Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6B

Minutes of Regular ANC Meeting

March 13, 2007

 

 

 

Commissioners Present: Julie Olson, Will Hill, Antonette Russell, David Garrison, Ken Jarboe, Daniel Ostergaard, Carol Green, and Executive Director, Bert Randolph.  Commissioners Francis Campbell and Neil Glick arrived after the meeting started.

 

Commissioners Absent: None

 

Chairperson Julie Olson chaired the meeting and the Commissioners introduced themselves.

 

There was a quorum for conducting business.

 

Adoption of Agenda

 

The Chair asked the Commissioners if they had any addition or deletions for the agenda.  Commissioner Russell requested that the DC Voting Rights Act designation be changed from H.R. 328 to H.R. 1433.  Commissioner Jarboe requested that under Planning and Zoning the second item be deleted (Petition ZC for clarification of proper place for measuring height of a story in the front of the building facing).  Commissioner Jarboe also requested that under P&Z be added the BZA Case # 17509 – 521 & 523 11th Street, SE – variance request.

 

There were no additional additions or deletions.

 

Commissioner Jarboe made the motion that the agenda be adopted as amended.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hill.

 

The Chair asked all in favor of motion to say aye and those opposed to say nay.  The motion carried and the agenda was adopted.

 

Community Speakout

 

Stanton Development.  Ms. Inez Sletta rose and stated that she wanted to voice her opposition to the Stanton Development application as outlined in their BZA application.  The Chair informed Mr. Sletta that Stanton Development had requested and received from the Commission support to delay their hearing on this case due to the death of one of the developers.  The Chair also asked Commissioner Wright to attend the upcoming BZA hearing at which Stanton Development will make its formal request for a continuance of the case, and report back.

 

11th Street Bridge.  Mr. Chris Herman rose to speak about the 11th Street Bridge Project.  Mr. Herman passed out a summary of project and concerns associated with it and a map comparing the build alternative 1 to the no-build approaches.   Mr. Herman’s major concern was that the plan to expand from 8 to 12 lanes of traffic will negatively impact neighborhood traffic.  Mr. Herman stated that Capital Hill Restoration Society had testified against the bridge.  Mr. Herman requested an opportunity to be placed on next month’s agenda so that he would have an opportunity to discuss his concerns with the Commission and community.

 

The Chair asked Mr. Herman if would be able to come to the next ANC meeting to make his presentation.  Mr. Herman replied that he would.  The Chair then asked Mr. Herman to contact Bert Randolph and make the necessary arrangement.  Commissioner Jarboe requested that the representatives from DDOT be made aware of the presentation and asked to attend to answer any questions that may arise.

 

Dog Park rules.  Mr. Dave Holmes, Commissioner from ANC 6A, advised the Commission and community that their ANC has passed a resolution regarding the proposed Dog Park Establishment Rules which would set strict rules limiting the establishment of dog parks within various communities, including their ANC.  Mr. Holmes was asking ANC 6B to support them in requesting that the Department of Parks and Recreation extend the comment period by 45 days.  This will allow the community to develop specific recommendation for improvements to the existing rules.

 

The Chair stated that she had read the legislation, knows that there are many unofficial dog parks in the city, and, based upon the proposed new rules, none of them would be able to meet these restrictions.  The Chair then made the motion that ANC 6B write a letter supporting the request for an extension of 45 days for comments.  The Chair also volunteered to represent the Commission at the hearing on this matter.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wright. The Chair asked all in favor of the motion to raise their hands.  The vote was unanimous (9-0-0).

 

Old Naval Hospital reuse.  Mr. Mike Jackson who is with the Community Action Group (CAG) rose and stated that his organization has been in its current location on the grounds of the Old Naval Hospital for the past 17 years.  The CAG is in full agreement with the Commission that the building should be retained for community use.  Mr. Jackson went on to say that if the RFP was delayed they CAG would be submitting its proposal for the facility to be used as a full service location.  Mr. Jackson was asking for the Commission support their Full-Service Plan for the building.

