Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association Public Meeting April 3, 2023 7:00 pm
**Please note that in order to vote or run as a candidate in LRCA’s May 2023 election, you must pay dues by April 3, 2023. Visit https://lrcadc.org/membership-join.**
LRCA April 2023 Meeting Agenda
1. Welcome/Invocation 2. Officers Report, Minutes, Treasurer Report 3. Updates from Elected Officials & PSA 4. Remarks from the DC Office of the Attorney General 5. LRCA Nominating Committee—May election process and procedures; Board position nominations accepted from the floor during the meeting as well as during the May General Body meeting 6. Community Concerns/Closing
To view the meeting online click the following link:
DC Public Library (DCPL) has really been doing a great job with programming, both at our neighborhood Lamond-Riggs Library and systemwide generally.
At Lamond-Riggs Library tonight there is family story time, on Thursday there is Lego time and a planting/seed starting event for kids, knitting/crocheting on Friday, and on Saturday and Monday the “Searching for Shakespeare” series in conjuction with the Folger Shakespeare Library. Other events are listed on the library website.
DCPL has also hosted a number of really interesting book talks and exhibits at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. A new exhibit on Black feminism in DC in partnership with the National Women’s History Museum opens on March 30.
Metro has replaced the faregates at Fort Totten Metro station with a new prototype, as Metro explains in this release. A lot has already been written about these new faregates. They certainly stop some folks from jumping over the gates. Now people can simply push the swing gates open and walk through the gap. Or some just walk through or jump over the emergency gate. Anyhow, updates on Metro’s fare modernization efforts are available at https://wmata.com/faresystemmodernization.
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on March 22, 2023
Commissioners present: Duvalier Malone (5A01); Karlus Cozart (5A02) – Parliamentarian; Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Secretary; Diego Rojas (5A04); Kweku Toure (5A06) – Vice Chair; Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Zachary Ammerman (5A09) – Treasurer. Commissioner Hardy is the new commissioner for ANC 5A07 (effective 3/24/2023). ANC 5A05 is still vacant.
Commissioner Fletcher noted at the top of the meeting that the ANC previously stated at the February meeting that McDonald’s requested to be removed from the February meeting agenda and come to the March meeting, but the team still had other work to do so they were not scheduled for the March agenda.
UDC was on the agenda to discuss the Bertie Backus campus, but they did not present.
The representative for the gas station proposal at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE was on the agenda but he did not appear and the ANC declined to take any action. There may be a special meeting to deal with this issue.
There was no presentation on the mayor’s proposed budget, which was listed as an agenda item.
Commission Business
Commissioner Zachary Ammerman stated that he is still working with Ward 5 Mutual Aid regarding their use of the ANC office space at 402 Galloway Street NE at Art Place at Fort Totten. He said that the group has identified a fiscal sponsor that will be able to secure liability insurance. He said that counsel for the Cafritz Foundation (property owner) alerted the ANC that some members of the Foundation’s board were hesitant about having the mutual aid group occupy the ANC office space because the lease/intention for the space was for it to be used solely as ANC office space. The board scheduled a vote on the matter on March 23. (Note: On March 23, the ANC notified residents that “the board voted unanimously to allow Ward 5 Mutual Aid to continue to use the ANC 5A satellite office space as a supply hub.” The ANC, mutual aid group, and the Cafritz Foundation will work on an agreement).
There was other discussion about the ANC’s expenses, inclucing the cost of Internet service for the office space and the cost of commissioner cell phones. They will discuss these issues at an ANC executive board meeting.
MPD Report (Captain John Terry, MPD 4th District)
MPD 4th District Captain John Terry gave a few public safety updates. He said in the past 30 days, there had been 3 robberies, 1 carjacking, and 13 thefts from autos within the ANC boundaries. Outside of ANC 5A, there was a shooting near Turkey Thicket Rec Center recently.
He noted that Kia and Hyundai have offered free anti-theft software updates for Kia and Hyundai owners. Also, the District is offering free steering wheel locks for certain Kia and Hyundai models.
Commissioner Ammerman asked about a discharge of a gun at/near Fort Totten Metro station that occurred recently. Captain Terry said that a special police officer (privately hired security) at one of the establishments in the area chased a “suspect” who ran into the metro station and the private officer fired his gun at the individual.
