Minutes of Public Meeting
February 10, 2014
Chevy Chase Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3/4G
Chevy Chase Community Center
5601 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20015.
1. Call to Order and Quorum. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by Chair McCarthy. Commissioners present: McCarthy, Speck, Engel, Griffin, Thompson, Cook, and Maydak. A quorum was declared.
2. Attendees. Approximately 35 persons were present.
3. Agenda. The agenda was agreed by vote of 7-0.
4. Commissioner Announcements. Chair McCarthy indicated that the ANC had received 10 resumes to date for the job opening of the ANC’s office manager. The committee appointed to review the applicants will begin interviews shortly. He further appointed Commissioner Thompson to assist with the computer updates needed as the version of Microsoft operating system on our computer will no longer be supported after April 2014. Commissioner Thompson reported that hearing on zoning changes are continuing with the one in Ward 3 to be held February 11, at Wilson High School at 6:30. He further reported on the now delayed election in 2014 for an elected Attorney General for DC. Commission Cook announced the forthcoming meeting on February 26 regarding homelessness. Commissioner Maydak further added to this regarding busses for homelessness persons being used by the DC Gov’t. She also reported on a coming walk through program through neighborhoods to survey residents on many subjects. She also indicated that school boundary changes are beginning to be undertaken. Chair McCarthy announced a Mayor Candidate forum on February 11 at St Colombia’s Church sponsored by the Ward 3 Democrats.
5. Community Announcements. Representatives from the Mayor’s office and Councilmembers Cheh and Bowser were represented. Pete Ross, a candidate for the DC Shadow Senate seat, spoke briefing on the role of the shadow representative and the two senators.
6. Discussion of LED Lighting: Report of Task Force. The ANC Task Force co-chaired by Commissioner Maydak and Laura Phinizy provided an update on the progress of DDOT’s installment of street and alley lights in the community. They reviewed their discussion with DDOT, and they had been unable to see the contract with the vendor as it now unavailable as it is in the Appeals Court. They had requested of DDOT information as to the contract proposal and RFP. Commissioner Maydak has been in contact with DDOT and they had requested additional time to respond to the ANC letter. They indicated that they needed 30 more days.
7. Discussion of Cafritz Property Development (5333 Connecticut Avenue). The Chair asked Commissioner Speck to review and provide a background on the circular drive way proposed by Cafritz. He reviewed the MOU which the ANC had agreed to, which was approved by the ANC. One of the conditions was support for the circular driveway. This is now before the Commission due to the application of Cafritz for use of public space for this circular driveway. In regard to the circular driveway, he discussed in detail two major points: 1.) that this driveway would reduce traffic on Kanawha Street and Military Road, and 2.) the preservation of trees along the Connecticut Avenue side of the building. This was followed by presentation by Cafritz officials, traffic planner, and arborist. The traffic planner discussed the alternatives to the circular driveway, including curb-side drop-off and pick-up on Connecticut Avenue, Military road, Kanawha Street, or in the alley, and the problem with each. The Connecticut Avenue location proved to be the best location. The arborist discussed the tree preservation program, potential paving surfaces in the tree box area, side walk, drive apron, and front area including how each would preserve the trees and roots. Questions and comments were taken from the audience, and discussed by Commissioners and Cafritz officials.
Commissioner Speck offered a motion, on the request for use of the public space which includes several friendly amendments as follows: Resolved that the ANC has no objection to and supports Cafritz’s public space application for a circular driveway with the following conditions and provisos:
1. Cafritz and its consultants will work with DDOT to develop a standard of care and design for the construction and maintenance of the circular drive that offers the best reasonable likelihood for preservation of all current trees in the public space on the Connecticut Avenue frontage of the property;
2. To provide for the eventuality that any current trees in the public space area on the Connecticut Avenue frontage may not survive, Cafrtiz and its consultants will work with DDOT to develop a specific protocol for actions that Cafritz will take, including replacement of non-surviving trees to provide a similar canopy where possible;
3. Cafritz and it consultants will work with DDOT to develop a comprehensive traffic plan related to its circular drive with the objective of reducing traffic on Military Road and Kanawha Street; and
4. The ANC appoints Commissioner Randy Speck as its representative at meetings between Cafritz and DDOT to report on the implementation of these conditions and provisos.
After further discussion, the Commission voted 5 for (McCarthy, Speck, Engel, Griffin, Thompson) 2 against (Cook, Maydak)
8. Commission Business.
a. The Minutes of the January 27 public meeting were approved by vote of 7-0
b. Checks: The ANC approved by vote of 7-0 checks for: $225.76 (Diane Werneke—2 toners for printer); $105.81 (Verizon-Feb.)
c. Items for the next meeting on February 24 include: Update on 5333 Connecticut Avenue; Update on LED lighting; application for ABRA liquor license for Macon Restaurant at 5520 Connecticut Ave.
d. Treasurer Griffin announced that our next DC allotment had been approved and would be received shortly.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:40 pm.
The next scheduled meeting of the Commission is Monday, February 24, 2014 at 7:30 pm.