 

The Chair reminded Mr. Jackson and the community that the Commission has been located in the building for over 30 years and has a vested interest in what happens to it.  The Chair also stated that at last month’s meeting the Commission passed a resolution regarding the use of the building and asked Commissioner Jarboe to provide a brief overview of the resolution.

 

Commission Jarboe stated that the resolution was basically for the Request for Proposal to clarify that community use is a threshold criteria for consideration of a proposal, and that the primary use of the building is to be for community activities, rather than occasional community access.  The Chair stated that the RFP had been extended for two weeks and that she has been asked to be on the RFP Review Committee.

    

Community and Commission Announcements

 

Commissioner Russell announced that there will be a Voting Rights March on Emancipation Day, April 16, 2007.  The march will begin at 2:30 PM at Freedom Plaza and end to the Capitol Reflecting Pool for the rally at 4:00 PM.  Commissioner Russell provided everyone with a handout for the event.

 

Resolutions

 

Supporting Passage of H.R. 1433 – DC Voting Rights Act

 

The Chair turned the meeting over to Commissioner Russell who is the sponsor of the resolution.

 

Commissioner Russell mentioned again that the designation of the Act had been changed from H.R. 328 to H.R. 1433.  She then offered the resolution for ANC6B’s support of the Voting Rights Act:

 

ANC 6B

A Resolution Supporting Passage of H.R. 1433, The DC Voting Rights Act

 

WHEREAS, each Commissioner on every Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) in the District of Columbia is a publicly elected official of the District of Columbia government; and

 

WHEREAS, the United States government recognized the importance of local representation of citizens of the District of Columbia by creating the ANCs in Pub. L. 93-198, title VII, § 738, as amended; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to DC ST § 1-309.10(f), “each Commission may present its views to any federal or District agency”; and

 

WHEREAS, at a duly noticed public meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6B held on February 20, 2007, the Commissioners considered the matter of H.R. 1433 The DC Voting Rights Act, introduced in the United States House of Representatives during the 110th Congress on January 9, 2007 by the Honorable Eleanor Holmes-Norton (DC) and the Honorable Tom Davis (VA); and

 

WHEREAS, more than half a million people living in the District of Columbia, the capital of our democratic nation, lack direct voting representation in the United States Senate and House of Representatives; and

 

WHEREAS, District of Columbia residents have fought and died to defend our democracy in every war since the War for Independence; and

 

WHEREAS, District of Columbia residents pay billions of dollars in Federal taxes each year; and

 

WHEREAS, our nation is founded on the principles of “one person, one vote”, “government by the consent of the governed”, and “no taxation without representation”; and

 

WHEREAS, a Bill similar to H.R. 1433 received a mark-up and a hearing in the United States House of Representatives during the 109th Congress, but the House failed to take up consideration of that Bill on the Floor prior to dissolution of the 109th Congress; and

 

WHEREAS, the citizens of the District of Columbia have for too long been denied many of the rights, responsibilities and privileges enjoyed by the citizens of each of the United States, including representation in the Congress, and instead have been long subject to the indignity of taxation without representation.

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

 

1.      ANC 6B urges the Judiciary Committee of the United States House of Representatives to promptly consider and vote to recommend passage of H.R. 1433 by the full United States House of Representatives.

 

2.      ANC 6B urges each Congressperson in the United States House of Representatives and each Senator in the United States Senate to promptly consider and pass H.R. 1433, and forward the Bill to the President of the United States for his signature.

 

3.      ANC 6B urges the President of the United States to promptly sign H.R. 1433 into law after the Bill is presented for his signature.

 

4.      ANC6B urges the United States Congress and President to promptly consider additional measures leading to full congressional voting representation and local autonomy for residents of the District of Columbia.

 

The Chair stated that there was a motion before it for a resolution and asked if there were any discussion on the Resolution.

