ANC 6A Report

Phil Toomajian, chair of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6A, called the meeting to order at Miner Elementary School, 601 15th St. NE, with Commissioners Sondra Phillips-Gilbert, Amber Gove, Stephanie Zimny, and Calvin Ward in attendance. Marie Claire Brown, Patrick Malone, and Mike Soderman were absent.

The meeting opened with community presentations. Chair Toomajian made a point of thanking the Miner ES Principal, Bruce Jackson, for agreeing to host the July ANC meeting. Recent past principals have declined to do so, making this a very welcome offer.

District Department of Transportation (DDOT) – Tyon Jones and Derek Voight
Tyon Jones introduced Derek Voight, of the Traffic Operations and Safety Division, who was making a return visit to the ANC.

• At the May meeting he had presented results of an investigation of the intersection at 8th and D Streets NE, in response to community concerns and the ANC’s support of a four-way stop. A key point of contention was the timing of the volume study, 6 hours of observation in July 2017, when nearby schools were not in session. In response to this concern, the study was recently redone using a 13 hour timeframe. The results were similar: there is insufficient traffic (including vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians) to justify a four-way stop at this intersection.
• However, several other safety measures are under consideration. These include “bulb outs” of the sidewalks on the south side of the intersection, and the establishment of a loading zone in front of the drycleaner. A divided median may be placed at this side of the intersection as well. The bus stops on the opposite side of the intersection may be moved farther north (if WMATA agrees) to improve safety in the crosswalk.
• Voight also reported on a request for traffic calming measures on the 400-600 blocks of 10^th Street NE. Studies at this location found elevated speeds as high as 38 mph. Consequently, DDOT will be installing speed humps, two on the 600 block and one on the 400 block.
• Jones can be reached at Tyon.Jones@dc.gov.

LimeBike – Jason Starr, D.C. General Manager
LimeBike is a dockless bikeshare service which has recently expanded into powered scooters. The presentation was part of the company’s regular outreach program. The following information was provided in response to questions from attendees:

• There should be fewer damaged or seemingly abandoned bikes/scooters because they must be picked up to be charged every day and can easily be located by GPS. They have stickers on them with the company’s contact information so they can be reported if necessary.
• To incentivize improved parking habits, LimeBike is setting up “corrals” and users can earn points by leaving bikes/scooters at those locations.
• LimeBike scooters have a top speed of 14.5 mph. Several attendees questioned whether this was safe, particularly since they are often operating on sidewalks. The LimeBike representatives said that customers are advised not to ride them on sidewalks, although it is legal in most parts of the city.

Alcohol Beverage Licensing Actions

• The commissioners voted, unanimously, to protest the request by Dangerously Delicious Pies (1339 H St. NE) for an expansion to its second floor with outdoor seating unless a signed settlement agreement is submitted prior to the protest date. This agreement will specify that the roof deck must be closed at 11 p. on weeknights and 12 a.m. on weekends. The owners were present at the meeting and indicated their willingness to enter into such an agreement. They further stated that they do not plan to have live entertainment on the roof and that the configuration of the outdoor space makes it unlikely to inconvenience neighbors. If such a Settlement Agreement is reached, the ANC will submit a letter in support of a stipulated license for the substantial change.
• Representatives of a new establishment, Smokin’ Pig (1208 H St. NE), were present to discuss the potential transfer of a license from Touché (1123 H St. NE) to the new location, and to request a stipulated license while the placard is pending. Cynthia Gibson, the owner of the Smokin’ Pig did not attend the Alcohol Beverage Licensing (ABL) Committee meeting at which the license transfer was previously discussed. The request was met with some skepticism due to the history of problems with both Touché and Twelve (the precursor to Touché), establishments with which Bernard Gibson, Ms. Gibson son, was associated. Touché was closed by the police, citing public safety concerns due to criminal activity on the premises. The ANC took no action on the license transfer but advised that Ms. Gibson should appear in person at the next ABL Committee meeting. Commissioner Ward assured Ms. Gibson that he would not hold past problems against her and that he hoped the new enterprise would be successful, as “we need more black businesses.”

Transportation and Public Space Actions

• ANC 6A voted unanimously to send a letter to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) asking them to alter their plan for the C Street NE Rehabilitation project, to revert it the version similar to that presented to the community in February of 2018.
• Caitlin Rogger and Marc Brumer were confirmed as new members of the Transporation and Public Space (TPS) committee. 

Economic Development and Zoning Actions

• ANC 6A voted unanimously to send a letter of support to BZA for special exceptions from lot occupancyand rear yard setback requirements, to construct a rear addition at 220 14th Pl. NE (BZA #19792)
• Nick Alberti was confirmed as a member of the Economic Development and Zoning (ED&Z) Committee.

Other Actions
A sculpture has been commissioned by the owner of a nearby apartment building for a small pocket park at Florida Avenue and H Street NE. The commissioners voted to send a letter of support to DDOT in support of the public space application.

Announcements and Reports
Commissioners Ward and Phillips-Gilbert reported that rock-throwing by youth is a serious issue in their Single Member Districts (SMDs). Windows have been broken in both cars and residences; individuals have been assaulted. The locus seems to be the Rosedale Recreation Center and the blocks immediately surrounding it. The perpetrators often flee to nearby Miner ES where they find places to hide. Miner personnel and families have been seriously impacted by this activity, which includes personal attacks. Miner security cameras captured some of the kids, but identification has not generally been possible. One of the young people was apprehended and is reported to be in police custody but he has not been forthcoming as to who else is involved. Ward and Phillips-Gilbert are working with police.

Commissioner Gove announced a petition to ask DCPS to review and revise the DGS water filtration and testing protocol published last September, so that it complies with the Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention Amendment Act of 2017. Currently, the protocol does not increase the frequency of testing during construction/modernization (when pipes are disturbed) or for those schools with a history of detectable lead levels. DC Residents can sign the petition at https://chn.ge/2LSV8t3.

Meeting Schedule
ANC 6A meets on the second Thursday of every month (except August), at Miner Elementary School.

The 6A committees meet at 7 p.m. on the following schedule:

Alcohol Beverage and Licensing, third Tuesday of the month, Sherwood Recreation Center, 640 10th St. NE.

Community Outreach, fourth Monday of the month, Eastern Senior High School, 1700 East Capitol St. NE.

Economic Development and Zoning, third Wednesday of the month, Sherwood Recreation Center, 640 10th St. NE.

Transportation and Public Space, third Monday of the month, Capitol Hill Towers, 900 G St. NE.

Visit www.anc6a.org for calendar of events, changes of date/venue, agendas and other information.