CAPITOL HILL CORNER

 

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

Monday, March 4

ANC6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00pm, Kaiser Permanente, 700 2^nd Street, NE. 

Agenda:

Brothers Burger Bar, LLC d/b/a Aroma, 707 H Street, NE, application for new restaurant license.

CHRS Historic Preservation Committee meets at 6:30pm, Kirby House, 420 10th Street, SE.

Agenda not available at press time.

Washington Bach Consort Returns with Free Music Series, 12:10pm, St. Peter’s Church* (see details below)

Tuesday, March 5

ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm, Coletta’s school, 1901 Independence Avenue, SE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Discussion on neighborhood elements of the Comprehensive Plan (Tentative).

124 11th Street, SE – Historic Preservation Application – concept/rear and rooftop additions.

124 11th Street, SE – Zoning adjustment – Special Exception to permit construction of a one story rear addition and a two story accessory building to an existing attached principal dwelling unit.

1639 Potomac Avenue, SE – Zoning adjustment – Special exceptions to permit construction of a two-story rear addition to an existing, attached principal dwelling unit.

522 6th Street, SE – Historic Preservation application – concept/two-story rear addition.

620 C Street, SE – Historic Preservation application – concept/one-story rooftop.

209 C Street, SE – Historic Preservation application – Plans to alter the front areaway with public space.

1225-1227 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE – Zoning adjustment – Special exceptions to permit construction of a second-story addition on an existing one-story commercial use building.

360 7th Street, SE, The Eastern Wine Bar – Public Space Permit Application for a new unenclosed sidewalk café.

ANC 6C Environment, Parks & Events Committee meets at 7:00pm, Kaiser Permanente, 700 2^nd street, NE. 

Among items on the draft agenda:

NoMa Parks Foundation – Status update on parks projects and underpass installations.

Capitol Hill Classic – This year’s event will be held on Sunday, May 19. Race organizers will talk about the event and again seek ANC support. We will pay special attention to the planned implementation of MPD’s “Clean Routes Initiative”, which bans parking along the race route.

Solar United Neighbors of DC (DC SUN) – Michaela Meehan will discuss the mission of DC SUN, a non-profit that brings homeowners together in a co-operative for bulk-purchasing quality solar panel installation on their homes. We will focus special attention on DC SUN’s “Solar For All” initiative, which allows income-qualifying residents to receive free solar installation courtesy of a District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) grant administered by DC SUN.  Because the “Solar For All” grant is expiring soon, DC SUN is actively looking to find qualified applicants to sign up for this program by April 2019. The qualifying income rates depend on family size and range from $65,650 for a family of one to $123,750 for a family of eight. Details on the program are available on DC SUN’s website: https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/dc/go-solar-in-d-c/go-solar-ina-d-c-group/solar-for-all-co-op/

Wednesday, March 6

ANC6B Transportation Committee will meet at 7:00pm in the conference room, ground floor, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue (entrance to left of Trader Joe’s). 

Among items on the draft agenda: 

Revised Circulator Turnaround at Eastern Market Metro.

Overview of DDOT’s Sidewalk Repair System.

2nd Draft of Small Cell Design Guidelines.

Re-introduced Transportation Benefits at Equity Amendment Act of 2019.

Final Discussion on suggested dockless bike rack locations in 6B.

ANC6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee meets at 6:30pm, Northeast Library, 7^th and D Streets, NE. 

Among items on the draft agenda: 

120 7th Street, NE – Discussion of recent illegal construction activity at Verizon facility.  (See also agenda for ANC6C Transportation and Public Space meeting on Thursday.)

224 C Street, NE – Zoning adjustment application for a special exception to permit a second floor addition to an existing accessory structure.

429 5th Street, NE – Historic Preservation application for concept approval for three story rear addition and one story rooftop addition

707 H Street, NE – Discussion of potential BZA appeal from the January 22 issuance of certificate of occupancy CO1901156 in apparent violation of the maximum 1.5 FAR in the NC-16 zone.

