Chair Amber Gove (6A04) convened the November 10, 2021 meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6A via Zoom with Commissioners Keya Chatterjee (6A01), Phil Toomajian (6A02), Mike Soderman (6A03), Laura Gentile (6A05), Robb Dooling (6A06), Sondra Phillips-Gilbert (6A07) and Brian Alcorn (6A08) all in attendance.
DC Redistricting
Councilmember-at-Large Elissa Silverman updated the ANC about the on-going process of developing a redistricting plan for the city. The 2020 census showed that Ward 6 has experienced the most significant growth in population and is now well above the acceptable population threshold while Wards 7 and 8 have declined in population. The Redistricting Committee, of which Councilmember Silverman is the chair, held a number of hearings and offered a digital redistricting tool in an effort to collect input from DC residences on the redistricting process. Much of the Councilmember’s time at the November ANC6A meeting was spent defending the three maps that were, at the time, the favored options for redrawing the Wards. Many residents as well as Commissioners spoke out in favor of preserving as much of the Ward 6 boundaries as possible, as evidenced by the two motions passed, unanimously to that effect. Councilmember-at-Large Silverman offers updates on the redistricting process on her website, elissasilverman.com/redistricting.
DC Parks and Recreation
Christopher Dryer, Community Engagement director for the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) informed the ANC about a number of upcoming programs, both virtual and in-person, put on by the department. This winter, DPR is offering ballet classes, piano lesson, a variety of exercise courses and more, in addition to the year-round offerings. Programming is available for a spectrum of ages across the city. More information is found by visiting dpr.dc.gov.
New Business
- The Commissioners voted, unanimously, to send a letter to the DC Council Redistricting Committee requesting that the Committee ensure that the current ANC6A boundaries are retained in the Redistricting Process, and that ANC 6A remain a part of Ward 6.
- The Commissioners voted, unanimously, to send a letter to the Chair of the DC Council Committee on Health, the Director of the DC Department of Health Care Finance and the Director of the DC Department of Behavioral Health in support for bridge funding for DC Mental Health Access in Pediatrics.
Transportation and Public Space (TPS) Committee
- The Commissioners voted, unanimously, to send a letter to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) expressing the need for expansion of electric vehicle charging throughout the District; urging both public and private solutions to electric vehicle charging for residents without off-street parking, including measures to facilitate extending charging cables from residences to the curb, with all due consideration for safety and ADA compliance.
- The Commissioners voted, unanimously, to send a letter to DDOT supporting TSA 21-00448727 for the 300 block of 18th Street NE, including consideration of speed humps and raised crosswalks.
- The Commissioners voted, unanimously, to send a letter to DDOT supporting TSA’s 21-00428331 & 2100428369 for the 1500 -1900 blocks of Benning Road NE, including a full traffic safety investigation; consideration of speed humps, raised crosswalks, signal timing, and all other traffic calming measures; and that DDOT consider extending the planned H Street dedicated bus lanes to this corridor as a traffic calming measure as well as to improve transit.
- The Commissioners voted, unanimously, to send a letter to DDOT requesting that 20 MPH speed limit signs be placed on all collector streets in ANC6A that do not yet have signs.
- The Commissioners voted, unanimously, to send a letter to DDOT requesting the installation of a contra-flow bike lane on the 1100 block of F Street NE.
- The Commissioners voted, unanimously, to send a letter to DDOT supporting TSA 21-00119585 for the intersection of 13th Street NE and Wylie Street NE, including installation of raised crosswalks for the entire intersection.
The Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00 pm on the third Monday of each month.
Economic Development and Zoning
- The Commissioners voted, unanimously, to send a letter of support to Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) for a special exception from the rooftop and upper floor requirements to construct a third story addition to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit at 327 Tennessee Avenue, NE (BZA Case #20607) with the caveat that the owners make best efforts to get letters of support from the neighbors at 324, 326 and 328 14th Street.
The Economic Development and Zoning Committee meets at 7:00 pm on the third Wednesday of each month.
Visit www.anc6a.org for a calendar of meeting times, meeting agendas and other information.
