Barracks Row Retailers Oppose DOT Plan to Reduce Parking
By Larry Janezich
Posted June 27, 2024
Image: DDOT
Barracks Row would lose 18 parking spaces under the current concept for the 8th Bus Priority Project
Wednesday night, Andrew Grinberg, DDOT Project Planner for the 8th Street Bus Priority Project, presented the latest concept for the project to the ANC6B Transportation Committee, chaired by Commissioner Frank DeFontaine. The stated goal of the project is to improve bus service, safety, and access on the 8th Street Corridor from East Capitol to M Street, SE. Wednesday night’s focus was on the changes coming to the portion between Pennsylvania Avenue SE and the 8th Street overpass.
Recently, Barracks Row merchants have expressed concern to DDOT and ANC6B Commissioners that the plan would have a negative impact on their businesses because it would reduce the amount of 8th Street parking – parking which, they say, is utilized by patrons of their stores and restaurants. The plan would also reduce the space currently available for loading, and in the case of Yes! Organic, eliminate it entirely. Several of the merchants and restaurateurs attended last night’s virtual meeting to express their concerns to the committee and to Grinberg.
DDOT’s PowerPoint presentation showed a total of 18 spaces which would be lost between Pennsylvania Avenue and Eye Street, SE. Much of the eliminated parking will come from converting angled parking to parallel parking. The parking spaces currently being used for streateries would be unaffected.
DDOT is skeptical of the claims that this loss of parking will have a significant effect on the Barracks Row businesses, noting that the 54 parking spaces in the lot under the freeway are underutilized and that there are plans to make the lot more accessible and user friendly.
DDOT is in the process of finalizing the concept which will lead to construction beginning in 2025. The next step is for DDOT to engage in a collaborative process with the Barracks Row stakeholders to establish new curbside regulations. These could include:
Increase or move loading zones
Addition of short term parking in some locations to facilitate turnover
Addition of handicap parking spaces
Moped/scooter parking zones
Here’s a link to the 8th Street Bus Priority Project which has a link to the PowerPoint presentation to the ANC6B Transportation Committee last night: https://buspriority.ddot.dc.gov/pages/8thstse
Ribbon Cutting Reopens the Folger Library. Folger Director Michael Witmore (left) and CM Charles Allen led the ribbon cutting on Friday morning, officially reopening the Folger Library after a four year, $80.5 million renovation. A videotape of the entire ceremony is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S4qaD_ZYiA&t=9s
Dame Karen Pierce, British Ambassador to the United States, reads an address from King Charles III.
The ceremony began with music from the Crush Funk Brass Band.
In another venue on Friday night, the Rock Creek Kings kicked off a weekend commemoration of the anniversary of Eastern Market’s reopening after the 2007 fire. The rock band brought a menu of classic rock & roll to the North Hall …
which brought a crowd to the market…
and despite record heat temperatures, happy feet to the dance floor.
Over on Barracks Row, the past week brought a sign which revealed the name of the new medical cannabis outlet at 727 8th Street: Miel Wellness. The building was formerly the home Soul to Summit sports clothing outlet.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, June 24
ANC6B Public Safety Committee holds a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
Action: Final Proposed Letter to the USAO Regarding Data Transparency.
Informational Presentation: Presentation and discussion led by Anne Seymour (Resident Member, 6B04) and Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC) regarding victim rights and services.
Discussion or Action (TBD): Input on or consideration of a Joint Resolution with ANCs in support of the full Implementation of the Gun Violence Reduction Strategic Plan.
Community Partner Request for Support Announcements: Open forum for any community partner organizations in attendance to request support from the community.
ANC6A will hold a virtual meeting of the Community Outreach Committee at 7:00pm.
Motion to support Taco Bell’s Zoning Adjustment Application to permit a fast-food establishment use in an existing, attached, two-story commercial building on Barracks Row.
Motion to support Historic Preservation Application for HPA 718 7th Street, SE, Project: Additions and alterations to an existing two-story structure.
ANC6B will hold a virtual Executive Committee Meeting at 7:00pm following the preceding Special Call meeting.
Agenda: To set the agenda for the July 9th monthly meeting of the full Commission. Following this meeting a link will be available for the July 9th, Full Commission Meeting and the monthly agenda for all Committees and Taskforces.
Wednesday, June 26
Wednesday, June 26
ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting a 7:00pm. Note: This meeting date has been adjusted to avoid conflicts with holidays, religious days, or other events.
