The ANC took up several items at its April 10 meeting that show the diverse range of issues and interests in the neighborhood, from schools and trails to sushi and seniors.  The police reported no significant crimes in Glover Park in March, but reminded residents not to leave visible items in their cars and to be aware of their surroundings while walking at night. Commissioners agreed to support a resolution in favor of easing classroom crowding at Stoddert Elementary School by requesting the addition of four “demountable,” or temporary, classroom structures. The recently renovated school that was intended to just over 300 students, now squeezes in 429 and has an in-boundary waiting list of 150.  Commissioner Brian Cohen explained that expanding temporarily makes sense because of changing demographics. Commissioner Joe Fiorillo explained that if the trailers are supplied, they would not interfere with athletic fields.

The Commission voted its approval for a new restaurant, Sushi Keiko, in the old Sushi-Ko space to open as soon as possible with a temporary liquor license until the permanent one is issued.  The owner of Sushi-Ko has put that license into safekeeping, but two restaurant licenses are available under the Glover Park Moratorium’s cap of 14. Sushi Keiko has applied for one of them.  The new management team includes the head chef from Sushi-Ko, so the neighborhood can expect the same quality of food and service. The restaurant should be open by the time you read this.

Commissioners voted to approved a small grant to Boy Scout Troop 100, which has existed in the District since 1918, to help support an Eagle Scout project to repair a main trail in Glover-Archibald Park.   A grant was also approved to help Iona Senior Services print and distribute a booklet of services and resources to residents of 4000 Tunlaw as part of a project to increase community knowledge about Iona’s offerings (which include adult day services, home care and health services, legal assistance, eldercare consultations, end-of-life care, recreation and arts for seniors and much more).  Approval was also granted to extend for another 15 years a zoning code exception that permits a parking lot off 37th street, behind Chipotle, the Post Office, and the El Salvadoran consulate.  The property manager agreed to continue keeping the lot clear of litter and provide better lighting that would be hooded to prevent disturbing nearby residents.

Following up on a DC Water presentation at the March meeting, ANC3B voted to send a letter of support for the agency’s Green Infrastructure project. This multi-million-dollar project aims to prevent the overflow of raw sewage into Rock Creek and the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers after heavy rain storms by tunneling new water paths and installing a variety of green infrastructure (like the new rain garden installed at the intersection of 37th and Tunlaw), to divert rainwater run-off and keep it from flooding the sewer system.  ANC3B has asked to be kept involved in this process as final plans develop and urged that DC Water consult the public before beginning construction.  We also indicated that the agency should use updated water models that take climate change into account, and expressed our concerns about a proposed five-year delay in completion of the project.

In Open Forum the ANC was informed by an attorney reprsenting the International Union of Operating Engineers that their building at the corner of Wisconsin and Calvert is being offered for sale.

The next meeting of ANC3B will be Thursday, May 8 at 7 p.m. in the first floor cafeteria of Stoddert Elementary School, Calvert Street and 39th.