CAPITOL HILL CORNER

Ward 7 Redistricting Task Force Splits Hill East into Two Cross River ANCs

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 21, 2022

Monday night, the Ward 7 Redistricting Task Force expressed a strong preference for absorbing the former Ward 6 ANCs east of the Anacostia into two ANCs lying east of the river.  The decision came as the Task Force voted on the three outstanding maps which had not been yet considered.  Task Force members were asked to vote to accept a whole map for advancement, or to accept a map in part for further advancement, or to decline to advance a map. 

The comprehensive map which was advanced for further consideration was named “Ward 7 Strongly Together,” (above) offered by Keith Hasan-Towery of ANC7E.  The proposal received 11 votes to advance it vs. 7 to accept it in part.  The concept is to have two ANCs – A and F – each with single member districts on each side of the river.  (Ed. Note.  Update.  Originally this post reported that the intent was to have four SMDs on each side of the river for 7A and 7F.  While this was true for 7A (7D02 is mislabled and should be 7A01), 7F has only two SMDs on the east side of the river.  One of those, 7F07 has too many residents for one SMD and not enough for two.  If 7F can form three SMDs on the west side of the river and everything else remains the same, 7F would have a total of six single member districts on the east side of the river in a very irregularly shaped ANC7F.  The Task Force will consider this map again on March 23.)  

A partial map (above) by Ebony Payne of Kingman Park named “West of the River,” received 11 votes to decline vs. 5 to accept in part. She told the Task Force that the city would like a cross river ANC and made a case for keeping Hill East, Kingman Park and River Terrace together as sister communities with the same environmental impact interests. 

Rob Coomber of Kingman Park’s comprehensive map named “Minimum Change” received 14 votes to decline vs. 3 votes to accept in part.  The map would keep Hill East together and like Payne’s map, include Kingman Park and River Terrace in one ANC.  Coomber said that community familiarity was critical, people without cars will have trouble attending cross river ANC meetings, and that cross river ANCs “sounds like it might be a good idea but one which we have seen doesn’t work.” 

Prior to the votes, Task-Force co-chair Tamara Blair advised the Task Force that none of the proposals were perfect and that any maps which were advanced were subject to further modification. 

Also prior to the vote, Task Force member Dr. Marla Dean said that the redistricting had been a process of adjusting to community feedback.  She added, that “many people are upset in many parts of the Ward – that means we did a good job, because every part of the ward has sacrificed.” 

The Task Force will continue its work of tweaking the map when it meets at 5:00pm on Wednesday. 

…and across H Street and on the corner, The Big Board’s liquor license remains indefinitely suspended.  After raising about $58,000 on two fund raising sites in the past 6 weeks, donations have slowed to a trickle. 

The Week Ahead….& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 20, 2022

Monday, March 21

ANC 6A Transportation & Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

To join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Review and Discussion of DDOT Notice of Intent for North Carolina Avenue NE from 13th Street to 14th Place, including Separated Bike Facilities, Raised Crosswalk, and Parking Changes
• Protected bike lanes connecting the 1400 block of Maryland Avenue NE to National Arboretum/Bladensburg Road project
• Traffic calming at 300 block of 15th Street NE
• Traffic calming at West Virginia Avenue NE
• Capitol Hill Classic race permit and street closures
• Closed session to discuss Committee business

                                                                      ***

Ward 7 ANC Redistricting Task Force will hold a virtual Roundtable at 5:00pm

• This Roundtable will determine the ANC and SMD boundaries for Ward 7 for the next ten years. Current Ward 6 residents who live east of 15th Street will be affected.

Go here to register in advance to watch this webinar:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinars.

                                                                     ***

Tuesday, March 22

ANC6A Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

To join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda: 

• Discussion of application by Taqueria Al Lado II at 809 12th Street NE for a Class C Restaurant License.

                                                                ***

Ward 6 ANC Redistricting Task Force will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm

Register to watch the meeting here:  https://bit.ly/3KVtQAA

Agenda:

• Final approval of the map and report

                                                                ***

Wednesday, March 23

Ward 7 ANC Redistricting Task Force will hold a virtual meeting at a time TBA.

Info on how to join the meeting:  TBA

Out and About … Privacy and Romance – A Photo Essay

by Elizabeth Eby

Out and About is an occasional photo feature by artist, photographer, and Capitol Hill resident Elizabeth Eby.  She finds vignettes while out and about on Capitol Hill.