 

Commissioner Glick stated that he appreciated the resolution, but about a year or 18 months ago, he had put together a resolution asking the District to not spend its procurement money in states that criminalize legal relationships between same sex couples.  Commissioner Glick stated that Commissioner Russell at the time stated that it was not appropriate for an ANC to comment on such matters.  Commissioner Glick asked Commissioner Russell why the Commission should be supporting her resolution now if it was inappropriate for the Commission at an earlier stage to support equality in city procurement practices.

 

Commissioner Russell responded that her resolution deals with a bill that is actually in the process of being debated for passage.  Commissioner Russell stated that Commissioner Glick’s earlier resolution dealt with a matter that was not yet in the form of a bill, nor was it in the final stages of discussion regarding its potential passage. 

 

The Chair stated that this resolution is asking Congress and not a District agency to take action.  The Chair continued by saying that it is the right of the Commission to lobby Congress and the City Government and if Commissioner Glick was to bring his proposal to the Commission with neighborhood, community, and organizational backing and the backing of a potential bill through Councilman Wells to the Council, the Commission could support it.  The Chair finally stated that the resolution was before the Commission now and needs the Commission to take action.

 

Commissioner Jarboe call for question and it was seconded by Commissioner Olson. 

 

Commissioner Glick offered an amendment to say that “ANC 6B requests that if Washington, DC does not get congressional representation that DC residents should be made exempt from Federal income Taxes.”  The amendment was seconded by Commissioner Olson.  The Chair then asked all in favor of the amendment to raise their hands.  The vote was 1-8-0.  The amendment failed.

 

The Chair then asked all in favor of supporting the resolution to raise their hands.  The vote was unanimous (9-0).

 

Supporting Sudan Divestment

 

The Chair stated that a resolution concerning Sudan had been submitted to the Commission over a month ago by a resident.  Since the person proposing the resolution was not present and there was not a Commissioner who was sponsoring the resolution, she asked Commissioner Campbell to read the resolution for the record, which he did as follows:

 

A Resolution Supporting Sudan Divestment

 

WHEREAS, for the past four years, the Government of Sudan and its brutal, proxy militia have waged war against the innocent civilians of

Darfur; and

 

WHEREAS, that government has used aerial bombardment, rape, displacement, systematic starvation, a scorched-earth policy, and mass murder in a brazenly calculated effort to obliterate the Darfuri people; and

 

WHEREAS, the resulting death toll already has reached 450,000, and the number displaced is over 2.5 million; and

 

WHEREAS, President Bush, the State Department, and the United States

Congress have declared these crimes against humanity to be genocide, and the United Nations has labeled Darfur "the worst humanitarian crisis in the world;" and

 

WHEREAS, Washington, D.C. has approximately $150 million invested in foreign and multinational companies and in hedge funds that support and invest in Sudan and D.C. tax dollars are being used to support the arming of militias, the use of rape as a weapon of war, torture, terrorism, and the destruction of human lives--all for the sake of economic convenience; and

 

WHEREAS, stanching the flow of money to the Sudanese government is an important and effective means at our disposal to help stop the genocide in Darfur; and

 

WHEREAS, divestment is a proven tool in effecting dramatic, nonviolent change, and can exert overwhelming economic pressures on outlaw regimes that have been unresponsive to appeals to human decency and intransigent in the face of repeated attempts at diplomacy; and

 

WHEREAS, targeted divestment can minimize the potential adverse effects on the civilians of such governments, and on the value of public pension funds as well; and

 

WHEREAS, divestment is, in fact, so effective that the Sudanese government recently paid over $1 million for a six-page advertisement in The New York Times  asking the United States to discourage divestment; and

 

WHEREAS, already, divestment effectively has altered the behavior of many companies such as Xerox, which cited the "specter of divestment" as a factor in its decision to cease operations in Sudan.

 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT ANC-6B refuses to be silent in the face of genocide and thus we hereby call upon the Council of the District of Columbia to pass legislation mandating full public disclosure of all District government funds invested in entities doing business with Sudan and the implementation, as soon as is practicable, of targeted divestment of all such holdings.

 

The Chair stated the Commission had the resolution before it, moved by Commissioner Campbell and asked if there was a second.  Commissioner Wright seconded the motion.  The Chair then asked if there was any discussion on the motion.

