Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D

65 I St., SW

Washington, DC 20024

Proposed Minutes

November 14, 2005

 

Chair Andy Litsky called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

 

Present: Commissioners Assalaam, Litsky, Moffatt, Siegel, Skolnik, Sobelsohn, and Williams

 

 1.    Agenda

The Chair’s proposed agenda was approved 5-1 without motion, with the following amendments, moved by the indicated commissioners:

 

a.      Assalaam: add an item regarding the minutes of the September 12 meeting.

b.      Litsky: move "Police Report/National Park Service" to immediately after "Approval of Agenda."

c.      Sobelsohn: re-title item IX so it reads "Near Southeast/Southwest Community Benefits Task Force."

d.      Williams: add update on South Capitol Street Peace Garden.

 

Regarding approval of the agenda, Commissioner Sobelsohn voted no, and

Commissioner Siegel did not vote.

 

 2.    Public-safety reports

a.      Police Service Area 104

 

First District Sergeant Jim Crouch reported that crime incidents in Police Service Area 104 have increased 7% overall (614 to 658), from January 1-November 13, 2004 to the same period in 2005.  Without thefts-from-auto the crime rate has dropped by 8.5% (459 to 420).  E-mail: james.crouch@dc.gov with suggestions or crime tips.  A police department "Fight Back" will take place Monday, December 5, at 75 I St., SW (Randall Park).  It will include repair of the drinking fountain and clean-up of the freeway off-ramp underpass.

 

Commissioner Williams reported that she has asked Commander Diane Groomes to establish a First District substation in ANC 6D03.

 

b.      United States Park Police

 

Lieutenant Philip Beck of the United States Park Police (part of the National Park Service) noted his agency's jurisdiction over the parks between the Waterside Mall and I St., SW.  He provided two Park Police telephone numbers: (202) 619-7105 (a 24-hour line) and (202) 426-6710.

 

 3.    Community concerns

a.      Gene Solon spoke about library availability of ANC 6D documents, ANC 6D constituent notices, the Capper/Carrollsburg plan, ANC 6D minutes, the proposed stadium, and community comments at ANC 6D meetings.

 

b.      Sarah Livingston urged support for the property rights of ANC 6D07 residents subject to eminent domain.

 

c.      Bernetta Coles asked that the December agenda include a presentation from the Local Neighborhood Committee of the Syphax Community Center Historic Restoration Society of South Washington.

 

d.      Joan Carney reported on the Park Police's slowness to learn of an October 31 assault in Waterside Mall Park.

 

e.      Melonee Bryant reported numerous broken public-safety lights on the 1400 block of 1st St., SW.

 

f.        Barbara Ehrlich invited everyone to the Washington Waterfront Association's 5-9 p.m. December 3 Christmas celebrations, which start at the Gangplank Marina Promenade, 600 Water St., SW, and include a tree-lighting ceremony and a “Parade of Lights" in the Washington Channel.

 

 4.    Minutes of past meetings

a.      October 17

 

Commissioner Moffatt made/Commissioner Sobelsohn seconded a motion to approve the October 17 minutes as presented.  The motion passed 5-2, with Commissioners Assalaam and Williams voting no.

 

b.      September 12

 

Commissioner Assalaam made/Commissioner Williams seconded a motion to reconsider the vote by which the ANC, at its October 17 meeting, approved the minutes of its September 12 meeting.  Commissioner Sobelsohn made a point of order.  The Chair did not rule on the point of order and the ANC did not vote on the motion.

 

 5.  Southeast DC development projects

 

a.      Capper/Carrollsburg

 

At ANC 6D's October 17 meeting, Aakash Thakkar (Eakin/Youngentob Associates), Cheryl O'Neill (Torti Gallas and Partners), and Paul Rowe (DC Housing Authority) made a presentation about the Arthur Capper/Carrollsburg development, currently underway in ANC 6D07.  On Monday, December 19, the Zoning Commission will consider applications to reopen or create several streets; to close one alley and parts of other alleys; and to approve a Second Stage Planned Unit Development and Modification  (2SPUDMOD).

 

To supplement their October 17 presentation, Thakkar presented language that would prohibit garage spaces' being "leased, conveyed, licensed or otherwise made available to Persons who are not also Owners or Occupants" of the associated residential units.  Thakkar also reported that, of the 91 units covered by the 2SPUDMOD, 15 (6 in public housing) would face M St., SE. O'Neill promised that no part of the 2SPUDMOD area would include a "solid string" of public housing or subsidized residences.  Rowe added that, although interior design may differ, from the exterior public housing and subsidized residences would be "indistinguishable" from market-rate units.   Rowe also promised to arrange for a public presentation from Willow Creek, the organization handling the Housing Authority's communications with former Capper/Carrollsburg residents.

 

Commissioner Moffatt made/Commissioner Siegel seconded a motion to support the 2SPUDMOD.  The motion failed, 3-4, with Commissioners Litsky, Siegel, and Sobelsohn voting yes, and Commissioners Assalaam, Moffatt, Skolnik, and Williams voting no.