Capitol Crossing [air-rights project above I-395, bounded by 2nd & G Streets, NW] Zoning Application – PUD modification of consequence to convert the approved use of the building from residential (with ground-floor retail) to hotel use and to provide the approved affordable housing off site.

2019 Council oversight hearings – Discussion of further topics for ANC 6C testimony.

Thursday, March 7, 2019

ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee meets at 7:00pm at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue. 

Agenda:

Preparation for ABRA Restaurant License Renewals

ANC 6C Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm, Kaiser Permanente, 700 2nd Street, NE. 

Among items on the draft agenda:

701 2nd Street, NE – Café Fili – Public Space application for an unenclosed sidewalk café.

Verizon – 120 7th Street, NE – Verizon owns a large building at 120 7th Street, NE used for telecommunications equipment. On the street in front of the parking lot is signed “Tow Away, No Parking, Loading Zone, 8 am to 4 pm” but there is no driveway between this section of the street and the entrance to the building. Over the last several months, Verizon and/or its contractors have been driving trucks over the curb and unpaved public space to the parking area near the entrance to the building. A Verizon rep has been invited. The committee will discuss options to stop this behavior, which may include installing tree-box fencing or removal of the loading zone.

Proposed Rulemaking – Proper Behavior in Bike Lanes.  This proposed rulemaking amends Title 18 DCMR to improve bicycle and passenger safety and further pursue the District’s Vision Zero goal for transportation safety by: clarifying rules related to restricted and bicycle lanes; clarifying that a person may only stop or stand at certain locations at the direction of a police officer or traffic control device; and prohibiting parking but allow stopping and standing to unload passengers or freight at other specific locations. https://dcregs.dc.gov/Common/DCR/Issues/IssueCategoryList.aspx?CategoryID=14&IssueID=750

Friends of Southeast Library meet at 5:30pm at Southeast Library, lower level. 

Agenda:  

Discussion of upcoming March 9 book sale and other routine business.

Friday, Marcy 8

Free Opening Reception for Broken Safety Art Exhibit at The Fridge

Political street artist Absurdly Well and artist Esteban Whiteside come together in their first joint art exhibition to address social circumstances that galvanizes today’s urban society.

Gentrification and displacement is at an all-time high in major cities in the nation. The lack of financial, domestic and democratic safety has been taking a toll on the poor and middle class for years.

Artists also have been feeling the pinch of big business moving in Washington. With more and more luxury condominiums being built & rising rents, artist spaces have been shutting down. These factors consequentially put this ‘broken safety’ in the cross-hairs of many US citizens.

Collectors and admirers of Absurdly Well & Esteban will be amazed by the ambitious sizes of art and spanning subject-matter. Each piece is a unique perspective on and during the Trump regime from the most prolific artist-activists. Most pieces are never-before-seen.

Exhibit will be on view through March 31, and there will be programming and artist talks throughout the month by both artists.

The Fridge is at 516 1/2 8th Street, SE, rear alley.

And at The Corner Store:  

Launch party for CONFLUENCE: Two Rivers One City, 7:00pm, Corner Store Arts, 900 South Carolina Avenue, SE.

Continuing at the Corner Store Arts:

In the Gallery: IT’S ELEMENTARY: The Four Elements – Earth /Air /Fire /Water.  Featuring artists: Maremi Andreozzi, Kate McConnell, Heike Gramckow, Kimberley Bursic, Nan Raphael, Chica Brunsvold, Nanette Bevan, Aina Neergard Nammack, and Karen Cohen.  Closing Party: Sunday March 31 from 3-5pm.

Saturday, March 9

Friends of Southeast Library Book Sale.  10:00am – 3:00pm, Southeast Library, lower level. 