 

Commissioner Garrison stated that he was trying to unbundle some of the language in the resolution included in such phrases as “targeted divestment can minimize the potential adverse effects on the civilians of such governments and on the value of public pension funds as well”.  Commissioner Garrison asked if any of the Commissioners knew exactly what was meant by the statement.

 

The Chair announced that the resolution was received from Alan Page.  The Chair asked if Mr. Page was present.  He was not.  The Chair then stated that Mr. Page was a Ward 6 homeowner who works with the Sudan Divestment Task Force, an organization working to eliminate the usage of public funds for the support of the genocide in the Darfur region of The Sudan. 

 

After some discussion of the language of the resolution by the Commissioners, Commissioner Jarboe made the motion that the resolution be referred back to the Executive Committee for further discussion because he had a problem voting on something where the person wanting the Commission to vote is not present to explain it and to answer questions.  

 

The Chair asked if Mr. Alan Page or anyone else associated with the proposed resolution was present.  There was no one present to discuss the resolution.

 

The Chair then stated that Commissioner Jarboe’s motion is to table the resolution and refer it back to the Executive Committee for further discussion and to communicate with Mr. Page the Commission’s desire to have him attend the next ANC meeting to discuss the resolution.  Commissioner Russell seconded the motion.

 

The Chair stated that the motion had been seconded and asked all in favor to raise their hands.  The vote was unanimous (9-0).

 

Initiatives for Councilmember Tommy Wells

 

The Chair stated that Councilmember Wells came to the Commission at its January meeting and requested that each ANC in Ward 6 prepare a list of three (3) priorities on which the Commission wanted Councilmember Wells to work.   The Chair stated that she had tasked everyone on the Commission to come up with every priority they could think of for their individual SMDs for potential inclusion on the list.  The Chair went on to say that she had been working for the past several weeks back and forth with the Commissioners via e-mail and other ways to come up with those priorities.  The focus was to determine those items that need attention, but most importantly, on those that are of greatest significance to the entire ANC.   The Chair then referred each Commissioner to the page provided prior to the meeting that organized the various priorities into three (3) groups. The top 3 items on the list are the top three items that were on most Commissioners’ lists.  She want on to say explain the criteria she used to organize items from the most significant to least important need.

 

The Commissioners reviewed and discussed the language and meaning of each item and attempted to refine the final priority listing that would best represent to Councilmember Wells the ANC 6B community’s needs. 

 

During the discussion the topic of the performance of the Department of Regulatory and Consumer Affairs (DCRA) was discussed.  Several commissioners stated their dissatisfaction with the lack of responsiveness from DCRA inspectors regarding various construction and permitting irregularities.  It was mentioned that part of the problem was that DCRA has a number of inspector positions unfilled and it needs to address this issue immediately by hiring qualified individuals to fill these positions.

 

Commissioner Jarboe made the motion to send a letter to Councilmember Tommy Wells, similar to one ANC 6A sent, requesting his immediate action in making sure that proper funding is received by DCRA to address this critical inspector shortage.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Russell.

 

The Chair asked all in favor of Commissioner Jarboe’s motion to raise their hands.  The vote was unanimous (9-0).

 

During a discussion regarding whether funding for the Southeastern Boys and Girls Club should be on the list, Commissioner Campbell mentioned that at the Club’s last meeting it was mentioned that there is a $500,000.00 line item in the DC Budget that is dedicated to the Boys and Girls Club Organization.  However, for the last 2 years Councilmember Jack Evans has arranged to have those funds go only to the Boy and Girls Club in his Ward.  Therefore Commissioner Campbell spoke with Councilmember Wells about his office looking into the possibility of having these funds directed to the Southeastern Boys and Girls Club this year and then to the other Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the City in the future.

 

The Chair informed the Commissioners and community that Councilmember Wells would be holding a meeting on March 20th at 6:30 PM with the various Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the ANCs in his Ward to set his agenda for action.

