Commissioners Alex Padro (6E01), Frank Wiggins (6E03, vice chair and treasurer), David Jaffe (6E04, secretary), Alex Marriott (6E05, chair), Alvin Judd (6E06) and Kevin Rogers (6E07) made up the quorum to conduct official business at the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6E April meeting. Anthony Brown (6E02) was absent.
Museum Square Tenants’ Association Meeting
Chair Marriott said that he attended a tenants’ association meeting in Museum Square in March. He reported to the commission that residents are suffering from a lack of heat and hot water, rodent infestation and non-working elevators. Marriott motioned and Padro seconded that the commission submit a letter to the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) to convey the complaints of the Museum Square residents. The letter will be copied to Councilmember Charles Allen and Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Naming M Street Alleyway
Jaffe sent a letter of support to Councilmember Charles Allen stating that a consensus had been reached on naming an alleyway, located in the rear of 1131 Fifth St. NW, Yale Steam Alley. Commissioner Padro asked that EHT Traceries Inc. determine if the alley was ever named in the past. The firm had suggested that there should be additional community outreach before deciding on a name.
Permit Request for Ninth Street Cafe
A representative of Chaplin’s restaurant, located at 1509 Ninth St. NW, notified the commission that they have been working with the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) on a public space permit request to convert the property’s outdoor patio into an enclosed cafe. The representative said that an open patio that respects the green space will still exist, but the restaurant’s operators would like to have the option to enclose it during bad weather. HPRB approved the enclosure design, which will be made of glass with a steel railing.
Padro moved and Marriott seconded a motion to support Chaplin’s HPRB application with the exception that they use black paint on all painted elements. The motion passed unanimously. The commission’s support will be communicated in writing to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and HPRB.
HPO Approves New Housing Concept
The Historic Preservation Office (HPO) approved a housing design concept for two identical row homes that will be constructed on two vacant lots at 1735-1737 10th St. NW. The design was submitted by Charles Warren of Teass/Warren Architects, who was chosen as developer for the project by the District. A hearing for HPRB approval was scheduled in April. Affordable workforce housing will be offered on the lower units, and the upper units will have two bedrooms each.
The architectural firm has received positive feedback from the community, and the ANC 6E Zoning Committee has viewed the concept and strongly supported most of the zoning relief. Two zoning concerns that will be addressed in May did not affect the matter at hand. Padro noted that the Zoning Committee’s concerns lie with the amount of glazing on the 10th Street facade and the color palette of materials. After expressing concerns, the Zoning Committee unanimously recommended support for the needed zoning relief.
Padro moved and Marriott seconded a motion to support the overall design but asked the architectural firm to work with HPRB on addressing the Zoning Committee’s concerns. The motion passed unanimously, and the commission’s support will be communicated in writing to HPRB.
Request for Curb Cut
- Donahue Peebles, CEO of the Peebles Corporation, spoke to the commission and said that a 12-story hotel development with 100 spaces for underground parking, located at Fifth and I streets NW, is moving forward. He wanted to discuss the firm’s public space application for a curb cut on the I Street side, since they are breaking ground in June. The sidewalk and pavers will be improved, and Donahue noted that they are communicating with surrounding property owners about construction. The ANC 6E Zoning Committee previously met with the Peebles Corporation to review the application and recommended bike racks, planters and the purchasing of slip-resistant materials.
Marriott moved and Padro seconded a motion that the commission support the application for the curb cut and communicate it in writing to the DDOT Public Space Committee. The motion passed unanimously.
ANC 6E will meet again at 6:30 p.m. on May 1 at the Shaw/Watha T. Daniel Library, located at 1630 Seventh St. NW. Steve Holton can be contacted at ssholton@gmail.com.