 

*Washington Bach Consort Returns With Free Music Series

Upcoming new season of free, noontime music from the Washington Bach Consort – a perfect way to spend your lunch hour. The Cantata Series kicks off on Capitol Hill on Monday, March 4th at St. Peter’s Church, (313 2nd St., SE) and the next day, Tuesday, March 5th at The Church of the Epiphany (1317 G Street, NW). The series continues until May on the first Monday and Tuesday of each month. Each show starts at 12:10pm and free to the general public.

The series continues the Bach Consort’s mission of introducing and making accessible the music of J.S. Bach to audiences who may not have prior familiarity with his work or with classical music in general. For nearly three decades, Washington Bach Consort has presented the free Noontime Cantata Series in downtown DC at the Church of the Epiphany (1317 G Street, NW). They expanded their work last year to include the Capitol Cantatas Series, fulfilling the long-time dream of Washington Bach Consort Founder, the late Dr. J Reilly Lewis.

Washington Bach Consort will continue to offer their original Downtown Cantata Series at the Church of the Epiphany on the first Tuesday of each month during their season.

For a full schedule and more info, visit: https://bachconsort.org/noontime-cantatas/

The upcoming free Cantata Series Capitol Hill performances are as follows:

Monday, March 4, 12:10pm

Capital Cantata at St. Peter’s on Capitol Hill

Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust, BWV 170

Monday, April 1, 12:10pm

Capital Cantata at St. Peter’s on Capitol Hill

Cantata: Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke, BWV 84

Monday, May 6, 12:10pm

Capital Cantata at St. Peter’s on Capitol Hill

Cantata: Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal in das Reich Gottes eingehen, BWV 146

 

The Week Ahead…. & Margaret Hollister:  1917 – 2019

by Larry Janezich

Monday, February 25

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentation of traffic study results for 8th & A Street intersection as well as 10th & East Capitol Street intersection – Naomi Klein, District Department of Transportation will provide study results but will not attend.

Evaluation of Commissioners’ lists of “pedestrian safety issues” to be grouped and prioritized for eventual submission to DDOT.

The 40th Annual 2019 Capitol Hill Classic 10K, 3K, and Fun Run – May 19 – Roberta Stewart.

Review of potential application for Maury Elementary under the Daytime School Zone Parking Act.

ANC 6A Community Outreach Committee meets at 7:00pm, Eastern High School Parent Center, 1700 East Capitol Street, NE. (Enter from East Capitol Street)

Among items on the draft agenda:

Unspecified committee Business.

Tuesday, February 26

ANC6B Executive Committee meets at 7:00pm at Hill Center.

Agenda:

To set the agenda for the meeting of ANC6B on March 12.

Wednesday, February 27

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) meets at 7:00pm, North Hall, Eastern Market. 

Among items on the draft agenda:

Independent Community Member election: Nomination Committee Chair, Chuck Burger.

Meeting with DGS

Testimony on DGS Performance

Meeting with Stanton Eastbanc re parking and the Memo of Understanding.

Market Manager’s Report

DSG’s Request for Proposals (RFP) for a flea market operator on the 300 block of 7^th Street, SE.

Saturday, March 2

Community Litter Cleanup starts at 9:00am (Trusty’s and Atlas Vets have a 10:00am start).

Volunteer bags and glove pick-up locations include Fulcrum Properties – 1328 G Street, SE; Trusty’s – 1420 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; 7-11 – 1501 Independence Avenue, SE; Atlas Vet – 1326 H Street, NE; and Chik-fil-A – 1401 Maryland Avenue, SE (offering free breakfast sandwich to volunteers).  Volunteers return filled bags to any of these sponsors.  At 10:00 am, Fulcrum Properties offers mimosas, coffee and donuts to volunteers.  Info on rain cancellation will be available by emailing here:  CleanCapHill@gmail.com

The Week Ahead…LOC Open House Tomorrow & Last Chance to See This Powerful Exhibit at the National Gallery

by Larry Janezich

Monday, February 18

DC Government observes Presidents’ Day.  No trash pickup.