Captain Terry said the 4th District received a violent crime reduction award for a 12 percent decline in violent crimes. He also said that 4th District Commander Carlos Heraud received the Commander of the Year award.
Commissioner Lucio asked Captain Terry why MPD is no longer attending ANC meetings. He said that MPD is trying to push residents to go to MPD’s sector meetings because there is not enough MPD staff to attend the many ANC and community association meetings every month. The sector meetings are a chance to talk about public safety issues with police district leadership. The boundaries of ANC 5A lie in Sector 2 of MPD’s 4th District. Sector 2 meets the second Tuesday of every month.
Ward 5 Council Report (Carlos McKnight, Constituent Services Coordinator, Ward 5 CM Zachary Parker)
CM Parker is forming a Ward 5 bus task force. If you ride Metrobus and wish to assist the Council office in providing input on Metro’s Better Bus Network, consider applying to be on the bus task force. Apply at ward5.us/bus.
DPR is extending hours at eight rec centers, including Edgewood Rec and Turkey Thicket Rec in Ward 5.
The mayor’s proposed budget includes funding for community park space on the corner of South Dakota Avenue NE & Riggs Road NE. This is a proposal that the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association has requested for several years. Government agencies will work together on transferring the land to DPR for park space. In addition, the mayor’s proposed budget includes increased funding for a community center at the Crummell School.
Commissioner Lucio asked about CM Parker’s announcement that he planned to introduce a school safety bill and how what he is proposing would differ from what schools already have with school resource officers. (Note: CM Parker introduced the school safety coordination bill a couple of days after the ANC meeting). Mr. McKnight said he will follow up with Commissioner Lucio.
The mayor released her proposed budget on March 22. Street sweeping season has started. DPR has instituted a lottery for DPR summer camp registration.
Commissioners requested Mr. Black’s assistance in getting DDOT Director Everett Lott to the next ANC 5A meeting. Each time he has been scheduled to attend he has had to cancel or sent someone in his place.
701 Michigan Avenue NE Map Amendment – Zoning Commission case no. 23-07 (Samuel Swiller & Jared Kah, SK Investments)
A development team wants to change the zoning district of 701 Michigan Avenue NE from MU-3A to MU-2. They said they are pursuing the map amendment to reflect a change to the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) from moderate to medium density so that a planned unit development (PUD) would not be necessary for an anticipated development. They said they do not have any particular development plan in mind yet, but they will get feedback from residents about what sort of permitted uses within the MU-2 zone would be desirable. They will take advantage of the property’s proximity to the Brookland Metro station.
The property is located in ANC 5F02. (ANC 5A is directly across the street from the property and is therefore considered an affected ANC). The development team said that ANC 5F had not yet voted on the map amendment request. Commissioner Fletcher, ANC 5A Chair, said that the commissioners appreciated the presentation but that ANC 5A will likely not weigh in on the request because there is already a lot on the commission’s plate that directly impacts ANC 5A.
DC Department of Parks & Recreation (Christopher Dyer, DPR Community Engagement Manager)
DPR has introduced a lottery to sign up for DPR summer camps. The idea is similar to the My School DC lottery that may be familiar to families. The summer camp lottery opened on March 13. It will close on April 5. DPR recommends not waiting until the last minute to sign up. DPR will notify residents of lottery selection on April 18 and payment will be due April 25. Sibling preference will be honored. There will be a waitlist available.
DPR offers a reduced rate for qualifying residents. Applications for the reduced rate are due April 1 in order to be approved by the time the lottery is run.
Someone recommended that DPR look at having a low-income/at-risk preference as is done with certain schools for the school lottery. Someone also took exception to the notion of calling the summer camp signup a lottery (like a game of chance). Mr. Dyer said he would think about that.
Questions can be sent to christopher.dyer@dc.gov.
Miscellaneous
The ANC is still working on their zoom account upgrade.
You have one more week to visit a ward-based COVID center to pick up free masks and COVID tests. These helpful, well-used centers are scheduled to close for good on March 31, 2023.
On March 22, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser released her proposed FY2024 budget to the DC Council. The mayor’s budget overview presentation to the council as well as budget highlights for each ward are available at budget.dc.gov.
