ADVISORY
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 1B
Government of the District of Columbia
Columbia Heights
/ LeDroit Park / Shaw / University Heights
1 July 2004, True Reformer Building 1200 U
Street NW
Attending: Commissioners Guyot, Spalding, Hammonds, Thomas, Houston, Skinner, Esters, Wright
Absent: Commissioners
Butler, Wright
Quorum was achieved just after 7PM. In the Treasurer’s report Commissioner
Esters stated that we began the
month with $93,877.46 and there were four debits including a bank charge for
$1.00, check 1542 for secretarial expenses of $110.97, grant #04-06 to
14th & U Main Streets for $2,046.26, and grant #04-07 to Home
Roots for $4,000.00. We also
deposited our fourth quarter allotment of $7,304.85, which results in a current
balance of $95,024.08. Treasurer’s
report was moved, seconded and adopted on a unanimous (7-0-0) vote. In the Secretary’s report Commissioner
Spalding mentioned that current agenda, minutes from past meetings and grant
documents are available on our web site www.anc1b.org, and asked everyone to be patient
while the site builds out.
Application for a new CN license at 2106 Vermont Ave. has been withdrawn. Vacant retail building on the northeast
corner of 14th and U has finally been moved to Tax Class 3, and will
hopefully encourage the owner and lessee to do something with this important
property. Café table space
applications for Love Café and Starbucks have been approved by the Public Space
Committee, and that we should see the tables out soon. Secretary also informed Commissioners
that he would be attending a conference at the end of July, and that submissions
for the August agenda should be made prior to Friday, July 30th. Minutes for the June meeting were
presented, moved and adopted unanimously (7-0-0).
In Community Events and Announcements Scott Pomeroy of the
14th and U Main Streets Initiative announced that the 5th
Annual Dog Days of August sale would occur on August 7 & 8. With additional sponsorship and
endorsements the program will be open to all of the businesses in the
corridors.
Commissioner Spalding introduced an initial presentation on
development plans for the corner of 10th and V, which incorporates
the First
African New Church accorded landmark status through
the efforts of the CSNA and ANC1B.
Tom Yockey, President of Broad Street Ventures, Paul Thomas from Shaw
Pitman, and Bill Bonstra were present to give the initial presentation. Mr. Yockey stated that they are intent
on preserving the façade of the church, but that the interior is in very bad
shape due to the lack of a working roof for the past few years, and that the
vines growing up the back of the building may be what are keeping it from
falling apart. The church plus the
building constructed on the adjacent vacant lot and a small property to the east
along V
Street are projected at this point to comprise a
forty-four unit condominium building.
Mr. Yockey said that they are early in the design process and want to get
community input as the design is refined in work with the Office of Historic
Preservation. Mr. Yockey stated
that they would also be seeking some BZA variances if the project remains
similar to current designs, and that an affordable housing component would be
included using the additional .5 FAR and providing approximately 1200 square
feet of affordable floor area.
Architect Bill Bonstra presented numerous elevations of the working
designs for the project. This will
be a 100% residential project with one and possibly a second level of
underground parking as site conditions allow. The main entry will be off 10th
Street between the church building and the new
structure on V. The parking will be
accessed via the alley off 10th Street. The residential space will begin with a
terrace level partially below grade, and there will be a total of six floors of
residential in the new building reaching a height of sixty-five feet. Commissioner Spalding asked about the
height of the existing church building, and Mr. Bonstra stated that they do not
have an exact figure yet, but the top of the spire on the church is estimated to
be approximately sixty feet. There
will be four units housed in the church building, and one will be accessed
through the original entryway. The
remaining church units will be accessed through the main entry between the
structures. The new structure is
designed to not overpower the church structure, but the detailing is meant to
reflect materials and design elements of the church while not forcing period
replication. Julian Pipperov from
Bonstra Architects described the deliberate reflection of the materials and
rhythms on the new building facing 10th to compliment the church and
nearby properties. The main entry
uses glass along the side façade of the church and allows the eye to follow the
volume of the church. The top floor
of the façade on 10th will be in lighter colored materials to
minimize the visual impact next door to the church front façade. Mr. Yockey explained that they have
minimized the balconies on the 10th St. façade, while
emphasizing them on the V
St. façade.
Chairperson Thomas asked if the naming of the new development will
recognize the historic component, and Mr. Yockey said that they have not decided
on naming the project yet, but would endorse this suggestion and search for a
historically appropriate name.
Commissioner Spalding asked if the 10th St. façade on the new building
was flush with the façade of the church, and Mr. Pipperov stated that the brick
elements on the new building were indeed flush with the front of the church
building. The glass bay on the
10th
St. façade would be in public space and reflect the
tower structure (also in public space) of the church’s front façade. Commissioner Spalding asked what BZA
variances they would be seeking, and Mr. Thomas responded that it would probably
residential recreation space, a rear yard variance, and there may be penthouse
and roof element questions.
Commissioner Skinner stated that he was worried that the new structure
will overpower the historic church building, and that the developer needed to
pay increased attention to highlighting the historic nature of the
property. Commissioner Skinner
asked if there was a way to incorporate some space in the building to pay homage
to the history represented by the landmarked building, and that the church was
being dwarfed by the new residential building. Mr. Yockey responded that on the north
side of the service alley there is a fifty foot residential building currently
being developed, and that the church would read appropriately in the context of
the two flanking new buildings. Mr.
