Advisory
Neighborhood Commission 6B
Minutes of Regular
Meeting
Tuesday, June 9,
2009; 7:00 p.m.
ATTENDANCE
Commissioners Present: Francis Campbell[1], David Garrison (chairing), Neil Glick, Carol Green, Will Hill, Kenan Jarboe, Kirsten Oldenburg, Julie Olson, and Mary Wright.
Commissioner Absent: Michael Patterson.
Also in attendance: ANC6B Executive Director,
Following the introduction of Commissioners, the agenda was amended to add two items and adopted by voice vote. A copy of the amended agenda is attached.
Tom Riehle of EMMCA reminded the Commission that at the
April 20, 2009, public meeting on renovation plans for
Mr. Riehle also asked about the status of the
Dick Wolf, CHRS president, announced that CHRS will hold its annual meeting on Thursday June 25, 2009, at St. Peter’s Church Hall at 2nd and C Streets SE. The meeting begins at 730pm and the speaker will be DC School Board President Lisa Raymond.
Commissioner Wright announced that Tunnicliff’s on
4.
Presentations
DDOT’s Improvements at Pennsylvania Ave SE and Potomac Avenue SE
Joseph Dorsey, DDOT Infrastructure Project Management
Administration, made a presentation on plans to redesign the intersection at
In a discussion that followed the briefing, several concerns were raised, such as, (a) why the affected community had not been involved earlier in the project, and (b) that the Environmental Assessment (EA) will only assess two options: no build and "preferred" alternative and once the EA is done the project will be too far "down the road" if neither prove acceptable. As to the design itself, the elimination of a east/west walkway across the "circle" also raised concerns. Chair David Garrison suggested that DDOT ought to plan for a community meeting in September once the draft EA is available.
PS #XXXXX,
Commissioner Campbell reported that the Committee recommends the Commission support the application for Harris Teeter’s sidewalk café permit. Desmond Connall, Jr., attorney representing Harris Teeter, and Matt Adams, District Manager of Harris Teeter were present and said they had no new information. There was no discussion. The Commission voted 9-0 to approve the application.
BZA #17943, 124 D
Street SE—Variance from alley width requirements to convert existing two-story
alley structure into an apartment unit
Commissioner Campbell reported that the Committee recommends the Commission support this zoning application. Jennifer Fowler, architect, and the owners, Charles and Susan Parsons were present. Commissioner Jarboe asked Ms Fowler to state how the project meets the variance tests of uniqueness and hardship. Ms Fowler responded that the building is one of few in the alley not already occupied and that it was too large for other uses. Commissioner Olson asked that the variance test phrasing be added to the Committee’s report. The Commission voted 9-0 to support the request for a variance.
7th Street SE (Eastern Market Block) Weekend
Closure
Commissioner Campbell read portions of the Committee report,
which was in the form of text of a letter to Mayor Fenty, the DC Council, and
other city officials. The major point of
the report is a strong request by the Commission that the Mayor initiate a
public process to address the question of whether the street should be closed
on weekends, as has been the case since the Eastern Market fire in April
2007. In addition, the Committee is
asking that this question be considered within the context of the area in which
Eastern Market sits:
Commissioner Garrison asked that the public restrict their
comments to new information if they had already made a presentation to the
Planning and Zoning Committee on June 2.
However, those who had been unable to attend the Committee meeting were
invited to present their full views on the matter. Those who accepted the offer included: Larry
Gallo, an Eastern Market vendor;
Commissioner Campbell reported that
the Committee had reviewed the Capitol Hill Area Element of the city’s 2006
Comprehensive Plan and agreed on seven amendments to the Plan to be submitted
to the Office of Planning. Commissioners
declined to have the amendments read orally.
Commissioner Jarboe explained the inclusion of the request to have the
block between
Commissioner Garrison presented a draft of a letter to the Alcohol Beverage Control Board, based on conversations with Commissioners and Mr. Fred Moosally, Interim Director of ABRA, regarding changes that have occurred in the operability of the above establishment since the Commission’s vote to support a negotiated Voluntary Agreement at last month’s meeting.