Ward 4 FY2024 Proposed Budget Highlights (highlights funding for modernization of LaSalle-Backus Elementary School & funding for completing the Metropolitan Branch Trail from First Place NE to Oglethorpe Street NW)
Ward 5 FY2024 Proposed Budget Highlights (highlights funding for UDC Bertie Backus campus expansion & funding for community park space on District-owned green space on corner of South Dakota Avenue & Riggs Road NE).
The Council Committee of the Whole hearing with Mayor Bowser is today. Over the next few weeks, Council committees will hold hearings on proposed agency budgets.
UDC Bertie Backus Campus Expansion on p. 4 – 60,000 sq. ft. expansion; notes include current projects (Bertie Backus Master Plan Development & Programming; Backus Exterior Beautification Project; Aquaponics Infrastructure Improvements)
More budget details will come. There has already been lots of commentary about the proposed budget and the lingering impacts of the pandemic on the budget in the past few days. There will be a lot more discussion over the coming weeks. This is your chance to let the Council know what you support and would like to see funded in the budget.
Let your neighbors know about the upcoming Ward 4 job fair on April 22, 2023. Register to attend on eventbrite.
Ward 4 Job Fair April 22, 2023 11:00 am-3:00 pm Coolidge High School 6315 5th Street NW
On April 22, Ward 4 Councilmember is co-hosting a Ward 4 Jobs Fair with the DC Business Gun Violence Prevention Coalition at Coolidge (6315 5th St NW) with lunch provided!
Federal agencies, DC government, and local business will be present to share job openings and interview candidates.
Building trade unions will accept resumes and applications for apprenticeship programs.
Community groups will highlight job readiness programs and sign people up for social services.
If you are an employer, please contact info@namcdc.org to participate.
For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592.
Meeting ID: 832 8769 6066. Passcode: 262224.
Call to Order & Roll Call
Administrative Items
Instructions for Participation in Virtual Meeting
Consideration and Approval of Agenda
Approval of February 2023 Regular Public Meeting Minutes
Commissioner Updates
Community Concerns
Please use the “Raise Hand” button via Zoom or *9 via telephone to speak during community concerns. The Commission will provide additional details regarding how to present community concerns via the virtual meeting at the start of the meeting. This is the time for questions or statements from members of the public about issues on the agenda or other areas of concern. Please limit your statement or question to one minute. You may also contact members of the Commission before and after Commission meetings.
Reports
Sophia Tekola, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services (3 min)
Barbara Rogers, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (3 min)
Frazier O’Leary, Ward 4 State Board of Education (3 min)
Representative, Metropolitan Police Department, 4th District (3 min)
Housing Justice Committee (2 min)Vision Zero Committee (2 min)
Presentation: Ingrid Bucksell, Communications Specialist, Office of Unified Communications, Discussion re: Commission Issues and Community Concerns (10-minute presentation; 5-minute discussion)
Consent Calendar
Resolution 4B-23-0301: Calling on District Department of Transportation to Assess Need for Bus Shelter Installations and Establish Dedicated Program for Installation and Maintenance of Bus Shelters Across DC (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats & Commissioner Brooks)
Resolution 4B–23-0302: Calling on District Department of Public Works to Install or Reinstall Public Trash Cans in Locations Within Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B (Commissioner Palmer)
Resolution 4B–23-0303: Calling on the Executive to Address Gap in Emergency Rental Assistance Program Funding (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Gilligan, Commissioner Yeats)
Resolution–4B-23-0306: Calling for Better Performance and Oversight of the Department of Transportation of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Palmer)
Letter: Offering General Support for Proposed Map Amendment from RA-2 to RA-3 Zone for 6634 & 6640 Georgia Avenue, NW (Case No. 22-37) and Providing ANC 4B Housing Goals for Future Development (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Gilligan, Commissioner Yeats)
Presentation: Phillip A. Gardiner, Director of Development, Megan Mitchell, Eric Colbert, and Jessica Bloomfield, Douglas Development, Discussion re: 6901 Willow Street, NW (20-minute presentation; 10-minute discussion)
Resolution–4B-23-0304: Supporting Proposed Design for New Construction at 6901 Willow Street, NW (HPA 23-178) (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Palmer)
Resolution–4B-23-0305: Providing Feedback on the Request for Special Exception at 6905 Willow Street, NW (BZA CASE NUMBER TBD) (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Palmer)
Adjournment
The next ANC 4B Planning Meeting is scheduled for April 11 at 6:30pm.
