From ANC 5A
SMD 5A08 AND 5A09 Meeting Agenda
Monday, November 18, 2024
6:30 pm
Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89800898352?pwd=0HYVHVdxpIgiavQliRaaqzT8QTJAdv.1
Meeting ID: 898 0089 8352
Passcode: 198733
SMD 5A08 and 5A09 Meeting Agenda
Conditional Medical Retail License Jubleaf 4942 South Dakota Ave NE
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on October 23, 2024. Commissioners present: Karlus Cozart (5A02) – Parliamentarian; Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Vice Chair, Secretary; Diego Rojas (5A04); Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC 5A06 and 5A07 are vacant.
This was a long meeting. Commissioner Fletcher joined about a third of the way into the meeting.
Commission Business
Once again, the ANC tabled approval of a Fiscal Year 2025 budget so that they can discuss it at an executive meeting.
Ward 5 Mayor’s Office Report (Ward 5 MOCR Christian Starghill)
Leaf collection started October 28. Every Friday, DPW will update the map for where collection will begin the follow week.
Ward 5 Council Report (Oliver Stoute, Constituent Services Coordinator for Ward 5 CM Zachary Parker)
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced a suit against Fort Myer Construction for alleged illegal contamination of the District’s waterways.
Councilmember Parker held his monthly public safety meeting on October 16. This one was focused on youth safety. Reach out to Mr. Stoute with any public safety concerns.
Seniors can apply for a snow shoveling exemption.
A resident asked about the sale of the Providence campus. The office of AG Schwalb is still investigating. Commissioner Lucio (5A03) said that there will be an urgent care center on the campus. She said that she is working with CM Parker’s office to ensure that any agreement with the city includes money “earmarked” for ANC 5A and specifically ANC 5A03 for the health needs of low-income residents.
Jubileaf Medical Marijuana Dispensary (5A08)
A team (Susan and William Webster) wants to open a medical marijuana dispensary called Jubileaf at 4942 South Dakota Avenue NE in North Michigan Park. This is in the strip mall next to the McDonald’s. The company submitted a social equity application and received a conditional license from ABCA in April 2024. They are given a year to find a location. They signed a lease with the property owner on South Dakota Avenue in either July or August. Mrs. Webster, the founder, said she is a cancer survivor and found relief from the harshness of cancer treatment through medical marijuana.
They have to have a security plan. They also said they have asked the landlord to renovate the exterior of the site.
Because of the packed agenda, there was not a lot of time to discuss in depth. As expected, initial response from residents was not favorable. Commissioner Fletcher (5A08) said that he will have a joint single member district (SMD) meeting with Commissioner Bocoum (5A09) in November before the next ANC meeting. He said he plans to invite the property owner.
Mundo Verde PCS Large Tract Review (5A03)
Mundo Verde presentation to ANC 5A
See Mundo Verde’s presentation for timeline, traffic analysis summary, playground discussion summary, and renderings.
The ANC voted to support the large tract review application of Mundo Verde for the expansion of the Calle Ocho campus located at 4401 8th Street NE). The new academic building will be located at 817 Varnum Street NE. See ANC 5A Mundo Verde Large Tract Review Resolution (October 2024).
Establishment of joint ANC 5A/ANC 5B committee on Taylor Street Bike Lane Project
The ANC approved the establishment of a joint ANC 5A/ANC 5B committee to review the proposed Taylor Street NE bike lane project. Commissioner Lucio and Chair Fletcher said the goal of the committee is not to vote on whether to support the project but to provide feedback on the project.
The discussion was a bit hard to follow. Sounded like they said ANC 5B had its own committee reviewing the project. Commissioner Lucio reached out to ANC 5B to ask why ANC 5B did not reach out to ANC 5A given that the project crosses ANC boundaries. (Aside: A few ANC 5B residents joined the call. These residents had a lot to say in the chat about their displeasure with ANC 5B).
Unclear if the committee will be just commissioners or include residents as well. Unclear if ANC 5A will send out a communication soliciting interest. If you care about this project, feel free to email Chair Fletcher (5A08@anc.dc.gov) and Commissioner Lucio (5A03@anc.dc.gov) to find out what is going on.
Bikeshare Station for Fort Totten Drive & Crittenden Street NE (Greg Matletsky, DDOT Bicycle Program Specialist) (5A06/5A07)
DDOT is planning to install a bikeshare station on Crittenden Street and Fort Totten Drive NE. This is on the border of ANC 5A06 & 5A07. Both ANC seats are vacant.
