ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION
1B
Government of the District of Columbia
Columbia Heights / LeDroit Park
/ Shaw / University
Heights
MINUTES
3 April
2003, True Reformer Building, 1200 U
Street NW
Attending: Commisioners Guyot,
Spalding, Hammonds, Thomas, Houston, Butler, Wilson, Glover,
Skinner
Absent: Commissioner Esters
Meeting was called to order by
Chairperson Thomas at approximately 7:05 PM
Secretary’s Report: Permission was requested to expand
notification of ANC1B meetings to the announcement section of local newspapers,
and it was unanimously adopted.
Resignation of Commissioner Arabella Littlepage from 1B11 triggered the
following calendar: publication in the DC Register on Friday, April
11th, signature petitions should be available at the DC Board of
Elections on Monday, April 14th, signed petitions should be at the
BOE by Sunday, May 4th, challenge and inspection period ends May
10th, election can be held at our meeting on June
5th. Commissioner Guyot
requested that the election be held in the single member district & the
Commissioners agreed to do so.
Minutes from the March
6, 2003 meeting were adopted unanimously (9-0-0).
Treasurer’s Report: No change
since the last reporting period showing a current balance of $80,541.92. Treasurer’s report was adopted
unanimously (9-0-0). Expense report
from Secretary for supplies in two parts for $74.19 and $66.44 and both were
approved unanimously (9-0-0).
Notification that the March grant approved to the DC Taekwondo
Association was denied by DC Corporation Counsel because the ANC’s are
prohibited from funding travel outside of the metropolitan DC area. Commissioner Guyot asked that the
Commission revue the ruling, since we have previously funded the same group for
the same travel expenses with no prohibition from Counsel’s Office. Treasurer Glover explained that the
overseeing analyst has changed, and that his interpretation differed from the
previous analyst.
ANC1B Town Hall Meeting: Commissioner Skinner was not present,
and consideration was postponed.
Fernando Rivero was present from
Councilmember Graham’s office, and he offered to stay through the meeting and
take any comments from constituents to the Councilmember’s office.
Presentation by PN Hoffman
regarding PUD for 14th
Street between V & W Streets. Applicant stated that they were seeking
support of the concept for their presentation before the Historic Preservation
Review Board, and support for their application for a Planned Unit Development
(PUD). Applicant said that they are
a District based developer and have done thirty projects; however, this would be
their first project inside ANC1B’s boundaries. Applicant stated that they have not
displaced anyone in any of their projects, and pride themselves on working
cooperatively with the neighborhoods in which they are building. Applicant described the land as an
assemblage of properties purchased from George Galish (approximately 80% of the
area) and two splintered WMATA parcels.
Existing buildings on the site include two historically recognized
warehouses that will be adapted for reuse and one condemned building on
14th
Street which will be razed. The site is severely contaminated from
its previous history as a Pepco substation and a chrome plating facility and
will necessitate extensive remediation including removing and burning the
soil. Developer stated that it
would be possible to develop the Galish properties separately by matter of
right, but that coordinating the Galish and WMATA sites made for a better
integrated and more rewarding design.
WMATA sites include areas that are unbuildable due to the Metro
tunneling, and they are also contaminated sites requiring remediation. The full assemblage of the parcels nets
approximately two acres and they projected building 280,000 square feet,
however, through the PUD process they can add approximately 35,000 square feet
and add fifteen feet of height along the 14th Street corridor. They are projecting retail on the
14th
Street ground floor wrapping into the gallery
entering the adapted warehouse portion of the project. The adapted condominiums in the adapted
warehouse portion will be marketed (market rate) as including live work
opportunities. Developer pledged to
work with the 14th & U Main Streets Initiative to seed fund a
Ready Willing and Able program at approximately $10,000 per year for five years
and have already contacted Carol Felix to facilitate the program. The retail component is projected at
approximately 24,000 square feet and is projected to employ in the vicinity of
sixty people, and have initiated contact with Trader Joe’s as a possible
tenant. Developer will also be
providing an affordable housing component of approximately one million
dollars. Through the PUD process
they will gain about thirty units and depending on the criteria selected by
ANC1B will provide between seven and fifteen affordable units. The number of affordable units would be
determined by the income standards applied; at $32,000 resulting in seven units,
at $50,000 resulting in ten units, and at $67,000 resulting in fifteen
units. All have been designed at
750 square foot two bedroom units.
