Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6D met on June 12 via Zoom. Commissioners Bob Link (6DO1, vice chair), Ronald Collins (6D02, treasurer), Gail Fast (6D03), Andrea Pawley (6D04), Ashton Rohmer (6D05), Bruce Levine (6D06, secretary) and Fredrica (Rikki) Kramer (6D07, chair and Rhonda Hamilton (6D08) were in attendance.
Brookfield Development asked the Zoning Commission for a two-year extension to develop its parcels at 375 M St. and 425 M St. SW. The zoning for both was established as part of the Waterfront Planned Unit Development (Waterfront PUD).
The Waterfront PUD is a 59,044 sq. ft. parcel on the site of the old Waterside Mall next to the Waterfront Metro entrance. The original PUD was approved in 2007. The commission has extended its order twice. While all the other parcels have either been completed or are currently under construction, the two parcels fronting M Street SW remain undeveloped.
According to Holland & Knight attorney Christine Shiker, Brookfield plans two residential buildings with ground floor retail and a community center for the parcels. Brookfield has not been able to secure funding to allow the project to move forward, said Shiker. The extension does not call for any changes to PUD, she said.
The northern parcel currently hosts the popular Southwest Farmers’ Market on Saturdays and a Night Market several times a month. Brookfield is committed to maintaining these interim uses until construction commences, Shiker said. Moreover, plans for the two parcels are staggered with 375 M St. SW being the first in line. Brookfield Vice President Augustus Haney committed to notifying in advance both vendors of any commencement in development.
The extension will support the continuation of public space at 425, stated Chair Kramer. Commissioner Pawley voiced support as well.
“It would be great to hear the continuing commitment by Brookfield,” stated Commissioner Link.
“Brookfield is focused 100% on getting this project moving forward,” Haney replied. Due to adverse market conditions, the company is not contemplating selling the parcels, he added.
Commission voted to support the extension. Commissioner Fast recused herself due to her position on the Southwest Community Center board. Commissioner Rohmer abstained.
Other Matters
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD(Captain Kevin Harding briefed the commission on the public safety. Officers are very concerned about the increasing unlawful discharge of weapons in Navy Yard and SW. The incidents have generated dozens of shell casings. Police have doubled their deployment around Greenleaf Recreation Center to combat the issue.
Commissioner Link provided an update on the Jair Lynch development at 899 Maine Ave. SW. The zoning order has been issued, he stated. He is working with Commissioner Fast on a motion for reconsideration. They are arguing that the “balance test” has not been met particularly on affordable housing.
The DC Housing Authority (DCHA) is right-sizing its public housing units in response to an audit by the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) The HUD study compared the number of bedrooms to number of unit residents. Commissioners expressed concerns about public housing residents suffering displacement. The commission voted to send DCHA a letter requesting a pause in the practice.
Commissioner Pawley appointed Stephanie Eicher to the Alcohol Beverage Committed. Rohmer appointed James Yan.
ANC voted to oppose any change in the ground floor use at 1550 First St. SW. The developer is not fulfilling the zoning order which had requirements for neighborhood serving retail, commissioners observed.
ANC resolved to ask DC Dept. of Energy and the Environment to conduct an air quality test of particular matter on Buzzard Point in relation to operations at Vulcan Concrete.
The commission voted to:
- support the Paul Taylor Summer in Lansburg Park on Aug. 26;
- support Southwest Garden 10th Anniversary event on July 29;
- urge WMATA to reconsider the elimination of the 74 Bus;
- approve a Cooperative Agreement with Makers Union, 664 Maine Ave. SW;
- protest on the base of peace, order and quiet for Kinfolk Southern Kitchen, 685 absent a signed community agreement
ANC 6D meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of every month. The next meeting is July 17, 2023. For more information\, visit www.anc6d.org.