The next Regular Public Meeting is scheduled for April 24 at 7:00pm.
ANC single member district 5A02 boundary map from DC Board of Elections
ANC Commissioner Karlus Cozart (5A02) is holding a virtual single member district (SMD) meeting tomorrow March 24 at 6:00 pm. This information is also published on the ANC 5A website at anc5a.org.
Commissioner Cozart mostly represents parts of North Michigan Park and Queens Chapel, but he also represents a tiny sliver of Riggs Park in the northern part of the SMD along Eastern Avenue & Galloway Street NE.
His SMD website is https://www.anc5a02.com. On that site, you can view meeting dates and announcements, sign up for his ANC office hours, and also request to join his ANC 5A02 listserv. Note that a community cleanup that was previously scheduled for March 25 has been rescheduled to April 8.
[Ed. Note: ANC 5A just sent out a meeting notice with an agenda for the public meeting taking place tomorrow March 22 at 6:45 pm. The “Z Burger Convenience Store” matter refers to a request to put in gas pumps in front of the convenience store at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE (BZA case no. 17963A). My understanding is that the “701 Michigan Ave Development” is a map amendment request (ZC case no. 23-07). My understanding is that the item listed as “UDC Project” refers to the UDC Bertie Backus Campus Plan Project.]
Photo of Lamond-Riggs Library from DC Public Library.
Lamond-Riggs Library Unveiling of Lillian J. Huff Plaque March 18, 2023 1:30 pm-2:00 pm 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
Come celebrate the legacy of Lillian J. Huff, a prominent community leader who the library honors, at the unveiling of the Lillian J. Huff plaque.
A former President of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association and a former Democratic National Committee member, Huff was instrumental in securing the funding from Congress to build the original Lamond-Riggs Library. Huff was also the elected leader of the District’s Delegation to the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services in 1978. President Jimmy Carter appointed her Vice-Chairperson of the Pre-White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services.
The plaque will be unveiled during a ceremony that will also feature remarks by city leaders, Library leaders, and community stakeholders.
Don’t miss this important event honoring Lillian Huff’s legacy.
Photo of DC SuperMart/Z Burger at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE.
An application for a modification to a previously approved proposal for a gas station in front of the DC SuperMart/Z Burger located at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE is pending before the DC Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA case no. 17963A). This is the convenience store located across the street from the McDonald’s and directly next to an existing Sunoco gas station. It is located in ANC single member district 5A08.
A public hearing is scheduled for April 12, 2023. Instructions on how to participate through either oral or written testimony are in the hearing notice.
The applicant submitted the modification application in October 2022, but the issue only came up at ANC 5A’s meeting on January 25, 2023, after a resident asked about activity at the location. A representative for the applicant appeared at the ANC’s February 2023 meeting with a brief presentation. The representative agreed to present to the North Michigan Park Civic Association at some point and will also provide a traffic report as well, from what I understand.
2010 Approval
I was not around in the neighborhood when this project was first proposed but looking at the original case file, it looks like well over 10 years ago, the applicant previously proposed to raze the existing convenience store and build a new one with a gas station. The convenience store could be rebuilt as a matter of right, but a special exception was needed for the gas station. The BZA held a hearing and had public meetings in 2009 to consider the request for a special exception.
Specifically, the BZA had to consider three factors in determining whether special exception relief was warranted:
The station shall not be located within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residential zone or unless separated from the residential zone by a street or alley;
The operation of the use shall not create dangerous or other objectionable traffic conditions; and
Required parking spaces may be arranged so that all spaces are not accessible at all times. All parking spaces provided under this subsection shall be designed and operated so that sufficient access and maneuvering space is available to permit the parking and removal of any vehicles without moving any other vehicle onto public space.
Under another provision in the regulations, the Board also had to consider whether the gas station:
Will be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps;
Will not tend to affect adversely, the use of neighboring property in accordance with the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps; and
Will meet such special conditions as may be specified in [the Zoning regulations].