Any combination of income standards and resulting units can be
accommodated from the projected total allotment. Full matrix of market prices would be
addressed in the project: 40% of units would sell at under $300,000; $300,000 to
$400,000 would represent 45%, and over $400,000 at 15% of the units. Currently all units will be
condominiums, but if market forces allow some units might be developed as
rentals. SKI Architect’s
representative described the design of the project. Incorporating the interior warehouse led
to the choice to build two sections on 14th Street connected by an
upper level bridge, which allowed a larger pedestrian access into the interior
development. The multilevel mews
area will be connected to the 14th St. buildings, and will be
accessed through upper level connecting bridges and walkways. Plans for parking currently are
projected at approximately 250 spaces, and will be located below the 14th
Street buildings and also at street level in the
southern of the mews adaptations.
Alley access to the parking has been expanded to allow for two way
traffic, with a cobblestone surface contemplated to slow traffic. Materials & color have been chosen
to minimize the massing along 14th Street and also in the mews
buildings.
Commissioner Spalding requested
clarification on the building in alley lots provisions of the DCMR, and
developer responded that through the PUD process the entire development would be
considered one building with an address on 14th Street obviating the
restrictions of alley building regulations. Commissioner Spalding asked for
clarification on the remediation entailed costs, and developer estimated that
removing and burning the contaminated soils is projected to cost two to three million dollars. Commissioner Wilson asked about the
location of affordable units, and developer stated that the interior designs
were not completed, but that they would be integrated with the market rate
units. Commissioner Thomas asked
for a review of the matrix of pricing, and developer indicated that they are
currently marketing smaller (400 to 500 square foot) units at some current
developments with pricing from the mid 100’s and that if there were market
demand they would consider doing so in this development. Commissioner Butler asked about the
small number of affordable units, and developer responded that the PUD allows
for an additional thirty units above the matter of right allowances, and that of
those thirty additional units they will commit seven to fifteen of the units to
affordable housing.
Commissioner Guyot reminded the
Commission that ANC1B had previously agreed to consider $32,000 as the bar for
affordability, and that he’s not interested in what deals had been made with
Main
Street, Gain Street or Hain Street but in
how he can answer to the people who vote for him. That out of 250 condominiums how many
have you delivered to us? And that
he doesn’t want to run for election saying that he only delivered seven. The developer is not giving anyone who
buys a condominium a thing, that unless he gets ANC1B’s support there will be no
PUD. We have a right to negotiate
this way, and we should not negotiate any other way. Fifty percent of nothing is nothing; we
are asking for twenty-five units at the $32,000 income target, and that if you
can deliver this then we will unanimously vote for your project. Commissioner Guyot made a motion that we
be assured that there will be twenty-five two bed condominiums at $32,000 in
this development, and will be completed and sold at that amount. Motion was seconded. Commissioner Glover asked that the
developer be given an opportunity to explain why he can’t do this. Developer stated that he can’t do it and
won’t do it. Commissioner Guyot
said that that settles the issue.
The developer stated that the economics just wouldn’t stretch to allow
the proposal. Developer said that
he was “putting his cards on the table” and not interested in traditional
extended negotiations, and that the marginal expansion allowed by the PUD
limited his offer on affordable housing.
Commissioner Wilson asked about community involvement and outreach, and
developer responded that they have been attending ANC1B meetings, door to door
in the neighborhood, met individually with ANC1B Commissioners, met with the
Cardozo Shaw Neighborhood Association, met with the 14th & U Main
Streets Initiative, and the U Street Business and Arts Coalition. Commissioner Wilson asked about the
community’s response, and developer responded that the reception was positive in
terms of design, architecture and adding to the neighborhood. Developer was asked about the
communities response to the affordable housing component, and said that CSNA had
indicated they were looking for developments over thirty units to include ten
percent of the units in an affordable housing component, however, given the site
difficulties with the WMATA tunnels and the environmental remediation that the
affordable housing component offered was as much as they could deliver. Commissioner Skinner stated that there’s
limited development opportunities on U Street, and that developers are
constantly saying what they can’t afford to deliver back to the community. That we don’t want the market to dictate
who lives in our neighborhood, but that we want something reasonable, and that
using figures like $60,000 (for a one bedroom) income as affordable when the
reality is a single mom working multiple jobs making $32,000 (needing a two
bedroom) represents the needs and diversity of this community. Developer responded that in response to
community input they had redesigned all the units to be two bedroom
currently. Developer stated that he
can’t economically solve the problem of affordable housing in the community,
that they are developing an empty parcel, that it’s private development, and
that he’s making a donation of a million dollars towards the problem of
affordable housing. Commissioner
Guyot stated that the preceding statement was untrue and that the developer was
not giving a penny away. Developer
responded that the offer regarding affordable housing was more generous than any
others currently being developed in the city, and that if he had a way of doing
more that he would do so. Developer
stated that the PUD offered no gain in the FAR on the C-3-A portion of the
development facing 14th
Street, but gains FAR on the R-5-B in the warehouse
portion of the development. If
forced to expand beyond the offered affordable component, then economically it
would force reversion to matter of right construction and elimination of the
affordability component.
