednesday, May 21

ANC 6B Outreach & Constituent Services Task Force Meets at 7:00pm at Hill Center.  Chair:  Brian Pate.

The Carriage House At Hill Center – Future Home of Bayou Bakery

Bayou Bakery To Bring Louisiana Cuisine to Hill Center Carriage, Fall 2014

Restaurant Will Serve Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner & Weekend Brunch

by Larry Janezich

The Washington Post reported this morning that celebrity chef David Guas of Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery in Arlington will open a second restaurant in Hill Center’s Carriage House in late 2014 – a long awaited arrival, as the Hill Center has been trying to find a tenant for the building since it opened in November 2011.

The restaurant’s Louisiana cuisine menu will include buttermilk biscuits, beignets, muffuletta sandwiches and will expand beyond the offerings at the Arlington spot where venting regulations short circuit a number of fried dishes.  Counter Culture Coffee is the exclusive supplier for the Arlington outlet, and it’s likely the relationship will extend to the new restaurant.

Guas was an associate pastry chef at Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans before coming to DC in 1998 and to the pastry kitchen of DC Coast.  After a decade of developing dessert menus as corporate pastry chef for Passion Food Hospitality, Gaus opened the rustic and acclaimed Bayou Baker in the Courthouse neighborhood of Arlington.  He is the author of a popular dessert cookbook: DamGoodSweet – Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth New Orleans Style.  He and his cooking has been featured in numerous print and electronic media outlets.

For the menu of Bayou Bakery in Arlington, go here:  http://bit.ly/1nSYX2y

For the Washington Post article, go here: http://wapo.st/1vfnMYv

Eastern Market to Host First Annual Potluck Dinner Tuesday Night

Community Potluck Dinner at Eastern Market Tuesday (Tomorrow) Night

Annual Event Will Promote Eastern Market as a Community Market

by Larry Janezich

Eastern Market will sponsor a community potluck dinner tomorrow night, Tuesday, May 13, from 7:00pm until 9:00pm, under the Farmer’s Line on 7th Street.  The potluck will officially kick off both the summer season and Fresh Tuesday Market which will be in full operation prior to the potluck.  Entertainment will be provided by the popular local band, Little Red and the Renegades.

Attendees are asked to bring a dish to share with 8 to 12 people (an entrée, salad, dessert, or drinks – but no alcohol).  Those who are late day walk-ins or want to participate without a contribution are welcome to show up according to Eastern Market Manager Barry Margeson.

Vendors inside and outside the market will participate.  Margeson will be roasting a pig from Union Meats in a Caja China Roasting Box.  “Caja China” (Chinese box in Spanish) allows cooking a whole pig in four hours using charcoal heat in the enclosed space.

Food contributions can be dropped off earlier in the day tomorrow at the North Hall.  Call Barry Margeson at 202 689 4031 for details or additional information.

The annual potluck is one of several community events planned in coming months which will focus on enhancing the relationship between Eastern Market and the community.

One of the 36 Ben Tolman pieces currently showing at The Fridge, through June 1.

The Week Ahead……Monthly meetings for ANC 6B, ANC 6C, and ANC 6D

By Larry Janezich

Monday, May 12

ANC6D holds its regular May meeting at 7:00pm in the DCRA Meeting Room, 1100 4th Street, SW, 2nd Floor.

Among items on the Agenda:

Presentation by WMATA on development at Navy Yard Metro

Channel Square Use Variance

Tour de Cure Race, American Diabetes Association

Monday, May 12

ANC6B Subcommittee on the PUD application for the development at 1333 M Street, SE, chaired by Commissioner Nichole Opkins, will meet at 7:00pm in Hill Center.  On the Agenda:

Explanation of the PUD and the PUD process, community involvement, and timeline.  In addition to commissioners, the following stakeholder representatives have been named to the subcommittee:

Scott Kratz, Director, 11^th Street Bridge Project

Gary Peterson, Zoning Chair, CHRS

Frank Vargas, Neighbor, 1332 L Street, SE

Mary Withum, Neighbor, 1514 Potomac Avenue, SE

To see CHC report on this project, go here: http://bit.ly/1pW7yOm

Tuesday, May 13

ANC6B holds its regular May meeting at 7:00pm in Hill Center.