The BZA approved the special exception for the gas station in 2010 (case no. 17963), but it was never built. The convenience store remained in place, going through a series of name changes over the ensuing years.
Modification
Now it looks like the applicant is ready to put in three double-sided gas dispensers (six total nozzles) in front of the existing convenience store, so the applicant is back before the Board seeking a modification.
The applicant hereby proposes to amend the previously approved BZA #17963 by retaining the existing convenience store and site modifications to the proposed gasoline canopy, fuel dispenser layout, and entrances. No changes to the existing drainage system and boundaries are proposed. The intended use per approved BZA 17963 remains. However, this layout reduces the originally approved impervious footprint thereby, fostering an environmentally better and less intense development.
The owner contends that the BZA already approved the gas station back in 2010, so it should approve the modification here because the “spirit” of the application remains the same.
Addressing the factors described above, the applicant writes:
The proposed gasoline service station with three pumps and a canopy over the pumps is previously approved per BZA#17963. The site is zoned MU-3A. The adjacent residential zone R-2 along the north side is separated by streets along Delafield Street NE, and Emerson Street NE. The residential zone R-2 along the east side is separated by a driveway or alley. The gasoline service station “SUNOCO” zoned MU-3A exists along the SE side of the property. The site abuts zone MU-3A across the street South Dakota Ave, NE.
The self-service gasoline station would be situated to permit a free flow of traffic onto the site for access to the existing convenience store in the same manner per the currently approved application, BZA #17963. A traffic study was conducted as a part of the previously approved BZA#17963. There is no aspect of the physical characteristics of the property which would inhibit the flow of traffic or cause any adverse impact on the traffic of South Dakota Ave.
The existing convenience building will remain. The parking spaces shown on the site plan are designed to be accessible at all times without moving any other vehicles to the public space.
The applicant also writes in the application:
Pursuant to Subtitle X-901.2 of the Zoning Regulations, the Board is authorized to grant special exception relief where, the special exception will be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps; will not tend to affect adversely, the use of a neighboring property.
The existing convenience store will remain thereby maintains the existing harmony with the adjacent zone. The proposed fuel station with three dispensers/pumps and a canopy over the pumps is previously approved per BZA#17963. The proposed scope will maintain the required setbacks. Hence, granting the special exception will retain all aspects such as use and harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps, and will not tend to adversely affect the use of neighboring properties.
The North Michigan Park Civic Association is working to address the issue. If you are interested in working with the civic association, you can reach out to them.
Old case record
Might be worth looking at the order for BZA case 17963 to see how the Board addressed comments by ANC 5A (which opposed the gas station), DDOT, and DC’s Office of Planning back in 2010. It is a pretty short order. Also, transcripts for the public hearings and meeting are available in the case file.
It is pretty interesting to read the testimony of the previous gas station team from the 2009 hearing. They talked about how amazing they thought this whole thing would be. A pair of brothers partnered with the owner of the store to propose the project to raze the store and build a new one with a gas station. One of the pair made a point to note that he was a native Washingtonian and how much he and his brother wanted to contribute to the community. Acknowledging that this proposed gas station would be right next to an existing gas station, he said there was no comparison between the two because the new convenience store (that never happened) would have a green roof and sell fresh food, not just candy and soda. He said this would provide a business need for which people would not have to leave their neighborhood to get. He promised not to apply for a liquor license. And he mentioned a few times how attractive the gas station canopy would be and that it would have recessed lighting so as not to interfere with neighboring homes.
It is also pretty interesting to read DDOT’s testimony. DDOT did not submit a report before the hearing. DDOT’s representative at the hearing stated that he was “vaguely familiar” with the case. Apparently, he had worked with the team at that time on plans for a different site and pretty much extrapolated DDOT’s work on that site to the site on South Dakota Avenue. After prompting from the Board, the applicant did submit what he said was a traffic report for the South Dakota Avenue location and DDOT apparently submitted a memo stating it had no objections to the applicant’s report. It appears OP primarily relied on DDOT to state whether there were any objectionable traffic concerns with the proposal in deciding to support the original application. OP and DDOT proposed conditions in the order.