DDOT said that the station will be placed where flexposts currently sit, so there will not be any impacts to parking. Mr. Matletsky said the station will utilize new technology. It will be smaller and quieter. Each dock will have its own small solar panel and use a lower power draw. A resident asked if DDOT was aware that a station will be going near the 1 Hawaii Avenue NE project and Mr. Matletsky said that he worked on bikeshare for that project. DDOT is building out a network where there are gaps so that people have places to dock and pick up bikes.
I asked about the long-planned bikeshare station on South Dakota & Galloway Street NE. Mr. Matletksy said that station would have needed some private property, and they could not reach agreement with the property owner. He said they looked at other areas along Galloway but there would not be enough solar to power a station. So, they are now planning to put the station at South Dakota & Ingraham once construction along that street finishes up. The station will likely be the newer dock described above.
(Aside: It’s too bad it sounds like a station is not being planned by UDC’s campus where the university expects to enroll up to 3,000 students over the next several years).
Yu Ying Public Charter School Expansion (5A05)
Yu Ying requested ANC support to do primarily interior construction on Veterans Day for its new building at 4350 1st Street NE in order to get back on schedule. A few residents who live near there encouraged the ANC not to support the holiday construction request in order to have a day without construction noise. The residents also discussed impacts to parking and traffic flow. Yu Ying representatives stated they take these issues seriously. Sounded like they said they are exploring a satellite dropoff space along Harewood Road.
This was so late in the meeting that the commission no longer had a quorum, so they could not vote on the issue of holiday construction.
Commissioner Updates
Sounded like the ANC intended to discuss grants but ran out of time. Grant application guidelines are on the ANC’s website.
I’m sure I’m missing something because it was such a long meeting.
From ANC 5A
ANC 5A Meeting
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 6:45 pm
VIRTUAL ONLY
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85215375700?pwd=EUzlGhPaVDsbF6d9D9MjafJobapEkj.1
Meeting ID: 852 1537 5700
Passcode: 599451
Dial In: 301 715 8592
Individuals will be called on once acknowledged by the Chair.
Commissioners will be let into the meeting room first. Once they are all present, the residents will be let in.
ANC 5A NOVEMBER SPECIAL MEETING 2024 AGENDA
Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm
Quorum
AGENDA ITEM: November meeting date change
Adjourn
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT ANTICIPATE THIS MEETING BEING MORE THAN 15 MINUTES
ANC 5A Meeting
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 6:45 pm
VIRTUAL ONLY
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89120474237?pwd=9BS4JIqVIGVHdphZaEN6BU5ebLFxiv.1
Meeting ID: 891 2047 4237
Passcode: 112078
Dial In: 301 715 8592
AGENDA
I. Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm
II. Quorum
III. Agenda Review/Acceptance
IV. Commission Business
A. Secretary
i. Minutes (September 2024)
B. Treasurer
i. 4th Quarter Financial Report
V. Commission Action Items/Updates
A. Proposal to allocate funds towards the Faith United Church of Christ Thanksgiving Food Giveaway (Lucio)
B. Mundo Verde Large Tract Review- Letter of Support (5A03)
C. Motion to Establish a Joint 5A/5B Special Committee on the Taylor Street PBL Project (5A03)
VI. Community Updates
A. MPD
B. Mayor’s Office
C. Councilmember Parker’s office
VII. Reports & Presentations
A. Jubileaf LLC (5A08)
B. Bicycle Program Specialist, District Department of Transportation- Greg Matlesky
C. Washington Yu Ying-Jose Sousa (5A05)
VIII. Community Comments
IX. Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 (note: 5th week of November due to the holiday)
X. Adjourn
From ANC 5A03
SMD 5A03 Meeting Agenda
Thursday 10/10/2024 at 07:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83367668073?pwd=6XoXjeUwL1aQmqR3B8NULEZ3Gk5AO8.1
Meeting ID: 833 6766 8073
Passcode: 923136
SMD 5A03 Meeting Agenda
* Subject to change
Your Commissioner and neighbor,
Emily Singer Lucio
Commissioner ANC 5A03
5a03@anc.dc.gov
202-421-8674
Do you live in my SMD, then please join my Listserve and tell your neighbors too: https://groups.io/g/SMD5A03
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on September 25, 2024. Commissioners present: Duvalier Malone (5A01); Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Vice Chair, Secretary; Diego Rojas (5A04); Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC 5A06 & 5A07 are vacant.
Commission Business
The ANC approved the Fiscal Year 2024 3rd Quarter financial report. The ANC tabled voting on the FY 2025 budget.
The ANC approved a job description for an ANC administrative assistant.
Mayor’s Office Ward 5 Report (Anthony Black, Ward 5 MOCR)
Christian Starghill is a new Ward 5 MOCR. She will be helping out with issues in ANC 5A. She can be reached at christian.starghill@dc.gov or at 202-394-4399. Mr. Black can be reached at anthony.black@dc.gov or at 202-251-5049.