Library of Congress Open House

Twice each year, the Library of Congress opens its magnificent Main Reading Room to share information about how the public can access the Library’s resources year-round. The Main Reading Room will be open to the public on the federal Presidents Day holiday, Monday, February 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Main Reading Room is located on the first floor of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E., Washington, D.C.   American Sign Language interpreters will be available during the open house.

The Jefferson Building will open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In lieu of the normal tour schedule, docents will be available to talk with visitors about the Jefferson Building, its history, art and architecture and the Library’s collections and exhibitions between 9:30 am. and 4:30 p.m.

More here:  https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-19-009/

Tuesday, February 19

CANCELLED ANC6A Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00pm. Sherwood Recreation Center, 10th and G Streets, NE.  

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee, Special Meeting, 7:00pm, North Hall of Eastern Market. 

Agenda:

Community input on the performance of DGS as related to Eastern Market in preparation for the oversight hearing of the City Council’s Committee on Facilities and Procurement.

Capitol Hill Restoration Society Board of Directors meets at 6:30PM, at Capitol Hill Townhomes, 750 6^th Street, SE.

Agenda not available at press time.

Wednesday, February 20

CANCELLED ANC6A – Economic Development and Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm, Sherwood Recreation Center, 10^th and G Streets, NE. 

Thursday, February 21

Mayor Bowser’s Budget Engagement Forum #1 meets at 6:30pm, Arthur Capper Community Denter, 1001 5^th Street, SE.  Metro stop: Navy Yard/Ballpark Station.

You Have to Watch Them Every Minute….

by Larry Janezich

There was a lot of back and forth between the owner of 326 A Street, SE, near St. Mark’s Church and the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) the past couple of years over a proposed renovation of this property.  The bottom line was HPRB’s approval of a renovation entailing the demolition of a small attached structure at the rear of the house.  Any other demolition was to have been only after a report detailing conditions and plans regarding dismantling, salvaging, and reconstructing the house using as much of the original material as possible, and with the stricture that the east elevation of the house should be retained.

However, once a contractor gets started, sometimes it’s hard for them to stop.  The result is shown above:  a demolition that goes far beyond anything authorized by the HPRB, with no possibility for salvage, the construction material already having been hauled off.

Once the extent of the work was called to HPRB’ attention, an inspector slapped a stop work order on the project – too late to comply with any HPRB attempt to preserve a contributing structure to the Historic District.  The contractor was reported to have justified the virtual raze by claiming unsafe conditions at the site.

HPRB has mandated that work cannot resume until a revised building permit is reviewed and approved by that office and approved by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs – the forced delay apparently being the only penalty for transgressing HPRB’s license.

As they say, sometimes it’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

CM Allen at ANC6C:  Crime, Policing, and Community Action on Crosswalks

by Larry Janezich

CM Charles Allen appeared before ANC6C’s February meeting Wednesday night at the first of hisannual early spring Ward 6 ANC appearances to report on what’s happening in the city council vis a vis Ward 6.

As Chair of the council’s Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, he had a lot to say about crime and policing.

He said that although violent crime has gone down in many areas of the city, last year there were 160 homicides, and that is unacceptable.  Further, the number of homicides in the beginning of this year is higher than the last.  Allen says, “We need to have a comprehensive approach to public safety and reducing gun violence… I do not believe increasing the number of arrests is the way to go.”

He wants to focus on prevention, citing the work of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (created under the NEAR Act – Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results)  – which aims to intervene in communities to head off violence.  Allen said that most violent crimes are one-on-one interactions that turn lethal very quickly, involving a gun or knife.  The question is, he said, “How do we get into the neighborhoods to stop it – it’s not always police officers – we work with neighborhood leaders to help de-escalate situations.”  He says the city has spent a lot of time on that and has seen results.

On community policing, Allen said that during a public safety oversight hearing with MPD last week, he had pointed to two potentially conflicting needs:   the need to build community trust when enforcing the NEAR Act while recognizing the unintentional bias that exists in all of us, and, when there is a clear and present danger we want MPD to make that stop.  “It’s a challenge to do both,” he said, “the answer is not saying not to stop anymore, but to do the right stop.”