Yockey also indicated that in many meetings with Stephen Callcott of the Office of Historic
Preservation, that the church structure was an infill and not a prominent corner
property, and that the design of the new structure should maintain the original
street rhythm. Mr. Skinner repeated
his request for more homage to the history embodied by the church, and Mr.
Yockey responded that they would attempt to incorporate the suggestion as the
designs move forward through the review process. Tim
Arnold of CSNA asked the developer to meet with his committee,
and said that his first impressions were disappointing. Mr. Arnold stated that in similar
projects where new structures were built next to historic structures, the
connection between the two should be lower than the gabled front of the existing
building. The trade off might be an
increase in the FAR on the V
Street elevation to compensate the developer for
losing space in decreasing the massing close to the church. Mr. Arnold also asked the developer to
explore pulling back the 10th St. façade of the new
building to further enhance the church building’s massing and façade. Mr. Arnold also addressed the possible
variance on residential recreation space, and indicated that the loss of
recreation space in the community needed to be offset in some manner e.g. an
ongoing relationship with Harrison Square Park or other local recreation
facilities. Commissioner Guyot
added that ANC1B had worked with CSNA on the preservation of the church, and had
contributed $3,210 (corrected by Commissioner Spalding to the figure of $1,750)
towards the land marking and hoped that the preceding comments of Commissioner
Skinner and Mr. Arnold be put in the motion of support. Commissioner Spalding stated that there
would be no motion tonight, that this was simply an initial presentation of the
possible design and request for community input. Constituent Mark Larson who lives next
door to the proposed project questioned the multiple uses of the alley system in
the block. All of the current
development proposals including the large Rhapsody project are proposing using
these ten foot service alleys to access their parking facilities, and the strain
on these alleys and noise would seriously affect the current property
owners. Mr. Larson also mentioned
the tunnel of brick effect that the pairing of the Garnet Patterson School across the street combined with the
sixty-five foot height of the new building and its effect on the light of
current property owners, many of whose buildings are merely twenty-five feet in
height. Brian Martin Firvida, past
President of the CSNA, stated that the new building appeared to be ‘stapled on
to” the existing church building.
Mr. Martin Firvida explained that CSNA is charged with monitoring the
historic district and that he looked forward to meeting with the developer with
plans incorporating the dialogue that had taken place this evening, and with
ideas generated at the CSNA Historic Preservation Committee’s reviews.
Al Hedin and Doug Yurechko from PN Hoffman stated that they
are actively developing plans for submission in the RFP for Parcel 34. Parcel 34 is a NCRC site between
Belmont and
Florida
Ave. just to the west of 14th St.
and it is currently vacant. Hoffman
is preparing a design that will include fifty residential units and fifteen
thousand square feet of retail space.
The plans for the retail are to entice a grocery store, which in their
initial input from community members was a preferred commercial use. They are planning on one to one parking
for the residential component provided on site, and also the zoning required
parking for the retail component.
They will be partnering with Michael Sussman who the community may know
from his work with Clifton Terrace and Florida Avenue, and the architects are
projected to be Hickok, Warner Cole.
Mr. Hedin stated that the affordable component set out in the RFP is 20%
in a percentage of AMI schedule set by NCRC. Commissioner Skinner asked developer to
consider the possibility of expanding the affordable component beyond the
required 20%, and to develop designs that were not exclusively junior one
bedroom, since many of the seekers of affordable units were single parents with
children. Mr. Yurechko responded
that they would be fulfilling all of the zoning requirements, and that in the
design process they will attempt to reflect the needs of possible tenants for
the affordable units. Our designs
are very flexible at this point, and it would be in our best interest to design
the units to meet the demand currently expressed in the community. Commissioner Guyot stated that he had to
address a matter of conflict of interest.
I sit on the Board of the Columbia Heights Development Corporation, and
we are developing a proposal for Parcel 34. The law in the District is that if you
can deal with it fairly, you have to announce it and I’m announcing it, and I
will deal with it fairly.
Commissioner Spalding directed constituents to the NCRC web site to get
much more detailed information on this parcel, and also asked if they would
continue to work with the 14th and U Main Streets Initiative. Mr. Hedin responded that they currently
have a relationship in regard to the development on the east side of 14th
St., and that they would
continue the relationship in regard to the development of Parcel 34. Tim
Arnold asked if the proposed commercial tenant being a grocery
store meant that they were abandoning the same possibility for the
14th and V site, and Mr. Hedin stated that they have not excluded the
possibility of a grocer in either space.
Mr. Arnold stated that the square footage was inadequate for most large
grocers, and wondered if they are soliciting Trader Joe’s for either space, and
Mr. Yurechko responded that they are working with Trader Joe’s as one possible
grocer for the commercial spaces.
They have also asked Magruder’s to visit the sites and assess their
interest. Mr. Yurechko also asked
constituents to lobby neighborhood grocers who would serve their interests. A long term constituent reminded
everyone that there was a Safeway in the same location before the riots, and
that the new grocer should be someone who serves the average community
member. Commissioner Spalding asked
the developer to leave information for community members who wanted to contact
them with ideas, and both agreed to leave business cards behind for any
community members to use in contacting them.