Commissioner Guyot said that in his discussion with representatives of
the developer that they had not exhausted the remedies available in city
monies. Commissioner Guyot stated
that he is sick of construction that the people that we vote for can look at but
never live in. That without the PUD
this project does not happen.
Scott Pomeroy stated that
through ongoing dialogue with the developer a commitment to a program similar to
the Ready Willing and Able program was agreed to. Cheryl Cort expressed pleasure at seeing
an unused block returned to vitality in the neighborhood. She spoke with the DC Office of Planning
about affordable housing contributions from private developers, and that the
Office of Planning said that Hoffman’s offer was very generous compared to other
developers. She indicated that
perhaps the best efforts of the community be targeted at strengthening the
city’s housing trust fund which would be more effective in targeting deeply
subsidized housing. Adam Essex
indicated that PN Hoffman is not an unknown developer, that he has been generous
in his dealings with surrounding communities during previous projects, and that
this project is creating some affordable units where none currently exist on the
site. Lou Nayman stated that the site is currently a mess, and that the creation
of even a small number of affordable units while developing the block is a
positive choice. He also asked the
developer whether he would be using union labor on the project, and developer
responded that it would not exclusively be a union project, but that a number of
the trades involved in construction would be union but that moving to exclusive
union participation would increase the cost of the project and endanger the
affordability component. A
constituent asked if the development could be expanded thus expanding the
affordability component, and developer responded that the project was in an
historic zone and would have to clear approval from the DC Historic Preservation
Review Board later in April. The
developer has been working with the DC Office of Historic Preservation, and in
their discussions it was apparent that building above ninety feet would not be
acceptable to the Board, that he would be willing to do so, but that DC was not
amenable to this type of change.
Tim Arnold commented that the
District has no requirement that developers include affordability as an offset
to PUD expansion, and that the Hoffman offer was better than twice as generous
as other contractors have currently offered. That the city is currently considering
legislation that would ask for a five per cent bonus towards affordability,
which in this case would work out to 1.5 units. This disappointing legislation led
members of the CSNA to reexamine their request for expanding the current
proposal, and that they reluctantly decided that the current Hoffman proposal
was indeed generous. Bryan Firvida
commented that the history of recent housing development in the neighborhood has
not created any affordable housing.
In comparison to the Hoffman offer, there is a development plan for a
residential eight to nine
story project on Twelfth
Street, and the developer is building by matter of
right and has no intention of consulting the ANC or community groups, and has no
plans to include any affordable housing.
In the case of the Hoffman development it was their decision to go the
PUD route, which has allowed us to negotiate with them over the needs of the
neighborhood. The neighborhood has
to balance what we can get and what we’re not able to get, and the expansion
allowed by the PUD is not large enough to support the demands that we have for
greater numbers of affordable units.
We can’t ask this project to cover the omissions from previous
development projects, but we can use this project as a starting point in our
negotiations with future developers for more affordable units. Commissioner Thomas stated that no one
in the room is a bigger advocate of affordable housing than she is. We have been struggling to find not just
affordable housing, but low income housing. She is also disappointed in the number
of units, but she does not remember any developer actually offering actual
affordable units. A million dollar
commitment is just a drop in the bucket compared to what the developer will earn
from this project; however, she would rather see the community get something as
opposed to nothing. Not only are we
going to get some affordable housing from this project, but also employment and
business issues, the whole nine yards.
I am specifically pointing out the improvements in cleaning the community
that the developer has committed to, which is a benefit to the entire ANC1B area
and not just the single member district.