Among items on the Agenda:

Unenclosed sidewalk café for Curbside Café, 257 15^th Street, SE

Presentation on closure and rehabilitation of Marion Park (across from the District 1 MPD Station on E Street, between 4^th and 5^th Streets, SE)

Summer garden for Nooshi Capitol Hill, 524 8^th Street, SE

Special exception for fast food pizza restaurant at 1400 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

Special exception for fast food pizza restaurant (& Pizza) at 405 8^th Street, SE

Historic preservation application for façade alterations and rooftop addition for 531 8th Street, SE

Relocation of existing emergency shelter for 100 persons from Building 9 to Building 27 on the DC General Hospital Campus

Letter regarding 6B recommendations for actions on pocket parks

Letter with comments to Department of General Services regarding the former Eastern Branch Boys and Girls Club Building request for offers

Approval of testimony regarding CSX Virginia Avenue Tunnel project

Wednesday, May 14

ANC6C holds its regular May meeting at 7:00pm at the Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

Among items on the Agenda:

Calvin Smith and Commissioner Price will comment on Specialty Hospital

Public Space applications—Two Rivers Public Charter School, Union Place II

NoMa Poodle Park, 100 block L Street—concept, NoMa BID

DDOT: performance parking, RPP, 2nd Street signage, photo enforced, bicycle issues

RPP request, 700 block of I Street N.E.

337 H Street N.E., FOIA request to DCRA

Alcohol license issues for Shake Shack, 50  Massachusetts Avenue, NE and Tru Orleans, 400 H Street, NE.

Southeast Resident Dies After Beating at Barracks Row 7-11

by Larry Janezich

Today, the Washington Post reported that a 60 year old resident of Southeast died after being critically injured last Tuesday night in and outside of the 7-11 convenience store on Barracks Row.  The victim, Carlton Coltrane was apparently accosted and beaten by two men after encountering them inside the store where he was making a purchase.  The Washington Post has posted video captured by security cameras of the victim and his two alleged assailants as well as additional information here:  http://wapo.st/SMW2vC

Fragment of Triangle Park Adjoining 147 Tennessee Avenue, NE

DDOT Policy Official Alice Kelly Tells ANC6A of Change in Triangle Park Policy

ANC6A Votes to Oppose Permit to Allow Fencing of Public Parking Space Adjacent to 147 Tennessee Avenue, NE

Pocket Park Dispute Near Lincoln Park Sparks DDOT Policy Change

New Policy Announced on Thursday to Head off ANC6A’s Calls to Review DDOT Authority

by Larry Janezich

Last Thursday night, at ANC6A’s May meeting, DDOT announced a policy change aimed at placating ANC 6A Commissioners who expressed concern about DDOT control over the city’s triangle or pocket parks.  An application to fence in a fragment of a triangle park at 147 Tennessee Avenue, NE, and ANC6A’s demands for transfer of control of these parks away from the agency prompted the changes.

Presumably in response to ANC6A votes scheduled to occur Thursday night, DDOT dispatched DDOT policy official Alice Kelly to announce a new DDOT Departmental Order prior to the votes.  She carried only a few copies of the order with her to the meeting, and summarized its major components for those in attendance.

According to Kelly the policy provides a new DDOT review process and standards of evaluation for public space permits affecting triangle or pocket parks which are currently categorized by the Department as “public parking” – space like Capitol Hill’s front yards, owned by the city but maintained by homeowners and often fenced-in.  The new standards for these parks provide that there can be no change in function as public open space; public access must be preserved, any improvements must promote public enjoyment and use of the park, and ANC review of permit applications.