The city is looking at a multifaceted approach because there doesn’t seem to be a single answer.  He cited one of the facets, the Red Flag Law – requiring police to take weapons from people deemed dangerous to themselves or others, while providing limited immunity from charges of possession for people turning in illegal guns.

Allen disagrees with the recent decision of DC’s US Attorney’s Office to prosecute felony possession of guns in federal US District Court rather that DC Superior Court.   The reason he said, is that convictions under federal court results in sentences to the federal Bureau of Prisons located all over the country, taking those incarcerated  away from family and community, resulting in a higher recidivism rate.  In addition, the feds provide fewer tools to help former inmates re-enter society.  “But it’s the US Attorney’s decision,” Allen said, “and although I work well with the [US Attorney] Jessica Liu, I strongly disagree with the decision.”

A second major issue for Allen is transportation and safety.   He says DC gives priority to convenience of cars and not the ability to walk through neighborhoods – “The presumption in our neighborhood should be four-way stops, and putting pressure on DDOT to convince us why not why there should not be one.”  Allen said he will continue to press DDOT Director Marootian.

On Vision Zero – the Mayor’s goal of reaching zero pedestrian and bike deaths – he says it doesn’t mean anything without action, adding, “The Mayor has announced positive steps, like a ban on right turn on red, but that doesn’t go far enough….The city doesn’t give pedestrians and bikers the attention they deserve at crosswalks and intersections.”  Allen introduced a bill addressing accountability at intersections and crosswalks which failed to pass the council, but which he will introduce again.  It would require utility companies who alter or obliterate crosswalk striping to replace it within 24 hours or face a stiff fine.  Allen says, “Paint can make a huge difference,” and said he was checking the drying time of paint and planning a community effort to repaint crosswalks “on our own,” and asked for volunteers to assist.  When an audience member asked if he would provide immunity, Allen laughed and said, “I might not be able to provide immunity, but if you’re arrested, I’ll be there with you.”

On other Ward 6 topics:

Public space and parks – Allen said he would continue to push on rethinking our investments in public space to create dynamic spaces good for public safety.

Homelessness – He noted that MPD is often called upon to address homeless issues, and while many officers are sympathetic to the problem, they have a limited toolset.  The focus has been on family homelessness, and not so much on individual homelessness.  Allen said, “We need to get housing for these individuals before we can address mental and abuse issues.”  He said he will continue to support more funding.

Affordable Housing – Ward 6 is leading the way to expand opportunities on affordable housing, not just studios, but for all phases of life.

Education – DC Schools Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee has appeared before the council at several hearings including, including one which ran until 11:30pm the Tuesday night.  Allen said “I heard many commitments I like but I’m not fully supporting him yet.  Allen said he needs to hear more about solving the problems in Ward 6, especially regarding equity – making sure were doing enough for each kid to see that he or she gets what they need.

Allen will hold community office hours this Friday at Pretzel Bakery, 257 15th Street, on Friday, February 15, from 8:00am to 9:30pm.

Update on “The Eastern” A New Wine Bar Coming to 7th Street, SE

by Larry Janezich

Last Thursday, ANC6B’s Alcohol Beverage Control committee voted to support a tavern license for a proposed 1500 square foot wine bar “The Eastern” scheduled to open in May or June in the Hine Project on 7^th Street, SE, near Eastern Market.  The restaurant will offer 30 to 50 wines by the glass, as well as full bottles, a cocktail program and a full food menu – cheese, charcuterie, and small plates.  The license will not permit live entertainment.  The Eastern will seat up to 85 – 55 indoors and up to 30 on the sidewalk café.  It will be open for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

Owners Matt Weiss and Mike Schuster have a long history in the Capitol Hill hospitality industry, being owners or co-owners of a lot of local outlets:  Barrel, Union Pub, 201, McClellan’s Retreat, Truxton Inn, Café Midar, Compass Rose, Trusty’s, and the Star and Shamrock.  Weiss told ANC6B’s ABC committee that the team was interested in expanding in the neighborhood, and the Hine developers were looking for a wine bar.  He said that the wine bar breaks with the pattern of their other bars which they located in older buildings, but they liked the prospect of being close to Eastern Market and to Barrel.