 

After much discussion and several modifications to the priorities for Councilmember Wells, the list was amended to read as follows:

 

ANC 6B’s TOP PRIORITIES

 

•   Positive and appropriate local residential and commercial economic development, including

     --development at Hill East Waterfront following the Master Plan

     --revitalization of Pennsylvania Avenue from 11th Street SE to Barney Circle

     --appropriate development at site of Hine Jr. High

 

•   Better DCRA building regulation, including

      --better permitting process that is accurate and fully descriptive (right permits) and user-friendly

      --better enforcement including higher pay, better trained and more inspectors

 

•   Explore the creation of a “conservation district” outside of the historic district or an increase in the size of the historic district.

 

ADDITIONAL PRIORITIES THAT NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION:

 

•   Stop the use of D.C. public schools by non-D.C. citizens

•   Refurbish the Southeast Library, or relocate to a better facility

•   Install sound barriers on the Southeast Freeway as promised to the neighborhood years ago

•   Fund improvements and maintenance for Garfield Park, and fund and implement the Friends of Garfield Park’s strategic plan process 

•   Improve or change Eastern Market legislation

•   Closure of illegal access road that leads into 17th Street SE

•   Better parking enforcement of out-of-state or out-of-zone cars parking on our streets

•   Economic development and incentives for small businesses, such as tax relief and low-interest micro loans

•   Improve emergency response coordination and information with all agencies on Capitol Hill, both             federal and local

 

LIST OF CONCERNS, NEIGHBORHOOD OR SMD SPECIFIC, TO ALSO BE GIVEN TO COUNCILMEMBER WELLS

 

•   Have DDOT install NO THRU BUSES ALLOWED signs on Burke Street, Bay Street, A Street, and C Street SE, to keep St. Coletta buses from traveling those residential streets, as was promised by an agreement with St. Coletta

•   Removal or massive trimming of overgrown trees; or Increase of street lights where overgrown trees can not be trimmed down considerably

•   Speed bumps in alleys used as thru-ways

•   Strong enforcement of fireworks/firecracker law by police

•   Work with the local Boys and Girls Club to help with improvements by having DC Government fund appropriated monies to the South Eastern Branch

•   Stripe 18th Street SE

•   4-way stop or light at 18th and Independence Avenue SE

•   The city or National Park Service must maintain the small corner parks in our neighborhood

•   More consistent repair schedules for streets, alleys, and sidewalks, and a schedule from DDOT

•   Shade trees for playgrounds

•   Improve recycling services by creating a community composting center

•   DDOT perform traffic calming studies of Potomac Avenue, 6th Street, C Street, and E Street for safety issues

•   DDOT increase and enforce speeding regulations, including the use of radar and cameras on side streets

 

Commissioner Jarboe made the motion to approve the amendments to the original Priority List.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Campbell.

 

The Chair asked all in favor to raise their hands.  The vote was unanimous (9-0).

 

Commissioner Jarboe announced that Councilmember Wells would be holding a “Community Walk Through” in Hill East Neighborhood on 17th Street, SE on Thursday, March 15th at 7:00 PM.  The event will begin at the corner of 17th and A Street, SE, continue down 17th and will end at Liberty Baptist Church at Kentucky Avenue, SE for the monthly PSA 107 meeting.

  

Presentations

 

DC Office of Planning – Pennsylvania Avenue SE Corridor Land Development Plan – Jeff Davis, Ward 6 Neighborhood Planner

 

Mr. Davis provided the Commissioner and the community a handout listing the various items the DC Office of Planning is looking at in regards to the Pennsylvania Avenue SE Corridor Land Development Plan.

 

The overarching themes of the plan are that Pennsylvania Avenue SE is a “Great Street” and deserves great attention; preservation of existing architectural fabric and character; high quality architecture and compatible design for new development; creation of a more attractive, unifying and user-friendly public realm; and better promotion of existing businesses and attraction of more neighborhood-serving retail.