There was a hint that other elements of city government were watching what ANC6A was doing Thursday night.  Although possibly coincidental, the rare appearance at the meeting of Gottlieb Simon, Executive Director of the DC Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, nevertheless heightened the awareness of commissioners of the city government’s interest in the matter, as well as the controversy it has sparked.

For months now, the neighborhood north of Lincoln Park has been embroiled over an attempt to establish that a piece of city-owned land adjacent to a home at 147 Tennessee Avenue, NE, should be treated in an identical manner as the city-owned land comprising the front yard of the homeowner –  and all of the other front yards in DC.  DDOT regulations supported that view and DDOT Director Terry Bellemy told ANC6A as much in a letter dated October 25, 2013.

The case had multiple layers of complexity and combativeness, including a sense of entitlement by the homeowners in question and a corresponding one by some nearby neighbors; allegations of bad process on the part of both DDOT and ANC6A; lack of communication, dissemination of mis-information; and allegations of bad behavior by residents and one elected official.

The homeowners at 147 Tennessee Avenue, NE, have, over some 20 years, invested considerable money and effort in landscaping the adjacent triangle park.  The space is divided by a street (which is why DDOT has control of these parks) and the smaller portion adjoins 147 Tennessee Avenue.  The homeowners’ investment came after receiving official DDOT sanction to landscape the plot.  They subsequently applied for a permit to install a historic fence to fence off the smaller portion adjoining their home, they say, to protect the landscaping and their community investment.

Several neighbors on the block supported the application for a permit to build the fence – 12 wrote  letters to HPRB, six of whom are close neighbors; 28 Capitol Hill residents signed a petition supporting the fence (seven of whom are close neighbors of 147 Tennessee Avenue).

Other neighbors opposed any proposal to fence the land, citing the need to walk their dogs or their historic affection for the land, but most frequently their resentment at what they saw as a neighbor attempting to appropriate public land for personal use.  While expressing appreciation for the beautification efforts, these neighbors felt their own sense of entitlement to continue treating the space as “public space” with unrestricted public access.  The need of the neighbors to use the smaller potion seems less compelling on examining the small size of the space involved and its proximity to the home in question and to the larger remaining portion of the triangle park as well as to Lincoln Park a block away.  Neighbors and commissioners voiced concerns that the case could set a precedent which would allow for the privatization of public lands across the city, which, one commissioner said, would “deprive low-income families who cannot vacation a place to enjoy recreation.”

ANC6A’s Transportation and Public Space committee chose to side with these neighbors.  A committee meeting last month to consider the application for the fence was characterized by ANC6A Commissioner Gilbert-Phillips as “chaos”.  She said she was “very disappointed” at the “bullying” treatment the homeowner received from neighbors hostile to the fence plan.  The committee voted unanimously to recommend that the full ANC oppose the application to erect a fence on the basis that a fence “will further detract from the historic appearance” of the (space which was originally a single triangular park) “and more importantly, the fence would prevent public access.”  The committee also aggressively recommended 1) that the ANC ask DDOT to correct their characterization of triangle parks as “public parking, 2) that Councilmember Cheh take steps to transfer control of triangle parks from DDOT to the Department of Parks and Recreation, and 3) ask that the City Council declare pocket parks public space.

The passionate feelings of some in the community spilled over into action.  The homeowners say that some of the neighbors – including current ANC6A Chair Nick Alberti – took matters into their own hands, going out of their way to occupy the space adjacent to 147 Tennessee by repeatedly walking their dogs through and over the plants and shrubbery in a seemingly deliberate fashion.  Some neighbors have accused the homeowner of too aggressively defending their plantings and landscaping not only by personal confrontations, but going so far as to seek restraining orders against two of the neighbors, one of whom was Alberti.  The homeowners say they did so upon the recommendation of the Metropolitan Police Department.