Discussion among Commissioners included what outcome was preferred and whether the message to the Board was strong enough. Barbara Charles, representing the resident protesting group, also made a statement. The applicant was not present.
Commissioner Campbell moved (with a second by Commissioner Olson) to add “and withdraw the Voluntary Agreement” and new sentence: “Further, the ANC requests that the Board reinstate the protest.” After some discussion about conflicts inherent in the revised paragraph, a motion by Commissioner Oldenburg (with second by Commissioner Jarboe) to strike the added sentence and add a new paragraph “Should the Board choose not to vacate the application, the ANC requests that the Board reinstate the protest.” The Commission voted 9-0 to accept the amendments.
Commissioner Jarboe moved (with a second by Commissioner Campbell) to add a last sentence to authorize Commissioners Garrison, Wright, and Green to represent the ANC at the Wednesday, June 10, 2009, Protest Hearing at the Board. The vote on the motion was 9-0. The Commission then voted 9-0 to send the amended letter to the Board.
7. Schedule for Commission Review of Hine
Development Proposals
Commissioner Garrison reported that via email Commissioners had discussed a schedule for ANC6B’s review and discussion of the four qualifying proposals for development of the Hine Jr. High School site. Commissioner Garrison then moved (with a second by Commissioner Green) that the Commission hold a public meeting on Tuesday, June 23, 2009, to hear presentations from the four finalist bids and obtain input from the public; and that the Commission hold a Special Call Meeting on Tuesday, June 30, for final discussions and to vote on its recommendations to be sent to the office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (by COB July 1, 2009).
8. Capitol Hill Signage Report
Commissioner Garrison informed the Commission about the progress of the “Sign Tigers” in developing street signs to help visitors to the Hill find local spots of interest.
Commissioner Garrison announced that he was re-appointing Commissioner Jarboe as ANC6B’s representative to the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC). Commissioner Jarboe then read his Eastern Market Committee report, which included that planning is underway for the reopening of the North and South Halls this summer. The full report is attached.
Commissioner Oldenburg moved that Commissioners approve the Commission minutes of April 14, 2009, and May 12, 2009. When Commissioner Garrison suggested a voice vote, Commissioner Jarboe asked whether there were any expenditures in either month’s minutes that would require a recorded vote. Given the uncertainty, the chair decided on conducting a show of hands vote. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Glick. The Commission voted 9-0 to approve the minutes.
11. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 pm.
Prepared by Kirsten
Oldenburg Attest:
_____________
Attachments:
Planning & Zoning Committee Report
Letter to ABC Board regarding 8th Street Bar & Grill
Eastern Market Report
Agenda, as amended
Report of the Planning and Zoning Committee
June 2, 2009
7:00 pm
Commissioners present: Francis Campbell (chairing), Kirsten Oldenburg, Mary Wright,
David Garrison, Carol Green, as well as
PS
Applicant is represented by Desmond Connall, Jr., Attorney
of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice and Matt Adams, District Manager for
Harris Teeter. Applicant is proposing to place 35 tables with 140 chairs in the
below grade area outside of the Harris Teeter entrance on
HPA # 09-XXX,
The applicant requested that the case be removed from the agenda and it will be rescheduled at a later date.
BZA #17943, 124 D
Street, SE – Variance from the alley width requirements to convert a second
floor of an existing alley structure into an apartment unit
Jennifer Fowler,
Architect and Charles and Susan Parsons, owners are requesting a variance for
conversion of an existing two-story rear alley structure on
Inside demolition will remove an existing wall partition and relocate it to the
rear of the structure to enlarge the parking area, create a vestibule area,
mechanical/storage room and stairway to the second floor which will include a
dinning room, living room bedroom, bathroom and closet area.
The owner is
seeking a variance because of the restriction on alley structures lacking 30
foot clearance as noted in 11DCMR 2507.2 and Subsection 3103.2. Owing
to the completeness of the applicant’s submissions, the Committee recommends
this project for approval to the full ANC.