Commissioner Spalding presented a request from Scott Pomeroy
of the 14th and U Main Streets Initiative for a letter of support for
the “Green Team”. Mr. Pomeroy
stated that this will be the second year for the Green Team, and that last year
it was a demonstration project with five part time and five full time
workers. It is a partnership with
the Coalition for the Homeless and the University of the District of Columbia, and
they are hoping to expand the project to include thirty workers. They will be soliciting funding from
District agencies and foundations, and they are seeking letters of support from
neighborhood organizations and individuals to use as support for their financial
requests. Of the thirteen employees
participating in the program all started out in transitional housing, and twelve
have now moved on to permanent housing, and all are participating in career
training programs sponsored by UDC.
Commissioner Spalding moved that a letter of support be written, and it
was seconded and adopted unanimously (7-0-0).
Miss Chris Benjamin from the Mayor’s Office was scheduled to
speak; however, Commissioner Spalding stated that he had received a call from
Miss Benjamin who was attempting to locate her car after finding that it had
been towed. He extended an
invitation to Miss Benjamin to address the ANC’s August meeting.
ABRA application No. 50282 was introduced by SMD Commissioner
Spalding. This is a transfer of an
existing license from the closed venture at the corner of 13th and W,
and would be relocated to the commercial space next door to the Ellington
apartments. This is a class B
license, and the hours would be from 10AM to 10PM. Commissioner Spalding stated that he had
solicited input on this transfer through the local list serve and in person, and
had found very little concern with the relocation. Applicant was present and described a
beer and wine component added to their present store. A constituent asked about the status of
the license for the store that was at 13th and W, and Commissioner
Spalding responded that once the transfer was made that any new tenant at
13th and W would have to apply for a new license for the
location. Bryan Martin Firvida
stated that he lives across the street from the original license location, and
that the community had no trouble with the original location. Commissioner Spalding added that the
applicant has been working with the 14th and U Main Streets
Initiative and is prepared to work with the Ellington’s owners Donatelli &
Klein, and he moved support of the transfer of the Class B license to 1351 U
Street, and it was seconded and adopted unanimously (8-0-0).
ABRA application No. 60761 for a new CT (tavern) license for
Tabaq Bistro to be located at 1336
U St. was considered. Applicant was present and gave an
account of his relationship to both the U St. and Adams Morgan areas, as well as an
introduction to their plans for 1336 U St. The family owns three restaurants
currently one on U
St. (Utopia) and two in Adams Morgan (Mezze). The new restaurant will be a further
exploration of Mediterranean tapas culture. In order to blend with the U St. cultural scene
they want to provide jazz performers, specifically targeting new young
talents. The building is currently
a vacant property in the middle of the south side of the 1300 block of
U St.,
and they are preparing to renovate the entire building. The kitchen and dining areas will be on
the first and second floors, and they will also incorporate a rooftop enclosed
area. Commissioner Spalding stated
that there is concern about the fact that the roof deck will be facing an
abutting residential area on Wallach Place, and that it will be very
important to assure that noise does not affect the Wallach Place
residents. Commissioner Spalding
also indicated that the lack of immediate parking would require that, like in
Adams Morgan, the applicant work with other commercial tenants in organizing,
coordinating, and perhaps even in helping develop parking for this block. Applicant stated that he’s eager to work
with the other businesses, and that since he and his family also live in the
residential neighborhood nearby they would be particularly sensitive to noise
concerns of other residents.
Commissioner Spalding also noted that the hours of operation appeared to
allow daytime use, and encouraged the applicant to develop daytime use. Applicant stated that they have been
successful with weekend brunch service, and are planning to serve luncheons as
well in the new restaurant.
Commissioner Guyot asked if they have had ABRA training, and applicant
responded that all of his family members have been trained. Commissioner Guyot stated that MPD had
asked businesses on the corridor to participate in a rolling closing hour’s
format and asked if applicant would participate, and applicant said that he
would be happy to join in this effort.
Constituent Reginald Kelley asked why they are seeking a tavern license
if there’s such an emphasis on food in their restaurants, and applicant
responded that with the combination of food and entertainment they were more
comfortable with the requirements of the tavern license. Constituent Ron Renchard pointed out
that Utopia began as a restaurant license, and once the community was
comfortable with his operation he moved to a tavern license. Applicant responded that for the
business model they felt more secure in applying for the tavern license. Commissioner Spalding moved support for
both a stipulated license and a new tavern license for Tabaq Bistro, and it was
seconded and adopted unanimously (8-0-0).
ABRA application No. 36464 a renewal of a restaurant (CR)
license for Portico located at 1914
9th St. Applicant was not present, and
Commissioner Spalding stated that he had requested feedback on the list serve
and from neighbors but had gotten very little response. Commissioner Spalding checked the
Petition Date supplied by ABRA and indicated that it was August
3rd. Commissioner
Spalding moved support for the renewal stating that there has been no negative
commentary received, and it was seconded and adopted on a vote of (7-1-0).
ABRA application No. 9267 for renewal of a CX (club) license
for the Congressional Club located at 2001 New Hampshire Avenue was
considered. Applicant was not
present, and Commissioner Houston moved to table. Commissioner Guyot reminded the
Commissioners that we have amended our rules to allow us to consider ABRA
applications on the agenda whether the applicant is present or not. Commissioner Guyot stated that he’s a
Democrat, but that this is where the Congressional Republicans meet. This Commission, however, is non
partisan and the political reality is that this is not a license request that we
should take on. Petition date is
August 3rd, and the hearing date is set for August 18th,
and Commissioner Spalding reminded the Commission that if we wanted to comment
on this license we should do so at this meeting. Commissioner Guyot stated that it’s
politically unwise to not support this license renewal. They have been at this location for a
very long time, and our partisan spirit may be outdistancing our pragmatism in
this case. Chairperson Thomas
indicated that she would like to see the applicant’s appear before the
Commission, and that she would support the motion to table. Commissioner Esters stated that anyone
who wishes to have a liquor license in our Commission area should appear before
the Commission, and if they don’t appear they won’t get my vote. Calvin Woodland from Councilmember
Graham’s office stated that this was no different that the preceding debate and
that we should support this renewal.