 

Commissioner Williams made/Commissioner Skolnik seconded a motion to invite Thakkar, O'Neill, and Rowe to attend a special public meeting, before December 19, to discuss the 2SPUDMOD with former Capper/Carrollsburg residents.  The motion passed 6-1, with Commissioner Moffatt voting no.

 

Commissioner Moffatt made/Commissioner Siegel seconded a motion to support the separate application regarding street and alley openings and closings.  The motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Assalaam voting no and Commissioners Skolnik and Williams abstaining.

 

b.      Florida Rock

 

At ANC 6D's October 17 meeting, attorney David Briggs and architect Davis A. Buckley made a presentation about the Florida Rock development, proposed for 100 Potomac Ave., SE in ANC 6D07, just south of the proposed site for a baseball stadium.  In this four-building development, two office towers will bracket a hotel and a residence.  On Thursday, December 8, the Zoning Commission will consider the Applicant's Second Stage Planned Unit Development and Map Amendment.

 

At the November ANC meeting, Briggs and Buckley updated their October presentation.  New figures include 58% site coverage (52% in October) and a maximum height (for the hotel) of 112 feet (92.5 feet in October).  Buckley added that the project will comply with principles of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).  Briggs pledged that retail will occupy nearly the entire ground floor (a total of 36,000 square feet).  He added that the residence tower will include 10,000 square feet (7-9 units) set aside, for 20 years, for occupants with 80-120% of the median area income.  Neighborhood amenities include $1.5 million to develop and for five years maintain a park at 1st St. and Potomac Ave., SE; $1.3 million to build and $300,000 to maintain for five years a park at Reservation 247, Half and P Streets, SE (or equivalent space elsewhere on the property); a water-taxi dock on the Anacostia River; a public waterfront esplanade; and a bike path between the project site and the Southeast Federal Center.

 

Briggs predicted that construction would begin in 2007, starting with the east-end office building and moving west, phased to coincide with construction of the proposed stadium.  He committed to construction only from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. 

 

Commissioner Siegel made/Commissioner Sobelsohn seconded a motion to support the Second Stage Planned Unit Development and Map Amendment.  The motion passed 7-0.

 

c.      Baseball stadium

 

Tony Robinson (DC Sports and Entertainment Commission), Louis Slade (Gorove/Slade Associates), and Alan Harwood (EDAW, Inc.) made a presentation concerning the baseball stadium proposed for N and South Capitol Streets, SE.  Harwood reported that, because noise and light levels in Southwest already exceed the expected noise and light from a stadium (based on tests around Baltimore's Camden Yards), a stadium opening towards the north would not increase noise or light in Southwest.  Robinson predicted groundbreaking in March 2006.  He pledged to comply with future requests to increase the Sports Commission's communications about the stadium with ANC 6D residents.  Slade promised that stadium construction trucks would not traverse the neighborhood's residential streets.

 

Chair Litsky announced a November 28 joint ANC 6D-Southwest Neighborhood Assembly Town Meeting at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 222 M St., SW, for more specific discussion of issues related to the proposed stadium.

 

 6.    Near Southeast/Southwest Benefits Task Force

ANC 6D residents Afifa Klouj and Ken LaCruise, with help from Mary Jacksteit of Collaboration DC, made a presentation on behalf of the Near Southeast/Southwest Community Benefits Task Force.  In spring 2005, a new Washington-based organization, Collaboration DC, invited selected neighborhood residents to workshops on how to negotiate community benefits.  Some workshop participants subsequently met and formed the Task Force.  The Task Force has prepared a list of pending and potential neighborhood development projects; is preparing a list of potential benefits on which it hopes the community will reach consensus; and seeks to form a coalition of stakeholders to negotiate those benefits with developers and city agencies.

 

Commissioner Williams made/Commissioner Litsky seconded a motion to extend the time of the meeting to 10:56 p.m.  The motion passed 4-2, with Commissioners Moffatt and Sobelsohn voting no and Commissioner Assalaam not voting.

 

 7.    Liquor licenses

a.      7-11

 

Commissioner Williams made/Commissioner Skolnik seconded a motion to support renewal of a liquor license for the 7-11 owned by Abdul Assan, on condition that he continue selling beer and wine in clear bags.  The motion passed 5-1, with Commissioner Sobelsohn voting no and Commissioner Assalaam not voting.

 

b.       H2O and Zanzibar

 

Commissioner Skolnik reported that the ANC is currently in mediation with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board regarding license renewals for both H2O and Zanzibar.  The next ABC hearing is scheduled for November 20.

 

     c.  Friendly Grocery

 

Commissioner Assalaam expressed support for Friendly Grocery's license renewal on condition that the Grocery agree to sell alcohol only in clear bags and also otherwise to renew its current voluntary agreement with the ANC. 

 

Commissioner Williams made/Commissioner Assalaam seconded a motion to extend the time of the meeting to 11:10 p.m.  The motion passed 4-0, without recorded votes by Commissioners Moffatt, Siegel, and Sobelsohn, the chair not having called for votes against or abstentions.

 

 8.    Anacostia Waterfront Corporation

By consensus this item was withdrawn from the agenda, on the expectation that it will appear on the agenda for the next ANC meeting.

