CAPITOL HILL CORNER

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. 

Here’s What We Know about the Trucker Convoy

By Larry Janezich

Posted March 4, 2022

Friday afternoon, following a briefing with security officials and city leaders, CM Charles Allen shared the following points related to the possible convoy of truckers coming into the District this weekend and next week.

• The largest of the several convoys is reported to have more than 500 vehicles – a mix of tractor trailers, RVs, and personal vehicles.
• Most of the convoy appears to be staging in Hagerstown, MD, this evening and Saturday. 
• The biggest impact (if any) for the District would be later this weekend and potentially into next week if the convoy or individual drivers attempt to enter the District or instead, drive around the Beltway.
• The intention of those in the convoy is unclear, though spokespersons for the larger convoy stated they do not intend to enter DC.  But they do not speak for every participant. 
• The convoy has also attracted numerous extremist groups and individuals along its journey, but leadership of the larger group has at times attempted to distance the association with those individuals.
• It’s unclear what targets the convoy might have in mind, but areas of focus will be the White House and US Capitol.
• DC law enforcement has staged vehicles and personnel at various entry points to stop vehicles if needed and has built up capacity to tow and remove vehicles if there are parking and blocking strategies employed. 
• There’s no indication the convoy is focused on residential neighborhoods but any attempt to reach the Capitol or White House might bring them through those neighborhoods. 
• Law enforcement officials say they will continue watching closely any large vehicles and trucks entering the city well before they get downtown or near the Capitol.

Allen says a big take away from the briefing is that “while the situation is still very fluid, law enforcement is taking a very focused and strategic approach and is advising people to prepare to exercise patience next week if we see any road closures take place.”  You can also get updates via Alert DC: https://hsema.dc.gov/page/alertdc

Also, see here the DCist story here:  https://bit.ly/3sHdl4M

Hill East Bid for Its Own ANC Gets Chilly Reception from Ward 7 Task Force

by Larry Janezich

Posted March 4, 2022

It would be hard to imagine a better case for creating a new standalone Ward 7 ANC west of the Anacostia River than that presented at last night’s virtual Ward 7 Redistricting Taskforce “listening session.”   Brian Alcorn, Ward 7 Taskforce Member and current ANC6A Commissioner – and former ANC6B Commissioner Francis Campbell presented a compelling logical argument supported by facts, figures, history, resident testimony, the presence of natural boundaries and civic and community groups – and a map.  The idea was not received with enthusiasm by members of the Task Force.  

The proposal would create ANC7A with 8 single member districts including one for the residents of DC Jail.  (See above)  Supporters argue this new ANC would be better suited to represent residents west of the river and oversee development west of the river because these residents are most affected. 

But a well-reasoned argument may not be enough to stand against the realpolitik of redistricting.    

If adopted, the proposal would mean that two current Ward 7 ANCs (ANC7D and ANC7F) would give up jurisdiction over the RFK Campus and Reservation 13 respectively.  It’s likely no accident that the co-chairs of the Ward 7 Redistricting Taskforce are commissioners from those two ANCs.  (In Ward 6, CM Allen decided that no sitting commissioner or anyone who intended to run for the ANC should sit on the Ward 6 Redistricting Committee.)

Former Chair of ANC6B Chander Jayaraman lobbied for a cross boundary Ward 7 ANC west of the river, which would function as a Ward 6 ANC.  Under redistricting guidelines, “An ANC may cross a ward boundary, but according to District law, each ANC must, ‘to the greatest extent possible,’ be located within one ward.”  The arrangement would require agreement by both councilmembers, however, and though CM Charles Allen supports the idea Councilmember Vincent Gray has shown no interest. 

Campbell told Capitol Hill Corner that he has not considered a standalone ANC west of the river that does not include the RFK campus or Reservation 13. 

If no new ANC made up of the pieces of ANCs west of the river comes into being, those pieces of ANC6A and ANC6B which recently became part of Ward 7 through redistricting will have to be absorbed into Ward 7’s ANC7D and ANC7F. 

In the final analysis, it probably doesn’t matter what the Ward 6 Redistricting Committee recommends – their role is advisory – because the final ANC and single member boundary lines will be drawn by Councilmember Gray.  If he has no interest in a cross boundary ANC, it is all but certain he would not sign off on a plan which would surrender the opportunity for existing Ward 7 ANC’s to bring the “great weight” of their opinion to any future development of the RFK Campus and Reservation 13.

The Ward 7 Taskforce is up against an April 1^st deadline and has yet to produce a draft map for resident and ANC input.  There are two more meetings of the Ward 7 Task Force before then, dates and times to be announced.