As noted in OP’s 2009 report, the Board could “impose requirements pertaining to design, appearance, screening, or lighting, or other requirements it deems necessary to protect adjacent or nearby property.” Conditions requested by OP in 2009:
hours of operation shall be limited to 6:00 A.M. to 10 P.M.;
flood lights shall be angled downward and shuttered in order to avoid light spillage onto nearby residential properties;
canopy lighting shall be recessed; and
there shall be no exterior amplified sound system.
According to the order, DDOT requested conditions related to “the hours for fuel delivery, the size of the delivery trucks, and a specific plan for ingress and egress to and from the site, including a condition which restricted the South Dakota Avenue curb cut to a right turn into the site.”
The Board’s approval in 2010 contained the following conditions:
The hours of operation shall be limited to 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Flood lights at the property shall be angled downward and shuttered in order to avoid light spillage onto nearby residential properties.
Canopy lighting at the property shall be recessed.
There shall be no exterior amplified sound system at the property.
Hours for fuel delivery shall be limited to 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Fuel deliveries shall be made with trucks that are no larger than 30 feet in length.
The South Dakota Avenue curb cut will be 20 feet wide and will be restricted to a right tum onto the property. All vehicles exiting the property will use the curb cut along Emerson Street. The Emerson Street curb cut will serve as a two directional vehicle access point.
It will be interesting to see what DDOT and OP write in their reports regarding this request for modification. (Aside: I am particularly interested to see what OP says given their track record in planning in this part of the neighborhood).
My understanding is that the BZA will consider anew whether to approve a special exception. I think it is safe to say there is near universal opposition to having another gas station right next to the Sunoco. All the promises of a modern convenience store were for naught.
Hopefully the ANC will produce a report that clearly outlines why special exception relief is not warranted.
Meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, March 15 at 6:00 p.m. and is open to D.C. residents and the media
Norton will hold a virtual town hall meeting open to all District of Columbia residents with representatives from the National Park Service (NPS), National Zoo (Zoo), and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) on Wednesday, March 15th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. The event will be open to the public and to members of the media and will provide a forum for questions, comments and concerns about federal parks in D.C., the Zoo’s timed entry pass policy, and Zoo Loop Trail.
To attend, D.C. residents and members of the media should register here.
Come join us once a week for an afternoon of knitting, crocheting and conversation
Experienced knitters and beginners are all welcome! We meet on the second floor in the Anything at Anytime Space at 3:00 pm on Fridays. This is an opportunity to share your knitting skills or learn new ones as we make projects for those in need. This is a fun afternoon of sharing and caring!
The coordinators of this group are Tsholo & Diane.
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on February 22, 2023.
All commissioners were present: Duvalier Malone (5A01); Karlus Cozart (5A02) – Parliamentarian; Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Secretary; Diego Rojas (5A04); Kweku Toure (5A06) – Vice Chair; Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Zachary Ammerman (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC single member districts 5A05 and 5A07 are still vacant.
At the request of McDonald’s representatives, consideration of McDonald’s public space committee application was removed from the agenda. The representatives wanted time to present at the North Michigan Park Civic Association meeting and to work up preliminary traffic data. They will appear at the ANC’s March meeting.
ANC Business
The ANC approved a motion to upgrade its Zoom account in order to increase storage space for meeting recordings. Commissioner Lucio learned in January that the ANC had run out of storage space. It sounded like the ANC said they would pay about $100 more annually to upgrade. Commissioner Toure abstained.
Commissioner Ammerman, treasurer, noted that the ANC is not able to write checks because of issues with PNC bank. He said that this is an issue with ANCs citywide that bank with PNC, as the bank has classified ANCs as nonprofits. The DC auditor is working on a resolution.
The ANC did not have time to discuss formation of ANC committees.
Mundo Verde Public Charter School Agreement (5A03)
Mundo Verde has come before the ANC several times regarding its expansion plan. Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) worked with the neighboring commissioner from ANC 5B to create a resident task force to address parking, dropoff/pickoff, and other issues. There is now a draft agreement, which Commissioner Lucio shared at her single member district meeting in February.
The ANC voted to approve the agreement. Commissioner Cozart abstained.