 

 9.    Holiday Inn public-space permits

Donohoe Companies and Federal Center Hotel Associates, owners of the Holiday Inn at 500 C St., SW, have filed applications for permission to establish a sidewalk café in front of the Starbucks and Holiday Inn entrances at 550 C St., SW.  The café will occupy a total of 845 square feet of sidewalk space.  Commissioner Williams made/Commissioner Skolnik seconded a motion to support the applications.  The motion passed 4-2, with Commissioners Moffatt and Sobelsohn voting no and Commissioner Assalaam not voting.

 

 10.  ANC committees

Commissioner Skolnik reported plans, before the next ANC meeting, to organize the initial meetings of ANC 6D's 2005-06 committees.

 

 11.Report of the Chair

a.       11th Street Bridges Advisory Commission

 

The Chair reported formation of an advisory commission regarding the 11th Street bridges.  Commissioner Siegel volunteered to represent ANC 6D on the Commission.

 

b.       DDOT shared-vehicle parking spots

 

The Chair reported plans by the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) to set aside, for shared vehicles, two on-street parking spaces on I St., SW, between 5th and 6th Streets, SW; and two on-street parking spaces on Maryland Ave., SW, just east of 7th St., SW.  By consensus, the ANC authorized the Chair to ask that DDOT move one of the Maryland Avenue spaces to a more central ANC 6D location.

 

c.       Marina View Towers

 

The Chair reported that the owners of Marina View Towers, 1100 6th St., SW, plan to renovate their current buildings and to erect two new 10-story buildings on their property. 

 

d.       Waterside Mall

 

The Chair reported that a meeting had taken place between Councilmember Sharon Ambrose (D-Ward Six), City Administrator Robert Bobb, and representatives of Forest City Co., regarding redevelopment of the Waterside Mall.

 

e.       Staff position

 

At its October meeting, the ANC authorized the hiring of a second staff person.  The Chair reported that, at the time of its October meeting, the ANC had selected a candidate for the position; but that the candidate has now declined the ANC's offer of employment.

 

 12.Treasurer's report

Commissioner Skolnik gave a treasurer's report for October 17-November 14.  A copy of the report, as amended and approved, is attached to these minutes.  ANC 6D has $44,027.59 in current funds.  The draft report included expenses submitted for approval totaling $1,046.56: staff salary ($443.28), telephone ($80.40), postage ($75), petty cash ($97.88), and printer ($350).  Commissioner Skolnik explained that the printer item constituted a request for funds to purchase a new printer that can also make copies, receive and send Faxes, and scan documents.  By consensus the ANC increased the allocated amount to a maximum of $500.  Commissioner Skolnik made/Commissioner Sobelsohn seconded a motion to approve the October 17-November 14 report and to authorize payment of the expenses, as amended.  The motion passed 6-0, with Commissioner Siegel abstaining.

 

Commissioner Skolnik distributed copies of a Fiscal Year 2006 budget.   A copy of the budget, as amended and approved, is attached to these minutes.  The budget includes $100 per commissioner for "Flyer Distribution."  Commissioner Skolnik made/Commissioner Litsky seconded a motion to approve the Fiscal Year 2006 budget.  Commissioner Williams moved to amend the budget to increase the amount allocated for grants to a maximum of $10,000.  Without objection, the budget was so amended.  The motion to approve the Fiscal Year 2006 budget passed 4-2, with Commissioners Moffatt and Siegel voting no and Commissioner Sobelsohn abstaining.

 

 13.South Capitol Street Peace Garden

Commissioner Williams reported on the October 23 dedication of the South Capitol Street Peace Garden, at the corner of South Capitol and M Streets, SW.

 

 14.Audience comments

Audience comments concerned ANC committees, Robert's Rules on motions for reconsideration, and support for property owners subject to eminent domain.

 

 15.Adjournment

The time for the meeting having expired, the Chair called the meeting adjourned at 11:12 p.m.


 



Period:

October 17, 2005 to November 14, 2005

 

Checking Account

Opening Balance

$34,940.25

Receipts

 

Date

Amount

 

District Allotment

10/26/05

$4873.05

 

Transfer from Savings

 

$0

 

Other

 

$0

 

Total Receipts

$4,873.05

Total Funds

$39,813.30

Disbursements

Number
Payee
Purpose

Date

Amount

Status

233

Roberta Weiner

Administrative Asst.

10/17/05

$443.28

Cleared

234

US Treasury

Federal Withholdings

10/17/05

$220.32

Cleared

235

DC Treasurer

State Withholdings

10/17/05

$23.04

Cleared

236

Verizon

Telephone

10/17/05

$75.34

Cleared

237

Commissioner Williams

Flyer reimbursement

10/17/05

$117.53

Cleared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Disbursements

$879.51

Final Balance

$38,933.79

Savings Account

Opening Balance

$5,089.95

Receipts

 

Date

Amount

 

Interest

10/31/05

$1.73

 

Other

 

$0

 

Total Receipts

$1.73

Total Funds

$5,091.68

Petty Cash

Opening Balance

$39.12

Purpose
Merchant

Date

Amount