Monthly Archives: September 2015

OAG Consumer Protection Housing Forum Tonight

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

From the DC Office of the Attorney General:

 

Attorney General Karl A. Racine invites you to attend his Consumer Protection Forum on Construction Violations, Foreclosure Scams, and Mortgage Regulations, which will take place onMonday, September 28, 2015, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the Benning (Dorothy I. Height) Neighborhood Library located at 3935 Benning Rd. NE, Washington, D.C.  20019. The purpose of the Housing Forum is to educate the community on the most common types of housing scams in the District, particularly illegal construction and house flipping.  Many neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River, and across the District, are seeing a significant number of houses that are being bought, rehabilitated, and sold for large sums of money.  Many residents may also be confused about foreclosure and mortgage regulations.  So, Attorney General Racine wants to allow you to hear from and ask questions directly to the relevant local and federal agency experts. 

Art Place Construction Notice 9/28/2015 & 10/5/2015

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

 

ART PLACE AT FT TOTTEN, LLC

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE NOTICE

Weeks of: September 28, 2015 and October 5, 2015

What to Expect On-Site:

During the next two weeks, the General Contractor, Foulger-Pratt, will continue haul-off of excess soil and receipt of material deliveries requiring heavy equipment accessing the site.

Installation of concrete foundations, waterproofing, sleeves, walls, grade beams, columns and elevated decks continues. Drainage piping and electrical duct banks are being installed, and gravel is being spread out where concrete slabs on grade are now being placed. At garage locations, the slab-on-grade concrete is being placed. The concrete superstructure is working its way across the site and upward. The installation of electrical transformer vaults and conduits along Galloway Street and the future Ingraham Street extension has been completed.

The area of work for Building A is primarily bounded by South Dakota Avenue on the east, the Aventine buildings on the west, Galloway Street on the south, and what will be the new alignment for Ingraham Street on the north.

Lane Closures:

The lane closures to perform new utility installations in South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street will continue intermittently. This will require up to two lanes to be closed occasionally from the hours of 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Construction Hours:

Initial construction activity will be taking place Monday – Saturday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Contact Information:

For any construction related concerns, please contact Angel Alston, Advisory Neighborhood

Commissioner at 202-556-5958 or email her at angel.alston@anc.dc.gov.

 

###

 

Today is last day to comment on proposed zoning changes

Posted by nextstoprp in Zoning

Today is the last day to comment on proposed zoning changes. At last night’s Vibrant Streets meeting (I will have a write-up on that in the next couple of days), a couple of people raised parking concerns. We as residents have to use the opportunity like this comment period to actually comment in a forum that matters, one in which decision-makers have to take residents’ views into consideration. The zoning changes are a lot to digest, but it is worth taking the time to become educated about them. Read more about the zoning changes on DC’s Zoning blog.

From the Office of Zoning, there are a few ways to comment:

  1. The online ZRR Comment Module: You will be able to choose a subtitle and make comments by section by clicking on “Add Comment” in the sidebar. You will not need to create a user ID and password to use this system.
  2. Interactive Zoning Information System (IZIS): You will be able to submit comments by uploading a PDF document into the system. You will need a user ID and password to use this system. Please use the following tutorial for instructions on uploading testimony into IZIS.
  3. By e-mail to zcsubmissions@dc.gov: You will be able to submit comments by emailing a PDF document (there is an 8 MB limit for documents submitted by email.)
  4. By mail to 441 4th Street, N.W., Suite 200-S, Washington, D.C. 20001

All Comments should be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 25, 2015.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Zoning at 202-727-6311 or dcoz@dc.gov.

September 25: Dinner & Movie at Monroe Street Market

Posted by nextstoprp in Brookland and tagged with

The last Friday in September and October, Monroe Street Market is offering discounted Dinner & Movie. The movie for this month is Rio!

