65
I Street SW ·
Washington, DC 20024 ·
202/554-1795
October
18, 2004
Present:
Commissioners Assalaam, Hargrave, Johnson, Litsky, Moffatt, Siegel, and
Williams.
The meeting was convened at Amidon School at 7:05
pm. The Commissioners introduced
themselves.
Commissioner Litsky
requested the addition of a discussion of a motion on the proposed baseball
stadium. Commissioner Hargrave asked
whether there wasn’t a Southwest Neighborhood Association meeting on October 25th,
and Commissioner Williams added that the meeting is jointly sponsored by the
ANC. Commissioner Moffatt said that the
meeting was only two days before the City Council hearing on the authorizing
legislation. Commissioner Assalaam said
there should be no ANC discussion without getting the community’s views. Commissioner Litsky said the issue of
whether the ANC plans to take a position should be discussed because the City
Council Committees have to be told whether the ANC is testifying. It was agreed to add the discussion to the
agenda, along with a related presentation by Kenneth Wyban. The agenda was approved, with those two
additions, without objection.
Ann Rollins discussed her concern about the potential for kids to be killed by cars on I Street SW because they are violating the curfew and playing in the street until midnight, which she sees from her apartment. Signage is needed on the street, as well as enforcement of the curfew.
3.
Commissioner Concerns
Baseball Stadium
Commissioner Williams raised the issue of holding a community meeting with the SWNA about the proposed baseball stadium on October 25th in order to hear community response to the plan. Commissioner Hargrave noted that there could be a special public meeting in conjunction with the community meeting, noticed with flyers, and since it was on October 25th, the ANC would have three days to prepare testimony, individual commissioners could testify at the hearing as well, and, additionally, testimony can be submitted subsequently as part of the record. Commissioner Litsky inquired about the process for the meeting. Motion: Commissioner Williams moved that an ANC meeting at the close of the community meeting in order to make a decision about the ANC’s position on the stadium. It was seconded by Commissioner Litsky, and approved 6-1, with Commissioner Moffatt voting in opposition.
Consultant on Waterfront Mall Project
Commissioner
Williams stated that countless hours have been spent on the plans for Waterside
Mall. The ANC is at a juncture where
they can’t go any further in getting questions answered about the project. Motion: Commissioner Williams moved
that the ANC approval to solicit the hiring of a consultant who can help in
shaping community benefits and needs for the Waterfront Mall project. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion,
and added that by the next meeting he would like to come to the ANC with
proposals for someone who can undertake the legwork, research, writing, doing
due diligence, working on Zoning Commissioner and Council hearings, and things
of that nature. He said that because of
the importance of the Mall as a town center it is a valuable use of ANC funds. Commissioner Hargrave asked about the use of
the consultant on other projects, and Commissioner Williams said that the
consultant’s responsibility should only be for the Waterfront. Commissioner Litsky asked that the person
have the expertise to go beyond the scope of the Mall and could be elastic in
terms of the many development issues that the ANC will be dealing with. The motion was approved without
objection. Commissioner Hargrave asked
who would take the lead on the RFP, and Commissioner Williams said that she
would was already working on an RFP, and would talk with others, including
Gottlieb Simon, about developing a job description. She said, however, that she would be working on the Presidential
election and did not know whether she would have something to present by the next
ANC meeting. Commissioner Johnson said
that he would help.
3.
Police Report
Lt. Wilkins introduced
himself, having recently been assigned to PSA 104 in the 1st
District. He reported that the previous
weekend, they ran a Drug Free Zone on Allison Place, which was successful in
cleaning out the area, and, in fact, they decided to run it somewhat longer
than the originally scheduled 72 hours.
He had no crime statistics to report.
Commissioner Williams announced the next meeting of PSA 104. Commissioner Litsky said that he had learned
about an assault in mid-August on O Street SE that resulted in the victim going
into a coma, and after 10 days, dying.
He wants to know why it was not reported as a murder, and Lt. Wilkins
said he would look into it.