Commissioner Guyot stated that the way to get the Mayor to move is for us
to do what is ethical tonight.
That’s going to be developed, but the question is who develops it, at
what cost, and how it’s paid for.
The way to drive the city up is for us to send a message that we’re
serious about this, that we voted on it, and we are tonight going to deny this
application. And then, let the city
get the message, let other developers get the message, because if I got the time
to ask the question “How many
people in this room make $32,000 or less?” I don’t think I’d see many
hands. I’m concerned that we have
the opportunity to formulate and initiate policy that should be promulgated for
more housing by the government, but the way to do it is what we’re doing
tonight. Send the message. Commissioner Skinner stated that the
beneficiary if we don’t stick to our guns will be PN Hoffman. I represent two thousand people and most
of them do not earn $32,000, and most of them are not here tonight because
they’re working their second or third jobs. I think it’s extremely important that we
hold the line on affordable housing, and if anyone comes before us wanting our
support that we insist that they are responsive to us. We need to shut things down, that we
can’t continue to allow people to continue building and telling us why they
can’t address our concerns. We were
desperate in this community for any building in this community and we got some
good development and some bad development, but even before this project came
before us, we decided to be more rigorous in our standards and demand that they
understand our needs. We have to be
more responsive to those in our community who are not the $300,000 purchasers,
and we need more than a handful of units in a 250 unit project. It’s very important that if we really
want to send a message, if we really want to maintain the integrity of the
diversity that so many people came to U Street, Columbia Heights, Pleasant
Plains to be a part of this, that we need to make sure that at this meeting and
all future meetings with developers that we don’t somehow get sucked into the
developer’s ploy of ‘hey we wish we could help you, but just support me and I’ll
make all this money and I’ll try to give some handouts in the end’. Because after we give them our approval
they going off on the town and do what they want to do. We need to be very careful when
people come with corporate interests and they want our support, that we don’t
just take a few of the crumbs and say ‘at least that was better than
nothing’. Commissioner Guyot moved
that ANC1B not support the PUD application, nor do we support any architectural
decision, and that we turn this application down completely. Seconded. Motion failed (4-5-0). Commissioner Spalding moved that ANC1B
support PN Hoffman’s development for 14th & V Streets as
presented as it relates to HPRB Conceptual Design Review, and that ANC1B support
PN Hoffman’s application for the PUD.
Seconded. Motion passed
(5-4-0).
Presentation by Triangle 2. Jair Lynch introduced the development
team including four developers working cooperatively on developing two
residential buildings in Columbia
Heights.
These are both matter of right projects, but they do want to involve the
community in the process. The
parcels being developed were bid on and won from NCRC, and are known as parcels
19 and 32. Both will be condominium
residential projects. Mr. Lynch
described their participation in ‘Local, Small, Disadvantaged Business
Enterprise’ (LSDBE) contracting and Triangle’s participation in the
program. Their goal is 35% LSDBE
participation in the development of these two buildings. Eric Colbert described
the architectural details of the buildings. Parcel 19 encompasses 33 units at
1348 Euclid
Street in a four storey building. There will be a large variety of size of
units in the building. They are
planning surface parking rather than underground parking. Parcel 32 on Chapin Street will
have thirty units, and the materials have been chosen to blend with the
predominant community buildings.
Motion was made to support the
development, and it was adopted (8-1-0).
Presentation by Howard University in regard to the WMATA parcels
on Florida
Avenue between 8th and 9th
Streets. Maybelle Bennett indicated
that Howard
University has a bid active
for development of these parcels, but that as indicated in a letter from WMATA
another group has a first refusal right, and that until the first refusal rights
are exhausted the process is stalled.
Howard’s proposed development would be a four storey arts or nonprofit
office use building on the property fronting 9th Street, and a combination of
ground floor retail and five stories of affordable housing on the parcel
adjoining 8th
Street.
Ms. Bennet also described Howard University’s proposed projects other
parcels including the National African American Museum sited at Florida Avenue and
Georgia
Avenue, a mixed use development (grocery, housing,
and parking) just north of V
Street on Georgia Avenue, and possible development of
the Howard
Theatre site. Ms. Bennett was asked about the status
of the CVS, and she indicated that if the museum were to be awarded to the site
that the CVS would be relocated to the mixed use development one block north on
Georgia
Avenue.
