Join me at 10 am this Saturday in Fort Circle Park to clean up trash and litter! Stay for five minutes or an hour – it’s up to you! I’ll have plenty of industrial trash bags, reusable gloves and a small number of trash “picker-uppers” (or whatever those stick things are called!) for everyone who wants to join in.
WHEN: 10 am to Noon(ish), Saturday, Nov. 5
WHERE: Fort Circle Park (meet at the unfinished trail between Galloway and Gallatin streets NE
I plan on making eliminating litter in the parks in our area a crusade of mine if and when I’m elected. I’d like to see more trash cans installed in and around the parks, increased maintenance and trash removal by the National Park Service, and would like to use part of the ANC 5A budget to install anti-littering education signs in the parks in our area, among other things. If you have any other ideas on how to tackle this issue, please contact me, I’m all ears!
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on October 26, 2022.
Commissioners present: Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Secretary; Diego Rojas (5A04); Ronnie Edwards (5A05) – Chair
Mundo Verde/Providence Deal(5A03)(Kristin Scotchmer, Executive Director, Mundo Verde)
Mundo Verde Bilingual Public Charter School needs more space for 4th and 5th graders at its 8th & Varnum Street NE campus (Calle Ocho campus). Commissioner Lucio put Mundo Verde leadership in touch with the owners of Providence Health, which is across the street from Mundo Verde. Mundo Verde is in engaged in due diligence to puchase a building on Providence’s campus at 817 Varnum Street NE. This purchase would allow Mundo Verde to have 4th and 5th graders nearby instead of somewhere farther away in the city. The plan is to have an additional 15,000 to 20,000 square feet of property for 10 classrooms.
At the time of the ANC meeting, the DC Council was in the process of approving a bond resolution to support the purchase of the property by Mundo Verde. A public hearing was held on October 5, 2022, and the committee report was published on October 26. The resolution was approved November 1, 2022.
During the ANC meeting, there was a lot of discussion about traffic and parking issues in the surrounding neighborhood. A resident stated that when Mundo Verde first came to the community about its plans for the Calle Ocho campus several years ago, it was understood then that the school would need more room eventually and residents thought they would expand elsewhere outside of the immediate neighborhood.
Kristin Scotchmer, executive director of Mundo Verde, acknowledged the traffic/parking concerns. In response to a question about shuttle buses, she said the pandemic made using shuttle buses to transport students less feasible.
In response to a question about making bike transportation to the campus easier, Commisioner Lucio said protected bike lanes are planned for Taylor Street NE.
A task force comprised of residents from ANC 5A and ANC 5B (the neighboring ANC) has been formed to address issues with the expansion. If you have questions/concerns, contact Commissioner Lucio.
The Kennedy School/801 Buchanan Street NE Project (5A03)
At a public hearing on October 19, 2022, the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) approved reconstruction of The Kennedy School at 801 Buchanan Street NE (BZA case No. 20749).
The BZA continued the hearing for the townhome portion of the project (BZA case no. 20751) to November 2, 2022. The BZA asked the townhome developer to specify whether a variance is needed.
Counsel for the developer presented at the ANC’s October meeting and stated that they determined a variance is not needed because they have adjusted the plans to account for 24-foot wide alleys. (See presentation to BZA; see also response to OP/DDOT request for conditions in case file).
A resident asked how conflicts over the planned green space will be handled–if residents will be expected to deal with it themselves or if the ANC or some other Distict entity will assist. Counsel for the developer said HOA documents will include a covenant regarding maintaining public access to the green space. Commissioner Ronnie Edwards said he imagined the ANC could assist if any conflicts arose. Commissioner Lucio stated she has gotten involved with a similar issue happening with playground access by the new Michigan Park townhomes. She is working with the developer, the homeowners, and the wider community to clarify that the issue was about age limits for certain playground equipment and that the playground remains open to the general public.
Ward 5 Council Report (Laisha Dougherty, Chief of Staff to Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie)
Commissioner Edwards asked again about a liquor store moratorium for North Michigan Park. Ms. Dougherty said she would follow up with the councilmember.
In response to a question about the councilmember’s position on the DC criminal code rewrite, she said she would follow up with the councilmember for a response.
Next Meeting
The November meeting is scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving. At the beginning of this year, Commissioner Lucio asked the ANC to change the November meeting date. The ANC declined to do so at that time.
Because the ANC did not have a quorum at the October meeting, they could not vote to change the November meeting date. (Aside: The ANC had a hard time reaching quorum at the September October special meeting, but got there after a while).
Next Stop...Riggs Park 