ANC 6C Minutes
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Heritage Foundation
214 Massachusetts Avenue N.E.
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm.
Quorum
A quorum of five out of six commissioners was present (Mr. Eckenwiler, Mr. Goodman, Mr. Miller, Mr. Price, and Ms. Wirt).
Approval of the Agenda
Two items were added to the agenda: 507 K Street N.E. and 1270 4th Street N.E. The agenda was approved without objection. Motion: (MS. Wirt/Mr. Eckenwiler).
Comments from Council Member Charles Allen
The Council Member stated he will serve on three committees: Education, Transportation, and Small Business. He wants to work on middle school reform, early childhood literacy, and opportunities for small business. He wants to work with ANC Ward 6 leadership at quarterly meetings. He welcomed development of a “punch list” of Ward 6 problems to tackle. He listed his contacts as [email protected] and (202) 724-8072.
Elections of Officers, Committee Chairs, and Membership
Officers were elected as follows: chair, Karen Wirt; vice chair, Daniele Schiffman; secretary, Tony Goodman; treasurer, Scott Price. Mr. Price said he would serve until July. Committee chairs and members were all reinstated without change except for ANC 6C01 members, which due to the absence of Ms. Schiffman, 6C01, will be nominated at the February meeting.
Approval of December Minutes
The minutes were approved without objection, with the caveat that commissioners have one week to report any corrections. Motion: Ms. Wirt/Mr. Price
Treasurer’s Report
Mr. Price presented the treasurer’s report as follows. The beginning balance was $49,134.41. There was an interest payment from the Bank of America for $0.42. The closing balance was $49,134.83. The treasurer’s report was approved without objection. Motion: Mr.Price/Ms. Wirt.
New expenses were the ANC Security Fund, $25.00; hiring of a treasurer’s assistant, Susan Role, $23.00 per hour not to exceed $1,200 by August 31; six months of post office rental, $171.00; ANC business cards for Mr. Miller, up to $90.00; and one year of monthly ads encouraging citizen participation in ANC 6C committees and providing commissioner contact information, $1,350; and purchase of drinking water for the Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee, $4.49. The expenses were approved without objection. Motion: Mr. Price/Mr. Miller.
The quarterly report was approved without objection. Motion: Mr. Price/Mr. Miller.
Brief Community Announcements
1, Mr. Price mentioned that the peace corps monument group has scheduled a scoping meeting later in January. Ms. Wirt stated she had forwarded the item to the 6C Parks and Events Committee.
2. Mr. Eckenwiler stated that a new fast food restaurant is coming to 411 H Street, and it would be addressed at a future meeting.
Parks and Events Committee (Caroline Crenshaw, chair)
1. No vote was taken on the Alum Run 2015 because the route is entirely outside ANC 6C. It is a for-profit organization. There was concern among committee members about the number of races in 6C and traffic restrictions. Mr. Price stated that he had concerns about the Rock n Roll race, and in general which agencies comment on these events and why early notices are not given before events. He hopes 6C can work with agencies to improve the process.
2. The Capitol Hill Classic races are scheduled for May 17. This year they plan to have more porta-potties and be as quiet as possible. The event was approved unanimously. Motion: Ms. Wirt/Mr. Eckenwiler.
3. The NoMa underpass aesthetics were discussed, although the project is not really a park. The committee recommended that the community be fully engaged in the selection of a winning design.
Transportation/Public Space Committee (Mr. Goodman, acting chair)
Mr. Goodman gave a brief history of the NoMa project, the only item on the committee’s agenda for January. NoMa BID representatives stated that it will support a landscape architect for the project to ensure pedestrian and bicycle safety, that it will work with the community and the relevant agencies, and that it will address all the issues raised in the ANC 6C’s November letter. The commissioners voted unanimously to support the concept of the underpass project, provided that a landscape architect is hired, that the project not move forward to final design until the project administrators work with community and relevant agencies. The commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter from the ANC to DPR, DGS, DDOT, and the Council. Motion: Mr. Goodman/Mr. Eckenwiler.
Grants Committee (Sonte Ducote, chair)
Ms. Ducote announced the planned open house to invite community groups to submit grants, the event is planned for February 7, 10-11:30 am at Kaiser Permanente, 700 Second Street N.E. Council Member Charles Allen will attend.
Alcoholic Beverage Committee (Drew Courtney, chair)
1. The settlement agreement for Po Boy Jims, 709 H Street N.E. is in negotiation. The community is concerned about outside speakers. The ABRA hearing is January 20.
2. Union Kitchen grocery will open at 538 Third Street N.E., under the name of Birdees. It will be a full-service grocery. Although no license has been filed, The market plans to feature alcoholic consumption on site.
Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee (Mr. Eckenwiler, chair)
1. 320 Florida Avenue N.E.—The applicant proposes as part of the PUD application to create an open green space adjacent to the development that will have benches, lighting, and improve the pedestrian experience. The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the creation of a green space in principle. Motion: Mr. Eckenwiler/Mr. Goodman.
2. 300 block of H Street N.E.(nonvoting item)—A PUD will be filed this spring for this parcel. No curb cut will be proposed. It is currently being used as a dog park.
3. 646-654 H Street N.E., BZA # 18890—The applicant responded to ANC 6C concerns and added more alley-accessible parking, five diagonal spaces with one for handicap parking, as well as bicycle racks holding up to nine bicycles on each floor by the elevators. There will be no tenant RPP parking. The commissioners voted unanimously to send letter to BZA and DDOT to support the project. Motion: Mr. Eckenwiler/Mr. Miller.
4. 507 K Street N.E.—Neighbors have raised concerns about new illegal construction at this site, specifically a rear stairway in the open court, which is illegal under the zoning regulations. DCRA has a history of failure to enforce at this location. The commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter to the mayor and Council Member Charles asking for their assistance with the matter. Motion: Mr. Eckenwiler/Mr. Goodman
5. 1270 Fourth Street N.E., PUD 14-07—ANC 6C opposed this project in November because it terminates Neal Place, which should go through the project. The commissioners also had problems with the lack of community amendments, although ANC 5D will have an influence on amenities. Because the hearing is scheduled before the next February meeting of ANC 6C, the commissioners voted to put the matter before the Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee to negotiate changes with the applicant or support based on applicant responses. The commissioners voted unanimously to support this plan of action. Motion: Mr. Goodman/Mr. Eckenwiler.
New Business
Mr. Eckenwiler moved that ANC 6C request office space as allowed under D.C. law. The request two years ago still has not had an answer. The commissioners voted unanimously to request this space, preferably within 6C, and to send a letter to the mayor and Council Member Charles Allen requesting this space or money to rent space. Motion: Mr. Eckenwiler/Ms.Wirt.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.