Update on trail alignment for the Kenilworth Park South Connector of the Anacostia River Trail (David Balick, Trail Planner, DDOT)
Arts in the Right of Way Ground Mural Installation (AROW) at Intersection of 15th and Constitution NE (Kimberly Vacca, Public Space Activation Coordinator, DDOT)
Further Discussion about Alley Naming Suggestions for 16/17 & E Capitol & A NE – Squarw 1084
Thursday, June 27
ANC 6C Grants Committee Meeting will hold a virtual meeting at 7:30pm.
Reminder: Friday Night Live at Eastern Market Metro Features The G.R.E.E.N. Team
by Larry Janezich
Posted June 21, 2024
Tonight’s concert at Eastern Market Metro Plaza features the rap/hip hop band The G.R.E.E.N. Team. The concert series comes to Eastern Market Metro Plaza through the efforts of Barracks Row Main Street and the Department of Parks and Recreation. CM Charles Allen secured funding in the current FY DC Budget to program the performance space at the Plaza. Here’s a link to some of The G.R.E.E.N. Team’s music https://apple.co/3xveUbj
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Photos: Folger’s Press Preview of Re-opening on Friday, June 21 – 1pm
By Larry Janezich
Posted June 20, 2024
The Folger Library reopens on Friday after a four-year $80.5 million renovation. Here’s what members of the press who attended a preview of the re-opening saw.
Folger Director Michael Witmore and Communications and Marketing Director Melanie Bender Martin welcomed members of the press to the light-filled Great Hall, now featuring tables and seating for customers of the Quill and Crumb Café. Prior to the renovation, the windows were covered with thick light-blocking drapery to protect rare books and manuscripts on display.
The press was treated to samples of the elegant offerings of the Quill and Crumb Café. The café will be managed by Constellation Culinary group and will offer coffee, lunch, grab-and-go options, and a full-service bar and light bites in the evening. The menu includes English Tea Service for a minimum of two guests with a choice of savory and sweet sandwiches and pastries. Here’s a link to a no-prices teaser menu: https://qr.ourmenu.io/FSLquillandcrumb
After introductory remarks by Director Witmore, some 40 journalists broke up into four groups for a non-linear tour and to hear presentations by library officials. Artistic Director Karen Ann Daniels hosted a group in the theater to discuss upgrades to the theater’s infrastructure. The backdrop to her remarks was the stage set for the current production of “Metamorphoses.” The 270 seat theater’s design was based on an amalgamation of Elizabethan Theater designs and was the first Elizabethan Theater constructed in North America. Here’s a link to the Folger’s next season which starts with “Romeo and Juliet” and ends with “Twelfth Night.” https://bit.ly/4cmTOvb
The Reading Room of one of the world’s greatest research library is reserved for serious scholarship but visible through the glass of a doorway off the Great Hall.
The richest experience of the Exhibition Halls comes by descending the ramp from the corner of 2nd and East Capitol to the West Lobby which affords visitors the opportunity to engage one of the three pieces of art commissioned for the renovation. A new a three-part installation featuring one of artist Fred Wilson’s Black Mirrors greets visitors just inside the Shakespeare Exhibition Hall. The piece is entitled “God me such uses send, Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend.” It’s a line from and reflects upon the play “Othello.” Looking closely even from this angle visitors, can see the Black Mirror is positioned to reflect a painting of Elizabeth I, personifying the Elizabethan age. Adjacent to the mirror is a manuscript letter from the Folger collection by Ira Aldrige, the first Black man to play Othello. The piece sets the themes which the curators want visitors to carry with them as they engage the exhibits: diversity, gender, and power.
Witmore: “As you experience the reveal and are rotated around by the reflections, you’re immersed in past and present, power and players – and I think (Wilson) wants us to think about masks and unmasking as part of the history of Shakespeare and how we encounter his plays.”
Witmore says of the Black Mirror, “This is the opening gambit in the Shakespeare Exhibition Hall and we would love for visitors to come and take those terms and come out into the Exhibition Hall’s main area and see all of these pages on the wall representing the diversity of our collection – Shakespeare is just a fraction of the collection.” This Gallery asks visitors what Shakespeare means to them. The walls are adorned with hundreds of reproductions of pages from the Folger’s collection and creates the context which allows visitors to explore how and what Shakespeare has come to represent over the centuries.