Ward 7 Redistricting Task Force Members “Decline” to Advance Standalone Hill East ANC

by Larry Janezich

This is complicated, but stick with me. 

Members of the Ward 7 Task Force on Redistricting held a virtual meeting Thursday night to make some preliminary decisions on proposed maps for ANC and single member boundaries in Ward 7.  The members declined to advance four full or partial redesigns of those boundaries.  Among them was Task Force member and former ANC6B commissioner Francis Campbell’s plan for a standalone Ward 7 ANC east of the river.  Task Force Members were asked to indicate whether to advance a whole map proposal, a partial map proposal, or decline to advance a proposal at all.  The group declined to advance Campbell’s proposal when 9 task force members declined and 7 supported it.   

The procedure was somewhat muddled.  At the Task Force’s virtual roundtable last Monday, after getting bogged down in considering the ten maps in front of them, the consensus was to divide the Task Force into two groups, A and B.  The two groups were to meet on Thursday; each group was to be assigned half the maps and determine which ones were worthy of further consideration and to make that recommendation to the full Task Force.  The goal was to only bring two maps back to the full Task Force. 

But what happened instead was this.  A public meeting of the Ward 7 Task Force – characterized as a round table – was announced shortly after 11:00am on Thursday. 

(Under DC’s Open Meeting Act, “Except for emergency meetings, notice of meetings must be provided in advance or not less than 48 hours or 2 business days prior to the meeting, by posting on website or in the office, and in the DC Register.)

At the meeting, four of the proposals were considered by the entire group, which then determined as a whole which maps to move forward.  None were.  Watch the meeting here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiCCnh-WMIU

It was also the consensus at last Monday’s meeting that the public will be permitted to submit additional maps for Task Force consideration until 6:00pm on Saturday, March 19.  In reality, few members of the public submit maps.  The map tool is not user friendly, and most users of the tool made available by the City Council’s Redistricting Committee need the training given to Task Force Members to operate it.

The Task Force will meet at 5:00pm on Monday, March 21 to continue considering maps, and again on Wednesday, March 23. 

One of those likely to be considered is a comprehensive map for the entire ward created by Rob Coomber, former commissioner, ANC 7D01 and current Board Member of Friends of Kingman Park.  See below for the portion affecting Hill East: 

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week of So

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 13

The Week Ahead…

Monday, March 14

ANC6D will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

To join the meeting, go here:  https://www.anc6d.org/virtualmeeting/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Among items on the agenda:
• Public Safety Report – MPD.
• DCRA, Reporting illegal construction.
• Petalpalooza update.
• Redistricting Update, Wards 6 and 8.
• Game Day Traffic Operations and parking plan.

                                                                 ***

Ward 7 ANC Redistricting Task Force will hold a virtual roundtable at 6:00pm. 

Register in advance for this webinar:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/  (After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinars.)

Agenda:

• This Roundtable will determine the ANC and SMD boundaries for Ward 7 for the next ten years. Current Ward 6 residents who live east of 15th Street will be affected.

Tuesday, March 15

Ward 6 Redistricting Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

Register in advance for this webinar: https://bit.ly/37rXjUo

Agenda:

• Final Approval of the Map and Report.

Wednesday, March 16

The ANC6A Economic Development and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For information on how to join the meeting, go here: https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• 1207 H Street, NE. Zoning Application.   Request for a map amendment to change the property from its current NC-14 zoning (Mixed Use: Medium Density Residential and Medium Density Commercial) to NC-15 )medium density mixed use) which permits a height of 70 feet and an FAR of 4.8, and will be subject to the enhanced affordability requirements under the IZ+ program.
• 647 16th Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application.   Request for special exception zoning relief to permit construction of a third story and rear addition, and convert to a flat, an existing, attached, two-story with cellar in a principal dwelling unit.   
• 15th Street Alley. Zoning Adjustment Application.   Request for an area variance to construct six, new, attached, two-story with cellar and roof deck, principal dwelling units in the RF-1 zone.
• 242 11th Street, NE. Historic Preservation Application.  Historic review of the construction of a ten foot (by right) addition on the rear of building while also adding a 3rd floor addition, and a second floor addition to an existing one story garage.
• 1108 Constitution Avenue, NE. Historic Preservation Application.  Review of the construction of a rear yard addition and cellar addition which will fill in the dogleg.

