We had a full crowd on Wednesday night. Kudos to the attendees who were in it for the long haul and stayed until the end of the meeting at 10:01 pm! For the rest of you early birds, here’s a brief summary of what happened:
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
- ADA improvements to the pedestrian ramps on sidewalks will start soon at 21st St, NW and end at 12th St, NW in about one year. DDOT and its contractors will be working on one corner per intersection at a time. Disruptions may occur to WMATA bus routes. For questions and concerns, call (202) 678-6600 or visit www.kstreetadaimprovements1221.com
- The District is collaborating with the National Park Service to create a new vision and transformation plan for Franklin Square. The multi-year project aims to improve uses of the park, add new amenities, and enhance the landscape. The Office of Planning is seeking resident input. Call (202) 741-5241, visit www.franklinparkdc.org or email Thor Nelson (thor.nelson@dc.gov) with questions and comments.
- The D.C. Board of Elections presented a Precinct Boundary Efficiency Plan, which proposes to realign all voting precinct boundaries in the District to correspond with existing ANC single-member district (SMD) boundary lines and revise the precinct numbering system to associate each precinct to its designated ward. For more information and to provide feedback on this plan, visit http://www.dcboee.org/popup.asp?url=/pdf_files/nr_1213.pdf
COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Commissioner Connolly announced that the four development teams currently under consideration for redevelopment of the historic Franklin School recently presented their plans to the community. The ANC 2F Community Development Committee will consider the four plans at its November meeting (date TBD) and make a recommendation for the full ANC’s consideration in December.
ALCOHOL POLICY COMMITTEE (APC) REPORT
- The Settlement Agreement (SA) for the American (restaurant at 1209-1213 10th Street, NW / Blagden Alley) has been finalized. The Commission unanimously endorsed the SA, a copy of which can be found here.
- The Commission voted 7-1 in favor of accepting the APC’s recommendation to oppose the petition of 920 14th St, NW (Park at 14th) to terminate its current Settlement Agreement.
- The Commission voted 7-1 in favor of amending its liquor license policy to require all licensees in the ANC to come before the Commission for new licenses, license renewal requests and substantial changes in operation. Previously, it usually has been the ANC’s informal practice not to seek settlement agreements or review applications regarding licenses in the Central Business District.
- The Commission voted unanimously to accept the APC recommendations to support ABRA license renewals for: 1435 P St, NW (Number Nine); 1610 14th St, NW (Ghibellina); 1415 P St, NW (Vegas Lounge); and 1301 K St, NW (Capitale).
- The Commission voted unanimously to accept the APC recommendation to oppose the license renewal for 1318 9th St, NW (Vita, formerly Mood Lounge). Separately, the commission voted unanimously to protest current conditions of the license permitting a cover charge, dancing, and an entertainment endorsement.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (CDC) REPORT
- The Commission voted unanimously to accept the CDC recommendation to advise the BZA to accept the six variances and one special exception requested by CAS/Riegler, the developer of 1101 Rhode Island Ave, NW, contingent upon the completion of a Memorandum of Understanding establishing additional conditions on the developer. The Commission commended the developer for its extensive efforts in working with nearby community members to mitigate the project’s impacts.
- Commissioner Cain reiterated the Commission’s intention to develop a Visitor Parking Program for ANC 2F to bring to Councilmember Jack Evans’ office. Community input is welcome through the ANC 2F web site or in person at the November CDC meeting.
- The Commission voted 6-2 in favor of endorsing the CDC’s recommendation to petition WMATA to remove the bus stop on the west side of 14th St, NW south of Rhode Island Ave, NW.
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE (CPSC) REPORT
- The October 19th Fall Crime Outreach and Awareness event was a great success. The Commission expressed its gratitude to MPD for its collaboration and support.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT
- Representatives from the Office of the State Superintendant of Education attended the Committee’s October 26 meeting, during which community members provided feedback about proposed changes to the District’s school rating system.
- The next Education Committee meeting will take place on Saturday, November 16 at the School Without Walls (2130 G St, NW) at 1pm. The meeting will focus on the new enrollment lottery system for next year, which includes a single lottery for public and charter schools. All are welcome to attend.
- Garrison Elementary’s abandoned pool has finally been razed, after countless years of neglect. The school has also raised nearly $15 million for its modernization efforts.
NEW BUSINESS
- Roger Kemp from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia brought the Commission’s and the community’s attention to three upcoming court cases involving violent and serious crimes on the 1400 block of R Street, NW and Johnson Ave, NW. The Commission voted unanimously to accept Mr. Kemp’s request that the ANC write Community Impact Statements to the judges of the cases in question, in order to emphasize the impact ongoing crime in this area has on the safety, security, and well-being of the surrounding community and the District as a whole.
Please note that this meeting summary is provided by ANC 2F as a courtesy for individuals who were not able to attend the Regular Monthly Public Meeting. The information contained here within is not an exhaustive summary nor does it constitute official meeting minutes. The above information may not be referenced in any official business matter related to the Commission. Please see the “Minutes” page of the ANC 2F blog for official meeting business.
