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 Marie Claire Brown, Sondra Phillips-Gilbert, Patrick Malone, Mike Soderman, Stephanie Zimny, and Calvin Ward in attendance. Commissioner Amber Gove was not in attendance.
The meeting opened with community presentations.
Captain Duncan Bedlion, Fifth District, Metropolitan Police Department
Captain Duncan Bedlion addressed the shooting that occurred outside of the Rosedale Community Center, the Summer Crime Initiative, and ways to get in contact with the police. He reported that the shooting outside of the Rosedale Community Center is believed to be an isolated incident, and MPD should have information that they can release to the public shortly. He announced that so far, under the Summer Crime Initiative, 299 arrests have been made and they have seen a 150% increase in guns seized this year in comparison with last. The Summer Crime Initiative places officers in certain areas based on the previous year’s crime statistics in order to crack down on violent crime, recover illegal firearms, and punish repeat offenders. Citizens may text crime tips to MPD anonymously by texting information to the number 50411, or call the Command Information Center at 202-727-9099.
Oni Hinton, Project Coordinator, and Meg Davis, Project Manager, Facility Planning and Design, DC Public Schools, Eliot-Hine Middle School Modernization
Ms. Hinton announced changes to the development of the site design and distributed renderings of these changes, notably the C Street NE side of the building. Ms. Davis stated that in an effort to mitigate noise and the presence of hazardous materials while students are in school, they have set an aggressive goal to complete abatement and demolition by this summer, before students return. To accomplish this, they requested and have received approval for additional work hours for contractor. The contractor will be on site seven days a week, with extended hours Mondays through Fridays. Ms. Hinton confirmed that during demolition activities, access to the Maury Village on C Street NE will be closed for the summer. It will be reopened when school is back in session. Ms. Davis reassured the community that, in response to concerns about lead seepage during abatement and demolition, that an industrial hygienist will be on site, and that lead testing will be executed prior to students returning to school; the results of which will be shared with the public. The modernization is slated to be complete by August 2020.
Sarah Fashbaugh, Community Resource Officer, Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA)
Ms. Fashbaugh stated that ABRA’s main purpose is to issue licenses that allow business to sell alcohol, and went into greater detail about the complaint process, and the upcoming 2019 license renewal season for on-premise establishments (any business that sells alcohol on site, for example, bars, restaurants, hotel, etc.). The public can call ABRA’s enforcement/hotline number at 202-329-6347, which is open until 4 a.m., to report any issues with one of its licensees including operating outside board-approved hours, noise, trash, and noncompliance with settlement agreements. In 2019, a few thousand establishments will go through the license renewal process, many of which are in 6A. Ms. Fashbaugh emphasized the importance of contacting the ANC with any concerns or to protest the renewal of any establishment. She stated that any resident may request the investigative history of any of its licensees, without filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Ms. Fashbaugh confirmed to the ANC that she had received complaints about the roof deck of Dirty Water at 816 H Street NE. She described what steps her office takes after a complaint is received. She stated that she periodically holds free information sessions about ABRA on the 4th floor of the Reeves Center. The next session is Thursday, September 20, from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.
Jessica Sutter, Candidate for State Board of Education
Ms. Sutter briefly introduced herself as a candidate for the Ward 6 seat of the State Board of Education. She is a former middle school teacher who has preciously taught in Ward 6 and has most recently worked as a consultant in education policy. She is focused on the quality and equity of funding for schools, and that residents have meaningful choices in education.
Officer Reports
The DC City Council held a hearing on two requests from ANC 6A after Councilmember Allen introduced the bills, one to designate the 200th block of 10th Street NE as Outlaw Way, and the second to designate an alley off the 600th block of 11th Street NE as Bruce Robie Way.
Emerald Street NE is being added to the list of historic districts that are eligible to receive community funding through the grant program. Qualified residents on Emerald Street will soon be able to receive funding to maintain their historic homes.
Traffic calming requests for the 400 and 600 blocks of 10th Street NE have been progressing; DDOT has announced that three spots in this area have been marked for speed humps.
Petitions are now available at the Board of Elections for any individuals interested in serving as ANC Commissioners in 2019 and 2020.
Committee Reports
Alcohol Beverage Licensing
ANC 6A voted unanimously to send a letter to the ABRA to protest the license transfer of Touche᷄ at 1123 H Street NE to Smokin’ Pig at 1208 H Street NE unless a settlement agreement amendment is agreed to that states the kitchen may cease serving food no earlier than one hour before closing time.
Transportation and Public Space
ANC 6A voted unanimously to send a letter to the DDOT Public Space Committee for the public space application by Eliot-Hine Middle School for installation of a staircase and an ADA ramp on the C Street NE side of the school.
ANC 6A voted unanimously to send a letter of support to the DDOT Public Space Committee for the sidewalk café application by the DC Diner at 802 13th Street NE, on numerous conditions, including the applicant’s agreement to only operate the sidewalk café between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., reasonable contain noise, only serve food and drink and not act as a venue for amplified or live music, use easily moveable and stored seating, ensure no trash receptacle is stored on public space, and to maintain the surrounding tree boxes.
Economic Development and Zoning
ANC 6A voted unanimously to
- Send a letter of support to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) for a special exception from subdivision regulations to permit two existing primary buildings on a single record lot in an RF-1 zone at 518 9th Street NE and 816 E Street NE (BZA Case #19799).
- Send letters of support to both BZA and the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) for special exceptions from lot occupancy requirements, and from nonconforming structure requirements, in order to construct a third-story rear addition to an existing principal dwelling unit at 1016 Massachusetts Avenue NE on the condition that the applicant make their best effort to get support from their neighbors.
- Send a letter of support to BZA for a special exception from rear addition requirements to construct a rear roof deck and access stairwell at 1318 Constitution Avenue NE (BZA Case #19802)
- Send letters of support to BZA and HPRB for a special exception to the alley setback requirements to expand a garage by adding an additional level at 325 10th Street NE on the condition that the applicant makes their best effort to get support from their neighbors.
The final motion from the committee had been before the ANC previously – concerning request for a letter of support to BZA and HRPB regarding the construction of a rear addition to an existing nonconforming dwelling at 121 Tennessee Ave. NE in the Capitol Hill Historic District. Once again, the applicant, Patrick McGeehan, and the architect were in attendance, as well as a neighbor opposed to the project. After some discussion, the ANC voted along the same lines as previously, voting 4-1 in favor with 2 commissioners abstaining.
The ANC 6A will not meet in August; meetings will resume in September.
