Chair Phil Toomajian called the meeting to order of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6A at Miner Elementary School, 601 15th St. NE, with Commissioners Calvin Ward, Patrick Malone, Sondra Phillips-Gilbert, Marie-Claire Brown, and Mike Soderman in attendance
The meeting opened with several community presentations.
Insight Property Group
Brendan Whitsitt gave a construction update on Insight Property Group’s project at 1300 H St. NE – the R.L. Christian Apartments.
- There will be 33 residential units – all affordable – with retail space on the first floor. The developers are hoping to attract local small businesses and have begun outreach to potential tenants but do not expect to have commitments until the project is nearly complete.
- Information on residential rentals will be made available at www.1300HStreet.com.
- Parking and loading space is on Wylie Court NE to minimize the impact on H Street.
- Although the entrance to the lobby is on Wylie, the residents will have a 1300 H St. address so that they will not be eligible for residential parking permits. There will be bike storage for residents inside the building.
- Although the Bikeshare station on the H Street side has been moved to accommodate construction, it will be replaced upon completion of the project.
- The H Street Farmers’ Market will remain in place and will not be affected by construction.
- Public space permits for the excavation have been obtained, and groundbreaking will commence before the end of September. Construction is expected to take 12-14 months. A covered walkway will protect pedestrians on H Street during construction.
- The site is contaminated with dry-cleaning solvents and runoff from a gas station and coal yard that previously existed on the property. To remediate, a three-foot-deep section of soil will be removed across the entire surface area of the site and a vapor barrier installed.
US Attorney’s Office
Doug Klein, community prosecutor at the US Attorney’s Office, explained that his office prosecutes most adult crime in the District. If a victim or witness wants to know the status of a case in which they are involved, they can contact him at 703-785-5589 or douglas.klein@usdoj.gov. Three people have been arrested for assault with a dangerous weapon in the Sept. 10 shooting on the 1300 block of I Street NE.
Events DC
Pete Kirschner of Events DC presented the latest version of plans for the short-term redevelopment of the RFK Stadium campus. They include three all-season, multi-use playing fields. The fields will be available for public use, but it’s not clear how groups will be able to reserve them, how priority will be assigned, or what the costs will be. The artificial turf is pervious, which will decrease runoff and be less damaging to the environment than the paving it will replace.
The area will also be used for outdoor entertainment including music festivals. Kirschner noted that, while an enclosed market area is the longer-term solution to food service, the parking lots will provide space for food trucks. Events DC no longer has plans for a playground on or near the site.
Economic Development and Zoning Actions
ANC 6A voted unanimously to send letters of support to BZA for:
- a special exception from the rear-yard requirements to construct a two-story rear addition at 1362 East Capitol St. NE (BZA #19562)
- a special exception from the lot occupancy requirements to construct a two-story rear addition at 1203 D St. NE (BZA #19563)
- a special exception from the rear-yard requirement and the upper-floor addition requirements to construct a rear and third-story addition at 237 Warren St. NE (BZA #19565)
- a special exception from the rear-yard requirements to construct a three-story rear addition at 225 Tennessee Ave. NE (BZA #19566)
Other Actions
The commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Veronica “Roni” Hollmon as co-chair of the Community Outreach Committee. Organizations interested in applying for grants can find her contact information and the grant application form on the ANC 6A website. Hollmon noted that the committee will resume monthly meetings on the fourth Monday of each month. These will take place at Maury Elementary School (1250 Constitution Ave. NE) through the end of the year but will be in an alternate location after that, while Maury is closed for renovations.
Reports & Announcements
As expected, Matt Levy resigned. Amber Gove filed a petition for the seat and, as hers was the only petition filed, will take his place as commissioner for ANC 6A04. Gove attended the meeting.
Toomajian congratulated Commissioner Zimny and her husband on the safe arrival of a son a few days prior and noted that, although Zimny could not attend the meeting, she had nevertheless completed the treasurer’s reports on time.
Phillips-Gilbert announced that a Halloween party is planned for the Rosedale Recreation Center, 1701 Gales St. NE, noon-4 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 28.
Brown reported that the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) accommodated a request from residents on the 1200 block of I Street NE to have historically correct paving materials used for repairs to the curbs and street surface.
Ward expressed concern about flooding of homes near the intersection of 19th and E streets NE. There have been sewage backups; in one case a manhole cover “erupted.” Ward has been in touch with Emanuel Briggs at DC Water who shared with him details of a program for residents to receive a 90-percent rebate on the cost of installing backwater valves on qualified properties. Backwater valves prevent wastewater from entering the building. To determine eligibility, contact Briggs at 202-787-2003 or Emanuel.Briggs@dcwater.com. The online application and instructions can be found at www.dcwater.com/backwater-valve-information-and-rebate-program-application.
ANC 6A meets on the second Thursday of every month (except August), usually at Miner Elementary School. The next meeting will be on Oct. 12.
The 6A committees meet at 7 p.m. on the following schedule:
- Alcohol Beverage and Licensing, third Tuesday of each month, Sherwood Recreation Center, 640 10th St. NE.
- Community Outreach, fourth Monday of each month, Maury Elementary School, 1250 Constitution Ave. NE (enter from 13th Street).
- Economic Development and Zoning, third Wednesday of each month, Sherwood Recreation Center, 640 10th St. NE.
- Transportation and Public Space, third Monday of every month, Capitol Hill Towers, 900 G St. NE.
Visit www.anc6a.org for calendar of events, changes of date/venue, agendas, and other information.