 

Some of the issues associated with redevelopment of various sites include reinforcing the new Comprehensive Plan as it relates to the area, stressing relatively low-scale development in existing commercial zones and being sure there are no up-zoning or density increases beyond what is allowed in the PUD process and through Inclusionary Zoning.

 

The Office of Planning has considered several sites along Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, such as the immediate area of the Potomac Avenue Metro Station.  The initial discussion had been to make this location a public plaza, but after review it was decided the location would not be an appropriate place to create a public plaza.

 

Regarding the Barney Circle sites (current McDonald’s and used car lot), the plan will encourage unified architecture and massing with ground floor retail space and potentially some townhouses since this is the Eastern Gateway to Capitol Hill.

 

 Mr. Davis closed by stating that they are not looking at anything west of the corner of Potomac Avenue and 13th Street in their plans.   Mr. Davis invited everyone to review the handout and to contact him with any questions or comments.

 

DC Fire Department – Mr. Robert McClafferty, 2nd Battalion Chief, stood and asked for a few minutes to introduce himself to the Commissioners and community.  Chief McClafferty wanted everyone to know who he was and his desire to work with the community to make sure their questions are answered property.   The Chief reminded everyone that the Fire Department does fire inspections and has smoke detectors for the community.  He also provided his contact information: office – 202.673.3338, e-mail: robert.mcclafferty@dc.gov.

 

Pre-K for ALL DC Tour – Leah Austin, Outreach Coordinator

 

No one was present to make the presentation.

 

Planning and Zoning Committee

 

The Chair turned the meeting over to the Acting Committee Chair, Commissioner Francis Campbell.

 

Commissioner Campbell read the following Committee Report:

 

BZA# 17579, 1235 Independence Ave. SE

 

The applicant is seeking a special exception to allow construction of an accessory structure serving a single-family row dwelling, not meeting lot occupancy requirements.

 

Keith Catanzo and Manda Catanzo, owners of 1235 Independence Ave. SE, are seeking to build a 10 x18ft. shed along the alley at the rear of their property under Sec. 23, not meeting lot occupancy requirements, Sec. 403 in a R4 district. The lot occupancy at present is 60% and with the shed it would increase to 69.9%.  The owners will demolish an existing small shed attached to the rear of the S.F.D.   The owners have letters of support from adjacent neighbors at 1237 Independence, 1233 Independence, and The L’Enfant Trust. The property is located in the Capitol Hill Historic District and has been reviewed and approved by HPRB for “compatibility with the character, scale and pattern of houses in the historic area”.  There will be no adverse effect on the light, air and privacy of the adjacent properties and the structure will be within the 70% lot occupancy as permitted in R4 districts by special exception.  The Committee see’s no reason to object to this project and recommends its approval to the full ANC.

 

Commissioner Campbell asked Mr. Catanzo if there was any new information regarding his project.  Mr. Catanzo responded that he had been notified by the BZA that his case will be treated as a request for a variance, but everything else would be the same.  Commissioner Campbell responded that since the Commission had not received anything officially from BZA, the Commission would act on his case for a special exception only.

 

Commissioner Jarboe stated that he was a little concerned because he did not now why his lot occupancy request is being changed to a variance since the proposal would leave the lot occupancy under 70%.  In any case, the criteria for a variance is much more demanding.  Therefore he is will to go along with the special exception, but he would like to find out more about why the BZA want to treat this as a variance.

 

Commissioner Campbell stated that even though the structure was going to be a shed, the BZA was requiring Mr. Catanzo to put a pole in the middle of the shed, preventing it from being used as a garage.  Commissioner Jarboe stated that it was his understanding that HPRB was the entity requiring Mr. Catanzo to put a garage door on the shed to make it look like the other garages in the area.

 

Commissioner Garrison commented that the Commission would be better off dealing with the case as requesting special exception instead of the variance, given the much more rigorous hardship test required for a variance. 

 

The Chair stated that since this matter comes before the Commission as a recommendation from the Committee, it requires no motion or second.  The Chair then asked all in favor of supporting the special exception approval to raise their hands.  The vote was unanimous (9-0).