Join us on the Arts Walk at Monroe Street Market on September 25th for dinner-deals at one of our local restaurants, and an outdoor showing of Rio! The movie will begin playing once the lights are out, but be sure to arrive early to get a good seat and FREE popcorn. **BYOC, Bring Your Own Chair**

Dinner Deals:
– Hälsa: take 15% off your dinner check
– Potbelly Sandwich Shop: free cookie or drink with purchase of entree
– Brookland Pint 10% off any entree purchase

 

 

Reminder: Fort Totten Vibrant Streets meeting tonight at 6:30 pm

Posted by nextstoprp in Neighborhood Development and tagged with

“Why can’t we have ____ in the neighborhood?”

“What effect will Walmart have?”

“I’d love to have a sit-down restaurant in the neighborhood.”

“What can we do to get the kind of retail we want?”

If you have ever asked or said any of the above, then come out to tonight’s Fort Totten Vibrant Retail Streets meeting.

Details follow:

The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) is partnering with the DC Office of Planning (OP) on the Vibrant Retail Streets Toolkit, a neighborhood Technical Assistance Program initiative to strengthen and grow retail in neighborhoods throughout the District. The Toolkit is intended to evaluate an area’s retail vibrancy and offer solutions for helping retail areas progress. The LRCA Development Task Force is hosting a meeting on September 24 from 6:30-8:00pm at the Riggs LaSalle Recreation Center at which OP will share information on the application of the Toolkit to this neighborhood.

  • Date & time: Thursday, September 24, 6:30-8:00pm
  • Location: Riggs LaSalle Recreation Center, 501 Riggs Road, NE

Vibrant Retail_Overview_2015_Page_1 Vibrant Retail_Overview_2015_Page_2

 

DPW Services Affected by Papal Visit

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized and tagged with

DPW Logo The

NEWS RELEASE          NEWS RELEASE          NEWS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         CONTACT:           LINDA GRANT

Thursday, September 17, 2015                                                                              202.671.2375

 

DPW SERVICES TO BE AFFECTED BY THE PAPAL VISIT, SEPT. 22-24

Sanitation services in certain areas will be affected. DPW will enforce parking restrictions citywide, including the streetcar line and in the Nationals Park neighborhood.

(Washington, DC)  The DC Department of Public Works announced today how its services will be affected by the visit of Pope Francis to Washington, DC, September 22-24, 2015. Visit pope.dc.gov for the latest information on the Pope’s visit to the District.

 Tuesday, September 22-Thursday, September 24

  • Parking Enforcement Officers will enforce parking restrictions during the Papal visit as special event parking signs, e.g., Emergency No Parking, indicate. The DPW Parking Enforcement Management Administration will not enforce street sweeping restrictions on streets were street cleaning has been suspended. Other parking restrictions such as Residential Parking Permit (RPP), No Standing or Parking Anytime and meter restrictions will be enforced. Street sweeping routes outside of the Papal special event areas will be enforced as normal as well as all other parking restrictions. Parking restrictions in the Nationals Park neighborhood will be enforced as usual.

  • Motorists who believe their vehicle has been towed should call DPW’s centralized towing office at 202.541.6083.

  • “Blocked” Streetcar Parking Enforcement is daily, including weekends and holidays, e.g., Labor Day, along H Street and Benning Road, NE, between 3rd Street and Oklahoma Avenue, NE. On Sundays and holidays enforcement is between 8 am and 10 pm. Enforcement on Mondays-Thursdays is 6 am to 11 am; and on Fridays and Saturdays, enforcement runs between 6 am and 1 am.

  • DPW will enforce parking regulations in the Nationals Park neighborhood when the Nationals play on September 22 and 23.

Wednesday, September 23

  • The Ft. Totten Transfer Station will close at 1 pm; no one may enter the line to access the facility after 12:30 pm; commercial customers only will be able to use the Benning Road Transfer Station at 3200 Benning Road, NE. This transfer station opens at 4 am and will close Wednesday at 6 pm. Ft. Totten resumes normal service hours Thursday, September 24.