The case containing the collection’s 82 First Folios lies in the second gallery – the first time these have been seen by the public. Witmore is credited with wanting visitors to encounter the collection of one of the most collectible books in the world instead of keeping them in a vault beyond public view.
The first of the First Folio’s (photo from a previous press preview) is the sole source of 18 of Shakespeare’s plays including Julius Caesar and Macbeth. The 900 page volume – printed in 1623, seven years after Shakespeare’s death – is often referred to as the “First Folio.”
Next to the case of First Folios, Folger staff provided a demonstration of the printing press, constructed from a 17th Century printing manual. Each of the folios is unique – printers corrected pages in the print shop. They did not discard previous pages but just kept printing corrected ones. The folios ended up being a random collection of corrected, semi-corrected and uncorrected pages. The Folger website provides an interactive version of the First Folio through which readers can page. Here’s a link: https://bit.ly/3VQj0nZ
This Gallery is devoted to The Plays – Early, Middle, and Late. Again, visitors find hundreds of images from the Folger Collection on the walls. The exhibit endeavors to show the number of ways people look at the plays. One is a fantastical map created by artist Mya Gosling depicting characters of all of the plays organized and localized in a map of Shakespeare Land.
This gallery is kid-friendly, with a “decoder trail” for young Shakespearians aged 5 to 8 who use a decoder to answer riddles to get clues to win a prize at the end. There’s an image-matching feature for younger kids. Staff emphasize that families are welcome.
Across the hallway running the length of the Shakespeare Exhibition Hall lie the three Galleries of the Stuart and Mimi Rose Rare Book and Manuscript Exhibition Hall: “Out of the Vault” featuring early published works such as The Caxton Canterbury Tales from 1477. Stuart Rose: “It’s actually a much rarer book than the First Folio, and it’s the first book printed in England, which helped spark the spread of the printing press off the continent.”
“Into the Vault” (above) features early works printed by groups that formed to finance and print Shakespeare’s First Folios.
The third gallery includes Rose Collection items including the first book printed in English and J.R.R. Tolkien’s hand-written revisions of a proof copy of Lord of the Rings.
Exit through the Gift Shop. An expanded gift shop offers mementos and merchandise inspired by the Folger and its collections.
View from the sunken terrace of the west entry at 2nd and East Capitol. The garden above features plants which refer to Shakespeare plays and a water feature. The third piece of art commissioned for the renovation is a poem by former US Poet Laurate Rita Dove carved into the granite surrounding the garden. Here’s a link to Dove reading her poem: https://bit.ly/4cdWmf2
Mayor Bowser will officiate at a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10am on Friday. You can watch it live, here: https://bit.ly/3xhzHPIZYiA The Folger will re-open to the public at 1:00pm. Here’s a link to the re-opening guide: https://bit.ly/4epBXoN
The Saint-Georges boulangerie is coming to 303 7th Street, SE.
New French Bakery to Open Near Eastern Market
by Larry Janezich
Posted June 19, 2024
A new boulangerie/patisserie will open in the space formerly occupied by Radici. The restaurateur – who wants to remain anonymous pending the arrival his business partner in a week or so – told Capitol Hill Corner that together, they operate four restaurants in Paris. The Capitol Hill bakery – which will be named Saint-Georges – will be their first US venture. The opening could be delayed for several months as the interior buildout continues.
The owner says the bakery will feature bread and pastries made by artisans from Paris using flour and butter imported from France. The goal is to produce baked goods as close in quality as possible to what one finds in France. The coffee will come from a company based in Montreal. They will also carry sandwiches, all kinds of soups on a rotating basis, and French wine.
Asked why they picked the location across from Eastern Market, the owner said they had been looking for many years to find the right spot. They found a location in Annapolis, but had to withdraw because of the pandemic. They sought locations in Georgetown and Virginia without success. Then the owner’s business partner happened across the former Radici and they decided this was the place.
This morning, a workman put up signage on the front of the space formerly occupied by Captain Cookie near Eastern Market announcing the arrival of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. The space at 660 7th Street, SE, is adjacent to Peregrine Espresso. Not sure when they’ll open. Before Captain Cookie, the space was occupied by Pitango Gelato. Maybe the third time will be a charm. Nearby ice cream shops include Eastern Market Bakery, Moorenko’s Ice Cream at 720 C Street, SE, and Jen’s Splendid Ice Creams at 526 8th Street on Barracks Row.