The MOCRs will hold Ward 5 days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10:00am-3:00 pm, when they can meet with ANC commissioners and residents across the ward to address issues.
September was National Preparedness month. Art All Night took place across all eight wards.
Ward 5 Council Report (Oliver Stoute, Constituent Services Coordinator for Councilmember Zachary Parker)
Ward 5 Day was a big success, with a shoutout going to Commissioner Lucio for helping with the young entrepreneur fair.
CM Parker is chairing a new subcommittee on libraries and youth affairs.
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb plans to issue a letter regarding the investigation into the sale of the Providence campus. Look for that in an upcoming newsletter from CM Parker.
Up in the Air Public Arts Project (Leonina Arismendi & Lynda Andrews-Barry)
The Up in the Air art project is a public call to action for equitable access to clean air in Ward 5 with a special focus on the Ivy City and Trinidad neighborhoods. The “artivists” are currently working to install an exhibit at Trinidad Recreation Center. They are supporting the 2023 Environmental Justice Amendment Act. Residents can support the project by submitting photos to Up in the Air.
National Links Trust Langston Golf Course Renovation (Michael McCartin, Cofounder; Damian Cosby, Executive Director)
National Links Trust was awarded a 50-year operating lease at three golf courses in DC for an initiative called the Nation’s Capital Project. They recently reopened the mini golf course at East Potomac Park. They are turning their attention to renovations at historic Langston Golf Course, which opened in 1939. They will be holding community meetings to get input on the golf course. They emphasized the importance of municipal golf courses and their goal of having the site used for community programs (for example, an exhibit on Black golf history) and workforce development. Stay tuned for notices about community meetings regarding Langston.
Commissioner Updates
5A03
Commissioner Lucio (5A03) will hold a single member district meeting on October 10. She will discuss the Mundo Verde renovation and the friar building that is for sale.
Commissioner Lucio said she is working with CM Parker’s office to make sure the community is considered in the Attorney General’s letter that is forthcoming regarding the Providence campus.
The Kennedy School development is moving ahead. They will be razing the site shortly.
She is working with the HOA of the Michigan Park townhomes to resolve what is the city’s responsibility and what is the HOA’s responsibility.
5A08
Commissioner Fletcher (5A08) will have an SMD meeting on October 24.
There was a groundbreaking for 1 Hawaii Avenue, a 100% income-restricted affordable housing development in ANC 5A06.
5A09
A “party of five” that included Commissioner Bocoum acting in her personal capacity, not as a commissioner, reached a settlement agreement with Aldi for the sale of beer and wine at the store that will be opening soon at 5300 South Dakota Avenue in ANC 5A09.
(Aside: I have to acknowledge ANC 5F Commissioner Aru Sahni (5F02). Back in June I reached out to him to ask for a copy of the settlement agreement that his ANC reached with the Trader Joe’s that will be opening near Brookland Metro station. He responded right away. I shared that agreement with Commissioner Bocoum prior to the ANC’s June meeting, explaining that ABCA encourages parties to copy agreements that have been vetted and approved and tailor them as appropriate. For whatever reason, other commissioners on the ANC did not understand the protest process and created unnecessary confusion in trying to get an agreement at the ANC level. So Bocoum ended up pursuing an agreement as a party of five.)
Miscellaneous
Earlier in the meeting, a resident tried to tie the environmental justice issues in Ward 5 discussed during the “Up in the Air” presentation to the South Dakota Avenue safety study by stating that bike lanes on South Dakota Avenue would cause more car idling. Therefore, the resident said, there will be more air pollution if bike lanes are put on South Dakota Avenue. In response, Commissioner Fletcher said that he has been told that bike lanes have been taken off the table for the South Dakota Avenue project. A resident then stated that DDOT Director Sharon Kershbaum said that all bike lane projects across the city have been put on hold. Commissioner Fletcher did not state where he received his information.
Jose Sousa, Chief Operating Officer for Yu Ying, requested to present on the school’s expansion at the ANC’s October meeting.
The next ANC 5A meeting will be October 23, 2024.