When queried on the Howard Theatre, Ms. Bennett indicated that if the
museum were to be located in the community that Howard University would petition to associate the
two sites and use a renovated Howard Theatre for compatible arts use in
conjunction with the museum. They
promised to return with more visual aids when they are awarded the parcels.
Presentation of NCRC RFP for
Parcels RO-20 and 34. Commissioner
Guyot stated that there is an open and public dispute over the status of parcel
34. Commissioner Guyot indicated
that he sits on the Board of Directors of the Columbia Heights Development
Corporation (DCCH), and that they have an LDA for Parcel 34. Commissioner Guyot referred the
Commissioners to handouts explaining the ownership/development issues in regard
to parcel 34. Parcel 34 is the car
lot at the intersection of 14th Street and Florida Avenue. Commissioner Thomas asked if DCCH owned
the property, and Commissioner Guyot responded that they do not own the lot but
that they do own the rights to develop it.
Commissioner Guyot explained that the RLA (predecessor to the NCRC)
indicated that the rights to develop the parcel would be awarded to the
DCCH. Pressure has been put on NCRC
to remove DCCH from the process.
DCCH is going to contest the decision to remove the right to
develop. Commissioner Thomas asked
that if they had the right to develop this lot, then why has nothing happened
for so long?
It was also questioned whether
Commissioner Guyot had a conflict of interest in speaking to the issue, and
Commissioner Guyot indicated that he felt there was no conflict of
interest. Commissioner Thomas
stated that this is a very troubled parcel with drug dealing and other
activities, and asked whether something is going to be developed and not left to
continue festering. Simone Goring
from the NCRC stated that they were simply presenting to the ANC the NCRC’s
opening of bidding for parcel 34 at 14th and Florida, and parcel RO-20
located at 1412 Euclid
Street. There will be a public meeting to discuss all
of the parcels on April 8th at Bell Multicultural School. Ms. Goring was asked about the
controversy concerning parcel 34, and she responded that Commission Guyot is
correct is saying that DCCH was awarded the development rights for parcel 34 in
1992, and subsequently the RLA approved the LDA. Seven years later the RLA forwarded the
LDA to the Control Board, but the Control Board never approved the LDA. It is the determination of the NCRC and
the RLARC that DCCH no longer controls the development rights to parcel 34. Commissioner Guyot stated that the issue
would be resolved in court.
Commissioner Spalding asked for the approximate size and zoning of the
parcels. Parcel 34 is 20,370 square
feet and zoned C-2-B, and parcel RO-20 is 10,641 square feet and zoned
R-5-B. Robert Moore (President and
CEO of DCCH) spoke to the controversy over parcel 34, and the development plans
that DCCH has for the property.
Community events/announcements:
Banneker
School is looking for help
in a landscaping project. Anyone
interested in helping with this project can contact Sharia Shanklin at 319-2838
(home), 698-3277 (work) or at stims28@hotmail.com. Scott Pomeroy of the 14th & U Main
Streets Initiative announced that on Sunday, April 20th there will be
an Easter Stroll, and on April 26th there will be a concert at the
Lincoln Theatre “U Street on Jazz”.
Commissioner Wilson announced that a Fairmont Tenant’s Association
meeting on April 24th celebrating tenant ownership & party. Commissioner Guyot announced that on
Saturday April 5th from 10 – 2 there will be a Hunger Awareness
Program at Harriet
Tubman School. Bryan Firvida announced that CSNA will
meet April 10th at True Reformer at 7PM, and is immediately preceded by the local PSA306
monthly meeting.
Presentation of Shaw Main Streets
Application. Alexander Padro
ANC2C01 described the reapplication of the 7th & 9th
Street corridors for Main Streets designation. Commissioner Padro detailed the history
of economic vibrancy along this corridor before the second half of the twentieth
century. The present situation with
the pressures exerted from the newly opened DC Convention Center requires active
community participation in the decision making process in revitalizing the
commercial corridor. In last years
competition they came in sixth when five designations were awarded, so they’re
hoping to strengthen their position this year. Commissioner Guyot moved to support the
application. Seconded and adopted
unanimously (6-0-0).
