ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 1B

Government of the District of Columbia

Columbia Heights / LeDroit Park / Shaw / University Heights

 

MINUTES

 

1 May 2003, True Reformer Building, 1200 U Street NW

 

Attending: Commissioners Guyot, Spalding, Hammonds, Thomas, Glover, Skinner

 

Absent: Commissioners Houston, Butler, Wilson, Esters

 

Late in getting a quorum, the meeting began with nonvoting agenda items at approximately 7:30PM.  Maybelle Bennett from the Howard University Community Association gave an update on the Howard University development plans for the WMATA parcel that they have been awarded on Florida Ave. between 8^th and 9^th Streets.  The housing portion of the development has been adjusted to meet a WMATA condition that the housing be mixed use rather than wholly affordable housing.  The ratio as currently understood by HUCA is that 80% will be market rate and 20% affordable.  Commissioner Guyot expressed concern over the restrictions handed down by WMATA. 

 

Commissioner Guyot explained the local ramifications of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), and the development of plans for the funding of election mechanisms facilitated by the act.

 

Steve Glazerman representing Stand Up for Democracy in DC gave an overview of the organization and an update on current actions and petitions. 

 

Clyde Howard gave an overview of recent community service and eleemosynary activities of the Prince Hall Masons.

 

Raafi Muhammed will be shooting his graduate thesis film “U Street Blue” this August on U Street.  Commissioner Guyot encouraged them to apply for a grant, and they were referred to Scott Pomeroy of the 14^th and U Main Streets Initiative for local business contacts. 

 

Commissioner Guyot announced that groundbreaking will happen soon at Tivoli Square, and that a meeting on voter registration would be held on May 14^th at 10AM.

 

A quorum was achieved and the meeting officially began with the Secretary’s report.  Minutes for the April meeting (amended by the addition of the grant total for the DC Taekwondo Association on page 8) were adopted by a unanimous vote (6-0-0). 

 

Treasurer reported that we have received our first two quarters disbursement from the city of $7,527.09 each for a total of $15,054.18.  We have written four checks #1511 & #1512 to the Secretary for office supplies, #1513 to the DC Taekwondo Association for $6,000.00, and #1514 to the Council of Latino Agencies for $1,250.00.  Currently we have $88,028.45 in the account. 

Treasurer’s report was moved and seconded and adopted unanimously (6-0-0).  ANC1B’s 2nd quarter 2003 (period encompassing January 1, 2003 through March 31, 2003) report of financial activity was moved and seconded and adopted unanimously (6-0-0).  Treasurer also requested that ANC1B authorize the payment of $3.00 to get a copy of the February statement which is missing, and it was moved and seconded and adopted (6-0-0).  It was moved that a payment of $144.00 be made for telephone service in ANC1B’s office space in the Reeves Center, and it was seconded and adopted (6-0-0).  Community member Lou Nayman asked whether ANC1B had an annual budget or guidelines for grant making that were available.  Treasurer responded that we have not put together an annual budget yet, but that the Commission was hoping to have a preliminary budget ready for discussion at our next meeting. 

 

ANC1B11 Election Update.  Secretary Spalding gave an overview of the dates for signature petitions, challenge period, and election.  If there is an election needed, then by our previous vote that election should be held at our regularly scheduled June meeting and will occur inside the single member boundaries of 1B11.  If there is just one candidate, the appointment will be made at our June meeting at the True Reformer Building.  We will attempt to publicize any change as widely as possible. 

 

Discussion of previously advanced ANC1B Town Hall Meeting.  Commissioner Skinner said that work is ongoing, and that we may be able to reconsider at the June meeting.

 

Presentation by Zahn Design Architects.  Review of ongoing conceptual design work for a building at 1931 9^th Street.  Parking allotment was queried & the designer said that five parking spaces behind the building would be allowed for the possible fifteen units of housing.  Commissioner Spalding asked about the design of the front façade and the HPRB questions on height and massing and designer said that no decision had been made.  A community member asked about the relative height and massing in regard to other new developments including the Howard WMATA parcels, and designer indicated that they would be closer to the massing at the Florida Ave. developments and above the adjacent southerly two storey retail shops.  Tim Mack from WNA asked about the impact of the stepped back design on the number of units, and designer said that they might lose one or two units.  Local residents requested that the designer meet with local neighborhood associations to get further input and designer agreed.

 

Treasurer Glover explained that the previously awarded grant to Howard University for their clean up day of $3,000.00 had been reduced thanks to generous donations from Home Depot, and that the actual check will be written for $637.86.

 

Sylvia Robinson reviewed the current BZA status of her application for a Community Service Center to be located at 733 Euclid Street (previously supported by ANC1B).  Motion was made to support the BZA application and it was seconded and adopted unanimously (6-0-0).

 

BZA case of Frank E. Nicol for variance from subsection 401.3 at 1811 8^th Street.  Commissioner Guyot said that when he spoke with the developer and indicated that there was community resistance, that the developer then hand delivered a request for delay.  Commissioner Spalding indicated that taking up this case at ANC1B’s June meeting would not allow time to report to BZA in a timely manner.  Motion was made to consider the BZA application, and the motion failed (2-2-2). Commissioner Skinner requested that we not disenfranchise the community members present to testify against the proposed variance.  Commissioner Guyot requested reconsideration.  Commissioner Guyot made a motion to consider the application to hear the constituents concerns in regard to BZA application 17018.  The motion was seconded and approved (4-0-2).  Neighbors of the proposed change indicated that problems have arisen from developer’s previous project near the proposed building including impact on parking.  Another community member indicated that the developer has not been in contact with residents concerning the changes.  Residents said that the overwhelming consensus of the neighbors was to keep the building as a single family residence.  Commissioner Skinner requested that we listen to the community members and vote on the application.  Scott Pomeroy added that attempting to retain single family residences should be a priority inside the historic zone.  Commissioner Spalding asked for clarification of subsection 401.3, and stated that the footprint and façade would remain the same, but that the usage would increase from one to three units, and the Commissioners agreed that that was the consensus understanding.  Commissioner Guyot moved to disapprove the request for variance, and it was seconded and adopted (4-1-1).