From ANC 5A
ANC 5A SEPTEMBER MEETING
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
6:45 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89120474237?pwd=9BS4JIqVIGVHdphZaEN6BU5ebLFxiv.1
Meeting ID: 891 2047 4237
Passcode: 112078
AGENDA
I. Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm
II. Quorum
III. Agenda Review/Acceptance
IV. Commission Business
A. Secretary
i. Minutes (June 2024)
B. Treasurer
i. 4th Quarter Financial Report
ii. Job Description
V. Commission Action Items/Updates
A. Aldi Liquor License Approval (5A09)
VI. Community Updates
A. MPD
B. Mayor’s Office
C. Councilmember Parker’s office
VII. Reports & Presentations
A. Community Environmental Justice Public Art Project, Lynda Andrews-Barry
B. National Links Trust-Damian Cosby, PGA, Executive Director
VIII. Community Comments
IX. Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
X. Adjourn
From ANC Commissioner Shelagh Bocoum (5A09)
SMD 5A09 Meeting Agenda
Monday 09/16/2024 at 07:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85380886626?pwd=aPcbXnRFn38Xai4DN22r9g8PHtfaff.1
Meeting ID: 853 8088 6626
Passcode: 590935
Agenda
Please email Commissioner Bocoum at 5a09@anc.dc.gov if you have specific topics that you would like added to the agenda.
Candidates for ANC single member districts 4B08 and 5A01 serving Riggs Park still needed!
If you call yourself a reasonable, respectful person interested in improving where you live, please consider running for a seat on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC). Each ANC commissioner represents approximately 2,000 residents who make up a single member district (SMD). Find your ANC/SMD.
Nominating petitions to run for ANC in the November general election are available from the DC Board of Elections. Petitions are due at 5:00 pm on August 7, 2024. Information about how to run for the ANC is available on the Board of Election website at https://www.dcboe.org/candidates/anc-advisory-neighborhood-commissioners.
Riggs Park is served by ANCs 4B and ANC 5A, specifically ANC 4B08, 4B09, 4B10, 5A01, 5A02, and 5A09. So far, there are no candidates for 4B08 and 5A01 serving Riggs Park. If you have been a resident of one of these SMDs for at least 60 days, please consider running for ANC. There is still time to pick up petitions and collect 25 signatures from registered voters in the SMD.
ANC 4B has 10 SMDs. So far 8 candidates have picked up petitions:
ANC 5A has 9 SMDs. So far 5 people have picked up petitions:
ANCs can weigh in on all sorts of matters that affect residents (planning and development projects, services by District agencies, etc.) so it really can make a difference to have proactive, reasonable people in these positions. If you are a reasonable, respectful person who would not mind doing some unpaid community work and would enjoy interacting with residents, District agencies, and neighborhood businesses to make our neighborhood a bit better, go ahead and run. We all thank you in advance.
Map of ANC 4B07
Map of ANC 4B08
Map of ANC 4B09
Map of ANC 4B10
Map of ANC 5A01
Map of ANC 5A02
Map of ANC 5A09
If you call yourself a reasonable, respectful person interested in improving where you live, please consider running for a seat on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC). Each ANC commissioner represents approximately 2,000 residents who make up a single member district (SMD). Find your ANC/SMD.
Nominating petitions to run for ANC in the November general election are available from the DC Board of Elections. Petitions are due at 5:00 pm on August 7, 2024. Information about how to run for the ANC is available on the Board of Election website at https://www.dcboe.org/candidates/anc-advisory-neighborhood-commissioners.
Riggs Park is served by ANCs 4B and ANC 5A, specifically ANC 4B08, 4B09, 4B10, 5A01, 5A02, and 5A09. So far, there are no candidates for 4B08, 4B09, 4B10, and 5A01 serving Riggs Park. If you have been a resident of one of these SMDs for at least 60 days, please consider running for ANC. There is still time to pick up petitions and collect 25 signatures from registered voters in the SMD.
As always, I like to put in a plug for someone to run in my SMD, which is ANC 5A01. It is a nice manageable area with the Lamond-Riggs Library and UDC Lamond-Riggs campus. I think the residents in this pocket of the neighborhood are pretty low-key, nice folks (I promise).
As a whole, ANCs 4B and 5A need several more candidates so that each has a full commission.
ANC 4B has 10 SMDs. So far 3 candidates have picked up petitions:
ANC 5A has 9 SMDs. So far 5 people have picked up petitions:
ANCs can weigh in on all sorts of matters that affect residents (planning and development projects, services by District agencies, etc.) so it really can make a difference to have proactive, reasonable people in these positions. If you are a reasonable, respectful person who would not mind doing some unpaid community work and would enjoy interacting with residents, District agencies, and neighborhood businesses to make our neighborhood a bit better, go ahead and run. We all thank you in advance.
