Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6C met June 11, 2025 via Webex. The following were on the dais: Jeremiah Foxwell (6C01), Karen Wirt (6C02, chair); Jay Adelstein (6C03, treasurer); Mark Eckenwiler (6C04, vice-chair); Daniela McInerney (6C05); Andrew Hayes (6C06, secretary) and Tony Goodman (6C07).
Rachel Clad, Civic Design Researcher with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) described a project to improve safety conditions on the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT). She said about 2500 people use the MBT daily, a volume expected to increase along with the types of vehicles used on the trail, specifically micro-mobility vehicles like e-bikes and electric scooters. The combination of electric vehicles and mechanical bikes is increasing the risk of injury, Clad said, so DDOT is working to address that risk by making design changes that will decrease speeds at high density points on the MBT.
The team will engage with users on the trail to learn from their experiences and work towards a solution. At the same time, DDOT is doing research, working with other jurisdictions to see how they have addressed concerns, including speed feedback signs. Clad said in the coming weeks, she will have more clarity on the project and its work, but wanted to inform the commission of the research and outreach that was about to begin. There was no vote on the matter.
No Vote on Third-Floor Addition
A motion in support of an application to the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) for a concept design to construct a third floor addition to an existing one story row dwelling, with a 15-foot setback from the current two-story rear addition at 605 Constitution Ave. NE failed with a vote of 3-4. The commission instead decided to report the failed vote to HPRB. The hearing is set for June 26.
The existing second-story addition was constructed on the building about thirty years ago. It has a 20 foot setback from the front facade, said architect Jennifer Fowler. The applicant originally proposed building the third story addition set back an additional 15 feet from the second floor, in sort of a step formation from the front facade. However, Historic Preservation Office (HPO) staff indicated they preferred the two additions have their facades aligned, necessitating changes to the plans.
Eckenwiler said that aligning the facades on the two additions would make the third floor more visible than in the initially proposed design. In general, HPRB works to make these less visible from public space, he noted. Neighbors voiced objections, both to the HPO suggestion saying it would increase the visibility of the addition. Others objected to any additions at all, saying that it tripled the size of the original building and was not in conformity with the neighborhood. Commissioners voted 3-4 to support the original application with some aesthetic changes in consideration of the neighborhood.
Marriott Hotel Rooftop Protest
The ANC voted unanimously 6-0 to protest the renewal of liquor license for the rooftop restaurant at the Mariott Hotel (175 L St. NE). The rooftop restaurant has been operating for a number of years with amplified music that had elicited no concerns from the community. However, after a recent management transition, the roof now plays host to a dance party with amplified music from 4 to 10 p.m. Sundays. Goodman said he is receiving complaints from neighbors six blocks away. Because of the layout of neighboring buildings, sound projects to the east—the direction of ANC 6C—and the hotel has heard complaints themselves, which employees say they have passed on the the hotel general manager. The license renewal comes under consideration this month. The ANC will protest the renewal pending negotiations with hotel and the vendor putting on the Sunday events.
In Other Business
Chair Wirt announced that police were looking for an arsonist linked to two fires near St. Jospeh’s Catholic Church (See full story, including news of a suspect arrest, in this issue of the Hill Rag.
Commissioner Goodman said that the building at 301 Florida Avenue NE has nearly completed exterior construction and crews are beginning work on windows. That building will include ground floor retail and 100 units to be rented, all affordable units.
Lost Sock Coffee Roasters has opened at the corner of Fourth and I Streets NE. The roaster and café is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and will be appearing before ANC 6C later this year with both a liquor license and public space application as they look to expand operations.
Ethiopian-Swedish Chef Marcus Samuelsson has opened his first DC restaurant, called Marcus DC on top of the Morrow Hotel (222 M St. NE) where Samuelsson had previously opened a rooftop bar. The ANC is protesting the liquor licenses associated with the hotel restaurant in pursuit of a Settlement Agreement (SA), although Goodman said that the restaurant is operating well at this time.
ANC 6C generally meets via Webex on the second Wednesday of every month with the exception of August. The next meeting is scheduled for July 9. See the full calendar of meetings and instructions to join at anc6c.org.