 

Liquor license application #50228 for Mocha Lounge (CR) at 944 Florida Avenue.  Approval of the request was moved by Commissioner Spalding, it was seconded and approved (6-0-0).

 

Liquor license application #50224 for Euphoria Restaurant (CR) at 1905 9^th Street was not considered due to lack of attendance by applicant.

 

Liquor license application #202 for Florida Liquors (A) at 2222 14^th Street.  Commissioner Thomas moved approval, it was seconded and adopted (6-0-0).

 

Liquor license application #763 for Bestway Liquors (A) at 2011 14^th Street.  Commissioner Spalding moved approval, it was seconded and adopted (6-0-0).

 

Liquor license application #2696 for Yard Liquors and Spirits (A/transfer) at 501 Florida Avenue.  Commissioner Guyot asked about the transfer, and applicant’s attorney responded that the license was previously held by MGM liquors for a location at 1134 7^th Street NE.  Applicant was asked about contact with residents or community groups and the contact was limited to a few neighbors.  A resident of LeDroit Park explained that the community had struggled to close a previous liquor store in the same location, and that the community believes that it is adequately served by the current number of liquor stores.  The LeDroit Park Civic Association has voted to disapprove the application, and intends to seek party status at the ABC hearing.  Commissioner Guyot moved to oppose the application, and added that a 14E petition would be filed within a week and would allow everyone to vote on this application.  Commissioner Glover asked about the applicant’s lease on the building and other possible uses, and applicant responded that the lease was for five years and that they hadn’t considered other commercial options.  Motion to oppose was seconded and adopted (6-0-0).

 

Liquor license application #50227 for Between Friends (CN) at 1115A U Street.  Commissioner Spalding asked applicant about patrons leaving the club in the hours after closing, and applicant explained that there are two activities and that the twice monthly 5AM to noon parties (without liquor) were probably the cause.  Commissioner Spalding moved approval and it was seconded and adopted (6-0-0).

Liquor license application #50094 for A & T Market (A) at 2633 Sherman Avenue.  Commissioner Skinner moved approval and it was seconded and adopted (6-0-0).

 

Commissioner Skinner raised the difficulty with our new rule that an applicant must be present to consider an ABC license request.  This allows a license holder who has opposition from the community to duck the ANC meeting, and the community members opposing the license request are disenfranchised.  Commissioner Guyot stated that the intent of the rule was to encourage participation by the license owners, but did not preclude the Commission from hearing a case where there was community dissent accorded to an application.  Commissioner Skinner stated that the applicant had been properly notified and that their absence was (by our interpretation of the new ANC1B rules) precluding participation by concerned constituents.  Commissioner Skinner requested that ANC1B hear the liquor application of Harvard Liquors and it was agreed to by a unanimous vote. 

 

Liquor license application #2599 for Harvard Liquors (A) at 2901 Sherman Avenue.  Commissioner Skinner stated that there have been ongoing problems with this license holder, and that they were also not responsive to constituent complaints.  Community members echoed the sentiments expressed by Commissioner Skinner.  Commissioner Skinner moved to oppose the license renewal, and it was seconded and adopted (6-0-0).

 

Liquor license application #29050 for Robins Liquor (A) at 997 Florida Avenue.  Commissioner Hammonds indicated that she had heard of no difficulties with the store and moved approval, and it was seconded and adopted (6-0-0).

 

Liquor license application #50237 for F&Z Enterprises was not considered due to replacarding with ABC.  Applicant was informed that the placarding was needed for community knowledge and participation.  Application will be reconsidered at ANC1B’s June meeting.

 

A discussion of ANC1B’s budget and grant applications was initiated by Commissioner Glover, and the Commission agreed that it should be considered in the whole, but that work on the process can be initiated prior to our next meeting. 

 

Grant application of the LeDroit Park Civic Association for $765.00 to be used for prize monies for contests for local students.  Treasurer Glover questioned whether giving prize monies were allowed under the ANC’s guidelines.  Commissioner Guyot proposed support of the application contingent on Treasurer Glover’s research into whether it is allowable, and if not allowable he offered to raise the money himself.  The motion was seconded and adopted (5-0-1).

 

Commissioner Jim Jones (ANC4A) spoke to ongoing work regarding community corrections facility siting.  Commissioner Jones specifically pointed to their recommendation that a planning process be established for siting new facilities that involves the community through the ANC’s.

 

Commissioner Spalding requested ANC support of a petition from the residents of 9 ½ Street asking DDOT to repave their street.  Motion to support was seconded and adopted (6-0-0).

 

Commissioner Spalding requested support of a motion to ask DCEMA for notification of the ANC’s in regard to street closings.  This was occasioned by the closing of U Street on a Thursday night from midnight to 5AM for a block party.  The party did not interfere with the businesses (mostly closed) on the affected block, but did disturb numerous residents trying to sleep on a work/school night.  Commissioner Guyot offered a friendly amendment to edit the proposed motion, and it was accepted, and the motion was seconded and adopted  (6-0-0).

 

Meeting was adjourned at 9:30PM.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Philip C. Spalding, Secretary