4.
Old Friendship Baptist Church
Cynthia Giordano announced
that the Historic Preservation Review Board requested revisions of the plans
for the old Friendship Baptist Church site, and they were presenting the
revisions to the ANC prior to a HPRB hearing on October 28th. They now plan a 21-apartment project,
significantly less than original plan, and of lower height. She introduced architect Richard Sponseller,
of Shalom Baranes Architects, who pointed out the changes that have been made,
primarily in the volume of the building.
The building is now four stories--originally it was seven—the same
height as the original town houses surrounding the church; and the parking
garage has been moved. They have added
space between the church and the north side of the apartment building to
provide more “air,” and a low brick wall to separate the church from the steel
and glass apartment building. The ramp
for the parking garage has been moved to the east side of the building, and
west side, including the cobblestone courtyard will be completely restored to
its original look. The church will
still be used for a non-profit organization.
Commissioner Assalaam asked
about the possible use of the church interior for residential use, and was told
that the applicant is asking for flexibility on the interior to allow for
non-profit or residential use. Ms.
Giordano said that the applicant would be applying for a PUD with a special
exception for non-profit use.
Commissioner Johnson asked
whether anything in the interior was to be preserved, and was told that nothing
was. Commissioner Williams asked
whether the additions are completely gone, and was told that that there were
two additions, and they are both gone in the plan. Their removal is critical to the development of the site,
including the parking on the east side.
Commissioner Hargrave asked about the timing of the project and was told
that after the project is approved by Historic Presentation, they will apply
for a PUD, and make another presentation to the ANC prior to the Zoning
Commission hearing.
Commissioner Assalaam said
he had been a t the prior HPRB hearing, and the plan being presented is
different from the plan that the ANC voted on previously, and the ANC will have
to take another action on this plan.
Commissioner Johnson again
expressed his concern about the preservation of the character of the interior,
and losing the character of the original interior. Ms. Giordano said that a compatible non-profit that will
appreciate the interior details, but that they have to remain flexible for
marketing purposes, and the two interior areas--the main part of the church and
the mezzanine—have to remain architecturally discreet. The mezzanine has to float so that it
doesn’t interfere with the exterior.
Commissioner Williams asked whether the interior of the church would be
totally gutted. She was told that the
mezzanine will be floating and not touching the exterior walls.
Commissioner Williams asked
about the HPRB request that the developer attempt to meet with the congregation
of the new Friendship Baptist Church.
Steve Tanner responded that a letter had been sent to Rev. Little on
September 29th requesting a meeting, and there has been no
response. They found the cross and some
posters and playbills, which have been presented to Friendship Baptist, and have
offered to donate the organ to the church.
The organ, awaiting restoration, has been disassembled to keep it from
being damaged by water from a leaking roof.
Commissioner Assalaam said
the HPRB had concerns about the tearing down of the additions. He also said that when the supplement to the
historic designation application was submitted, the interior had been included
and he does not know why the interior has not been designated. He specifically discussed the disassembling
of the organ because the company that made the organ has been designated on the
National Register, and every organ made by that company is historic. When the organ was disassembled, the main
criterion for designating the interior was removed. The interior was not considered for historic designation. Designations of interiors are very rare, and
are usually reserved for very public places.
The organ was disassembled completely lawfully, and, as equipment, would
not have been considered as part of an interior designation. The reason for this presentation is that the
HPRB felt that the ANC had not been properly noticed on the new plan. Commissioner Assalaam reiterated that he had
submitted a proposal for designation to the National Register and the interior
meets the criteria for designation, and it can be designated.
Ms. Giordano responded that
the staff report of the HPRB went to great lengths to say that adequate parking
was needed, and did not object to the removal of the additions. She reminded the ANC that it was the developer
who went to the HPRB for historic designation, and that at this point it had no
market value as a church, since they had tried unsuccessfully to sell it as
one.