The Week Ahead & Some Photos from Last Week and More ANC Commissioners Will Not Run
by Larry Janezich
Posted June 16, 2024
Last Tuesday night, at the June meeting of ANC6B, two more commissioners – Frank D’Andrea, 6B04 and Kasie Durkit 6B05 announced they would not seek reelection, joining commissioners Edward Ryder and Matt LaFortune who previously announced their decisons not to run again. On Thursday, ANC6A01 Commissioner Keya Chatterjee announced she would be “stepping down.”
Commissioner Frank D’Andrea said simply that he did not use social media and had chosen this occasion to announce that he would not run for reelection. He added that it had been an honor to serve his constituents.
Commissioner Kasie Durkit followed saying she would also not seek reelection and that it had been a joy working with the commission. She said that a new role at work along with a likely change in residence prompted her decision. She thanked the commission “for all you have taught me.”
Commissioner Chatterjee announced she is stepping down because she is relocating “across town,” adding that it “has been a real privilege serving all of you and the community.” Chatterjee added that the Board of Elections (BOE) says it is too close to the next election to hold a special election. She expects to resign before the end of the month.
Here’s an early update on what’s happening in the space formerly occupied by Radici. The windows are papered over and a buildout is on-going behind them. Word on the street is that it might be a bakery. No confirmation of that yet and it seems a bakery would have to sell a lot of croissants to make a go of it what with the Eastern Market Bakery across the street, and Le Pain on the other end of the block. Radici’s wine and beer license will convey with the building, though.
Friday, June 21, the Folger Library reopens. See below.
Also on Friday, Eastern Market celebrates its comeback after the fire with “Night of the Phoenix.” See below.
The Week Ahead….
Monday, June 17
ANC6A Transportation & Public Space Committee holds a virtual meeting at 7:00pm..
Florida Avenue, NE, Streetscape Project Update. The Streetscape Project outreach team will provide project updates and address community safety concerns with related contractor work.
H Street, NE, Bus Priority Project. Commissioner Gove requested an opportunity to present DDOT’s responses to ANC 6A’s Letter of Support for H Street, NE, Bus/Streetcar-only lanes and for the community to comment on DDOT’s response.
National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program. DOEE is soliciting input for possible EV charging station locations. Publicly accessible sites that are not restricted to specific tenants, employers, or parking customers are eligible for the most grants and subsidies relevant to DOEE, and the Committee would like collect input from the community on possible locations within ANC 6A.
Arts in the Right-Of-Way (AROW) project at 15th Street, NE, and Constitution Avenue, NE. DDOT has selected Joel Bergner, a local, District-based artist, to design and install the ground mural. Commissioner Gove requested an opportunity to gather community comments and input on design for DDOT’s planned AROW Project at 15th Street, NE, and Constitution Avenue, NE, as well as reiterate ANC 6A’s request for an all-way stop at this location. Further information about DC’s curb extension murals may be found here: https://bit.ly/4bTj6AF
Maury PTA, in collaboration with Hill Family Biking, seeks a letter of support from ANC 6A for an Art in the Right of Way installation at Maury Elementary School in the crosswalk across the 200 block of 13th Street at the intersection with Tennessee Avenue. The project will consist of a 2-foot color banner on both sides of the existing crosswalk and will follow DDOT guidelines.
ANC6D Transportation and Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Presentation on Utility Shut Off Ban Initiative. Speaker: Mr. Selah Goodson Bell, Energy Justice Campaigner, Energy Justice Program, Center for Biological Diversity.
Presentation on BZA Cases #20768 and #20769 (4337 and 4533 Douglas St, NE). Speaker: Mr. Oumar Seck, LNDC Inc
Presentation on BZA Case #21149 (1801 D St, NE). Speakers: Speakers: Ms. Sarah Harkcom, Sullivan & Barros, LLP; Ms. Alexandra Wilson, Sullivan & Barros, LLP; Mr. Matt Lee, Lee Design Studio.
ANC 7D Public Safety Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
Motion to support Zonong Adjustment application for 430 10th Street, NE, to construct a rear addition to an existing, attached, two-story with basement, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
Motion to support Zoning Adjustment application for 1351 C Street, NE, to construct a penthouse and roof deck to an existing, attached, two-story, flat with roof deck in the RF-1 zone. Seeking relief from height limitation.