  • Bulk waste collections scheduled in Ward 3 will be postponed to Friday, September 25. DPW employees are calling each resident to advise them of the new collection date. Residents should place their bulk items where their trash and recyclables are collected.

  • Trash and recycling collections in Wards 4 and 5 will be made starting at 6 am to ensure completion before the streets are closed.

  • Residential street sweeping will be suspended on these streets and blocks; therefore, parking enforcement for street sweeping violations will be suspended and all other restrictions will be enforced.

200 block East Capitol Street, NE/SE

200-300 blocks of Massachusetts Avenue, NE

Unit block Michigan Avenue, NE

Unit block Girard Street, NE

Unit block Franklin Street, NE

Lincoln Road, NE between Franklin Street, NE and 4th Street, NE

Monroe Street, NE between Michigan Avenue and 8th Street, NE

Thursday, September 24

  • Ward 3 – Thursday’s trash and recycling collections will be made starting at 7 am (unless the temperature is 90 degrees or air quality is Code Orange or Red, then collections will begin at 6 am) and continue until streets are closed.

  • Residential street sweeping will be suspended on these streets and blocks; therefore, parking enforcement for street sweeping violations will be suspended and all other restrictions will be enforced.

200 block East Capitol Street, NE/SE

200-300 blocks of Massachusetts Avenue, NE

Unit block Michigan Avenue, NE

Unit block Girard Street, NE

Unit block Franklin Street, NE

Lincoln Road, NE between Franklin Street, NE and 4th Street, NE

Monroe Street, NE between Michigan Avenue and 8th Street, NE

 

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September 19: Takoma 4th Street Block Party

Posted by nextstoprp in Takoma

From the Old Takoma Business Association:

—

Takoma’s 4th Street Block Party is THIS Saturday, September 19th from 4pm-7pm. Join us for live music, food trucks and kids activities!  Location: 6900 block of 4th Street, NW, 1 block from Takoma metro

NEW:  Come learn upcoming 4th and Cedar Street, NW improvements from DDOT including: new one way southbound traffic pattern on the 6900 block of 4th Street, NW, traffic light changes and pedestrian safety improvements.

Meet the new businesses on the block: The SpiceSuite, 6902 4th St, NW, along with a sneak peek of TACO-ma, 353 Cedar St, NW, which will be offering tours and free Yucatan chicken samples!

Food:
Food Trucks- Fava Pot and Dolci Gelati Food Truck
Restaurants on the block- Horace and Dickies, Evolve Vegan Restaurant and Takoma Station Tavern

Kids Activities:
Moonbounce, balloons, face painting and a soccer station.

Music:
Live performances by KeyMace’s World, Untaymed, Wildboy, Manny, Unclejojo, Ashlay, A.I.R., Tokyo Crow and Shaiman!

Event brought to you by the Old Takoma Business Association, Your Main Street Takoma, and ANC4B with support from Rock Creek Property Group, Takoma Station Tavern and S&S Liquors.

More info: http://www.mainstreettakoma.org/featured-events/4th-street-block-party/

One more week to comment on proposed Zoning changes

Posted by nextstoprp in Zoning

From DC’s Office of Zoning:

—

The Zoning Regulations Review, also known as the ZRR, is a project that began in 2007 led by the Office of Planning (OP) to revise the DC Zoning Regulations. This is the first time the Zoning Regulations have been comprehensively revised since 1958.

This multi-year project started a new phase when the DC Office of Planning (OP) submitted its draft text for the ZRR to the Zoning Commission on July 29, 2013. On September 9, 2013, the Zoning Commission set down the proposed ZRR text for public hearings and subsequently held over 25 hearings and meetings. On December 11, 2014, the ZC took proposed action, approving the proposed text.

The Zoning Commission for the District of Columbia, pursuant to its authority under § 1 of the Zoning Act of 1938, approved June 20, 1938 (52 Stat. 797, as amended; D.C. Official Code § 6-641.01 (2012 Repl.)), hereby gives notice of its intent to amend Title 11 (Zoning) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR).
The following documents are the proposed text amendments as approved by the Zoning Commission on December 11, 2014.