BZA application No. 17006 of
William and Lena Ellis. William
Ellis explained that they were attempting to renovate the building and found the
back addition to be unstable. They
got permission from the Historic Preservation Office to rebuild in place. Complaint from a neighbor triggered
inspection and review by the Board of Zoning Adjustments. Commissioner Spalding asked if they had
any documentation from the Historic Preservation Office to allow the
replacement, and the Ellis’ responded that they had documentation but not at
hand. Commissioner Skinner asked if
they needed to get this approval to move into their home. Mr. Ellis explained that they are going
to be renting the space, but have had a difficult time getting a mixed use
allowed. Commissioner Guyot moved
that we support the application conditional on receiving a copy of the
rebuilding permission from DC Historic Preservation & confirmation of same
from DC Historic Preservation.
Seconded and adopted unanimously 6-0-0.
ABC license application No. 50224
Euphoria Restaurant. Applicant was
not present, so by ANC1B’s rules we did not take any action.
ABC license application No. 27664
Republic Gardens asking for a license change from CR to CN. Marc Barnes stated that they had
presented the change to CSNA & that they had approved the change.
Bryan Firvida of CSNA said that
there was a discussion at their meeting in regard to usual club issues of trash,
noise, and other quality of life issues.
Commissioner Guyot stated that there is nothing in this city that
controls this gentleman. The fire
department went into one of his buildings (because it was overcrowded), they
received a call and the department left the building. A lady sat at a bar (in Dream) and drank
herself drunk, then drove out and killed a policeman. Nobody has ever discussed their
license. There comes a time when
someone is above the law that someone has to say no. I’m prepared on this one to say no. Every other license I have supported, I
had a feeling that we would have some way of controlling or tempering the
behavior of every applicant that I’ve approved of, but I would not dream to
think that possible in this instance.
I encourage the commission to vote no. Commissioner Skinner stated that in the
past Republic
Gardens added to the
quality of life on U
Street.
Nigel Gragg stated that as part developer of the Ellington next door to
Republic
Gardens they were
supportive of the change in license.
Commissioner Spalding asked about ownership of the club, and Mr. Barnes
reiterated that he would continue to be the owner, but difficulties dealing with
the landlord required having another layer of daily management at the site. Commissioner Spalding asked about the
day to day management, and Mr. Barnes responded that he’s a micromanager and
will know everything that is going on at the club, but that Burt Robinson would
be managing the daily operations.
Commissioner Spalding asked about ownership of the building and whether
they would purchase if it became available, and Mr. Barnes responded that he
would. Scott Pomeroy asked Mr. Barnes if he would be willing
to commit to helping with the ‘Ready, Willing and Able’ program, and Mr. Barnes
said that he would be glad to participate.
Commissioner Thomas moved support of the license change. Seconded and adopted by a vote of
(5-1-0).
Grant application of the DC
Taekwondo Association. Commissioner
Thomas moved to support the replacement application. Gloria Dubisette stated that the amount
was the same ($6000.00), but according to the strictures of the auditor, the
travel component had been replaced by other needs that might be allowable. Seconded and adopted (5-1-0).
Grant application of the Howard
University Community Association.
Big Clean Up. It will cover
the area from Fairmont
Street to Columbia Road and from Sherman Avenue to
5th
Street.
It will be an intensive clean up operation not restricted to the streets
but also the front yards and back yards.
Surveys are being done to ascertain what needs to be cleaned from
resident’s properties. They will be
planting flowers in the yards of everyone participating in that area. Commissioner Guyot moved that we support
this effort, and the motion was seconded.
Commissioner Butler questioned doing this work on someone else’s
property. Commissioner Butler also
questioned the applicant about getting the plants and tools donated. Applicant responded that some plants and
mulch have been donated, but that they needed more of both. Commissioner Thomas asked if they
participated in the city wide clean up the previous weekend, and applicant
responded that the city wide clean up would be extended for eight weeks and
concentrate on different weekends on different focus areas. They are planning to run the event on a
Friday to encourage participation from DC public schools. Commissioner Spalding asked Bryan
Firvida of the CSNA what their experience was of budgeting for this type of
clean up, and Mr. Firvida said that they only spent $300 on advertising, but
that most of the budgeting was handled by the 14th & U Main
Streets Initiative. Scott Pomeroy stated that they received donations of
$1000 from Home Depot, contributions from developers of about $200 apiece for
supplies, and donations from Whole Food and other caterers at a value of around
$600 as well as donations of trucks and equipment. Commissioner Spalding said that that
sounded like an approximation of $3000, similar to the request from HUCA, and
Mr. Pomeroy agreed. Commissioner
Skinner asked that we not compare Georgia Ave. to U Street, and
Commissioner Thomas replied that we were just attempting to figure the
appropriate cost of a similar program.