Motion to support Zoning Adjustment application for 813 7th Street, NE, to construct a detached, two-story accessory garage with accessory dwelling to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone. Seeking a special exception to use the accessory building second floor as a dwelling unit once construction is complete and a certificate of occupancy is obtained.
Friday, June 21
6pm – 9pm Eastern Market hosts a free event, Night of the Phoenix, to celebrate and kick off the Market’s Strength in Neighbor’s Weekend. The evening will feature live music by Rock Creek Kings, food from local vendors, and an evening artisan market. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase with ID. The event is being presented free, thanks to a grant from EventsDC.
Friday night’s event will be followed on Saturday and Sunday by the Strength in Neighbors Celebration – in honor of Eastern Market’s 150th Anniversary with a specific focus on the fire of April 2007, the community’s coming together, the resilience of the vendors and merchants and the reopening of the historic market in June 2009. For more info, go here: https://bit.ly/3VJ7Kte
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Friday, June 21
The Folger Library will reopen on Friday, June 21, after a four year closure for remodeling. Mayor Bowser will participate in the June 21st Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at 10am. The event will also feature poet Kyle Dargan among others.
It is free to visit the Folger, and we welcome walk-in visitors as building capacity allows. However, we recommend that you reserve a pay-what-you-will timed-entry pass, with a suggested donation starting at $15. The first date to use timed-entry passes will be June 21.
HOURS
New hours begin Friday, June 21, 2024
Galleries and Great Hall, Exhibitions, café, and gift shop:
Sundays: 11am – 6pm*
Mondays: Closed
Tuesday and Wednesday: 11am – 6pm*
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: 11am – 9pm
*Extended evening hours on performance days.
Friday, June 21.
Peterbug Mattews Dog Parade at 6:30pm. Pick up application at Peter Bug Matthews’ Shoe Academy, 502 13th Street, SE.
Saturday, June 22
Peterbug Matthews Juneteenth Block Party at 12:00noon. 502 13th Street, SE.
Reminder: Tonight’s Live Concert at Eastern Market Metro Plaza features The Love Station at 5:30pm.
by Larry Janezicn
Posted June 14, 2024
The Love Station launched in 1975 to create music and tell love stories and has been on the DC soul music scene since the 80s. The concert series comes to Eastern Market Metro Plaza through the efforts of Barracks Row Main Street and the Department of Parks and Recreation. CM Charles Allen secured funding in the current FY DC Budget to program the performance space at the Plaza. Here’s a link to some of Love Station’s music. https://soundcloud.com/the1lovestation
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OAG “Looking” at Foreign Investment in Hill East Voucher Rentals
by Larry Janezich
Posted June 13, 2024
Investhome is a company – based in Istanbul, Turkey – that buys DC residential properties – including some on Capitol Hill – adds stories, converts them to micro condo units – markets them to investors in Turkey – rents them to DCHA voucher recipients and manages the properties for 8% of the rent. Its website urges investors to “Let the United States of America be your tenant.” An Investhome partner – DILA Construction – replied to a neighbor’s expression of interest in investing by saying, “”These units are not for sale in the DC market. Thank you for your interest.”
Investhomes has two projects in residential neighborhoods in the Hill East single member district of ANC6B Chair Edward Ryder, at 1307 K Street and 1310 – 1312 L Street, SE.
Last Thursday, Ryder told the ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) was “looking into” the sales practices of Investhome and whether they are violating the Fair Housing Act which prohibits sales based on national origin. He noted the prominent use of the DCHA logo on the firm’s website.
Ryder said that the OAG Division of Civil Rights and Public Advocacy had reached out to him after several X followers had forwarded Ryder’s tweets raising questions about Investhome’s renting practices.
@EdwardRyder
“Question for DC Twitter. I have a developer in my SMD who is building a condo building. The condos in the building are being marketed only to Turkish investors, with the aim of then offering them to voucher holders as an “investment opportunity” for the buyers.
The developer confirmed they will not accept or consider DC or local buyers for the condos. They wish to only consider Turkish citizens as buyers who will then in turn “let the government of DC be their tenant”. Can a seller discriminate and only sell to foreign nationals?
For the record I am VERY supportive of more housing, especially for voucher holders. But blocking local buyers is what I have an issue with (and when it’s a company flush with money from foreign investors it makes it hard for locals to afford housing).”