Signed
Jim McCarthy David Engel
Chair Secretary
Minutes of Public Meeting
February 24, 2014
Chevy Chase Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3/4G
Chevy Chase Community Center
5601 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20015.
1. Call to Order and Quorum. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by Chair McCarthy. Commissioners present: McCarthy, Speck, Griffin, Cook, and Maydak. Absent: Engel and Thompson. A quorum was declared.
2. Attendees. Approximately 20 persons were present.
3. Agenda. The agenda was agreed by vote of 5-0.
4. Commissioner Announcements. Commissioner Speck introduced Ms. Jeralynn Graham as the new ANC office manager. She will take up the position in early March. Chair McCarthy announced the Spring Grant period with applications due by March 21. Grants are given to nonprofit groups serving the Chevy Chase community. Grant procedures and application forms are available on the ANC website (www.anc3g.org ) under the “Information” tab on the main page or by notifying the office. Commissioner Cook indicated that the AARP would provide tax preparation services at the Community Center on Tuesdays (9AM-1 PM) and Wednesdays (9 AM-5 PM) until April 15.
5. Community Announcements. Representatives from the Mayor’s office and Councilmember Bowser were in attendance.
6. Update on LED Lighting. Chair McCarthy noted that the Commission had sent DDOT a letter at the end of January requesting information on a number of issues regarding the replacement of the current street lights with LED lights, which many in the community affected by the new lights found to be too bright and too widely distributed. Commissioner Maydak, co-chair of the ANC task force on LED lighting, said that DDOT had asked for an additional 30 days to respond to the letter and that the contracts for the work were as yet unavailable. In addition, she said that it would be about six months until lower intensity bulbs would be installed and approximately three months before the arrival of lighting shields.
7. Update on Cafritz Property Development. Chair McCarthy said that at the February 10 ANC meeting the Commission had approved the use of public space application by Cafritz to make two curb cuts on Connecticut Avenue for a circular driveway for the apartment complex. The main issue at the meeting of the Public Space Committee, attended by Chair McCarthy and Commissioner Speck, was tree preservation along Connecticut Avenue. DDOT’s Urban Forestry Administration was also at that meeting. Commissioner Speck reported that more information was asked of the developer as to having an arborist onsite as well as regular follow-up on the health of the trees so that problems could quickly be discerned and trees could be replaced. Cafritz said that the work would be subject to daily monitoring via live cameras and any tree replacement would be of the largest size tree possible. The next meeting before the Public Space Committee is February 27. Both Commissioners McCarthy and Speck will attend. Commissioner Griffin noted that the problem of truck traffic surrounding the construction site had been abated with the placement of new signage on the side streets, further trucker information about street restrictions, and the permanent ban of truckers who had violated the restrictions
8. Macon Restaurant Application for a Class C Liquor License. The owner, Mr. Tony Brown and General Manager Nicole Ryan-Wiss presented the plans for the restaurant located at 5520 Connecticut Avenue (in the Chevy Chase Arcade). The restaurant’s concept is a traditional French bistro with a southern (U.S. accent). The restaurant will provide seating for 60 indoors and 24 patio seats if permission from the Public Space Committee is approved. The issue before the Commission was the application for a liquor license for the indoor seating (the outdoor seating subject to another review at the time of the application). Mr. Brown responded to issues raised by neighbors at the November 25, 2013 meeting of the Commission. He said that the restaurant would use two existing pads for trash bins which would be lockable and cleared four times a week or more depending on existing business. Any bottle disposal into the bins would not be later than 10 PM., that deliveries would be made to the front of the building, and that access to the rear garbage bins would be through the back door of the arcade (via the basement). Near-by residents raised concerns about the trash collection schedule, the size of the bins so as not to have overloaded dumpsters, parking, ventilation, and noise. Mr. Brown said that the ventilation system would use the current system. Former Commissioner Beach noted that parking requirements were not part of any application approval agreements in the area—Chevy Chase to Calvert Street. Chair McCarthy noted the concern of residents (as he lives closed to the restaurant site), but also the willingness of the owner to work with neighbors about the trash concerns. After further discussion, the Commission agreed by vote of 7-0; Engel and Thompson by proxy) to support the application for the liquor license provided: 1. the applicant amend the hours of operations to close at 12 midnight on Sunday through Thursday and 1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays; and 2. the applicant agree to further discussion with the adjacent neighbors regarding the provisions for solid waste management and ventilation. Chair McCarthy was appointed the ANC representative at any and all hearings before the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration.
9. New Business. Commissioner Maydak indicated that she would raise the issue of the School Boundary Review Process Initiative at the next ANC meeting and will invite Deputy Mayor Smith (or her designee) to attend.
10. Commission Business.
a. The Minutes of the February 10, 2014 public meeting were approved by vote of 5-0
b. Checks: none
c. The Commission noted its approval of a new computer software to replace Window XP which no longer be supported by Microsoft after March 2014.
d. Items for the next meeting on March 10 include: Update on 5333; Update on LED lighting; School boundaries; potholes in Chevy Chase area
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9 pm.
The next scheduled meeting of the Commission is Monday, March 10, 2014 at 7:30 pm.
Signed
Jim McCarthy David Engel
Chair Secretary