Subtitle A – Authority and Applicability
Contains information that is currently containted in Chapters 1 and 32 of the Current Zoning Regulations, including the code organization, effective date, vesting, and administration and enforcement provisions.

Subtitle B – Definitions, Rules of Measurement, and Use Categories
Contains definitions for the entire set of regulations; definitions, examples, and exceptions for use categories; and rules of measurement for height, setbacks, lot occupancy, etc.

Subtitle C – General Rules
Contains general guidelines for non-conformities, tree protection, green area ratio, parking, roof structures, etc.

Subtitle D – Residential House (R) Zones
Contains height, lot occupancy, setback, accessory standards, etc. for low- to moderate-density residential areas. It also includes the rules regarding Section 223 (special exceptions for single-family dwellings) in the current Zoning Regulations.

Subtitle E – Residential Flat (RF) Zones
Contains height, lot occupancy, setback, accessory standards, etc. for areas developed primarily with row dwellings, but within which there have been limited conversions of dwellings or other buildings into more than two dwelling units.

Subtitle F – Residential Apartment (RA) Zones
Contains height, lot occupancy, setback, accessory standards, etc. for moderate- or high-density residential areas suitable for multi-household development.

Subtitle G – Mixed-Use (MU) Zones
Contains development standards, density, height, lot occupancy, setback standards, etc. for mix-ed use developments that permit a broad range of commercial, institutional and multi-family residential development at varying densities.

Subtitle H – Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NC) Zones
Contains development standards, density, height, lot occupancy, setback standards, etc. for stable mixed-use areas permitting a range of commercial and multi-household residential development in defined neighborhood commercial areas.

Subtitle I – Downtown (D) Zones
Contains development standards, density, height, lot occupancy, setback standards, etc. to allow for the appropriate mix of residential, office, lodging, retail, service, entertainment, cultural, and other uses in defined areas of Central Washington.

Subtitle J – Production, Distribution, and Repair (PDR) Zones
Contains the regulations for the use of land and structures and the erection and modification of structures in areas characterized by production, distribution, and repair uses, typically with heavy truck traffic and loading and unloading operations.

Subtitle K – Special Purpose Zones
Contains the regulations for single large sites that require a cohesive, self-contained set of regulations to guide site design, building height and bulk, land uses, or other aspects of development. Examples include: Union Station North, Southeast Federal Center, Capital Gateway, etc.

Subtitle U – Use Permissions
Contains the use permissions for matter-of-right and special exception uses in the R, MU, and PDR zones.

Subtitle W – Specific Zone Boundaries
Contains boundaries established for specific zone districts.

Subtitle X – General Procedures
Contains procedural regulations for campus plans, chanceries, planned unit developments, map and text amendments, design review, etc.

Subtitle Y – Board of Zoning Adjustment Rules of Practice and Procedure
Contains regulations pertaining to Board information, application requirements, party status, ANC report information, hearing and meeting procedures, orders, fees, etc.

Subtitle Z – Zoning Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure
Contains regulations pertaining to Commission information, application requirements, party status, ANC report information, hearing and meeting procedures, orders, fees, etc.

Proposed Title 11 DCMR – Zoning – compilation of all the Subtitles

The public is encouraged to submit comments on the proposed text. Comments should be filed using one or more of the following methods:

  1. The online ZRR Comment Module: You will be able to choose a subtitle and make comments by section by clicking on “Add Comment” in the sidebar. You will not need to create a user ID and password to use this system.
  2. Interactive Zoning Information System (IZIS): You will be able to submit comments by uploading a PDF document into the system. You will need a user ID and password to use this system. Please use the following tutorial for instructions on uploading testimony into IZIS.
  3. By e-mail to zcsubmissions@dc.gov: You will be able to submit comments by emailing a PDF document (there is an 8 MB limit for documents submitted by email.)
  4. By mail to 441 4th Street, N.W., Suite 200-S, Washington, D.C. 20001

All Comments should be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 25, 2015.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Zoning at 202-727-6311 or dcoz@dc.gov.

