ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 1B

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 1= B

Government of the District of Columbia

Columbia Heights / LeDroit Park / Shaw / University Heights

MINUTES

6 February 2003, True Reformer Building, 1200 U Street, NW.

Attending: Commissioners Guyot, Spalding, Hammonds, Thomas, Houston, Butler,

&nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Glover, Skinner, Esters

Absent: Commissioners Wilson, Littlepage

Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Thomas at approximately 7:10 PM

Minutes of the October and November meeting have still= not been presented for approval

Minutes of the January 2003 meeting were adopted (7-0-= 0)

In the Treasurer’s Report Commissioner Glover requested permission to change signatories on financial instruments (passed 7-0-0) and for payment for the ANC Security Fund (passed 7-0-0) and for a service fee of $3.00 (passed 7-0-0) and for reimbursement to Secretary Spal= ding for office supplies $105.36 (passed 8-0-0).

Discussion of the Committee on Public Services questio= nnaire and hearing. Commissioners Gl= over, Thomas and Spalding agreed to fill out the form and attend the hearing.

Commissioner Esters offered a resolution to support continuing the position of Community Outreach Coordinator for PSA 414 curre= ntly held by Yvonne Smith, and it was passed (7-0-0)

Norman Beeke of Urban Development Solutions, LLC gave a presentation of initial designs for development of WMATA Parcels 1 & 9 = (14^th between V and W). He was ques= tioned on affordability of the residential units, and his response was that it was= too early in the process to estimate final pricing, however, it was their inten= tion to include a percentage of units for affordability and FHA financing. Two designs were presented, one in= the southwest corner of the block, and one including the current Galish propert= ies in the northwest corner and interior. Questions were raised in regard to remediation of the plating chemicals on site.

Presentation by Donatelli & Klein in regard to all= ey relocations for Parcels 15 & 26. These are just outside the boundaries of ANC1B, but since we have be= en asked to participate in the ongoing process, we were asked to support the changes before the BZA.

These variances were combined in a resolution by Commissioner Guyot to support the changes before the BZA and Office of Zoni= ng (passed 8-0-0).

Presentation by Gloria DuBissette regarding the DC Tae= kwondo Association. Thanks for past support from ANC1B was followed by a request f= or ongoing support. Treasurer Gl= over asked that the Grant Request be postponed to the March meeting to clarify details of the request (passed 8-0-0).&nbs= p; Letters were requested to support DC Taekwondo to DC Sport, and the = Weed & Seed Program. Commissio= ner Glover offered a motion to support writing the letters (passed 8-0-0).

Commissioner Houston requested support and participati= on in the Issues Forum to be held at Howard University on 12 Fe= bruary at 7:30 PM (pass= ed 8-0-0).

BZA Case No. 16986, Loder & Gravett, LLC, requesti= ng variances (403.2, 402.4, 404.1, and 406.1) in constructing a four unit apartment building on the southeast corner of 10^th and W Streets NW. Currently an abandoned au= to repair business the lot is just 27’x50’, which presented constraints in designs leading to the BZA variance requests. The existing curb cuts were questioned. Affordability was questioned. In both cases the design difficulties with the lot size limited developer’s response. Commissioner Spalding requested su= pport (passed 8-0-0)

BZA amended application No. 16938, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge requesting permission for a surface parking lot at their existing parking lot in Square 333 Lot 827. Attorney for and officers of the L= odge spoke to the history of the Lodge and the need for their continuing use of = the lot for member parking. Commissioner Guyot questioned the Lodge on their previous agreement = with ANC1B from our June 2002 meeting, and the representatives of the Lodge said that the agreement was impractical and moot under the amended application.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Tania Shand of the Westminster Neighborhood Association detailed their opposition to the request for exception. Commissioner Guyot presented a motion to oppose the application, and it was agreed to by a vot= e of (7-0-2)

BZA application No. 16988 from the OCTO to replace telecommunications tower. Ter= ry Cook, William Kramer and Lavelle Saunders spoke to the need for more reliab= le emergency communications links. A number of Commissioners questioned the safety of the installation to nearby residents, and were told that the microwave system would be a point to point system and no danger to community members.= Mr. Kramer of FEMS indicated that this was a very important improvem= ent over the current system, and would help secure the safety of residents by allowing more consistent communications connections. Commissioner Esters of= fered a resolution to support the application.&n= bsp; Commissioner Guyot added a friendly amendment requesting that BZA expedite this application, and motion to support was passed (9-0-0). Within the discussion with Mr. Kra= mer, Scott Palmer of the 14^th & U Main Street initiative asked for information on the housing of FEMS and the disposition of Grimke School. Commissioner Guyot requested that a letter from ANC1B be sent asking for clarification in regard to FEMS and th= e Grimke School property, and it was adopted (9-0-0)

BZA case No. 16987, application of Pablo Martinez for a special exception allowing a rear deck addition at = 1207 Clifton St. NW. Mr. Martinez detailed the renovati= ons by previous owner/contractor and consequent actions of building inspectors. Commissioner Glover offered a resol= ution to support the application, and it was agreed to (8-0-1)

DDOT request for approval of Traffic Control Plan for Langston Lofts development at 1390 V St. NW. Metropolis Development Co. explain= ed the sidewalk closings and traffic routing necessitated by the building process. Commissioner Spalding offered a resolution to support the application, and it was agreed to (9-0-= 0)

DDOT request for approval of Public Space Permit for Café St. Ex (1847 1= 4^th St. NW) for outdoor café seating. Owner explained that this is the official permitting of the design presented to ANC1B in St. Ex’s application for ABC licensing in the summer of 2002. Commissioner Spalding offered a resolution to support, and it was agreed to (9-0-0)

DDOT request for approval of Public Space Permit for C= amino Real was postponed to the March meeting, or when designs were forwarded by = DC Public Space Division.