Constituent Lou Nayman stated that we should expect these applicants to
respect the communities in which they are operating, and not attending should
not be rewarded. Commissioner
Skinner stated that tabling will give the Commission a chance to attempt to get
the applicant before the Commission and still get a response in to ABRA. Commissioner Guyot reminded the
Commission that we voted to support an absent applicant in the previous case,
and in this case we also have no negative sentiment raised about the applicant
and we should treat the cases in a similar fashion. Chairperson Thomas responded that she
thought it should be the SMD Commissioner’s call, and Commissioner Guyot
responded that there was no argument from him that the SMD should make the
call. Motion to table was seconded
and adopted (5-3-0).
ABRA application 28078 a renewal of a restaurant (CR) license
for Coach and Four located at 2000
14th St. Chairperson Thomas stated that she had a
prepared statement to read since she often gets distracted running the meeting
and participating in the debates.
In regard to the Coach and Four operating inside a government building or
not will be decided by other arms of the government, and not by this ANC. As to the liquor license it has been
noted that they have been operating inside the laws set by ABRA. The issues that have been raised by my
constituents include the traffic that’s being directed by the MPD through the
residential streets and neighborhoods.
This is a problem. This is
one of the reasons that this ANC voted to support the best practices process
developed by the Hospitality Institute.
These problems need to be addressed in the context of the larger
community. I am requesting that
Coach and Four along with all other liquor license holders to be mindful that
the residents are being affected by what happens after the businesses close
down. I expect all of them to work
together to find workable solutions to these recurring problems. My offer still stands that I’m willing
to work with any and all parties concerned with these issues. Warren Williams, owner of the Coach and
Four, stated that they serve lunch and are open two nights. Jimmy Parker, security specialist and
club manager, reminded everyone that we’re talking about the viability of a
local business. Mr. Parker stated
that they have had no violations on their liquor license, and that they are
actively supporting the community.
We have been working with both Campbell Heights Apartments and the MPD on
better directing traffic. The
parking for the Coach and Four is in the garage of the Reeves Center, and that also serves as valet
parking space for a number of other local establishments. Commissioner Ramon Estrada stated that
he represents the constituents just to the south of U
St. below the Reeves
building, and that he has lived in the same location for the past twenty-five
years. I would like to work with
you, but I have to let you know that many of my constituents are alarmed over
reports about violence spilling out of Club U.
Calvin Woodland stated that Councilmember Graham is opposed to the
renewal, and he has sent a letter to ABRA opposing the renewal. Mr. Woodland also described the
opposition of the current head of the Office of Property Management who has
written a detailed letter to ABRA protesting the renewal of this license. Ms. Mitten’s letter indicates that the
lease has expired, that MPD has been called seventy-five times to investigate
criminal activity, and that the operation of a nightclub has never been
authorized as a part of the lease agreement, and that the business currently
owes the District more than $175,000 in back rent under the expired lease
agreement. Chairperson Thomas
responded that these issues have been raised before ANC1B numerous times, and we
can discuss these issues all night.
Commissioner Guyot stated that he strongly, unequivocally and without
caveat associate myself with the Chairperson’s position. This is a decision for the ABC Board,
and from the White House to the outhouse, the only body that has jurisdiction on
this is the ABC Board. I want to
remind everyone that the highest award for emergency preparation was awarded to
an agency in that building. The
other matters are so pregnant with involvement, but I’m going to stick with you
and let’s deal with this on the merits.
Commissioner Skinner stated that when he heard of the issues of violence
associated with this license he was very concerned, and to be candid, in DC I
look like the victim. I took the
time to visit this club on Thursday nights, and I found that they have a lot of
security and that they’re taking an aggressive approach to how to manage
activities on a large scale on a consistent basis. I also check with ABRA and as far as
them serving liquor there were no violations. I think we need to make sure that 3D
does a good job. It’s often that
the most successful clubs get targeted for the problems. If JoJo sees a lot of police officers
he’s less likely to stab RayRay, but if he doesn’t see anyone out there then we
do have issues. It’s up to us to
convince 3D that we need the kind of presence and enforcement that Adams Morgan
gets. Commissioner Esters asked Mr.
Parker to describe their security efforts, and how they react if there’s a
shooting in a nearby alley. Mr.
Parker stated that after an incident, the club increases their efforts on the
following night. Their security is
already tighter than the Pentagon’s; you’re not going to get through our metal
detectors with change in your pockets.
People are met by police security at the entrance to the building, and
then they are searched by our security personnel, and then they have to go
through a metal detector, and then we have security personnel who usher them to
the front of the restaurant, and then they’re id’d then they can enter the club
where we also have crowd control people.
Since the Reeves Center has so many entrances and exits, we
also have security personnel at these points, and we also have security people
at the bathrooms. Commissioner
Esters asked about their relationship with MPD, and Mr. Parker stated that they
have a good working relationship.