 

BZA# 17509, 521 & 523 11th Street SE.

 

Mr. Bernard Renard is the Owner of both 521 and 523 11th Street, SE.  In the Planning and Zoning Committee report of December 7, 2004 when this project was first brought before the Committee, the P&Z Committee recommended that the ANC support this project contingent upon a reduction in the size of the existing garage at 523 or its replacement with an open parking pad.  Knowing that this case would come back before the ANC for a zoning variance and would require a full review of the zoning issues, the Commission was positive in its recommendation in 2004.

 

Mr. Renard has a unique property in that the two properties share the same lot.  He is requesting a variance from the lot area, lot width, lot occupancy, a variance from the court area and width requirements, and a variance from the non-conforming structure and accessory structure alley setback requirements.

 

The owner has agreed to demolish the shed behind 521 and to replace it with an open parking pad. He has also agreed to reduce by 15.75 sq. ft the garage behind 523 to 225 sq. ft.  He has further agreed to pull back the 3rd floor addition approximately 13ft. from the front façade so that the new addition and deck will not be visible from 11th street.  The new addition will be 43 feet in length as previously proposed with taller 2nd floor window with transoms, the side courts will be removed, and the top floor will have sky lights.   The applicant has met previously with the ANC, HPRB and CHRS and has worked diligently with all three entities to address their individual concerns.  Therefore the Committee has no reservations in recommending this project for approval to the full ANC.

 

Commissioner Campbell asked Mr. Renard if there was anything new regarding his application.  Mr. Renard responded that there was not.

 

The Chair asked if there was any community discussion on the application and there was none.  The Chair then asked the Commissioners if they had any discussion on the application and again there were none.

 

The Chair then stated that since this matter comes before the Commission as a recommendation from the Committee, it requires no motion or second.  The Chair then asked all in favor of supporting the recommendation to raise their hands.  The vote was unanimous (9-0).

 

ZC – Petition Zoning Commission for a map amendment to change the zoning of a portion of 15th Street, SE from C-2 to R-4

 

As per request of several 15th Street residents, ANC 6B has voted to support the rezoning of currently 15th Street SE commercial district from a C-2-A to R-4.  This would change a specific portion 15th Street SE from a commercial zone to residential zoning, which is consistent with the corridor’s designation in the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital: District Elements as adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia:

“Action CH-1.1-B: 15th Street Rezoning: Rezone the 15th Street commercial district for residential uses, consistent with the corridor’s designation on the Comprehensive Plan.”

 

The area is commercially zoned but at present cannot sustain itself as a commercial area.  New development in the C-2-A area has been residential, but not in keeping with surrounding residential development.  For this reason, the Comprehensive Plan calls for the rezoning of this corridor from C-2-A to R-4.  Current development pressures require that this change move ahead quickly and not wait for the completion of the entire city-wide comprehensive rezoning activity as part of the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.

 

Therefore the Committee recommends that the Commission respectfully request that the Zoning Commission approve a map amendment to rezone from C-2-A to R-4 the following lots in the following squares, and any and all lots located completely or partially within the existing C-2-A zone along 15th St, SE roughly between Independence Avenue and D Street, SE, currently surrounded by R-4 zoning.

 

Square

Lot(s)

 

1059

0076, 0077, 0078, 0079, 0080

From C-2-A to R-4

1060

0046, 0047, 0048

0049. 0050. 0051. 0052,

0053, 0054, 0061, 0062,

0063, 0064, 0065, 0087, 0088, 0089, 0093, 0094, 0095, 0096, 0816, 0817, 0810, 0811

 

From C-2-A to R-4

1061

0820

From C-2-A to R-4

1062

0010

From C-2-A to R-4

1072

0005, 0084, 0805, 0809

From C-2-A to R-4

1073

0021, 0022, 0023, 0024, 0027, 0028, 0029, 0030, 0031, 0032, 0033, 0034, 0035, 0036, 0037, 0038, 0041, 0042, 0043, 0044, 0045, 0046, 0047, 0048, 0049, 0050, 0051, 0803

 

From C-2-A to R-4

1074

0021, 0022, 0023, 0024, 0025, 0037, 0038, 0039, 0040, 0085, 0086

0088, 0089, 0090, 0091, 0092, 0093

 

From C-2-A to R-4

1075

0106, 0809, 0810, 0811, 0812, 0813

 

From C-2-A to R-4

 

The Chair asked if anyone from the community had any comments regarding the issue.