7th Street (Eastern Market Block) Weekend Closure
Question: Should the
“Eastern Market” block of
On June 26, the newly renovated Eastern Market building
reopens. On June 28, the current permit
to close the block of
The Committee recommends that the Commission send the following statement to the Mayor, Council and the Director of the Office of Property Management:
“ANC 6B notes with pleasure the
reopening of the newly renovated Eastern Market building on June 26, 2009. The city and the community are to be
congratulated on the speedy completion of this project, one that has deep
significance to the well-being and success of the Capitol Hill
neighborhood. The completion of this
remarkable project, and the related steps to provide temporary quarters for the
merchants in an East Hall, as well as the reconstruction of the block of
The Commission notes that the city and
the Capitol Hill community badly need an overall plan for the future of this
core set of activities and assets. We
call on the city and the community to collaborate on the creation of a
comprehensive vision for the area from 7th and
The question of whether the block of 7th Street in front of the Market should be open or closed on weekends is but one of many critical issues that should be resolved as part of this comprehensive plan for the entire area. Having said that, the Commission is mindful that the city is considering the further closing of this block and thus provides these comments. The Commission’s comments are informed in part by a range of views on the issue received from merchants, as well as interested individuals and organizations, during two successive 6B meetings (June 2 and June 9).
Our Commission is committed to the success of the entire Eastern Market complex in all of its phases – including the venerable inside merchants, the vendors along the Farmers’ Line outside the building, the longtime merchant shops on the east side of the street across from the market, as well as those on the west side of the 300 block of 7th, and the arts and crafts and flea market vendors that do business there on weekends. Our Commission is also focused on steps that will enhance the social, cultural and shopping experience in around this site for the immediate neighbors, the broader Capitol Hill community, our fellow city residents, and the many visitors that come to the area to shop and partake of the unique Eastern Market experience every week.
The question regarding the Eastern
Market block of
In order to answer that difficult and complex question, the community needs as much hard data as can be mustered to clarify the role that the street plays--open or closed--in achieving success for all involved. Normally, when the city wishes to close a major street, there is a deliberate and sometimes extensive public process during which these data are gathered, presented and discussed. For reasons that have not been made clear, the city appears to have decided to skip over this important step and preemptively close the street on weekends by executive order. Our Commission calls upon the city to reconsider its decision and instead to initiate a public review process for this street closing proposal. If and when such a process is begun, ANC 6B would consider a request from the city to extend the current permit to keep the street closed as an interim measure while the formal street closing review is conducted.
One of the critical issues to resolve is whether, and the extent to which, parking immediately adjacent to the market is necessary to insure the financial viability of the many businesses involved in and around the market. Because of the lack of any reliable, current data from the city or any of the interested parties about this question, the Commission feels it cannot reach a decision about the matter at this time.
If at some stage the need for adjacent parking is substantiated, a number of options should be considered including such things as providing parking spaces along the block of 7th Street SE in front of the market, providing parking nearby such as on the Hine School site, and other possible approaches, valet parking and/or delivery services and limited access to adjacent parking for handicapped individuals and service vehicles.
Another issue that arises with the street closure is a conflict among the store merchants, the Farmers Line, crafts vendors and pedestrians on how to appropriately share the space provided by the closed street. Steps taken by the Office of Property Management to rearrange the use of this space on June 6th appear to have resolved some if not all of these concerns.
The Commission notes the many
expressions of enthusiasm from Capitol Hill residents and others for the
significantly improved experience provided on weekends around the market area
when
In summary, ANC 6B urges the city to reconsider its decision to bypass a full public discussion of the pros and cons of closing 7th Street, and instead asks that the city immediately initiate a thorough analysis, with full community involvement, of the data and issues associated with the parking needs of the market. The Commission stands ready to work with the city on this effort.”