Reminder: Bus hearing tonight

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

Metro’s public hearing on bus service changes takes place tonight at 6:30 pm at Metro headquarters (600 5th St. NW). Note in particular changes for Route 80 and elimination of Route 5A to Dulles Airport.

Public Hearing On Proposed Metrobus Service Changes, September 17

Date: September 17, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Metro’s headquarters at the Jackson Graham Building, 600 5th Street NW Washington, DC

Metro will host a public hearing to obtain feedback on proposed bus service changes that will enhance service for many customers in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Routes for proposed improvements in the service change proposal are:

District of Columbia: 63, 64, 79, 97, A8, D4, E2, E4, G8, S9, U8, X1, X8, X9
Maryland: F4, G12, Q9, V14
Virginia: 1C, 2B, 10B, 15K, 15L, 16X, 23B, 23T, 26A, 29N

Routes proposed for elimination:

District of Columbia: 5A, 93, B8, B9, D3, N3
Maryland: J13, K11, R3, W19
Virginia: 1E, 5A, 7H, 9A, 10R, 10S, 15M, 18E, 18F, 21A, 21D

Proposed route changes, service reduction or alterations:

District of Columbia: 34, 54, 80, 82, A42, A46, A48, D1, H6, W4, X3
Maryland: 81, B31, C2, C4, G13, G14, G16, Q1, Q2, Q4, Q5, Q6, V15, Z6, Z8, Z9, Z11, Z13, Z29
Virginia: 1A, 1B, 1Z, 2T, 3A, 3T, 4A, 4B, 7A, 7X, 7Y, 16H, 23A, 28X, 38B

Proposed fare changes are:

Q Line

Transfer to/from Metrorail’s Red Line and travel between Wheaton and Silver Spring at no charge.

Capitol Heights and Addison Road Metrorail stations
Bus riders transferring between certain routes can ride between stations at no charge.

Transit Link Card (TLC)
$2 will be added to the TLC price if a new SmarTrip® card is issued. Online purchases require a new card each month.

Metrobus service adjustments are designed to increase on-time performance and customer satisfaction, while increasing ridership and improving cost efficiency.
The current proposal includes input gathered through service evaluations, priority corridor studies, customer surveys, and feedback from customers and jurisdictions. Input gathered from public hearings will help shape the final plan before it is implemented.

Can’t attend the public hearing? There are three additional ways to share your input.

Take a survey. Complete a survey about how these changes would affect you.

Follow the Better Bus Road Show. Metro staff will tour bus stops and attend community meetings and festivals near you to collect your input. There may even be special guests and giveaways. Find the schedule on the Better Bus Road Show Page.

Send an email. Provide written or audio comments to writtentestimony@wmata.com

Art Place Construction Notice 9/14/2015 & 9/21/2015

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten

ART PLACE AT FT TOTTEN, LLC

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE NOTICE

Weeks of: September 14, 2015 and September 21, 2015

What to Expect On-Site:

During the next two weeks, the General Contractor, Foulger-Pratt, will continue haul-off of excess soil and receipt of material deliveries requiring heavy equipment accessing the site.

Installation of concrete foundations, waterproofing, sleeves, walls, grade beams, columns and elevated decks continues. Drainage piping and electrical duct banks are being installed, and gravel is being spread out where concrete slabs on grade are now being placed. The concrete superstructure is working its way across the site and upward. The installation of electrical transformer vaults and conduits along Galloway Street and the future Ingraham Street extension is being completed.

The area of work for Building A is primarily bounded by South Dakota Avenue on the east, the Aventine buildings on the west, Galloway Street on the south, and what will be the new alignment for Ingraham Street on the north.

Lane Closures:

The lane closures to perform new utility installations in South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street will continue intermittently. This will require up to two lanes to be closed occasionally from the hours of 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Storm drain work in South Dakota Avenue is currently ongoing.