After a discussing the issue and acknowledging that DDOT’s new policy as articulated by Kelly was a step in the right direction, the commission proceeded to vote 4 – 1 to ask DDOT to correct the characterization of pocket parks and “public parking.”

At that point, Commissioner Omar Mahmud, chair of the Transportation and Public Space Committee appeared ambivalent about pursuing votes on the remaining motions, saying that the policy order presented by Kelly seemed to address the remaining concerns.

ANC6A Chair Alberti, however, pressed to continue with votes on the remaining motions, saying, “If DDOT doesn’t focus on them, they won’t pay attention to my issues.”

Subsequently, the motions recommending Councilmember Cheh  take steps to transfer triangle parks under DDOT to Department of Parks and Recreation, asking the City Council to declare pocket parks public space, and to oppose the application of the homeowners at 147 Tennessee Avenue  to erect a fence around a fragment of the triangle park (currently designated as “public parking by DDOT), all passed 4 – 1, with commissioners Alberti, Wood, Mahmud, and Hysell voting in the affirmative and commissioner Phillips-Gilbert voting in the negative.  Commissioner Jay Williams who was necessarily absent said he would have voted with the majority, if present.

Asked afterward if he had considered recusing himself from the deliberations and vote in light of the restraining order issue, Alberti replied, “Have I considered it?  Yes.”  Asked why he hadn’t recused himself, Alberti replied, “This is not personal – it is an issue affecting the entire Ward – the entire city.”

This is not the first time our local ANC’s have crossed swords with DDOT on public space or transportation issues.  There is a long history in both ANC6A and ANC6B of what commissioners see as cavalier disregard of the “great weight” agencies are supposed to give to ANC opinions as well as failure to follow through on DDOT initiatives.  DDOT Director Terry Bellemy announced his resignation for a position in Prince George’s County shortly after Councilmember Muriel Bowser won the Democratic nomination for mayor.  That resignation was to be effective at the end of April.  Bellemy signed the new DDOT Departmental order on April 30.

For more background on the legal details of the case, see The Hill Rag,: http://bit.ly/1fTg69M

David Holmes Announced His Resignation as ANC Commissioner Last Night

David Holmes Resigns as ANC6A Commissioner

by Larry Janezich

Last night, ANC6A Commissioner David Holmes announced his resignation as a commissioner for ANC6A03, saying “It is time for a change.”  He said the notice of the resignation had appeared two weeks ago in the DC Register – the city’s record of official announcements.  Holmes was elected in 2006 and has served on the ANC for 7 ½ years – three as Chair and three as Vice Chair.  He said, “Being Chair was a forty to 60 hour a week job. As a retiree I had the time but the commitment is wearing after a few years go by.”  Holmes said he timed his resignation on a date “that will allow a new Commissioner to be elected to fill the vacancy without waiting until the general election in November.  No vacancy can be filled in the last six months of the term.”

The announcement came as a surprise to those attending the meeting and Holmes received the applause of the commissioners and attendees by way of thanks for his service.  Commissioners individually paid tribute to Holmes for his work on the commission.

Later, Holmes talked about some of the issues he was involved in while serving as commissioner.  Several of his most important activities centered around the development of H Street, including lobbying Councilmembers to reduce the property tax burden on merchants and homeowners on and adjacent to H Street, working to maintain funding for and commitment to the H Street streetcars, working to improve design and amenities for large real estate projects on H Street and to protect residents of nearby streets from excessive noise from sidewalk cafes.

Another major focus of his attention was traffic and transportation issues, and Holmes cited working to slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety on C Street, Maryland Avenue and Florida Avenue; getting stop signs placed on 10th and 12th Streets at C and Constitution; and, with the help of Councilmember Wells, changing Constitution to a two-way street in the morning.   In his own district, Holmes claimed credit for partially or completely repaving four damaged alleys and most of the streets.  Regarding crime, he led citizen impact campaigns to lock up habitual car vandalizers.  Holmes worked with other ANCs, to stop the National Marathon from enclosing Capitol Hill for 5-6 hours.  Finally, he referred to the little things – the things that take up so much of a commissioner’s time and effort:  countless improvements of street lights, parking and sweeping signs, stop signs, park maintenance, sidewalk repair, storm drains, etc.