Map of ANC 4B07
Map of ANC 4B08
Map of ANC 4B09
Map of ANC 4B10
Map of ANC 5A01
Map of ANC 5A02
Map of ANC 5A09
From ANC Commissioner Shelagh Bocoum (5A09)
5A09 SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT MEETING
Thursday 07/18/2024 at 06:00 pm
Special SMD 5A09 Meeting Agenda
Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87417402172?pwd=uD2EbYSUgRD4u0PmijR4jZTY0d1mOT.1
Meeting ID: 874 1740 2172
Passcode: 390073
Agenda (times are tentative)
6:00 Aldi alcohol sale license request
6:30 Planned one-block bike lane at Riggs and South Dakota
7:00 Possible future bike lane on South Dakota Ave
Anyone who lives in 5A09 or near Fort Totten Metro Station, please attend the meeting to discuss these issues.
You can also email bike.lanes@dc.gov (please provide your address / distance from Fort Totten) so your opinions will be given more weight) and [copy Commissioner Bocoum at 5A09@anc.dc.gov].
Surveys regarding South Dakota Ave Safety Study can be found at South Dakota Ave Safety Study – Official Website of Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker (zacharyparkerward5.com)
—
[Ed. note: I am not sure why Commissioner Bocoum is having another SMD meeting about the alcohol license issue when the protest deadline is July 22. (The hearing was pushed back because Aldi did not post the placard until June 7). It seems Commissioners Fletcher and Lucio are telling her what to do, but neither of them is giving good advice. One or both told her that the license had been approved already, which was obviously not correct, and residents told her that was not correct. Then one or both told her she should have another SMD meeting, which does not make any sense and residents told her that does not make any sense. The full ANC should be having a special meeting to vote on a resolution. So, I am not sure what the ANC is doing and why other commissioners are telling Commissioner Bocoum things that do not make any sense.]
Catching up on posts
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on June 26, 2024. Commissioners present: Karlus Cozart (5A02); Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Vice Chair, Secretary; Tyeron Boston (5A05); Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC 5A06 & 5A07 are vacant.
This meeting was super long. Chair Fletcher left about halfway through, but there was still a quorum of commissioners present.
Commission Business
Commissioner Lucio was elected secretary, retroactive to February 2024. An official from the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions conducted the installation.
The ANC apparently previously approved drafting a job description for an assistant to the ANC. That was tasked to Commissioner Bocoum to complete by the ANC’s September 2024 meeting.
Public Safety Update
The ANC held a public safety summit on June 20. Commissioner Cozart, who is heading up the ANC’s public safety committee, stated the ANC had presentations by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Catholic University’s public safety office, and Carlos McKnight representing Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker’s office. Commissioner Cozart will submit a report on the summit at the ANC’s September 2024 public meeting. The ANC also wants to have a public safety summit in the fall.
Sahara Market & Cafe (5A02)
See Sahara presentation to ANC 5A (June 2024)
Owners of Sahara Market & Cafe presented on their alcohol license application. They have vague plans to open some type of eatery in the Avondale Shops strip mall at 1901 Michigan Avenue NE (near Eastern Avenue NE) in ANC 5B. The property sits across the street from ANC 5A02, so Commissioner Cozart has been communicating with commissioners in ANC 5B. The owners also have a restaurant in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
Commissioner Cozart held a single member district (SMD) meeting prior to the full ANC meeting. At his SMD meeting, residents expressed concerns about hours of operation, proximity to the childcare center at YMCA, proximity to the church across the street from the proposed eatery, and about the patrons that a restaurant with late night hours serving alcohol in a residential neighborhood would attract.
In response, representatives of Sahara stated that they have changed hours to shut down at midnight, though that apparently had not been reflected in their actual application just yet.
Sahara reps said they want to work with residents to provide amenities that neighbors would support. They said they have heard from Queens Chapel residents that they do not want a liquor store and that they want a bakery or coffee shop. So the owners are bouncing around ideas for a space that will have a coffee component, provide a lunchtime option, and possibly sell fresh produce. They said they are not trying to bring a liquor store to the community.
The ANC voted to oppose Sahara’s applications for a Class B and Class C alcohol license.
Ward 5 Council Report (Carlos McKnight, Constituent Services Coordinator for Ward 5 CM Zachary Parker)
Carlos McKnight, constituent services coordinated for CM Parker, noted that residents shared concerns about buses idling on Galloway Street NE for Metro’s bus bridge. The buses will be in the neighborhood until the end of August 2024 to support Metro’s red line construction.
CM Parker reached out to Metro. Metro stated that they will send personnel to monitor idling and will provide a cooling bus for bus operators. Metro sent a letter to ANC 5A Chair Fletcher. Residents asked if someone could share the letter with residents. (Note: CM Parker’s office shared the letter in the Ward 5 newsletter). A resident asked if Metro could stage buses in the parking lots on Eastern Avenue by the Giant instead of on Galloway because of the poor sightlines created by having buses parked on both sides of the street. In addition, the resident expressed concern about the annual practice of people coming to the field to shoot fireworks.