The recommendation of the ABC committee that the full ANC6D support the license request will come up Tuesday night at the monthly meeting at Hill Center, where it likely to be approved without objection.

The Week Ahead…Council Member Charles Allen Comes to ANC6B and ANC6B

By Larry Janezich

Monday, February 11

ANC6D meets at 7:00pm, at 1100 4th Street, SW

Among items on the draft agenda:

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

Presentations:

DDOT Notice of Intent re Installation of Traffic Signal at Maine Ave and I-395 Terminus – Brook Hailemariam.

DC Fire and EMS Right Care Right Now – Doug Buchanan.

Pepco/Capitol Grid Project Update – Travoris Culpepper.

DC United/CBCC Update – Rikki Kramer.

Petalpalooza at the Wharf – Ashley Depew.

Alcohol Beverage License Renewals – Preliminary recommendations RE March renewals: SMDs 01, 02, 04 (Boats + others), 05 has only Levy/DC United CX.

JBG Smith Half Street Digital Signage.

Westminster Church Project Update.

Tishman Speyer/88 K Street Letter to DDOT RE Proposed Road Closures.

Letter to DDOT RE Bus Stop and Removal of Parking Space at 4th Street, and M Street SW.

Wharf Phase II Construction Update.

Update on Construction at Sutton Square at The Wharf.

Letter of Support RE Southwest Library Funding.

Letter to DCHA RE Greenleaf RFP.

Tuesday, February 12

ANC6B will meet at 7:00pm at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentation:

Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen.  Update on Ward 6.

700 Wine, LLC. t/a The Eastern; 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; New Retailer’s Class “C” Tavern License operating as a wine bar and serving a limited food menu. Sidewalk Café with 30 seats. Total Occupancy Load is 85 with seating inside for 55. Hours of Operation and Consumption Inside Premise and On Sidewalk Café: Sunday through Thursday 9am-2am. Friday and Saturday 9am-3am.

Historic Landmark Nomination: Southeast Branch Library, 403 7th Street,SE – Nominated by Capitol Hill Restoration Society.

411 4th Street, SE – Historic Preservation Application – Concept/two-story rear addition.

1322 D Street SE – Zoning Adjustment Application – Special exception to construct a two-story, rear addition to an existing, attached principle dwelling unit.

Report on compilation of Suggested Locations in 6B for Dockless Bike Racks.

Report on effort to add the unit block of 15th Street, SE to the RPP system.

Reestablishment of ANC 6B Task forces – Hill East Task Force and Constituent Services Task Force.

Election of Chairpersons for standing committees & task forces.

Approval of charges to Task Forces & Subcommittees [Oversight of Redesign of Eastern Market Metro Plaza]

Appointment of ANC 6B representative to Eastern Market Metro Plaza Action Taskforce.

Election of ANC 6B representative to Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee.

Appointment of Resident Members to Committees & Task Forces.

Wednesday, February 13

ANC6C meets at 7:00pm at the Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentations:

Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen.  Update on Ward 6.

Snow removal program, Celeste Duffie, DPW.

DC Consumer Utility Board — Gene Imhoff, Ward 6 representative.

224 C Street, NE, Historic Preservation Application — Revised application for concept approval, second-story garage addition.

918 7th Street, NE, Zoning Adjustment application —Special exceptions to construct a third-story addition.

209 M Street, NE/Uline Arena, Zoning Adjustment application – Special exception to permit live performances at the VBR Brewing Corporation, an eating and drinking establishment.

Letter to the Zoning Commission on adequate time window for comments on future PUD Modifications.

Florida Ave corridor (New York and Florida Avenue intersection) — Update.