Ryder told the committee members that his intent had been to ask the Planning and Zoning Committee to write OAG and ask for an investigation, “but at this point the gears are in motion,” so he was not asking for any action now. OAG told Ryder they will keep him informed of developments. Ryder also engaged the DC Housing Authority and CM Charles Allen who said he would followup with DCHA.
It’s not clear how use of the DCHA voucher system to fill the units being created by Investhome is working out for the company. But it is clear that the DCHA voucher system – now undergoing investigation by the Department of Housing and Urban Development which is looking at overpayment to landlords – continues to be beset by problems.
Some developers who build multi-unit residences and rent them to recipients of DCHA vouchers end up with rundown and poorly maintained buildings filled with unhappy residents. Such is the case with a project developed by DC developer Habte Sequar of Pierce Investments. CHC reported in April of 2014 on Sequar’s appearance before the ANC6A Economic Development Committee seeking support to develop at 49 unit condo building at 1215 K Street, NE. Sequar completed the project in 2018 and marketed the units to voucher holders.
The Washington Post published an article on February 16, 2023, describing the current marginally habitable building in an article titled: “D.C. overpays landlords millions to house the city’s poorest. Paying above-market rents means fewer people are helped by the troubled housing authority.” https://bit.ly/3RrsgMz The Post says, “In an interview, Sequar blamed the building’s state of disrepair on its tenants.”
The article followed a Washington Post piece on January 23, 2023, which reported that federal officials are investigating whether D.C. landlords are overcharging for apartments rented to holders of low-income housing vouchers. https://wapo.st/3x5FqYR
On February 1, of this year, Washington City Paper published a story titled “D.C. Housing Authority’s ‘Rent Reasonableness’ Tool Is Susceptible to Fake Online Ads, Leading to Inflated Voucher Payments.” https://bit.ly/4bTs9BA
Tuesday night’s meeting of ANC6B. L-R Commissioners Jerry Sroufe, Chander Jayaraman, Frank D’Andrea, Chair Edward Ryder, and Commissioner David Sobelsohn.
Way Cleared for Taco Bell to Open on Barracks Row
by Larry Janezich
Posted June 12, 2024
Last night, ANC6B voted unanimously clear the way for Taco Bell to open up shop at 411 8th Street, SE. A vote on a motion to support an exception to the ban on fast food restaurants on Barracks Row will occur at a special meeting of the ANC on June 25th, immediately prior to the monthly meeting of the ANC’s Executive Committee. The vote was postponed to allow commissioners and public an opportunity to review a negotiated agreement between nearby neighbors and Taco Bell. If it is found satisfactory after review – which is likely – the ANC will sanction it and vote to support the exemption. The agreement will then become part of the Zoning Order granting the exception.
Final details of the agreement were nailed down since last Thursday in on-going negotiations between near-by neighbors led by 7th Street resident Linda Elliott and Taco Bell.. The final agreement includes a commitment from the owner of 411 8th Street not to lease the second floor of the building to another restaurant. Also, Taco Bell made additional commitments to mitigate trash issues, as well as odor, noise, and rodent problems as they arise.
The agreement won support and praise from the 7th Street neighbors whose properties back up to the restaurants on Barracks Row. Other near-by residents continued to urge the ANC to oppose the exception based on how the proliferation of fast food restaurants affect the character of the Eastern Market neighborhood and the inevitiable proliferation of trash that will result from the restaurant not offering in-store consumption. (&Pizza won an exception to the fast food ban by declaring itself “a fast casual restaurant” and providing indoor seating, but which essentially operates as a fast food carry-out restaurant.)
ANC Planning and Zoning Committee chair Frank D’Andrea said that he does not believe that ANC action could stop Taco Bell from opening – that the regulations list conditions for meeting the criteria for an execption, and if they are met, the BZA has to grant it.
ANC Commissioner David Sobelsohn in whose single member district the site resides, summarized the position the ANC finds itself in: that Taco Bell can’t be stopped by the ANC – if Taco Bell comes in over the opposition of the ANC it will be under restrictiions written by the BZA which are not likely to be as rigorous as those negotiated by the near-by neighbors – and for the ANC to say no, is merely symbolic.
The Special Meeting of the ANC will be virtual – information on how to join the meeting will be posted on Capitol Hill Corner on Sunday, June 23 in The Week Ahead.
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CAPITOL HILL CORNER 