Commissioner Williams said
that she represents the new Friendship Baptist Church and she has spoken with
the pastor and members of the church, and it is their intent to make an offer
and to attempt to preserve and restore their church. Commissioner Williams said that the HPRB was waiting for comments
from the ANC. Motion: Commissioner Williams moved that the ANC
consider its support of the Friendship Baptist Church site. It was seconded by
Commissioner LItsky. In response to a
question from Commissioner Johnson, Ms. Giordano said that the question of the
interior use of the building would be taken up in the PUD. Commissioner Hargrave stated that the new
Friendship Baptist church has not been heard from, as to whether they have a
proposal and what it is. Commissioner
Williams said that she was told that within 30 days the church would make its
plans about the redevelopment or purchase/restoration known to the
developer.
Jacqueline Brown of
Friendship Baptist Church stated that they were asked for their ideas as to
what they would like to see in the interior of the church, and they were now in
the midst of their 30-day response period.
The pastor will be in contact with Mr. Tanner within the 30-day period
to discuss what the new Friendship proposes for the old Friendship. Ms. Giordano reminded Ms. Brown that the
hearing is October 28th. Mr.
Litsky asked how Ms. Brown would address the ANC’s motion, and she said that
she wouldn’t interrupt the communication between Mr. Tanner and the
pastor. Mr. Assalaam reiterated that
that the entire structure has been designated, and they’re planning on tearing
down the additions. He suggested that
the ANC request a continuance until new Friendship Baptist Church has been
heard from.
Reverend Butts said that he
had not heard about a meeting with Mr. Tanner and asked that a vote be held off
until things are clarified.
Commissioner Litsky suggested that communication between the church and
developer be by letter rather than telephone so that there is record of what it
is they are asking and what the developer is proposing.
Jerome Gray said that the
building was designated in May, and they designated the entire building. The 1960 addition was done by H.C.
Woodson. The HPRB instructed Mr. Tanner
to make more space between the new building and the old building so the former
would not overpower the latter. In
addition, the new design was not circulated before it was submitted. He also mentioned that the pews and the
organ had been removed. The HPRB chair
was also concerned about putting condominiums on the sanctuary floor. He asked why the organ was removed from the
sanctuary. Ms. Giordano responded that
the organ was under a leak. The pews
were removed because it was clear the building was no longer going to be used as
a church. The reason the developer did
not return to the ANC because the changes that were made were all consistent
with direction they had received from the ANC.
She said that if the ANC wants more time, they should ask the HPRB for a
delay. Commissioner Hargrave said that
this issue has been going back and forth for eighteen months. Motion: Commissioner Hargrave moved
that the ANC request a delay in the HPRB hearing, and that the discussion be
moved to the November ANC meeting, to give the situation with the church an
opportunity to be clarified. Commissioner
Williams withdrew her original motion, and seconded Commissioner
Hargrave’s. Commissioner Johnson stated
that he was not in favor of delaying the issue any further. The motion was passed 6-0-1, with
Commissioner Johnson abstaining.
5.
Waterfront Mall Development
The discussion began with an
abbreviated version of the presentation that had been made at the last meeting
by David Smith of Forest City Developers.
He introduced those who were present: Alvin Nichols of Fannie Mae; Beverly
Wilbourn of Fannie Mae’s Community Partnership Office; Gretchen Dudney of
Waterfront Associates. He reiterated
that the involvement of Fannie Mae allowed them to jumpstart the project, and
considerably shorten the length of time planned for development. Architect Shalom Baranes again described
the project (see September minutes).
At the end of the
presentation, Commissioner Hargrave expressed his pleasure at some of the
things that are planned, but that the topic under discussion is the Land
Disposition Agreement (LDA) involved with the sale of the land to Waterfront
Associates by NCRC and RLARC.
