“Open Agenda” Notes for the June 17, 2014 meeting of ANC1D
Public discussion
“Each Commission shall set aside a portion of each public meeting to
hear the views of residents within the Commission area and other affected
persons on problems or issues of concern within the Commission area and
on proposed District government actions that affect the Commission
area.”
Secretary’s report
Minutes of the May 20 meeting (draft sent out May 21)
Treasurer’s report
Consent items: Checks to Tony Grillo, $50, postering for June meeting;
HearSay Interpreting, $100, interpreting at the June meeting
Unfinished business
Supporting a Friends of Lamont Park application
ANC1D supports a Mount Pleasant Main Street (MPMS) application to
DPR for its "Friends of the Park" program. It also supports a pilot
program concept to allow local business to have access to serve food and
beverages in a shared public space in a cafe style environment in Lamont
Park on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 until 10 pm. This could
also include participation by local artists. A full proposal and discussion
will be provided to the ANC1D and local residents prior to any
implementation for concerns and suggestions.
Why: For years, Mount Pleasant businesses have desired to leverage
Lamont Park for patrons as 3rd party groups and the Farmers' Market
have. One step towards enabling this vision is obtaining "Friends of the
Park" program status with DPR. Last year, DPR modified its program
policy such that any 501c3 with a park as part of its core mission and
objectives may apply. Main Street has been a joint steward of Lamont
Park and events there since its creation in the early 90s. It supports
improved park usability, beautification and utilization.
Residents living in Mount Pleasant are becoming increasingly frustrated
by the lack of park utilization and having a vibrant shopping and dining
experience in their neighborhood.
Utilizing the park provides a compelling way to link together the north
side of Mount Pleasant Street with the middle and south sections and
parklets building continuity to the commercial corridor. Building this
continuity was a recommendation from the DC Office of Planning's
Vibrant Retail Streets grant program of which MPMS was a participant
working with urban planning vendor Street Sense.
In April, Lenka Culbertson, co-owner of Radius Pizza and who expressed
interest in the park, was unanimously voted onto the Mount Pleasant
Main Street board as a business At-Large member. Holding this seat,
Lenka will co-chair a cross-organizational committee responsible for
obtaining "Friends of the Park" status for Mount Pleasant as well as
building a Lamont Park Cafe Program. The committee will include
Robert Frazier , owner of the Mount Pleasant Farmers' Market , Jennifer
Marca, MPMS Design Chair, Adam Hoey (ANC1D/MPMS) and Gabriela
Mossi, Executive Director of MPBA.
Mount Pleasant Street Treebox cleaning
Request to donate $1245.88 to the Mount Pleasant Business Association
to pay Rudi for Spring cleaning to treeboxes along Mount Pleasant St. and
Lamont park.
New business
Roof deck for 1742 Park Road (Yasmin)
Resolved, that ANC1D advises the Historic Preservation Review Board to
judge that the proposed deck at 1742 Park Road NW will be compatible
with the character of the Mount Pleasant Historic District.
Why: This roof deck will be almost wholly concealed from Park Road by
the front of the house, being built mainly on the second-floor level, and
with the rooftop portion set back
substantially from the front edge of
the house, which features a facade
extending above roof level. Roof
decks are not uncommon in Mount
Pleasant, and even some slight
visibility from the street will not be
objectionable.
1682 Irving St HPRB (China)
1821 Newton St HPRB (Jack)
Resolved, that ANC1D advises the
Historic Preservation Review Board
to judge the plans for 1821 Newton
Street NW to be compatible with the
character of the Mount Pleasant
Historic District.
Why: This is a unique building in
Mount Pleasant, architecturally
distinct from anything else in the
Mount Pleasant Historic District. The house was not built as part of the
row-house style that is characteristic of Mount Pleasant, but is a stand-
alone frame building, adjacent to row houses on its east, and a 12-unit
apartment house to its west. In this eclectic environment, it is hard to
define what is compatible, and what is not. What is evident is that the
essence of the structure, as a frame house 100 years old, will be retained,
with some modifications as necessary for
its conversion from four rental units to six
condominium units. It is not being
replaced with anything that is apparently
modern, or contrary to the general
construction styles of 100 years ago.
The house will be substantially hidden behind front-yard trees, further
minimizing the visual consequences of the proposed modifications.
1620 Newton St HPRB (Phil)