The Takoma station has reopened. Red line closure from Takoma to Glenmont continues until the end of August. Sign up for red line construction alerts. For more information, visit wmata.com/majorconstruction.
The comment period for Metro’s proposed bus redesign network closes July 15, 2024. Give input at https://betterbus.wmata.com/share. CM Parker’s office produced a scorecard of the proposal.
The Council approved the FY2025 budget. Some Ward 5 wins include funding for improvements to the playground at the North Michigan Park Rec Center.
The comment period for the South Dakota Avenue NE corridor safety study project is open until mid-August. Give input: DDOT Questionnaire and at DDOT Public Input Map.
Councilmember Parker attended a public safety meeting at Social Justice School. Metro Transit Police Department representatives attended as well. CM Parker has reached out to Ramdass Pharmacy, which was robbed in mid-June.
(Aside: This was the last ANC meeting for Carlos. In the Ward 5 newsletter, CM Parker’s office notified residents Carlos is no longer with the Ward 5 office. ANC 5A residents should contact Oliver Stoute at ostoute@dccouncil.gov for constituent services requests. Carlos is a wonderful person & we wish him the very best.)
Safety improvements on Fort Drive NE & Taylor Street NE (Anne Welch, DDOT)
See DDOT Taylor Street NE presentation to ANC 5A (June 2024)
DDOT is studying bike lanes along Taylor Street NE and along Harewood Road NW. Construction on bike lanes on Taylor Street is anticipated in Fiscal Year 2025. Construction on bike lanes on Rock Creek Church Road/Harewood Road NE corridor is expected in Fiscal Year 2026
Currently, DDOT is in Phase 1, looking at needs assessment and interagency coordination
Commissioner Boston (5A05) asked if DDOT has taken into consideration that Washington Yu Ying and Washington Latin will be opening campuses on Taylor pretty soon. He asked if DDOT has decided which side of the road the bike lanes will be go on. DDOT responded that they are aware of the schools’ plans and that they are still assessing where the bike lanes will go.
A resident noted that ANC 5A06 is an impacted SMD and that they are without representation.
South Dakota Avenue Corridor Safety Study (Sayra Molina, DDOT)
See DDOT South Dakota Avenue Safety Study One Pager
DDOT is conducting a safety study of the South Dakota Avenue NE corridor between Bladensburg Road NE and Riggs Road NE with the goal of implementing a road diet. DDOT is conducting the first round of public meetings, gathering input, and developing concepts. Give input by mid-August, 2024: DDOT Questionnaire and at DDOT Public Input Map.
A project website is forthcoming.
St. Anselm Abbey’s School Expansion (5A02)
See St. Anselm’s Abbey School Expansion Presentation to ANC 5A (June 2024)
St. Anselm’s Abbey School is looking to expand on its existing campus. The plan is to build a new wing to house a new library, office space, a student chapel, and admissions office. The expansion will be served by the existing parking and existing driveway. The school needs BZA relief for the expansion. They are requesting a modification to their private school plan. They do not plan to increase enrollment.
Commissioner Lucio asked if the school could reconfigure the driveway. A representative stated that is currently not included in the scope of work.
Commissioner Lucio asked if St. Anselm had any interest in buying any property from Boys Town, which is being sold. A school rep stated that he did not see any current program needs for additional property and that the sale price will probably be too high, but he stated he will alert his board of the opportunity.
The ANC voted to support St. Anselm’s BZA application.
Community Concerns
I noted that the deadline for protesting Aldi’s beer/wine license application was approaching and that at Commissioner Bocoum’s SMD meeting, residents noted that this would be a good opportunity to pursue a friendly settlement agreement with Aldi. Commissioner Bocoum was misinformed that their beer/wine license application had been approved already, which created some confusion. The ANC agreed to have Commissioner Bocoum pursue a friendly settlement agreement. Commissioner Boston opposed. (Aside: The protest deadline for the application was pushed back to July 22).
The ANC is on recess during July and August.
If you call yourself a reasonable, respectful person interested in improving where you live, consider running for a seat on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC).
Starting today July 1, nominating petitions to run for ANC in the November general election are available from the DC Board of Elections. Petitions are due at 5:00 pm on August 7, 2024. Information about how to run for the ANC is available on the Board of Election website at https://www.dcboe.org/candidates/anc-advisory-neighborhood-commissioners.
Greater Greater Washington is hosting a virtual training on how to run for ANC tonight, July 1 at 6:00 pm. Register at the link.
Each ANC commissioner represents approximately 2,000 residents who make up a single member district (SMD). Find your ANC/SMD.