Commissioner Johnson said that was true. He said that the NCRC is part of a complex process of which the
sale was the first element in a complex series of transactions, including the
sale and public hearings on the PUD in the Spring about the architecture and
the land use. The RLARC has asked for
ANC comment on the land sale. He
expressed his view that if it is done properly, it would be of greater benefit
to the community. He is presenting a report
that, rather than presenting a position, asks relevant questions relating to
the sale. He said he would be willing
to hold the project hostage if it means losing a grocery store for three years,
and it is questions such as that have to answered before the sale moves
forward. The point of this is to
provide comments to RLARC as it moves forward with City Council approval of the
sale. There is some time before a final
decision is made, but these questions have to be answered before it moves
forward.
Commissioner Hargrave said
that while the outline asked major questions, there are other issues relating
to the PUD. Commissioner Johnson said
that there are a lot of issues that carries over to the PUD, but certain
questions have to be answered prior to the sale. Such issues as how Fannie Mae’s third party status will be
enforced, since they have made promises to the community; what goes into the
PUD and what into the LDA have to be addressed, and what the LDA can be
used. Additionally, the $17 million
sale price is a bargain for the developers and a good deal for Fannie Mae, and
the community should make sure that it is not being shortchanged gets its share
back. These issues should be brought up
now rather than at the last minute. For
example, there should be guarantees that the 100,000 sq. ft. of retail the
community has been promised doesn’t fall afoul of government security
considerations down the road; and is the $5 million housing fund
sufficient. Motion: Commissioner
Johnson moved that the ANC’s report be accepted and forwarded to NCRC as
official comments on the projected LDA.
It was seconded by Commissioner Williams.
Commissioner Hargrave asked
whether approval of the document gives tentative approval to the LDA. Commissioner Johnson responded that the
report doesn’t endorse the LDA, which he does not want to do until the
questions are answered. Commissioner
Litsky stated that he is not sure that the community’s concerns have been taken
into account. The community was told
two years ago by the Mayor that there would be no loss of services during the
construction. The developers, however,
have gotten rid of most of the stores at the Mall and now the community is
going to lose the Safeway and the CVS.
Having been told that these things would remain, the community now
learns that they will not be there. The
community has to be guaranteed that that won’t happen. People can’t go on the bus for three years
to shop. The community has to know
what’s going to happen. Commissioner
Johnson responded that he is in total agreement, but that before there is any
endorsement of the land sale and the PUD it is necessary to have more
information. Commissioner Moffatt
suggested that the ANC could say that it can’t support it if these things are
not included. Commissioner Hargrave
suggested language that would offer a tentative agreement to support the
project if certain things are explicitly included. Commissioner Johnson said he was not happy with explicit approval
of the land sale without knowing the details.
He doesn’t want to discourage it either, but cannot give explicit
approval without having the questions answered.
Commissioner Litsky said
that he liked the drawings, and the project looked much better than it did
before, but he doesn’t like the idea that the whole thing is going to be
constructed at the same time so that people’s services will be eliminated for
three years. Commissioner Williams
added that it is too early to make a decision, and that is why she proposed
hiring a consultant.
Richard Westbrook asked
whether it is more beneficial for the City to hold the land or to sell it and
get the taxes on the land. Commissioner
Williams said that that issue is not on the table because NCRC has already
voted to sell the land. She sees the
issue as a choice between collecting less that $130,000 per year for 74 years
in rent, or sell it to them.
An audience member said that
there should be a needs assessment, an environmental impact statement, and an
assessment of the impact of the baseball stadium on the area and 4th
Street, particularly traffic and parking.
Gene Solon questioned the number of parking spaces, and was told that
Fannie Mae was providing 4,000 spaces.
Commissioner Williams compared that with the 1000 spaces being projected
for the stadium and noted what impact that would have on the neighborhood. Another community member mentioned that the
new plan calls for a hook in 4th Street, which would interfere with
the promised vista north on 4th Street. Naomi Mitchell expressed her concern about accountability for
jobs and affordable housing, and Commissioner Johnson said that those elements
could be in the LDA or the PUD but that they had to be etched in stone before
he would be satisfied.