ANC 6B
As
part of the city’s mid-course review of the 2006 Comprehensive Plan, the Office
of Planning has invited suggestions for corrections and adjustments in the
three-year old plan. The Committee recommends
that the Commission send the Office of Planning the following proposals:
Capitol
Hill Area Element (CHAE)
* Boundary: The boundary for Capitol Hill
on the CHAE map (page C15) omits the two-block section of
* Surveys and Guidelines: On page C 18,
Actions CH 1.2.A (Historic Surveys) and CH 1.2.B (Capitol Hill Design
Guidelines) speak of steps that the city is to take to develop these
documents. ANC 6B notes that the city
has not allocated any resources to implement these two recommendations. The Commission recommends that the
Comprehensive Plan be amended to add language calling on the city to authorize
funding for both steps.
*
* Eastern Market - Barracks Row area general
plan: Taken together, the combination of the
revitalized Eastern Market, the burgeoning
* Eastern Market Plaza: On page C 26,
Action CH 2.2.B, the Comprehensive Plan addresses the need to “prepare and
implement an urban design and transit improvement plan” for
* R-5-B to R-4: The block immediately south of Potomac
Gardens, bounded by 12th, 13th, Eye and K Streets and intersected by
Potomac Avenue, is now zoned R-5-B, permitting significantly higher density
than the R-4 blocks to the east and west.
ANC 6B recommends that the Comprehensive Plan call for the rezoning of
this block to R-4 in keeping with standard residential zoning
on Capitol Hill.
ANC 6B Eastern Market update – June 9, 2009
Commissioner Dave Garrison on behalf of Commissioner Ken Jarboe
The following is the report on Eastern Market, based upon the EMCAC meeting of May 27, 2009 and subsequent events:
The renovated Market building will reopen for business on Friday, June 26. There will be a ceremony that morning involving the Mayor. The next day, Saturday, June 27, a full day of events are planned in celebration of the market’s reopening.
The reconstruction of the block of
One of the main concerns about the prospect of having the block remain closed on weekends comes from the farmers’ line vendors that are used to having their trucks immediately adjacent to their stalls during the day. The OPM Market Manager is working on a tentative idea of allowing the vendor trucks to parallel park in designated spots along the west side of 7th Street with large passageways for pedestrians in line with the doors to the Market building. The farmers’ line vendors appear to support this alternative.
The East Hall temporary building will close early in the week of June 22 in order to give the inside vendors time to break down their operations and prepare for the move back to the main building. The move will take place on June 24th and 25th. The East Hall building and any equipment remaining after the move will be sold and moved off of the Hine parking lot.
The EMCAC Capital Improvement Committee has settled on a plan for the planting of trees along the sidewalk at the North Hall end of the market building. The next decision is on the placement of bike racks. A parking plan for the alley on the west side of the building is now being developed.
EMCAC’s Application Advisory Committee has drafted a process for reviewing applications from vendors seeking to operate on the areas outside the building. All outside vendors, including existing ones, would be required to go through this review process in order to be placed on an “approved vendor list”. All vendors that operate businesses around the outside of the Market would be required to go through this review process annually.
An election is being held to choose a Tenants’ Council representing each of the vendor groups in the three halls (North, Central [now the basement pottery studio], and South), as well as the farmers’ line and flea market vendors (each of these five categories would be represented separately on the Council).
Meeting Agenda
Agenda
1. Adoption of Agenda
2. Community Speakout
3. Community and Commission Announcements
4. Presentation
·
DDOT’s Improvements at
5. Planning and Zoning Committee
(These items will also be considered by the P & Z Committee on June 2, 2009)
·
PS
·
BZA #
17943, 124 D Street, SE – Variance from the alley width
requirements to convert a second floor of an existing alley structure into an
apartment unit
·
7th Street (Eastern Market Block)
Weekend Closure
· Amendments to 2006 Comprehensive Plan
6.
7. Schedule for Commission Review of Hine Development Proposals
8. Capitol Hill Signage Report
9. Eastern Market Report
10. Approval of Commission Minutes
11. Adjournment
NOTE: Late-Breaking ABC, Payphone, Zoning, or
Historic Preservation Cases may be added to this Agenda.
For additional information,
call 202.543.3344 or e-mail: office@anc6b.org,
website: www.ancb6.org.
Next
Meeting: July 14, 2009