We’d like to be able to employ off duty police personnel, but that’s
restricted by DC laws. Chairperson
Thomas moved support for the renewal of Coach and Four’s CR license including
the stipulation that they will continue to work with the community to address
the problems that have been addressed in the debate, and it was seconded and
adopted (7-1-0).
ABRA case No. 60762 for a new CT (tavern) license for Etete
Ethiopian Cuisine to be located at 1942 9th St. Applicant was present and accompanied by
their attorney Andrew Kline. Mr.
Kline stated that it is a very small venue located near the top of the 1900
block of 9th
Street.
There will be thirty seats, and the reason for the tavern application is
the perceived difficulty in maintaining the proscribed percentage of food
sales. They will be serving
Ethiopian food and there will be live performances, however, there will be no
dancing. Commissioner Spalding
stated that he is concerned over the concentration of licenses in this block,
but that this location was advantaged by not backing up to residential
properties. Commissioner Spalding
indicated that the concentration would also affect the parking situation, and
then referred to Commissioner Guyot’s statements that the owners in this block
are working together to solve the parking problems. Applicant responded that they also owned
and managed the parking facility in the vacant lot in the middle of the
block. Commissioner Spalding also
indicated that with the applied for hours of operation they could conduct a
luncheon service, and encouraged the applicant to court more daytime use and
activity. Commissioner Spalding
moved support of both a stipulated and a full CT license for Etete Ethiopian
Cuisine, and it was seconded and adopted unanimously (7-0-0).
Commissioner Guyot spoke to the developing Cooperative
Agreement with 1919 9th
St. This
is an agreement written by CSNA. I
was astounded when Mr. Moosally at the ABC Board took us into a small room,
worked out an agreement that we are unanimous in our support. Commissioner Guyot offered to read the
agreement hoped that ANC1B would unanimously pass it, and then it will be
presented to Cardozo Shaw and I hope that they will pass it. Commissioner Spalding reminded
Commissioner Guyot that he had made copies for inclusion in the Commissioner’s
packets. Commissioner Guyot
summarized the voluntary agreement, and stated that he is very pleased with the
resulting document and moved support for the voluntary agreement. Tim
Arnold from CSNA stated that their reason for seeking the
voluntary agreement was the size of the proposed nightclub, that it was not the
policy of CSNA to oppose licenses on an ad hoc basis. Commissioner Spalding added that he
agreed with the direction that this opposition had taken, that he preferred the
ANC to write and monitor the voluntary agreements rather than the many
neighborhood associations.
Commissioner Spalding stated that he’s unaware of any existing voluntary
agreements with ANC1B, and wanted some guidance on how we should monitor the
terms and react to any possible complaints. Commissioner Guyot explained that once
the voluntary is in effect any citizen has the right to enforce it. Any citizen has the right to go to the
ABC Board and say ‘this section is not being enforced.’ Motion to support was moved, seconded
and adopted unanimously (8-0-0).
Commissioner Skinner requested to add an item to the agenda,
and Chairperson Thomas reminded the Commissioners that the due dates should be
respected. Constituent Lou Nayman
requested that the Commission reconsider the previous months vote on a liquor
license for 1119 V
St. Mr.
Nayman explained the short notice of the application prior to consideration at
ANC1B’s July meeting, and the Commission’s refusal to honor the SMD
Commissioner’s request for more time.
Mr. Nayman stated that there are currently eighty-one signatures on
protest petitions, and some of the neighbors have come to tonight’s meeting
hoping to express their concerns.
Chairperson Thomas stated that we have already placed a new license
request on the agenda, and that in order to reconsider the vote taken last month
on 1119 V we would have to have a Commissioner who voted for the application
request the reconsideration, and Commissioner Wright stated that he was willing
to do so. Commissioner Guyot stated
that this only meant that the motion to reconsider was open to a vote. Commissioner Wright stated that he now
understood that the community members were not given an adequate opportunity to
voice their concerns, and he apologized to the constituents assembled to voice
their concerns over this license application. Chairperson Thomas returned the
Commission to Commissioner Skinner’s new item on the agenda. Commissioner Skinner stated that Mr.
Fasil Asnake (applicant) had been attempting to contact him on a phone that was
currently out of service, and apologized to the Commission for the confusion and
the late submission. There is an
abandoned building at 2904 Georgia
Ave., and an experienced businessman who wants to
transfer a Class A liquor license to this new location, and he’s seeking a
stipulated license which requires ANC approval. Applicant was present and explained that
he had a business near the new convention center at 706 6th
Street, and their building is being torn down for a
new development. He stated that he
has purchased the building on Georgia Ave., and hopes to run a clean and
neighborhood friendly business.
Constituent Reginald Kelley asked if this was a store that was going to
sell hard liquor at the corner of Georgia and Harvard, and applicant agreed that
was his intention. Mr. Kelley
stated that there’s already a liquor store at Sherman and Harvard and questioned
whether another liquor store was needed this close to an existing store. Commissioner Spalding stated that we’ve
not received any notification from ABRA, and asked if the location had been
placarded. Commissioner Skinner
responded that they have not yet been placarded. Commissioner Spalding noted that this
troubles him since the intention of notification and placarding is to give
community members a chance to assess and speak to the merits of the
application. Commissioner Spalding
stated that in the case of a Class A license, it seemed imperative to give the
community members more notification to discuss the proposed business. Commissioner Skinner noted that he is
also the President of the Lower Georgia Avenue Business Association, and had
taken the applicant to meet with neighboring business owners. This was an upscale downtown operation,
and they’re proposing bringing that same caliber operation to Georgia Ave. This is also the case of an abandoned
building that has been a problem for the community, and bringing in an owner
with a responsible business is important to developing the Georgia Avenue
business corridor. Commissioner
Guyot stated that Commissioner Skinner is treating a business like a business
rather than criminalizing.