Legendary Song Artist Robert Flack Honored in Capitol Hill Ceremony

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 13, 2022

Yesterday, on a snowy Saturday afternoon, legendary songstress Roberta Flack came back to the Capitol Hill neighborhood Victorian Pub where she performed before becoming famous.  She was the honoree at a fire callbox restoration commemorating her talent, her work, her contributions, her legacy and her connection to Mr. Henry’s neighborhood bar a block away.

The callbox is in front of the Capitol Hill United Methodist Church – where the ceremony was held – at 5^th and Seward Square, SE. 

The restoration was undertaken by the Constitution Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution which hosted the ceremony.  A reception for guests followed at Mr. Henry’s.

Ms. Flack was also awarded the DAR Women in American History Award – presented during Women’s History Month to honor women who have made or are making an outstanding contribution to their communities. 

Out and About – A Photo Essay

by Elizabeth Eby

(Ed. note:  This Out and About post is the first in a series – an occasional photo feature by artist, photographer, and Capitol Hill resident Elizabeth Eby.  She finds vignettes while out and about on Capitol Hill.) 

Here’s a photo of a painting of snowdrops and Virginia bluebells by George Weymouth, a neighbor and good friend of Andrew Weyth.  Frolic, as he was known, was a horseman and “bon vivant” (see his New York Times obituary https://nyti.ms/3Ku6hOZ ).  Weymouth was one of the founders of the Weyth Museum and the Brandywine Conservancy Trust – a three hour drive from Capitol Hill.  The collection includes many of Weyth’s best known works as well as original illustrations of Treasure Island.  The museum is very intimate and visitors get to know generations of the Weyth family, personal histories of a few of Andrew’s models and local history starting with the Revolutionary War.

New Barracks Row Retail:  Sustainable (Pricey) Dry Goods | Grocer Outlet Coming

by Larry Janezich

The signage on the former Baskin-Robbins at 8^th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, announces the coming of Mason & Greens, Sustainable Dry Goods | Grocer.  The company promises plastic free products that are ethically made and sustainably sourced and claims ownership of the title of DC’s largest vegan shop.  Package free goods purchased on line can be delivered to your door with a $25 minimum and $5 delivery fee.   

Their offerings, they say, contain no toxic chemicals, synthetic fabric, palm oil or anything else that can damage people or the planet.  The product line includes items for the home, kitchen, beauty, kids, and the outdoors, as well as food, snacks, and books.   

This will be the company’s second store – there’s a Mason & Greene at 913 King Street in Alexandria. 

Here’s a link to their website:  https://www.masonandgreens.com/

R.I.P Donna Scheeder

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 7, 2022

Chuck Burger, Vice Chair of the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC), announced today the passing of Capitol Hill community advocate and activist Donna Scheeder. 

In an email to regular attendees of EMCAC monthly meetings, Burger said:

“Our friend Donna Scheeder has peacefully passed today at home.  Personally, I can only say that I am grateful to have known her.  She was irreplaceable as a friend and an advocate for so many in so many ways. She will be missed but greatly remembered.

A celebration will be announced in coming weeks.” 

The cause of death was cancer.  Scheeder was a private person, and made few concessions to her illness, continuing to chair EMCAC until as recently as its January meeting.  The seriousness of her condition wasn’t apparent until the February meeting of EMCAC which was postponed until March 2^nd, at which time Burger intimated that she was unable to fulfill her role as chair, and asked for a moment of silent prayer for her. 

Scheeder is best known in the community for her service for many years as the Ward 6 Councilmember’s appointee to – and chair of – EMCAC.  She was also a founding member of the Hill Center Board of Directors and most recently took an active role in the advisory task force for the redesign of Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park and children’s playground.

In her professional life, she was deputy chief information officer for the Congressional Research Service and retired in March of 2015. 

According to Wikipedia she was president of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) from 2015 to 2017 and served on the governing board of IFLA for 6 years. 

See here for more:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Scheeder

The Week Ahead….

By Larry Janezich

Posted March 6, 2022

The Week Ahead….