Maybe you like researching, have ideas about DC’s budget or how to improve the neighborhood, or want to advocate for the community before DC agencies. Maybe you have asked yourself, “Did anyone think of this or that?” when it comes to development. Maybe you have a list of things you wish DDOT were doing in the neighborhood. Well, serving as an ANC commissioner is a chance to serve in a position that matters because views of the commission are given great weight.
ANCs can weigh in on all sorts of matters that affect residents (planning and development projects, services by District agencies, etc.) so it really can make a difference to have proactive, reasonable people in these positions. If you are a reasonable, respectful person who would not mind doing some unpaid community work and would enjoy interacting with residents, District agencies, and neighborhood businesses to make our neighborhood a bit better, go ahead and run. We all thank you in advance.
Neighborhood boundaries and corresponding ANCs
The boundaries of Riggs Park generally are New Hampshire Avenue NE to the north, Eastern Avenue/MD-DC border to the east, Galloway Street to the south, & the Metro red line tracks to the west. (I don’t make the rules). Riggs Park is represented in part by commissioners in ANC 4B08, 4B09, 4B10, 5A01, 5A02, and 5A09.
Lamond is north of New Hampshire Avenue to about Underwood Place NE/NW. Lamond is represented is represented by commissioners in ANC 4B07 and 4B10.
I always like to put in a little plug for my SMD, which is ANC 5A01. It is a nice manageable area with the Lamond-Riggs Library and UDC Lamond-Riggs campus. I think the residents in this pocket of the neighborhood are pretty low-key, nice folks.
Map of ANC 4B07
Map of ANC 4B08
Map of ANC 4B09
Map of ANC 4B10
Map of ANC 5A01
Map of ANC 5A02
Map of ANC 5A09
From ANC 5A
ANC 5A Meeting
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 6:45 pm
VIRTUAL ONLY
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86210460261?pwd=NnF5RElVd0orWWppd3FPRGlPMjRPZz09
Meeting ID: 862 1046 0261
Passcode: 869469
Dial In: 301 715 8592
Individuals will be called on once acknowledged by the Chair.
Commissioners will be let into the meeting room first. Once they are all present, the residents will be let in.
AGENDA
I. Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm
II. Quorum
III. Agenda Review/Acceptance
IV. Commission Business
A. Election and Swearing in of the Secretary
B. Secretary
i. Minutes (May 2024)
C. Treasurer
i. 3rd Quarter Financial Report
ii. Job Description
D. Public Safety Committee Update from June 20th (Commissioner Cozart)
V. Commission Action Items/Updates
A. Sahara Market (Ret B and CR) (5A02)
VI. Community Updates
A. MPD
B. Mayor’s Office
C. Councilmember Parker’s office
VII. Reports & Presentations
A. Dalando Baker (DDOT) South Dakota Ave Traffic Study- DDOT
B. St. Anslam’s Abby School Development (5A02)
C. Anne Welch (DDOT) Safety improvements on Fort Drive NE and Taylor Street NE from North Capitol Street NW to South Dakota Avenue NE.
VIII. Community Comments
IX. Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 25, 2024
X. Adjourn
ANC 5A just cancelled the special meeting scheduled for tonight.
From ANC 5A:
Please note, this meeting for tonight has been canceled. The election noted below will be conducted at our regular public meeting on June 26, 2024.
—
[Ed. Note: A couple of months ago, the ANC decided that Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03), who had been installed as vice chair at the beginning of the year, would also take on the secretary role for the ANC. I have been told that this special meeting is for the ANC to follow the proper procedures to make her secretary role official.]
From ANC 5A
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
ANC 5A Special Meeting
AGENDA
I. Call Meeting to Order 6:00 pm
II. Quorum
III. Agenda Review/Acceptance
IV. Commission Business
A. Special Election
VIII. Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 26, 2024
IX. Adjourn
Topic: ANC 5A Special Meeting
Time: Jun 12, 2024 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88628162179?pwd=kOYbdwZ6TYZLwi7fxSOo0LddACB2cO.1
Meeting ID: 886 2816 2179
Passcode: 301369
From ANC 5A09
Quarterly SMD 5A09 Meeting Agenda
Monday, June 17th at 7:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87417402172?pwd=uD2EbYSUgRD4u0PmijR4jZTY0d1mOT.1
Meeting ID: 874 1740 2172
Passcode: 390073
Agenda
1. Aldi Updates
Alcohol sale license request
Request to add a turning lane on Kennedy St at South Dakota Ave.
2. Food and Friends Update
Request to add a curb cut on South Dakota Ave near Kennedy St.
3. South Dakota Ave Safety Project
Ways to improve safety on South Dakota Ave.
What is your opinion about bike lanes on South Dakota Ave?