Proposed Gas Station at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE (5A08) (BZA case no. 17963A)
The owner of DC Mart located at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE has applied for a modification of significance to a previously approved proposal to put in gas pumps in front of the convenience store/Z Burger. The plan is for three dispensers with nozzles on each side for a total of six pumps. A gas station was approved for that location by the Board of Zoning Adjustment back in 2010 (BZA case no. 17963), but back then the proposal was to raze the existing convenience store and replace it with a new one along with a gas station (Lowest Price brand). Now the owner plans to keep the existing store in place and just put in the gas pumps (Shell brand). He is making some changes to the approved plans so now he is seeking a modification. Special exception relief is needed to put in the gas station. A hearing is scheduled for April 12, 2023.
A representative for the applicant presented at the ANC meeting. He acknoweldged that there is a gas station right next door but tried to explain why another gas station would make sense. (Aside: I do not remember entirely what he said; I just have in my notes that what he said did not make sense). It was a short presentation that pretty much repeated what is in the filings.
The applicant hereby proposes to amend the previously approved BZA #17963 by retaining the existing convenience store and site modifications to the proposed gasoline canopy, fuel dispenser layout, and entrances. No changes to the existing drainage system and boundaries are proposed. The intended use per approved BZA 17963 remains. However, this layout reduces the originally approved impervious footprint thereby, fostering an environmentally better and less intense development.
Residents had a number of questions that were not answered. A resident asked about putting in electric car charging stations instead of gas pumps. There was generally a lot of opposition to the plan. The representative agreed to present to the North Michigan Park Civic Association and will return to the ANC with traffic data.
Ward 5 Mutual Aid Use of ANC Office Space (5A09)
The Ward 5 Mutual Aid group has been operating out of ANC 5A’s office at the Modern at Art Place for a while now after Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08) permitted them to use the space. The office was previously in his single member district. Following redistricting it is now in ANC 5A09, which is represented by Commissioner Zach Ammerman. The group’s use of the ANC office space has become an issue because there is no written agreement between the ANC and the group and the ANC’s lease for the space does not permit the space to be used for anything but an ANC office. The office space was an approved community benefit for the Art Place development. The ANC still has its original office at UDC’s Bertie Backus campus, but expect to lose use of that space while the campus undergoes renovation.
At the ANC’s January 2023 meeting, the ANC voted to form an office space task force to assist the mutual aid group. Commissioner Ammerman reached out to representatives for the Cafritz Foundation (owner of Art Place). The representatives told him that they would potentially be okay with having some sort of side agreement with the mutual aid group to use the ANC office space as long as the group obtained liability insurance for using the space. Because the group is not a structured nonprofit organization or a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, the group is exploring how it can get a fiscal sponsor that would be able to get that liability insurance on behalf of the group. The group has a tentative deadline of having that done by the ANC’s March meeting.
Creation of Park Space on corner of South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE (5A09)
The ANC approved a resolution drafted by Commissioner Ammerman in support of creation of park space on District-owned green space on the southwest corner of South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road NE in front of Food & Friends. This park space is contemplated in the neighborhood’s Riggs Road/South Dakota Avenue NE Area Development Plan that was approved by the DC Council in 2009 and fully incorporated into the DC Comprehensive Plan in 2021. This is something that the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association has been working on for a while. The ANC originally passed a resolution on this issue back in 2017. The new resolution reaffirms support for that resolution.
Gallatin-Galloway Pedestrian Trail (5A09) (National Park Service representatives Brian Joyner, Kym Elder, Nick Bartolomeo)
Photo of temporary surface on path between Gallatin Street and Galloway Street NE. Photo credit: Robert Oliver.
National Park Service (NPS) representative said design work for an alternative location for an official trail between Gallatin and Galloway Street west of South Dakota Avenue NE will kick off “any day now.” Design work will proceed through the summer months. NPS still needs to identify a funding source for construction of the trail once the design work is done.
Commissioner Ammerman asked if NPS had any response to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s letter requesting that NPS conduct more soil testing in Fort Circle Park. Mr. Joyner stated that NPS planned to respond either the next day or no later than Friday morning.