Asked about his immediate future plans, Holmes said he and his wife Shauna want to take time to travel.

ANC6A Chair Alberti, Vice Chair Omar Mahmud and fellow commissioner Andrew Hysell subsequently paid tribute to Holmes.

Alberti said:  “David served as an ANC 6A Commissioner for six years including three years as Chair of the ANC.  As Commissioner, David spent countless hours each week working for the benefit of of our entire community; as Chair, he provided outstanding leadership.  ANC 6A has benefited greatly from all that David accomplished during his tenure.  His advocacy for agency accountable and the preservation of public green space will pay dividends for decades to come.  It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve with him and I will greatly miss his wise advice and invaluable assistance.  It saddens me to see David resign as Commissioner but I wish him well. He has certainly earned some rest, but I hope that I will have future opportunities to work with David on behalf of the neighborhood we love.

Mahmud called Holmes  “an outstanding public servant” who “we all we all owe a tremendous debt of gratitude for his work helping to ensure government agencies are accountable to residents, working with business owners to ensure a balancing of business needs with those of residents, ensuing support for and viability of the H Street Farmers Market, among other things.  Losing David on the ANC is a huge loss for me personally because I have come to rely on him a great deal as a Commissioner, but I am glad he will still be in the neighborhood for us to call upon for counsel and advice.”

Hysell said “The role of Commissioner revolves around two core functions – listening to residents and then advocating for our interests before DC government. David was truly excellent at both and his conscientious approach to all of his responsibilities has been the model for the rest of us to follow.”

ANC6A Bylaws lay out the procedures for filling the vacancy.  The Bylaws can be found on the ANC6A website:  http://www.anc6a.org/  – click on “Other Documents”.

ANC6B P&Z Committee Votes To Oppose Fast Food Exemption for & Pizza (Not shown: 6B08 Commissioner Chander Jayaraman Voting “No”

ANC6B Commissioners Hear Linda Elliott Voice Neighbor Concerns About Another Fast Food Restaurant on Barracks Row

ANC Committee Opposes “& Pizza” Move to Barracks Row

Neighbors Call Out ​ Owner on Trustworthiness

by Larry Janezich

ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee voted (9-3) last night to oppose a special exception to the ban on fast food that would allow & Pizza to open up on Barracks Row.  The appeals of a dozen neighbors, some of whose backyards are divided from the commercial corridor on the west side of the 400 block of Barracks Row by only a fence clearly swayed the committee.  Restaurant chain owner Steve Salis is seeking to open a fourth pizza outlet in the space now occupied by OXXO Cleaner​s; several residents and commissioners feel that the block is already overpopulated with restaurants.  And while a restaurant could go into the space as a matter of right, city regulations prohibit fast food restaurants on Barracks Row (and in other designated areas of the city) without the special exception.

& Pizza owner Steve Salis delivered a professional and collegial presentation to the ANC (referring to commissioners as “you  guys”),​ asserting that he was different from the other restaurants on the block because of training and discipline regarding dealing with issues concerning neighbors, including trash, rodents, noise and odors.  He assured the committee he could deal with them in this case to neighbors’ satisfaction.

The neighbors, who say they had begun negotiations regarding the restaurant operations predisposed to lending their support to Salis​, became soured on his project after ​he​ refused to address some of their primary concerns (especially trash) in writing and became ​”not belligerent, [but] close to it,”​ ​ in the words of a neighbor who attended a group meeting with Salis.