Commissioner Litsky
reiterated his concern that the parking spaces at Waterside would be used for
baseball. Gretchen Dudney stated that
the parking was for Fannie Mae and would not be used for any other
purpose. The motion was approved 6-1,
with Commissioner Hargrave in opposition.
7.
Public Space Permit for Department of Transportation Building
Approval for a public space
permit was requested by the US Department of Transportation for bollards, trees
and lay-bys for its building at the Southeast Federal Center. There were no changes from their original
plans. Motion: Commissioner
Williams moved to approve the public space permit for the US Department of
Transportation. It was seconded by
Commissioner Siegel, and approved 8-0, with Commissioner Johnson absent.
8.
Liquor Licenses
Commissioner Siegel stated
that Nation, whose liquor license is up for renewal, has no problems, and is in
compliance. Commissioner Litsky added
that the owner of the property has gone to DCRA for permits to construct a
ten-story office building. Commissioner
Williams said that since they spoke with them two years ago, there hasn’t been
a single complaint. Motion: A
motion by Commissioner Siegel to take no action on Nation’s liquor
license. It was seconded by
Commissioner Williams. It was approved
without objection.
Commissioner Litsky noted
that there was an ABC hearing on Cantina Marina, and another of H2O at which he
was to represent the Commission, and he needed letters signed by the Chairman
in order to do so. He was assured they
would be forthcoming.
9.
Fannie Mae Foundation Help the Homeless Walk Street Closing
Elizabeth Jordan presented
the Fannie Mae Foundation’s plan to close part of Independence Avenue on
October 20th for a benefit walk.
The street will be closed from 7:30.
It’s a rolling closure, and Independence Avenue is an early part of the
walk. Motion: Commissioner
Williams moved that the ANC support the closing. It was seconded by Commissioner Assalaam and passed without
objection.
10. 21 N Street SE
Kenneth Wyban, the owner of
a pre-Civil War house at 21 N Street SE, spoke about the history of the house,
which was built by the owner of a brick yard at the site. He discovered that slaves lived in the
house. The house is on the edge of the
property being proposed for the new stadium, and would like to seek historic
designation for the house, whether or not he can remain in it. Commissioner Siegel added that Mr. Wyban has
lived in the house for six years, that it is a beautiful house and preservation
efforts, because of the stadium, have to move on a fast track. There are
similarities between the house’s façade and that of Friendship Baptist
Church. Mr. Hargrave asked about how
threatened the house is. Mr. Wyban said
that if the stadium were built with a pedestrian buffer around it, it would be
possible to save the house. Motion: Commissioner Siegel moved that the ANC
support the historic designation of the house at 21 N Street SW. It was
seconded by Commissioner Williams, and passed 6-1, with Commissioner Hargrave
voting in opposition.
10.
Chairman’s Report
Motion: Commissioner Assalaam moved the appointment of an ANC Advisory
Committee comprised of former ANC 6D and 2D Commissioners. It was seconded by
Commissioner Williams. Commissioner
Johnson suggested that standing committees be formed, which is another way to
keep former Commissioners involved.
Commissioner Williams said that it would be helpful to call on the
expertise of former Commissioners.
Commissioner Moffatt said that it should be made clear that
Commissioners should be asked.
Commissioner Hargrave said that as a soon-to=be former Commissioner,
that he hoped he wouldn’t be prohibited from offering input. The motion was
passed without objection.
11. Treasurer’s Report
Commissioner Siegel reported
that the petty cash fund has $72.21, the savings account has $5,075.42, and the
checking account has $29,667.57 for a total of available cash of
$34,815.20. Commissioner Siegel
indicated that the following checks had been written: to Roberta Weiner in the
amount of $443.28; to Roberta Weiner for $443.28; to DCPS for $43.66 to DCPS
for $107.90 for the rental of Amidon School; to DOES for DC income taxes for
38.88; to US Treasury for $220.32; and to Verizon for $72.05. He noted that there were two unauthorized
debits on the bank statement in the amount of $38.90 each, and also indicated a
letter from National Capitol Bank indicating they were not bank changes.