Tuesday, March 8

ANC6B will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

To join the meeting, go here:  https://bit.ly/3MmashP

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Presentation:  Matthew Graves, US Attorney for the District of Columbia.
• 1102 8th Street, SE.   Taco City DC.  Application for Substantial Change in Tavern Liquor License for Sidewalk Café. 
• 119 6th Street, SE.   Zoning Adjustment Application.  Special Exception to construct a rear, two-story addition to an existing, detached, two-story principal dwelling unit.
• 1307 South Carolina Avenue, SE.  Zoning Adjustment Application.  Special Exception to construct a rear deck addition to an attached, three-story principal dwelling unit. 
• 344 14th Street, SE.  Zoning Adjustment Application.  Special Exception to construct third story and rear addition to an existing, attached, two-story principal dwelling unit.
• 1500 D Street, SE.  Zoning Adjustment Application.  Special Exception to construct a second story, rear addition to an existing, semi-detached, two-story principal dwelling unit. 
• 321 D Street, SE.  Historic Preservation Application.  Concept: Construct a rear three-story addition; add a partial third floor on the existing house and renovate the existing house. 
• ANC6B Request to Mail Notice of Intent to File a Map Amendment to Rezone 1323 E Street, SE, from PDR-1 to RA-2.
• Resolution on Reckless Driving in DC – Resident Member John Ten Hoeve.
• Request to DDOT to Implement Resident Only Parking Near the Reopened Safeway.
• Walk Without Worry Amendment Act (Bill 24-0566) – Commissioner Horn.
• Safe Routes to School Expansion Amendment Act (Bill 24-0565) – Commissioner Horn.
• Possible Renaming of Garfield Park to Garfield-Anacostia Park.
• Letter to DC Council Regarding Neighborhood Concerns on Increased Carjackings – introduced by Commissioner Samolyk.
• Letter Regarding Harris Teeter Lease – introduced by Commissioner Ryder.

                                                         ***

Wednesday, March 9

ANC6C will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

To join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Naming of NoMa park at Third and L Streets, NE.
• 103 4th Street, NE.  Historic Preservation Application.  Concept approval to add a second story to an existing one-story rear addition. 
• 634 East Capitol Street, NE.  Historic Preservation Application.  Concept approval to add a two-story addition and roof deck at rear. 
• 931 5th Street, NE.  Zoning Adjustment Application.  Special exception relief to add a third-story rear addition and penthouse to an existing attached two-story dwelling. 
• 7 New York Avenue, NE – Demolition to construct a 14-story residential building. 
• Public hearing on B24-565, Safe Routes to School /Walk without Worry/Safer Intersections/Upgrading. 
• Tactical Safety Projects legislation. 
• Bus route changes on Eastern Market/L’Enfant Plaza Circulator. 
• National Capitol Planning Commission – Streetscape design guidelines, National Mall. 
• Curbside shifts on the 800 block of 3rd Street, NE.  Addition of commercial vehicle loading zone at Giant. 
• Discussion of new and upgraded bicycle lanes. 

                                                         ***

Ward 6 Public Schools Parent Organization hosts virtual Middle School Principal Panel Discussion at 7:30pm. 

• Principals Greg Dohmann (Jefferson Middle School Academy), Marlene Magrino (Eliot-Hine Middle School), Erik Fraser (Stuart-Hobson Middle School), and Kim Adutwum (Capitol Hill Montessori@Logan) will share their ideas on what makes a good middle school,  how their schools help all students reach their highest potential, what extracurricular activities they offer, and more.  Denise Forte, the interim CEO of the Education Trust, will be the moderator.

Register for the Middle School Principal Panel Discussion at https://bit.ly/W6PSPOMSPrincipals  

                                                                     ***

Thursday, March 10

ANC6A will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

To join the meeting, go here: https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentations

• D.C. Sentencing Commission – Brittany Bunch, Outreach Specialist.
• GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic – Daniel Jones.

Letters and Resolutions

• Letter of support for stipulated liquor license for Taqueria Al Lado II, contingent on a Settlement Agreement being reached prior to the ANC’s consideration of the matter.
• Resolution to officially name the alley in Square 1009, between C and D Street NE and 12th and 13th Streets, NE, “Overbeck Alley” in honor of Ruth Ann Overbeck, and send the resolution to Councilmember Charles Allen.
• 1127 G Street, NE.  Letter in conditional support of the request for a special exception zoning relief to allow construction of a detached, two-story, garage with second story dwelling unit to an existing, attached, two-story principal dwelling.