 

Mr. Chad Anthony, who lives at 15th and D Street, SE, rose and stated that he was opposed to the re-zoning because the believes it would be short sighted as regards future economic development.

 

Mr. Michael Washington rose and stated that he has lived in the neighborhood for a number of years and supported the re-zoning petition.

 

The Chair asked Commissioner Jarboe if she was correct in saying that an R-4 zone does not preclude establishments such as a coffee shop.  Commissioner Jarboe responded that the coffee shop would require a variance, but all of the shops that are currently there now would be grandfathered in.

 

Mr. Jack Calhoun rose and stated that he also supported the rezoning petition.

 

Mr. Jennifer Solomon rose and stated that she strongly support the petition.

 

The Chair asked the Commissioners if they had any comments.

 

Commissioner Jarboe stated that the Commission voted in 2003 to change the zoning in that area.  Commissioner Jarboe went on to say that the reason it could not move ahead faster was because there had to be a change to the Comprehensive Plan first.  He added that the zoning change had been in the Comprehensive Plan from the beginning.  Now that the plan is in place, the Commission can move forwarding with petitioning the Zoning Commission to take this action immediately.

 

The Chair then stated that since this matter comes before the Commission as a recommendation from the Committee, it requires no motion or second.  The Chair then asked all in favor of supporting the recommendation to raise their hands.  The vote was unanimous (9-0).

 

Zoning Case No. 06-47 (Minimum lot area and lot occupancy requirements for Apartment Houses in the R-4 Zone District – Text Amendment)

 

The purpose of the amendment is to clarify that the number of apartment units in existing apartment houses located in the R-4 Zone District may not be increased unless there is a minimum of 900 square feet of lot area for each unit (whether new or existing). The proposed amendment would also impose a lot occupancy limit for buildings or structures converted to apartment houses in the R-4 Zone District. The requested amendment changes subsections 330.5(c), 401.3, 403.2, and adds a new sub-section 401.11 to the Zoning Regulations.

 

This amendment is a direct response to an issue in ANC 6A where an apartment building was allowed by the BZA to increase the number of units in a non-conforming building (built before 1958), notwithstanding the 900 sq ft requirement (BZA Case #17468).  This amendment would prevent such actions in the future.

 

The Committee unanimously recommended that the full ANC support the adoption of this text amendment.

 

The Chair asked if there were any community comments regarding this case.

 

Commissioner Jarboe stated that he wanted to clarify one point and that being that you could have smaller units, but you would require a variance to do so.

 

Commissioner Green asked if the rule would apply only to apartments or could it also apply to condos.  Commissioner Jarboe responded that it would apply to any multi-unit residential building regardless of tenure.

 

The Chair then stated that since this matter comes before the Commission as a recommendation from the Committee, it requires no motion or second.  The Chair then asked all in favor of adopting the recommendation to raise their hands.  The vote was unanimous (9-0).

 

Appointment of Committee Officers

 

The Chair announced that she had appointed the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of ANC6B’s two Committees, as follows:

 

Francis Campbell          Chair, Planning and Zoning Committee

Daniel Ostergaard         Vice-Chair, Planning and Zoning Committee

Mary Wright                 Chair, ABC Committee

Neil Glick                     Vice-Chair, ABC Committee

 

Committee reports and announcements

 

None

 

Adjournment

 

There was not further business and Commissioner Hill made the motion that the meeting be adjourned until its next meeting date of April 10, 2007.  The motion was seconded, and the vote was 9 to 0.

 

Meeting Adjourned.

 

Prepared by Bert Randolph

 

Attested: