65
I Street SW ·
Washington, DC 20024 ·
202/554-1795
July
12, 2004
Present:
Commissioners Assalaam, Hargrave, Johnson, Litsky, Moffatt, Siegel, and
Williams.
The meeting was convened at 7:07 pm. The Commissioners introduced
themselves.
The
agenda was approved without objection.
Commissioner Hargrave raised the issue of a DOT investigation of the crosswalk at 4th and E Streets SW, with the possibility of putting in a four-way walk signal. The request was approved without objection.
Commissioner Hargrave also raised the possibility
of having a candidate’s forum prior to the September 14th
primary. He suggested August 30th
as a possible date, and stressed the importance of doing it. Commissioner Litsky said that the ANC did
not ordinarily sponsor forums, and that there should be only one in the
community, suggesting that if the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly were planning
one, the ANC could co-sponsor it. Naomi
Monk said that SWNA had no plans to meet in August, and she did not think it
was appropriate to have one.
Commissioner Litsky pointed out that it was important to the community
because Councilmember Brazil who is up for re-election has publicly said he
would like to put a baseball stadium at Banneker Overlook. Margaret Feldman stated that she felt that
it would be better to have a forum in October, prior to the general
election. Commissioner Hargrave
withdrew his suggestion.
3.
Police Report
Lt. West and Lt. Burnett reported. Lt. West reported that because of the new PSAs, the computers were not yet up to speed, so the crime statistics are not quite right yet. There were 72 total crimes in the last month, including one stabbing murder at 1520 2nd Street SW; eight aggravated assaults; and eight auto thefts, a low number by citywide statistics. Officer Daniels is now on foot patrol at the waterfront and on 4th Street.
He raised the issue of using the Harbor Patrol station as a police substation, and said he would communicate with the Commander about the issue. But the building has been under water since Hurricane Isabel and the officers are working out of trailers at this time.
Commissioner Siegel said he was concerned about the club zone area in Southeast, and would like to hear regular reports about activity there. Lt. West said that there’s been a lot of illegal activity, thefts on New Jersey Avenue, narcotics activities, etc. because there are very few people living there now, and the business is very competitive. They are also moving into Delaware Avenue and M Street.
Commissioner Litsky stated that for several years he had been raising the issue of bike patrol, and there now is bike patrol in certain parts of Southwest but not on 4th Street and along the waterfront. He asked whether that could be considered again. With summer, and increased gang activity, it would be helpful to have it now. He was told that Officer Branson is on bike, and with Officer Daniels walking the area is covered
Lt. West raised the problems he was having with juveniles on scooters, all-terrain vehicles and mini-bikes, which are being driven illegally. They’re being sold at Auto Zone and Pep Boys at 15th and D SE. Commissioner Williams said there a lot of them on M Street and in James Creek, and the problems with licensing and noise should be addressed. Lt. Burnett replied that they use other means to regulate them, such as the cc regulations.
Commissioner Hargrave announced that Naomi Monk had received an award for community service from the 1st District CAC; and announced the next PSA 104 meeting.
Commissioner Williams was asked by several officers to ask residents to post their house numbers on the back entrances to their houses, so that if police need access they can identify addresses. Although it’s a law, few people seem to be aware of it, and it’s necessary.
She also announced the Southwest clean-up campaign which occurs once a month, and requested that ANC members identify areas within their SMDs for clean-up, and she would schedule it.
4.
Arena Stage Public Space Permit
Brian Heller gave a brief
overview of the Arena Stage redevelopment, including its new complex with a
third performance stage. The next
incremental step is a request for a public space permit for its garage entry
driveway on M Street. The land is controlled by the National Park Service, and
they have transferred the jurisdiction.
It will be a one-way driveway 12’ wide.
There will be no net increase in land use. There will be 12’ plus a radius to meet the curbs, but there will
be no loss of street parking.
Commissioner Hargrave asked what the timetable was. Motion: Commissioner Williams moved
to support Arena Stage’s request for a public space permit for a driveway cut
on M Street SW. It was seconded by
Commissioner Johnson, and passed by a vote of 6-0-1, with Commissioner Moffatt
abstaining.
5.
Friendship Baptist Church
Robert Sponseller, of Shalom
Baranes Architects presented a new plan for the Old Friendship Baptist Church
site. He began by outlining the theme
of restoration of the site, which originally had housing as well as the
church. The plan includes restoring the
1st Street right-of-way and the reconstitution of the cobblestone
plaza in front of the church. He spoke of the perspective of restoring and
preserving residential housing on 1st Street, and restoring the
integrity of the church, both exterior and interior, including opening the
truss ceiling, which is now flat. Access to below-grade parking will be on the
western end of the building. The
buildings will be 40’ and 70’, several stories lower than the original project,
one building is 60’ long, the other 70’, providing a backdrop to the Church.
Commissioner Johnson asked
about the question of historic designation, and whether the new design concept,
which includes the removal of the 1930 and 1952 additions, is in keeping with
the designation. Mr. Sponseller
responded that it is up to the Historic Preservation Review Board to decide
whether to allow the removal of the additions.
Commissioner Johnson said that he is anxious to see something happen on
the site.
Commissioner Hargrave asked
how many units the building would have and was told there would be 35-40
apartments, and 30 underground spaces, well above the required rations. The non-profit space will have dedicated
parking on the surface.
Mr. Sponseller, responding
to a question about the timetable for the project, said the historic review
process would take one to three months, followed by the PUD process, which
would also take several months. In
response to a question, he said the building’s style would be
contemporary. That Southwest Washington
is fabulous for examples of white brick and glass architecture, and that a
Gothic Revival structure like the church needs something to set it off, and it
follows the preservation rule that new parts of the structure have to be in a
different style than the original.
Commissioner Siegel asked
why, if the Safeway is closing, the church has to have a non-profit use, and a
quality cheese store, for example, would serve the community. Steven Tanner, the developer, responded that
the current zoning is R-4, so primarily it has to be residential, but there are
exceptions for non-profit uses, particularly for historic preservation. During the PUD process would be the time to
discuss those uses. Right now, that’s
not something that’s being anticipated.
Commissioner Assalaam said
that all the discussion is speculative, because while there’s talk about
“restoring” housing to the neighborhood, the entire church was designated a
historic landmark, including placement of the National Register of Historic
Places. The zoning in 1956 stated that
the church is supposed to remain whole forever, and it’s just speculative to
attempt to change it, and he reminded the developer than the entire church, the
exterior and the interior have been designated. The history is not in the building alone. He stated that he is opposed to the project,
and does not feel the ANC should support it.
Commissioner Moffatt asked
whether they were asking for our support, and was told that there would be a
design hearing in July. He asked
whether it was the same body as before, and was told that the hearing is
divided into two meetings, the first to decide on landmark status, the second
to assess the design concept and whether removing the additions enhances the
proposed preservation. Commissioner
Assalaam said they were explicit in saying the whole building should be
recommended to the National Register of Historic Places. He was told they split it up, one to decide
on landmarking, one on the massing of the buildings.
Commissioner Litsky
mentioned that there had been a story on Channel 5, and that the architecture
is lovely. He however, expressed his
concern that because the question of the building is still up for discussion he
would have reservations about endorsing the project. If the Historic Preservation Review Board approves the plan, he
would have no problem supporting the project, because it looks terrific.
Commissioner Johnson agreed, saying he would feel uncomfortable taking a
position before HPRB acted.
Commissioner Assalaam read
the section of the HPRB decision granting landmark status relevant to why the
additions should be preserved.
Commissioner Williams said
that she was opposed to the project, not liking the architectural style and
thinking it inappropriate for Southwest.
Commissioner Siegel
suggested that perhaps a petition indicating community support for the project
would be useful. Commissioner Assalaam
said that if that were done the wording should be very carefully done, because
it would be dangerous.
Commissioner Litsky
suggested that the project was brought before the Commissioner too soon. Mr. Tanner said that HPRB requested that
they come before the ANC for support.
Commissioner Litsky asked what HPRB’s rationale was, since they had
already acted. Commissioner Johnson
attempted to clarify the situation by saying that this was a second stage, the
first being the landmarking, and second, whether all the buildings are
historic, or the demolition could take place. He was told that was correct.
Commissioner Johnson stated
that he would like to see the project move forward. He expressed his reservations about the landmark status, but said
that if there some constructive action that could be taken, he would be in
favor of it.
Motion: Commissioner Moffatt moved
that the ANC endorse the application regarding the old Friendship Baptist
Church site to the Historic Preservation Review Board as presented. It was seconded by Commissioner Litsky. Commissioner Johnson suggested amending the
motion to support the project, based on the design presented to the ANC,
contingent on the HPRB decision that the two additions are not part of the
landmark status. Commissioner Assalaam
reiterated that it had already been discussed and determined. Mr. Tanner said it would be based on a final
determination by HPRB. Commissioner Hargrave asked whether the ANC shouldn’t
defer any action until the HPRB acts.
The project was presented to Capitol Park IV, and they approved it, but
the ANC would be wise not to act until the HPRB makes a decision about the
wings. Motion: Commissioner Hargrave moved to defer
action on the project. It was seconded
by Commissioner Williams, defeated by a vote of 4-3, with Commissioners
Johnson, Litsky, Moffatt and Siegel voting against, and Commissioners Assalaam,
Hargrave and Williams voting in favor.
Commissioner Williams stated
that the project was very contentious, and the community was still without
necessary information. Commissioner
Assalaam said that there have now been two historic African American landmarks
in Southwest demolished, and the ANC has consistently voted to support their
demolition. Commissioner Litsky
responded that no one has spoken about demolishing a property—in fact, the
discussion is about preserving a historic property. When there is discussion
and things are placed on the table, things are decided. Using those terms is injudicious, and harms
the Commission and the community. If
it’s preserved whole so be it, but if it’s preserved without its additions, it
will still be preserved and that’s up to the HPRB. Commissioner Assalaam reiterated that there is an attempt to
eliminate African American history from Southwest, and he will fight it.
The original motion was
voted on and passed 4-3, with Commissioners Johnson, Litsky, Moffatt and Siegel
voting in favor, and Commissioners Assalaam, Hargrave and Williams voting
against.
6.
Liquor Licenses
Commissioner Johnson stated
that several waterfront establishments had their liquor licenses up for
renewal, including the Capitol Yacht Club, Market Inn, and Cantina Marina. He said that there were no problems with the
Yacht Club, which is a private establishment, and Market Inn and suggested that
the Commission take no action on those licenses, but that Cantina Marina should
be discussed.
Commissioner Litsky said
that there had been constant problems with Cantina Marina and the Sequoia, and
that his constituents had complained continually about the noise. He said the problems had been discussed with
NCRC, and they continue. There is an
existing voluntary agreement that was signed by the Gangplank, and Cantina
Marina agreed to abide by it at the time of their original license, but it is
not in the files at the ABC, and the agreement should be renegotiated. Motion: Commissioner Litsky moved
that the Commission protest the license on the grounds of peace, order and
quiet. It was seconded by Commissioner
Johnson, and passed by a vote of 4-1-1 with Commissioner Siegel voting against,
and Commissioner Hargrave abstaining.
There was consensus on
taking no action on the Market Inn license renewal.
Commissioner Johnson said he
is still working on a revised voluntary agreement with H2O, and they had agreed
to not use his outdoor terrace after 10 pm, and to use plastic glasses
outside. He is working with the
Mandarin Hotel to access more parking.
Commissioner Litsky said that the problems with noise, traffic and
crowds at H2O had not abated, that it was still being promoted as a club,
despite the owner’s assertions that it is a restaurant. Motion: Commissioner Litsky moved
that the ANC request that the ABC monitor how much of the establishment’s
revenue be from food, and how much from liquor and other entertainment-related
expenses. It was pointed out that H2O’s
license would shortly be up for renewal and it was agreed not to adopt the
motion at the July meeting.
Commissioner Siegel raised
the issue of a new Class A liquor store at 1265 Half Street SE, which is in
what he believes is a residentially zoned area. The establishment is sandwiched between two row houses, and as
far as he knows, no zoning changes have been applied for. There was no notification of anyone until
the placard appeared. Commissioner
Johnson said that he would be happy to oppose the opening of another liquor
store in the neighborhood. Motion: Commissioner
Williams moved that the ANC oppose the opening of a Class A liquor store at
1265 Half Street SE. It was seconded by
Commissioner Moffatt, and passed 6-0-1, with Commissioner Hargrave abstaining.
7.
Banneker Memorial at L’Enfant Plaza
Peggy Seats of the
Washington Interdependence Council returned to the ANC seeking support for a
memorial and park in honor of Benjamin Banneker at L’Enfant Plaza. Commissioner Hargrave reminded the
Commissioners that she had been previously asked to provide material on the
project to the Commission, which she did.
Motion: Commissioner Hargrave moved that the Commission support
the Banneker Memorial and send a letter to the Commemorative Sites Commission
of the DC Office of Planning. It was
approved 7-0.
8.
Presentation: DC Department of Insurance
Betty Bates, the Fraud
Compliance Manager of the Insurance and Securities Fraud Bureau gave a
presentation of the functions of that office, and the ways in which DC
residents can utilize their services.
9.
Request for Support: US Army 10-Mile Race
George Banker requested
support for the use of Independence Avenue within the boundaries of ANC 6D for
the US Army 10-Mile Race on Sunday, October 24th. After a brief
discussion about the timing of the race and the arrangements for the race, a
motion was made by Commissioner Hargrave to support the request. It was seconded by Commissioner Moffatt
and approved 7-0.
10.
Chairman’s Report
Commissioner Assalaam
mentioned that Sara Livingston had offered to put together an ANC newsletter,
which would be a good source of information for the community. There was some
discussion about distribution of the newsletter. The idea of disseminating more
information to the community was greeted with approval.
Commissioner Assalaam
proposed that the ANC hold a Town Hall Meeting during August, so that the
community could express their views of the issues they would like to see the
ANC work on. He said the he felt the
priorities of the community are important, and that it would be a valuable use
of the Commission’s time during August.
Commissioner Williams suggested that the meeting be held on the ANC’s
regular meeting night, the second Monday in August. Commissioner Johnson said
he was intrigued by both the newsletter and the meeting as ways of doing out
reach to the community, and suggested that the website should be updated, and
used to disseminate the newsletter.
Commissioner Hargrave suggested that such a meeting should be held in
September or October when more people were around. Motion: Commissioner Williams moved that the ANC hold a
Town Hall Meeting on the second Monday in August (August 12). It was seconded by Commissioner Assalaam, and
passed by a vote of 4-2, with Commissioners Assalaam, Johnson, Hargrave and
Williams voting in favor, and Commissioners Siegel and Moffatt voting against.
11.
Treasurer’s Report
Commissioner Siegel reported
that the petty cash fund has $72.21, the savings account has $5,072.22, and the
checking account has $23,728.38, for a total of available cash of
$33,473.16. That figure includes a
deposit of an allotment from the City of $4,599.35.
Commissioner Siegel
indicated that checks had been written to Roberta Weiner in the amount of
$443.28, to Millennium Arts Center for $350; and to the Department of
Employment Services for $30; and that the monthly fee for on-line banking of
$3.95. Motion: Mr. Siegel moved that the Treasurer’s Report
be accepted. It was seconded by
Commissioner Moffatt, and passed 5-0-1, with Commissioner Hargrave abstaining.
12. Request for
Support: US Army 10-Mile Race
The minutes were approved
without objection.
The meeting was adjourned at
10:02
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D
65 I Street SW
Washington, DC 20024
554-1795 n 554-1774
office@anc6d.org