ABC application No. 50220 from La Casona for a Tempora= ry Stipulated License towards application for full CR license. Owner of La Casona described a new Mexican/Salvadorian restaurant on 11^th Street NW.&nb= sp; No negative comments were offered by Commissioners or community members. Commissioner Spalding offered a resolution to support the application, and it was agreed to (9-0-= 0)

ABC application No. 34195 from Roha Restaurant asking = for substantial changes to their CR license, approved by ANC1B in January 2003,= to allow “Dancing and Ethiopian music & jazz provided by three piece band”. Commissioner Spa= lding offered a resolution to support the application, and it was agreed to (9-0-= 0)

ABC application No. 27664 from = Republic Gardens to change license class from CR to CN.&nbs= p; Representative from Republic Gardens was asked a= bout the need for the class change, what the vision was for a reopened facility,= and why they had not consulted with community members regarding the license cha= nge request. Commissioner Spalding offered a resolution to table, specifically requesting Republic Gardens to supply ANC1B with more detailed information and more time for community members to consider the requested change, and the motion was tabled (7-0-0)=

ABC application of Euphoria Restaurant at 1905 9^th St. NW for Temp= orary Stipulated License. Owner of Euphoria explained that they are a currently operating second story restaur= ant and are currently in process of applying for ABC licensing. Commissioner Spalding asked if the= y have completed ABC paperwork and have placarded, and the representative explained that ABC had directed them to proceed with ANC approval as part of the process. Commissioner Guyot o= ffered a resolution to support the application, and it was agreed to (6-0-1).

ABC applications for (1) College Café, 1346 T Street NW for a CT license, and (2) Enkuta= tash Ethiopian Restaurant, 1909= 9^th Street NW for a CR license were both withdrawn= by Commissioner Guyot.

Consideration was given to Manna’s project called University Place Housing, and it was agreed (7-0-0) to send a letter of sup= port for the project.

A presentation was made by Bozzuto Development showing changes in their designs for Meridian Hill Condominiums on Belmont Street. They indicated that they have met = with community members and have used the input to refine their design for the project. Affordability of the= units was discussed.

Motion was made by Commissioner Guyot in regard to the closings proposed by the Washington Gas & Light Co. Commissioner Spalding asked that t= he reference to the main office on H Street be deleted, and the amended resolution called on WGL to keep open the payment center on Martin Luther King Ave. SE, and the resolution was adopted unanimously (6-0-0)

Motion was offered by Commissioner Spalding to request= that the DC Office of Planning expedite the hiring of a Planner for Ward 1, and = it was adopted unanimously (6-0-0)

Commissioner Skinner offered a motion requesting that = the WMATA Board include affordable housing as an important consideration in its decision making regarding the dispersal of Parcels 1 & 9 (14^th St. between V and W Streets), and it was agreed to unanimously (6-0-0)

Motion was discussed to request office space from the Mayor’s office. There w= as a discussion of whether ANC1B actually had an agreement for space in the Reeves Center. Commissioner Thomas offered a reso= lution to support the request, and it was adopted unanimously (6-0-0)

Commissioner Guyot offered a motion to support advanci= ng the District’s Presidential Primary.&nbs= p; There was discussion of who controlled the decision, and whether not= being a state excluded the District from restrictive language in the political parties regulations. Commissi= oner Guyot moved the question, and it was adopted by a vote of (5-1-0)

Commissioner Guyot offered a motion to oppose the District’s Primary Amendment Act of 2002, and it was adopted (5-0-1) =

Commissioner Guyot offered a motion to oppose eliminat= ion of the nominating petition process in lieu of endorsements by the political parties. Discussion centered = on the manner in which nominating candidates could be accomplished, and it was agr= eed that continuing with gathering of signatures was preferred. Motion to support the resolution w= as offered and it was adopted (5-0-1)

Commissioner Guyot offered a resolution to remove the = one way signs on the segment of U Street that ANC1B had voted to support in 2002. Commissioner Guyot expl= ained that this was the request of the Ledroit Park Civic Association, and it was agreed to by the commissioners unanimously (6-0-0)

Commissioner Guyot offered a resolution to support the reappointment of Steve Callas to the DC Board of Elections. Commissioner Guyot explained that = the Councilmembers had failed to act in a timely manner, and that Mr. Callas had the support of the Council.

The motion was agreed to unanimously (6-0-0)

Commissioner Skinner offered a resolution to support an ANC1B newsletter. Commissioner Skinner explained that community members were unaware of the actions of ANC= 1B, and that a tri-annual publication might help the community understand the concerns and actions of their elected commissioners. Combining efforts with other commu= nity groups and associations was raised, but Commissioner Skinner indicated that diluting the message might be counterproductive. The resolution was adopted by a vo= te of (5-1-0= )

Commissioner Guyot offered a resolution to endorse the “Leave No Child Behind” Comprehensive Act. A representative read the Proclama= tion, and there was discussion of the confusion in the language and its similarit= y to the US Department of Education’s language. The resolution was agreed to by a unanimous vote of (6-0-0)

Sylvia Robinson of Emergence Inc. asked the Commission= for support of a special exception before the Board of Zoning Adjustment to all= ow a community service center in a building designated as R4. The property is located at 733 Euclid Street NW, and was previously used as a day care center. Commissioner Skinner explained tha= t the property was located across the street from a school, that it was currently vacant and being illegally used for noxious activities. Commissioner Skinner offered a resolution to support the request for special exception, and it was adopted unanimously (6-0-0)

Resolution to adjourn was offered and passed unanimously. Meeting adjourne= d at approximately 10:45 PM.