Construction Hours:

Initial construction activity will be taking place Monday – Saturday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Contact Information:

For any construction related concerns, please contact Angel Alston, Advisory Neighborhood

Commissioner at 202-556-5958 or email her at angel.alston@anc.dc.gov.

 

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Plan Ahead for Papal Visit

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

Pope Francis will visit DC September 22 – 24, 2015. Metro released preliminary plans. Telework is being encouraged. Large crowds are expected. Shuttle buses will run from Fort Totten and Rhode Island stations to relieve expected congestion at Brookland metro station, which is the closest station to the Basilica.  Visit metro’s website for more information about public transit service during this visit.

Save the Date September 24: Vibrant Streets meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Citizens Association and tagged with , ,

The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) is partnering with the DC Office of Planning (OP) on the Vibrant Retail Streets Toolkit, a neighborhood Technical Assistance Program initiative to strengthen and grow retail in neighborhoods throughout the District. The Toolkit is intended to evaluate an area’s retail vibrancy and offer solutions for helping retail areas progress. The LRCA Development Task Force is hosting a meeting on September 24 from 6:30-8:00pm at the Riggs LaSalle Recreation Center at which OP will share information on the application of the Toolkit to this neighborhood.

  • Date & time: Thursday, September 24, 6:30-8:00pm
  • Location: Riggs LaSalle Recreation Center, 501 Riggs Road, NE
  • RSVP to lrcabarb@yahoo.com

Vibrant Retail_Overview_2015_Page_1 Vibrant Retail_Overview_2015_Page_2

Free events at Dance Place this week 9/10 – 9/12

Posted by nextstoprp in Arts and tagged with

This week, Dance Place is hosting an open house with free events to kick off its 35th anniversary.  Dance Place is located near the Brookland metro station.

Be In Brookland / Experience Edgewood Full Schedule

August 18, 2015   

Perf-BeInBrookland-2015

September 10 – 12

Thursday, September 10

6:30pm: Free live music performance with Cheick Hamala Diabaté and open artist studios on the Arts Walk at Monroe Street Market (716 Monroe St NE).

Friday, September 11 at 6:30pm

6:30pm: Free interactive dance with the DC Casineros on the plaza outside of Busboys & Poets Brookland (625 Monroe St NE).

8:00pm: Cuban Dance Social with the DC Casineros at the Edgewood Arts Center (3415 8th St NE). $12.

Saturday, September 12

Get the Dance Place experience for free! Sample dance classes for kids and adults, enjoy a day full of outdoor activities and get creative with arts & crafts workshops for all ages.

Classes for Kids at the Brookland Artspace Lofts (3305 8th St NE)
9:30am: African Dance with Coyaba Dance Theater
10:30am: Ballet / Tap with Judy Estey
11:30am: Creative Movement with Shannon Quinn
12:30pm: Hip-Hop with Princess Riddick

Classes for Adults at Dance Place’s Cafritz Foundation Theater (3225 8th St NE)
9:30am: Modern Dance with Carla Perlo
10:30am: Jazz Dance with Ralph Glenmore
11:30am: Balance Harmony with Deborah Riley

Classes at the Edgewood Arts Center (3415 8th St NE)
12pm: Judo for All Ages (7+) with DC Judo
1:30pm: African Dance for Adults with Sylvia Soumah
2:30pm: Hip-Hop for Adults with Culture Shock, DC

Pop-up arts events on the Arts Walk at Monroe Street Market (716 Monroe St NE)
10:40 – 11:15am: Balance Harmony with Deborah Riley, 35 by 35 dance with Carla Perlo and People Objects Play (POP)

Interactive fun for all ages on the future Arts Park (3225 8th St NE)
11:30: POP and 35 by 35 with Carla Perlo
12pm: Gardening with Carla Perlo
12:40pm: Balance Harmony with Deborah Riley
1pm: Chalk Painting, Balloon Art and more
1:30pm: Hula Hoop Jam