Commissioner Skinner stated that monies are very rarely spent on
Georgia
Avenue, and that the zero monies spent on Georgia Avenue in
the past made him wish that HUCA had asked for more monies. Commissioner Guyot moved the question,
it was seconded and adopted unanimously (6-0-0).
Resolution in support of the grant
application of the Ledroit Park Civic Association and Howard University towards restoration of the Mary
Church Terrell House (326 T
Street).
Maybelle Bennett said that the groups were working together to apply to
the National Park Service towards a Save America’s Treasures Grant. The application is for $500,000 and must
be matched by the University to stabilize and restore the ‘half house’ of Mary
Church Terrell. A separate 501C3
would be set up to manage the project once the restoration was complete. Commissioner Guyot moved the question,
it was seconded and adopted unanimously (6-0-0).
Resolution to support the
reappointment of Anne Renshaw to the BZA was withdrawn by its author
Commissioner Guyot.
Resolution to support land
disposition agreement of Parcel 40 located at 2901 14th Street NW in Columbia Heights, and is
legally described as Square 2854, Lot 96 in the District of Columbia. Commissioner Guyot explained that this
is the Hines Funeral Home, that the DCCH had the development rights and that we
could convey the rights to the Urban League. The Urban League is raising ten million
dollars to make the Hines building its national office. There will be a hearing to transfer the
land to the Urban League which is now in the possession of NCRC. Resolution was moved and seconded and
adopted on a vote of (5-0-1).
Commissioner Guyot requested to represent ANC1B on this issue at the
meeting, and he so moved, and it was seconded and approved on a vote of (4-0-2).
Grant application from Council of
Latino Agencies. Rod Lavia asked
for a grant of $1,250 to help support a Latino community assembly in
commemoration of the Mt. Pleasant disturbances. It would be a working session between
the MPD and the Latino community.
Commissioner Guyot asked if it would be possible to discuss the ethnic
dislocation between Hispanics and the rest of the population in Washington, and applicant
responded that yes that could be part of the dialogue but that the intent is to
achieve interaction between the Latino families and the MPD. The other ANC’s in Ward 1 will also be
asked to participate financially.
Commissioner Spalding requested clarification on the extent of the grant
going towards publicity, and applicant responded that by doing so they can drum
up even more media interest and attendance. Commissioner Skinner commented that this
type of publicity may be required to reach certain populations that less
expensive publicity campaigns might not reach. Commissioner Wilson asked about outreach
to the Latino collaboratives, and applicant responded that they were an umbrella
organization to the collabortives.
Commissioner Butler commented that he lives in an area where this type of
gathering would get great support.
Commissioner Guyot moved the question, and it was seconded and adopted by
a vote of (5-1-0).
Presentation of conceptual design
for 1931 9th St.
NW by Zahn Design Architects. Prior to the presentation Commissioner
Guyot questioned why the presenter had already consulted with the CSNA and had
not yet consulted the single member district Commissioner. A discussion concerning consultation and
appropriate notification ensued between Commissioners, leaders of CSNA and the
presenter. The building was
presented as a six storey residential building with retail on either the ground
floor or on two levels. Mr. Zahn
explained that DCHPRB questioned the height in relation to the block, and that
their second drawing shows a stepped back top floor to decrease the
massing. A discussion of the
massing, fenestration and use continued.
Commissioner Skinner expressed concern over the relative size of the
building and how it would fit on a streetscape that’s predominately two stories
tall. Commissioner Butler raised
questions about the involvement of CSNA in decisions coming before the ANC. Scott
Pomeroy stated that following the CSNA involvement in the
development of the Greater U Street Historic District, the DC Historic
Preservation Office requests developers to meet with both the ANC and the
Historic Preservation committee of CSNA.
Commissioner Guyot asked why the developer had not provided a copy
of the plans to the single member district Commissioner. It was generally agreed that
Commissioner Guyot should have received information earlier in the process. A discussion of the interplay of ANC’s
and community groups followed with extensive commentary on the confusion
engendered by the lack of coordination between the groups and definitive
guidelines on appropriate notification.
Commissioner Guyot moved that the
meeting adjourn and it was seconded and adopted. Meeting adjourned just before 11 PM.
Philip C. Spalding,
Secretary