Commissioner Esters stated that this location is across the street from
his SMD, and it is a location that has recently housed a liquor store. What would you do if you get the
temporary license, and then you find that you’re facing community
opposition? Mr. Asnake responded
that the placarding should be up by next Tuesday, and that if faced with
opposition from the community he would work with community groups and go door to
door if necessary. Commissioner
Esters asked what would happen if they did not receive a license, and applicant
responded that they would open a different business in the building, or if
necessary rent the building out to another commercial tenant. Commissioner Skinner moved support of a
stipulated Class A license for Arena Liquor at 2904 Georgia Ave.,
and it was seconded and adopted on a vote of (7-0-1).
Commissioner Wright’s motion to reconsider the previous
month’s vote on a new CR license for Tena Café located at 1119 V St. was
seconded. Commissioner Guyot stated
that this is the second time that ANC1B has dealt with this location, which I
want to remind the Commission does not have a capacity of twenty people. I want the Commission to be reminded of
the original attack on this establishment by the same people before us
today. Their argument at our last
ANC meeting was the same that was presented before. I remember it so well. ‘We’re not attacking this place, our
strategy is the camel’s nose under the ten’, and what they wanted to prevent at
that time was the establishment of a building that no longer exists as a
business. Now they come to us and
say ‘we want to attack this license’.
At our last ANC meeting we listened to that argument, and there were
quite a few people here who lived in that area, and one of the ladies who was
supposed to have written a note was here and testified against them, and gave
the same testimony as when we first considered this. The proprietor agreed to close the back
court, because there was a concern about noise. Scott Pomeroy pointed out that he had
supported this in the first application, and he made a point of saying to the
applicant (interrupted). We then
proceeded to vote in a fair and open manner, and I think the motion to
reconsider is untimely and without justification. Commissioner Spalding spoke in favor of
reconsideration. At last month’s
meeting it was my intention to table this consideration until tonight’s meeting,
which would have allowed us to be both considerate of the residential neighbors
and timely in responding to the ABRA deadlines. The intention of that motion was to give
the community members time to discuss the application with the applicant, and
time to find a compromise on those issues that concerned them. I have heard that there are currently
four petitions circulating and two organizations that plan on protesting this
license. I would like to suggest to
the Commission that it would be much more effective if this Commission were to
organize and lead the negotiations, than if there are multiple protests and
participants in the voluntary agreement negotiating process. I do expect that if this license is
granted it will be the result of a voluntary agreement, and I’d rather see the
Commission take the lead and prevent multiple parties to negotiating that could
be a very protracted process.
Commissioner Skinner asked if the applicant was present, and they were
not. Commissioner Skinner asked if
they were notified to come to this meeting, and Commissioner Spalding responded
“how can they be notified when the debate is initiated at the meeting”, and
Commissioner Guyot added “why should they be notified”. Commissioner Skinner asked that if
Commissioner Spalding had this advance knowledge of the debate why hadn’t he
notified the applicant.
Commissioner Spalding indicated that he was given copies of the petitions
at tonight’s meeting, and that there’s no way to put an issue on the agenda if
there’s no preceding request to do so.
Fred Smith who lives on the corner of 13th and V Streets
stated that the neighbors had almost no time to react to the news of the
application prior to last month’s meeting.
The Commissioner who just left said that he’s concerned about being fair
and open and those are the same concerns of the community members. I don’t think that most of us are
opposed to the license, but we’re concerned with the way that it has been
handled. I moved here from Adams Morgan, and one of the reasons for the move to
U Street
was that there’s a better mix of residential and commercial properties. I am concerned about the creeping of
liquor licenses off U
Street and into the residential areas like
V
Street.
Let’s give everyone a chance to have a voice on this application. Resident Reginald Kelley described his
long association with this neighborhood and stated that there has never been a
liquor license on V
Street, and there is no need for a liquor license on
V
St. I
live in the Lincoln condominiums and it’s a wooden framed
building that easily conducts noise from the neighborhood. Alcohol makes people gregarious, and
you’re going to have noise and parking problems. Allowing the spread of liquor licensed
establishments into overwhelmingly residential streets like V Street will create
chaos. Another constituent stated
that adequate review of this application in light of the changes in the
V Street
neighborhood was very important. It
is being rebuilt as a wholly residential street. Those of us who have chosen to live in
this neighborhood understand the nature of the commercial district on
U Street
and embrace it; however, this movement into the residential neighborhood is one
that we’re all concerned with. I
have been in to use this business, but I don’t think this is a viable business
plan. I am a small business person
myself, but I don’t think that this has been adequately presented or
reviewed. We’re willing to come
back and review this with the owners at any time. Sean Steffy, 1223 V St., and
I’ve lived here three and a half years and I’ve managed to collect twenty-eight
signatures in opposition to the liquor license right on V Street. We’re stating this as an opposition
since ABRA requires that you oppose granting the license in order to gain
standing in the process and have your concerns addressed. A major concern is that this applicant
wants to stay open until 2AM on weeknights and 3AM on weekends, and for a
restaurant in the middle of a dense residential street this is a serious concern
for us. We’re not, as some have
implied, out to run these people out of the neighborhood. Last week as I was walking by the
business I introduced myself to the owners and expressed the concerns raised by
the neighbors, and the owners were unaware of any neighborhood concerns. I think there’s been some breakdown in
the process of reviewing this application, and we’re here to try to get the
process working again. Sean Sands
who also lives on V
Street stated that with all of the neighbors gathered
tonight shows the concern that the neighborhood has over this license. When we could my partner and I
patronized the restaurant because we wanted to see it flourish as a
business. We’re also living in an
area where license holders are operating in flagrant violation of the
limitations of their licenses, and extending these licenses into the residential
communities is a serious concern.
I’m also troubled by the vociferous support by Commissioners who do not
represent the locality of the application, and the idea of someone who
represents LeDroit
Park saying that my
neighbors should not have a voice in what’s going into our neighborhood offends
me. Tom Key who also lives on V
Street stated that he was offended when he got a copy of the transcript of last
month’s meeting when it indicated that Commissioner Guyot stated that he didn’t
want the neighbors to have an opportunity to come in and be heard and opposed
the motion to table. The purpose of
this Commission is to listen to and speak for its constituents. I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to
hear from us, or why you would think that our input is so unimportant. Please give us an opportunity to be
heard. I personally wouldn’t have a
problem with this business selling beer or wine to go with a dinner, but to ask
for hours that extend into the early morning hours two houses down from my home
is a problem. There are tons of
bars all around us and I respect that, but V Street is residential and I ask that you
reconsider. Scott Pomeroy asked to
support the suggestion of Commissioner Spalding that the ANC be the lead
representative in any agreement negotiated with the applicant. I worked with the previous applicant
through the process of negotiating the hours, and I’m speaking as someone who
lives just a block away from 1119 V
Street.
I’m concerned about any place that would be open until two or three
o’clock in the morning that completely surrounded by residents. I hope you’ll vote to reconsider and
I’ll save my comments on the application.
Calvin Woodland stated that he was once a Commissioner with ANC1B, and
questioned why the request of the SMD Commissioner in whose territory this
applicant was located is not allowed deference. Why is there such animated interest by
other Commissioner’s in the license in other members SMD? If the people voted for their SMD
Commissioner shouldn’t they expect that he would be listened to as representing
their concerns? Commissioner Guyot
stated that he was glad that so much of the discussion was directed at him,
because I’m going to say something that will shock and amaze you. I’m not opposed to the motion to table,
and I’m so convinced… Commissioner Spalding corrected to say that the motion was
to reconsider, which was accepted by Commissioner Guyot. I’m just that convinced that the people
who are talking about reconsideration are really talking about killing that
application, and I wait to be vindicated.
These people came to destroy they should have the opportunity to
destroy. Motion to reconsider last
month’s vote on Tena Café’s application was adopted unanimously (8-0-0). Commissioner Guyot moved that this issue
be put on the next agenda, and that the owner be notified so we can witness his
death. Motion was seconded. Commissioner Skinner stated that we
represent all of y’all. Each
Commissioner represents two thousand voters. We all get on this dais to speak to
neighborhood concerns, because going around taking a vote throughout the
community every meeting on all these issues would be twenty-two thousand people
being polled, so every two years you elect somebody to represent your
issues. We’re here to uphold
laws. Sometimes when individual
Commissioners are pressured to do certain things that we as a collective looking
at the letter of the law act as a balancing act for all of us. It’s not trying to intrude on anybody’s
fiefdom, because they’re not fiefdoms.
We’re a representative body, and it may not seem effective in certain
instances, and I think it’s less effective in some instances while in some
instances it’s very effective.
Because sometimes its politics within a certain area that don’t allow the
law to be studied as closely as it should be. So, there’s a process that ABRA has with
the contesting process, and we’ve gone through iterations to try to improve that
so that if someone doesn’t see that their ANC didn’t do what it’s supposed to
do, then there’s other processes that people can also have to help make sure
that they have a say so in the process.
Any perception of flaw, there probably are flaws in the system, but all
the people who are here have their good days and bad days and you’re here to
help us and we’re here to help you.
We do our best not just to represent people who show up on the night, but
we also try to act as a body that tries to be fair. To hear these cutting comments…
Chairperson Thomas stated that Commissioner Skinner’s time
had elapsed. Commissioner Spalding
responded that this is an application for a liquor license in my single member
district, and Commissioner Guyot stated that Commissioner Spalding was out of
order. Chairperson Thomas requested
that Commissioner Guyot allow her to run the meeting and allow Commissioners the
right to speak. Commissioner
Spalding stated that this is a business that is going to be located in my single
member district, and notably in a residential area. It was not given adequate time for my
constituents to consider or air their concerns. I may have concerns about the location
of a Class A license on Georgia
Ave, but Georgia Ave. is a commercial street. V Street is a residential street, and the
people here tonight live in close proximity to this proposed business. They’re concerned and they should be
heard. This has an immediate effect
on their quality of life and they’ve come here tonight to ask us to hear their
concerns. Commissioner Guyot stated
that they came in force and they won.
They wanted reconsideration and they got it. Why go to the merits of something of
something that we’ll consider at the next ANC meeting? My concern is this, no individual on
this Commission, or no set of individuals on this Commission can be given great
weight. Great weight is applied to
this Commission. It is the
responsibility of us to collectively make decisions about each applicant. I will assert my opinion in every
application at every time until y’all turn me out of office. Motion to reconsider at the August
meeting was adopted on a vote of (5-1-2).