Commissioner Hargrave asked about the absence of any payment to Millennium Arts
Center, and was told that we no longer have to pay rent. Commissioner Siegel
said the last time we paid rent was in July. Motion: Mr. Siegel
moved that the Treasurer’s Report be accepted.
It was seconded by Commissioner Moffatt. and passed 5-1, with
Commissioner Williams abstaining.
Motion: Commissioner Assalaam made a
motion to pay St. Matthews Church $150 for the use of their space of the
Commission’s October 6th meeting.
It was passed without objection.
12. Administrative Assistant’s
Report
Ms. Weiner reported that the
City Council had passed a bill regulating the use of motor bikes in the City;
that hearings were coming up on October 39 on the sale of the Millennium Arts
Center to the Corcoran Gallery’ and that two liquor license applications would
be on next month’s schedule.
Commissioner Williams asked that Ms. Weiner keep detailed telephone
records. She also discussed the issue
of office space. Commissioner Assalaam
mentioned the condition of the office space, and the need to have someone do
repairs if we are going to remain there.
Motion: Commissioner Williams moved that the Administrative
Assistant should be tasked with looking for new office space. Commissioner Litsky asked how many hours she
thought it would take, whether there would be travel involved, and asked that
Ms. Weiner be compensated for any extra time involved in the search. Ms. Williams stated that if it were going to
take any extra hours she would withdraw her motion. Commissioner Williams said she would undertake a search if it is
going to cost any more money for the Administrative Assistant.
Commissioner Johnson stated
that if Ms. Weiner is expected to take minutes at the SWNA meeting and the ANC
meeting, she could be compensated for them.
Commissioner Assalaam said that volunteers should be taking some of
those jobs. There was a discussion of
how volunteers should be used in the office and that guidelines should be
developed to utilize volunteers to share in the responsibilities of the
office.
Motion: Commissioner Litsky moved
that the Administrative Assistant be paid up to ten hours for taking minutes
and transcribing them for the October 25 meeting on the baseball stadium. Commissioner Assalaam stated that the
Administrative Assistant has not done her job as he wanted, that she has not
followed the work plan approved by the Commission, and that as her supervisor,
he has not been able to get things done as he wanted. As chair of the ANC, he was given the responsibility of
supervising the AA and the job has not been done to his satisfaction. The motion passed 5-2, with Commissioners
Assalaam and Williams voting in opposition.
13. Minutes
The minutes for the October
18th meeting were approved, with minor amendments, by a vote of
6-0-1 with Commissioner Williams abstaining.
The minutes for the meeting on October 6 were accepted, after a
discussion about removing the names of the speakers, which was approved.
14. Audience Comment
Dick Westbrook commented on
the location of the baseball park, and strongly supported the location at RFK
Stadium, and the reasons for not selecting it have not been discussed, and
mentioned a meeting with community representatives that had been held
Commissioner Assalaam stated
he did not call the meeting and did not attend the meeting, and it was not an
ANC 6D meeting. The city had called another member of the Commission instead of
the Chair to schedule the meeting, and it was a secret meeting without proper
notification of the Chair.
Commissioner Litsky stated that he had called the Mayor’s Office, not
the other way around, and he had done so because there had been no action on
the part of the Chair to schedule the meeting, which had been promised at the
first meeting that was held. It was
attended by four Commissioners, and two unopposed candidates for the Commission. There were about 15 representatives from the
City, as well as from Councilmember Ambrose’s office. Commissioner Assalaam
responded that it was nothing but disrespect and racism because the City wants
to shove the stadium down there where only poor people live, and the Commission
will attend meetings with City officials and without the participation of the
Chair and other Commission members, will vote 4-3 to approve it, which is
disrespectful to the Chair and to the community.
The meeting was adjourned
10:15 pm.
=
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D
65 I Street SW
Washington, DC 20024
554-1795
n
FAX
554-1774
office@anc6d.org