Commissioner Lucio asked about ADA compliance for the temporary surface that NPS placed on top of the abandoned trail location. She said that there is not a curb cut on the Gallatin Street side of the trail. NPS said the trail is not an official trail and that the temporary surface was just put down so that there would not be large mud pits. He said there is no way to make the temporary surface ADA compliant at all, it is just a temporary surface, and it was not graded to be a real surface. After Commissioner Lucio said that even the temporary surface has to be ADA compliant, Mr. Bartolomeo offered to visit the site with her.
A couple of people noted that the surface does not hold up in large rainfall. Mr. Bartolomeo explained that Metro has stormwater management infrastructure for the green line tunnel in that area that absorbs large amounts of water so in heavy rainfalls that area is going to be very wet. The surface is just a temporary surface; it was not graded and designed to be a permanent trail.
Washington Yu Ying & Washington Latin Joint Campus Project (5A05) (Carlie Fisherow, Yu Ying; Peter Anderson, Washington Latin)
Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School and Washington Latin Public Charter School are teaming up for a joint campus project at the former Kirov Academy of Ballet school building located at 4301 Harewood Road NE. This project sits in ANC 5A05, which is currently without a commissioner. School officials are working with the Pleasant Hill Civic Association. This was just the first vist by school officials to ANC 5A. They plan to continue engaging ANC 5A.
The Kirov building went up for sale and was awarded to Washington Latin, which then decided to work with Yu Ying. Yu Ying, currently located at 220 Taylor Street NE, is a dual language Chinese/English immersion school with an IB program. It serves 600 students in grades K-5. It is a feeder school to DC International School. Yu Ying will serve PK3-K classes at the new campus and serve grades 1-5 at the Taylor Street campus.
Washington Latin is in a temporary location at 711 Edgewood Street NE and also has a location in Brightwood in Ward 4. The school will relocate the Edgewood campus to the new campus, while also continuing to serve grades 5-12 at the Brightwood campus. Both schools offer equitable access preference.
The plan is for the joint campus to have one new building for Yu Ying and one new building for Washington Latin. The existing Kirov building will house shared amenities, such as a gym, library, and cafeteria. Yu Ying will move in first. Yu Ying expects to break ground in July 2023 and open in August 2024. Washington Latin expects to break ground in the summer of 2024 and move in by summer 2025.
Representatives said that they plan to have community space at the new campus.
View details and sign up for project updates at https://4301harewood.org. There is a virtual town hall the third Wednesday of each month.
Ward 5 Mayor Office Report (MOCRS Christopher Ingram and Anthony Black)
Anthony Black is a new Ward 5 MOCR (mayor’s office liaison). He joins MOCR Christopher Ingram who has been serving in the role for several months now. The two had not yet decided which one would be the primary contact for ANC 5A. Contact information for both below.
Anthony Black Ward 5 Liaison Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services Executive Office of the Mayor 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 332 Washington, DC 20004 202.215.5049 Mobile anthony.black@dc.gov
Christopher Ingram Ward 5 Liaison Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services Executive Office of the Mayor 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 332 Washington, DC 20004 202.394.4399 Mobile Christopher.Ingram@dc.gov
Ward 5 Council Report (Carlos McKnight, Constituent Services Coordinator to Councilmember Zachary Parker)
The DC Council was winding down DC agency performance oversight hearings. DC agency budget hearings are coming up. Sign up for the Ward 5 newsletter at ward5.us/newsletter.
DC Office of Campaign Finance
The DC Office of Campaign Finance only had time to give a very brief overview of DC’s public campaign finance program. They will return to give a full presentation.
This week, the National Symphony Orchestra is holding a number of free events in nearby neighborhoods in Ward 5 through its NSO In Your Neighborhood program. See full list of events at https://kennedycenter.medium.com/nso-in-your-neighborhood-edge-of-the-city-1b994ae0c6c7. Some of the events require registration so be check to check the site for details.
Brentwood | Brookland | Eckington | Fort Lincoln | Woodridge | Trinidad | University Heights
What is In Your Neighborhood 2023?
This March, the National Symphony Orchestra will collaborate with different communities in Ward 5 to amplify joy, unity, and shared humanity through music and the arts. Partnering with local schools, museums, and organizations, we will honor the history of these neighborhoods, while also building new connections and relationships.
Events are open to the public with first-come, first-served seating, unless otherwise noted.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 