Grant application of One Common Unity was considered. We all come from this community, and we
started out with a street cleaning effort.
We had our circle of life tours in local schools, and anti violence
campaigns. We’ve had summer
programs sponsored by the North Capitol Development Corporation. The Awareness of Oneness, its apparent
just being at tonight’s meeting that there’s a necessity for some appreciation
of diversity of the community.
We’re partnering with eleven other organizations and we’re looking for
funding to support the Peace
Village at Meridian Hill Park on that Sunday. We’re attempting to put on an event that
will attract local youth, and while they are there the partnering groups can
influence them. Commissioner Guyot
stated that this is a group that is a very contributing very positive
group. I understand that there are
difficulties with the request. I’m
asking that the Commission support the request contingent upon a submission that
conforms with the expectations of the Treasurer. Grant request was moved, seconded and
adopted (7-0-1). Treasurer Esters
told applicant that they have details to work out, and that they should be in
touch with as soon as possible.
Commissioner Skinner presented a request to the Commission to
cosponsor Georgia Avenue Day. We’re
asking the Commission to participate in order to alleviate some of the fees for
the use of Banneker Field. Outside
groups can be assessed fees up to $15,000, but government agencies normally get
a break in those fees. Chairperson
Thomas asked what was being asked for, and Commissioner Skinner responded that
it was actually not a grant application but sponsorship. Chairperson Thomas asked what that
meant, and Commissioner Skinner replied that the ANC is being asked to sponsor
those fees that are assessed for the use of Banneker Field. Chairperson Thomas asked why that
couldn’t be written up as a grant application, and Commissioner Skinner replied
that they’re asking the Commission to cosponsor it. Treasurer Esters asked how much money we
were talking about, and Commissioner Skinner stated that Parks and Rec has not
quoted a number yet, but if the ANC cosponsors then we definitely think it will
be less than $15,000. It could be
as much as $15,000 and it could be as little as nothing. Commissioner Spalding asked whether it
was not possible to work with someone at Parks and Rec and at least get a number
from them? I like the idea of the
cosponsorship, however, without any idea of the cost I’m not sure how we can
vote on this. I won’t commit this
Commission to spending a possible $15,000.
Commissioner Skinner responded that for the timeliness I’m not going to
state whether this is worth $15,000, but I think it is. It would be prudent to have a dollar
figure, I can take that as a friendly amendment to endorse the cosponsorship and
then return with the dollar figure to be voted on at the next meeting. Chairperson Thomas asked why it was
possible to support entertainment or street festivals, which she thought was not
allowed? Commissioner Skinner
stated that we can’t do anything with entertainment, but we can do something
that’s a cultural activity, or relates to education and all those type of
activities. I did speak to Gottlieb
Simon and he said it was fine.
Chairperson Thomas asked why this was not submitted as a grant
application, and why doesn’t anything have any dollar amounts attached to
it? Commissioner Skinner stated
that they’re not asking for a grant they’re asking for a cosponsorship, and the
check would not go to the Lower Georgia Avenue Business Association but directly
to the Dept. of Parks and Rec.
Commissioner Guyot offered an alternative motion which would entail the
Commission agreeing to cosponsor, but we do not have to agree to the amounts
involved until our August meeting.
Constituent Ousley recommended that if cosponsoring the event that the
Commission might want to consider liability and insurance. Commissioner Esters
stated that this request not only does not have a dollar value, it also has no
description of what the costs will entail or any detail of what those costs will
be. I just can’t in good conscience
vote for something when I don’t know what the money will be spent on. Can we accomplish a resolution
supporting this with a cosponsorship since a cosponsorship implies a financial
liability? This Commission is
totally unaware of what that liability will be. Commissioner Skinner responded that
they’re seeking support as a sponsor, and then determining the amount at the
next meeting. We’re not saying, and
I’ve been doing this six years now, that we’re committing to any dollar
sum. Once we’ve got the
cosponsorship we can go to the Dept. of Rec which eliminates the use of the
field. Now this is an event that’s
been held for several decades and we’re asking for a way to alleviate fees. Back in the day you didn’t have to pay
anything for the field. So I’m
trying to say that instead of using non profits only to try to use the field,
we’re asking for our ANC, and it’s in our ANC Commission district, and he said
he supports the activity, and what we’re asking for the Commission to act as a
cosponsor. A single member district
could say ‘I want to be a cosponsor as a single member district’, but we’re
asking for the Commission to be a cosponsor. Chairperson Thomas stated that she
understood that the Commission was being asked to provide a letter of
support. [At this point the tape ran out] Resolution to cosponsor Georgia
Ave. Day and consider the costs of doing so at ANC1B’s August meeting was
adopted in a vote of (4-3-1).
Commissioner Guyot offered a motion to support the LeDroit
Park Civic Association’s review and recommendations on development project at
1901 6th
St. (discussed at our June
meeting) was seconded and adopted unanimously (8-0-0).
Commissioner Spalding introduced a resolution dealing with
illegal posters and signs in ANC1B’s territory based on a similar effort by
ANC7B, and it was seconded and adopted unanimously (8-0-0).
Commissioner Guyot requested that ANC1B honor the service of
Benjamin F. Wilson, Esq. with a memorial plaque, and it was seconded and adopted
unanimously (8-0-0).
Meeting adjourned at 10:30PM.