2nd Street NE—DDOT request to study corridor from Massachusetts Avenue to M Street, NE.

668 E Street, NE, Public Space application for a permit for driveway and paving.

K Street, NE road diet—Removal of rush-hour parking and addition of bicycle lanes.

Thursday, February 14

ANC6A meets at 7:00pm, Miner Elementary School, 601 15^th Street, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentations:

MPD 1D – Captain Michael Pulliam.

Ward 6 State Board of Education Representative – Jessica Sutter.

H Street Fresh Farms Market – Carrie Hildebrandt, Community Engagement Manager.

Right Care Right Now – Amy Mauro, DC Fire and Emergency Management Services.

Recommendation: ANC6A provisionally approve the Ludlow-Taylor Parent Teacher Organization (LTES PTO) grant application for $2,930 for the Fountas and Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI) Red Bundle pending resolution of the negative opinion from the Office of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (OANC) regarding grant making by ANCs.

Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee report:  (The ABL Committee voted not to protest the request for a change in hours for Dynamix Lounge at 1220 H Street, NE.)

Letter of support to DDOT for the reinstatement of expired construction permit for Chick-Fil-A, 1401 Maryland Avenue, NE.

ANC6A Commissioners respond with comments to the prioritized list of traffic/pedestrian safety issues developed by the Transportation and Public Safety Committee to be subsequently provided to DDOT. (Committee will review comments and produce a final list to be approved at the March 2019 ANC meeting.)

Letter of support to BZA for a special exception under the inclusionary zoning lot dimension subdivide the existing lot and construct three (3) new, attached flats at 1511 – 1515 A Street, NE, on the conditions that the developer make best efforts to obtain letters of support from neighbors at 1507, 1509, and 1515 A Street NE; revise the final design to include consistent massing with design of the cornices; that the developer conduct a shadow study; and that the current owner withdraws the appeal currently pending before the Office of Administrative Hearings related to prior zoning of the property.

Letter of support to Commun-ET LLC  for after-hours permit applications that would allow the Maury Elementary construction team to make up lost time due to weather delays. The team is requesting to work on Sundays from 7:00 am -7:00 pm from February 17 to March 31, 2019.

Update on Redesign of Eastern Market Metro Plaza – Concept #2 Unveiled

by Larry Janezich

The DC Department of General Services (DGS) hosted a community meeting in the North Hall of Eastern market on Wednesday night to unveil concept plan number two for the redesign of the Eastern Market Metro Plaza.  More than 50 residents showed up for the presentation, and had an opportunity to offer input.  DGS representative Tommie Jones said there had been 732 responses to the online survey regarding suggestions for the redesign of the plaza.

The design company Moya Design Partners will continue to refine the concept into the 3rd (and hopefully last) concept to present to the public on April 3.  That will be followed by schematic designs and permit drawings.  The goal is to start construction in the fall of 2019.

One of the outstanding questions to be resolved is how to spend the $5.9 million available for the current first phase of the project, whether to put it all into the playground parcel or spread it around.

Some of the ways which the second concept differs from the first are the inclusion of more trees and the proposed water feature near the entrance to the Metro which is now a public art element.  A splash park is now featured as a part of the playground.

In response to questions and concerns from the audience, designers said that public restrooms were being considered, that lighting will be incorporated into the 3rd concept, and that drug related activity which has been a feature of parcel 1 where the playground will be located, is being taken into account.  Residents of D Street on the north side of the playground parcel continue to express strong reservations to the plan to reverse current flow of traffic on that one way street, citing their belief such a move would compound the traffic congestion at the 8th and D Street intersection.

DGS says that installation of playground equipment could begin this spring using PUD funds from the Hine developers which were negotiated for the community by ANC6B.  Equipment purchased and installed with those funds would be incorporated into the final design.