Salis is a former NYC entrepreneur who romanced Barracks Row in 2011/2012 with an earnest and accommodating approach, promising to bring new blood to the 400 block in the space formerly occupied by The Dollar Store.  He backed away from that deal after failing to reach an agreement with building owner Street Sense, and opened up on H Street, NE, instead.

The subsequent successful suitor for the Dollar Store space was Chiptole, who offered assurances of their intentions to be good neighbors.  Those assurances were met with open mindedness on the part of 7th Street residents and a belief that Chipotle – with a reputation for quality fast food and with corporate resources – would be a good neighbor.  But, as Commissioner Phil Peisch remarked last night, “Although Chipotle made a serious effort to work with neighbors, implementation fell flat and Chipotle ended up contributing to the (rat and trash) problem.”  According the Peisch, the serious rodent issue in the area is centered on that side of the block. “I’m not sure that block can handle another fast food restaurant.’  (See CHC post on last month’s rat summit here:  http://bit.ly/Qi20my)

In his presentation to the ANC Committee last night, Salis stressed the concessions he had made to neighbors on noise and odors and offered two solutions to the trash and attendant rat problem.  His first suggestion was a state- of-the-art trash compactor such as used by Cava restaurant in the next block.  His second was an offer to construct a trash storage shed similar to one used by Chipotle.  The latter would require a BZA variance (ANC6B had opposed a similar request from building owner Maurice Kreindler earlier this year).

7th Street resident Linda Elliott, representing some dozen nearby homeowners, gave a Power Point presentation illustrating how Cava’s trash compactor and Chipotle’s trash storage shed had failed to solve the trash and rodent problems plaguing the neighborhood.  The flaw, she said, was human failure in a situation where success depended on people who are either too busy to provide the extra care necessary to properly dispose of trash, or are concerned about standing in the dark in a rat infested alley to compact trash a few bags at a time.  The resulting “trash dribble” and open trash compactors and receptacles provide an environment in which rats and other vermin thrive.

Elliott said that Salis said, “You can trust me,” and when asked if he had trash violations at any of his other locations replied, according to Elliott, “No.”   Elliott said investigation revealed that & Pizza on H Street – a restaurant whose building most closely resembles the Barrack’s Row location – has had 12 violations.  Elliott’s Power Point presentation included recent photos of trash conditions behind & Pizza on H Street, Cava on Barracks Row, and behind Maurice Kreindler’s properties on Barracks Row that can only be described as deplorable.  “We have a clear problem accepting assertions Mr. ​Salis has made,” Elliott ​told the committee​ .

Salis responded that a restaurant of some kind​was likely to go into the OXXO space “because restaurants are the only ones that can pay rents on 8th Street right now.”  He noted that as a matter of right, any non-fast food restaurant can go into the space without seeking an exception and allowed the committee to infer that he might seek an exception without an ANC endorsement.

He also said that ​he had acceded to all the requests the neighbors had made except for trash.  Addressing the committee members, he said, “You guys will make a decision on what is best for the community … I think we will definitely contribute to the community.”

Elliott noted that another fast food exception is in the pipeline for Potbelly which hopes to locate where Tandoor Grill currently is.  She noted that regardless of whether the exception is granted or not, the long-time building owner Tariq Hussein has pledged that for any restaurant going into that space he will provide indoor trash storage, state of the art sound proofing and odor control.

Commissioner Phil Peish moved the committee take no position on the request for an exception, but accepted Commissioner Dave Garrison’s amendment that the committee recommend that the ANC oppose it.

The final vote was 9 – 3  to oppose, with Commissioner Brian Flahaven and resident members Jennifer Rosen (ANC610) and Brynn Barnett (ANC603) voting in favor of the restaurant.  When the matter goes to the full ANC next week, only duly elected commissioners can vote.  Since seven commissioners on the 10 member commission opposed the exception last night, opposition by the full ANC seems assured.  The one caveat, however, is that new information by the applicant could be presented to the ANC at their May meeting next Tuesday in an effort to change their collective mind.