Here’s the link to the project website:  https://dgs.dc.gov/page/eastern-market-metro-park-project

To comment, go here:  emmp@dc.gov

City Invites New Flea Market Operators to Bid for Saturday Space on 7^th Street

by Larry Janezich

Today, the city invited flea market operators to submit proposals to operate a flea market on the 300 block of Seventh Street for six months at $3,300 a month.  The deadline for submission of responses is 3:00pm, Saturday, February 18.

DC Department of General Services (DGS) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the license for an outdoor Saturday market.  The RFP specifies that the “sole use of the shall be as an Outdoor Market with locally made arts and crafts, antiques and imported handcrafts from other countries”.  Further, the language states that there “shall be a maximum of three food vendors, with local competition considered when determining type and placement of food vendors”.  A vendor deemed to best meet these and other criteria listed in the RFP will be awarded the license.

On January 24^th, Barry Margeson, Eastern Market Manager, announced that the DGS license allowing the Saturday flea market to occupy the 300 block of 7th Street on Saturdays had expired on December 1, 2018 and “is terminated.” Carol Wright, operator of the Saturday Flea Market for some 15 years, had not signed a contract extension offered in December by DGS which would have allowed her to operate until June.  That prompted DGS to “terminate” the contract and announce that it would issue a call for a new operator for the space.  Issuing the new RFP is seemingly at odds with the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee’s responsibility to review RFP’s issued concerning the Market or its associated vending spaces.  Mike Berman, the Sunday flea market operator, has said he thinks he should have been offered the right of first refusal.

Wright responded to the Department of General Services’ (DGS) termination of her license to operate on 7th Street saying,  that she had “no intention, whatsoever, of giving up or terminating the license” for use of the 300 block of 7th Street.

DGS’s Request for Proposals (RFP) and other related documents is here:  https://dgs.dc.gov/event/dgs-rfp-2019-02-request-proposals-outdoor-market-opportunity

Conservation Districts vs. Historic Districts – ANC6B Planning and Zoning Chair Pushes Dialogue

by Larry Janezich

At Tuesday night’s ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee, chair Corey Holman suggested the committee open a conversation with city agencies on the concept of conservation districts as an alternative to expanding historic districts. The former aim to protect the character of older neighborhoods with fewer regulations that the latter.  Currently, residents outside of the Capitol Hill Historic District have more options – and fewer bureaucratic hurdles – to expand their homes, than those inside, and worry they will be affected adversely by historic district designation.

Recently, both Kingman Park and Bloomingdale were made historic districts over the opposition of the ANCs.  Last year, ANC6B sent a letter to city officials saying that the historic district designation process does not serve District residents.  See CHC report here:  https://bit.ly/2LlGF8U

Holman sees a role for the Committee in helping to figure out what a conservation district means – a job which the Comprehensive Plan anticipated that the city’s Office of Planning would do, but which fell by the wayside in 2016.  The conversation would entail, Holman said, “not saying what we want, but having a discussion of how to discuss what we want.”  Holman sees conservation districts as a defensive measure against a preservation concept which has been “weaponized” – alluding to the privileging “preservation” over the needs of some homeowners seeking to expand their homes to accommodate growing families.

Holman cited a preliminary conversation he had had with the DC Preservation League, who offered that conservation districts will never happen unless the preservationists are on board.  If it does happen, the process will be a long one, requiring Historic Preservation Board approval, legislation, and funding.

At one time, the Comprehensive Plan for the District called for action aimed at establishing conservation districts:

Action UD-2.2.C: Conservation Districts

Explore the use of “Conservation Districts” to protect neighborhood character in older communities which may not meet the criteria for historic districts but which nonetheless have important character-defining architectural features.

Action MC-1.2.A: Conservation Districts

Consider the designation of Columbia Heights, Eckington, Bloomingdale, and other Mid-City neighborhoods as “Conservation Districts.” Design standards and review procedures for such districts would be less rigorous than those used in Historic Districts, but would strive for more compatible infill development and maintenance of historic building scale, mass, and height conditions.

In the 2016 status report the two actions were cancelled.