Other Business
Do you live within the boundaries of SMD 5A09? (See map below.) If so, to join my listserv, please visit https://groups.io/g/SMD5A09
[Ed. Note: A couple of months ago, the ANC decided that Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03), who had been installed as vice chair at the beginning of the year, would also take on the secretary role for the ANC. I have been told that this special meeting is for the ANC to follow the proper procedures to make her secretary role official.]
From ANC 5A
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
ANC 5A Special Meeting
AGENDA
I. Call Meeting to Order 6:00 pm
II. Quorum
III. Agenda Review/Acceptance
IV. Commission Business
A. Special Election
VIII. Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 26, 2024
IX. Adjourn
Topic: ANC 5A Special Meeting
Time: Jun 12, 2024 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88628162179?pwd=kOYbdwZ6TYZLwi7fxSOo0LddACB2cO.1
Meeting ID: 886 2816 2179
Passcode: 301369
The seats for ANC 5A06 and 5A07 are officially vacant for the rest of the year. By law, if a vacancy occurs within six months of a general election, nominating petitions may not be made available and the seat will remain vacant for the remainder of the term. These two seats have been vacant for several months now. There are quite a few things happening in particularly ANC 5A07, so the rest of the ANC and the chair will have to pick up the slack and stay on top of things in these areas.
Not too early for people to start thinking about running for ANC in the fall!
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on May 22, 2024. Commissioners present: Duvalier Malone (5A01); Karlus Cozart (5A02) – Parliamentarian; Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Vice Chair & Secretary; Diego Rojas (5A04); Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC 5A06 & 5A07 are vacant.
Commission Business
The ANC voted to approve spending $90 to get video recordings of the ANC meetings off zoom and onto the ANC website. Commissioner Cozart voted no.
ANC Public Safety Committee Update
Commissioner Cozart, who is heading up the ANC’s public safety meeting, stated the ANC will tentatively schedule a public safety summit on June 20, 2024, at 6:45 pm. Commissioner Cozart said he has invitations out to the DC Office of Attorney General, DC Department of Youth & Rehabilitation Services, and Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker.
Ward 5 Mayor Office Report (Ward 5 MOCR Anthony Black)
The Giant Barbecue Battle will be in September. Reach out to him for tickets.
Mr. Black has Ward days on Tuesday and Fridays when he can meet residents and commissioners around the ward to discuss any issues.
Mayor Bowser FY2025 Budget Presentation (Phil Thomas, Director, Office of the Clean City)
Director of the Mayor’s Office of the Clean City stated the mayor’s FY 2025 budget has three core principles: (1) public safety; (2) public education; (3) downtown investments.
Ward 5 Council Report (Carlos McKnight, Constituent Services Coordinator for Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker)
The Council is in the middle of budget season and is looking to reverse some of Mayor Bowser’s propsoed cuts.
Metro is installing permanent bus shelters at Fort Totten and Brookland stations
Metro is redesigning its bus network.
DDOT will be holding kickoff meetings for the South Dakota Avenue corridor safety project on May 30 (virtual) and June 1 (in person).
DDOT Riggs Road NE Cycletrack; Taylor Street Bike Lane Project (Christopher Berg, DDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Program Specialist; Michael Alvino, DDOT Active Transportation Branch Manager)
See DDOT ANC 5A Riggs Road Cycletrack Presentation (May 2024)
DDOT plans to reissue a Notice of Intent (NOI) to install a two-way cycletrack on the south side of Riggs Road NE between South Dakota Avenue and 1st Place NE. The goal is to install the cycletrack this year.
In response to questions, Mr. Alvino noted that DDOT is aware of the need for an additional curb cut on 1st Place NE. He also noted that DDOT is still working with National Park Service on a multi-use path on Galloway Street NE near Fort Totten station.
The Taylor Street NE bike plan project is in the planning phase.
As noted, DDOT will hold two kickoff meetings for the South Dakota Avenue corridor safety project.
Food & Friends Expansion & Curb Cut Request (Carrie Stolzfus, Executive Director, & Casey Dyson, Director Government Affairs and External Relations)
See Food & Friends Presentation to ANC 5A (May 2024)
Food & Friends wants to expand their building at 219 Riggs Road NE in order to serve more individuals. They state that in order to do so, they will need to expand towards South Dakota Avenue. They have submitted an application to DC’s Public Space Committee for what they are calling a conceptual curb cut on South Dakota Avenue NE between Riggs Road and Kennedy Street. They gave a brief presentation to the ANC to request the ANC’s support of the curb cut. The ANC did not take a vote at the meeting.
When DDOT eliminated the slip lanes on South Dakota Avenue way back when, a contiguous parcel of land was created in front of Food & Friends. That parcel of District-owned land is slated for park space so that is why Food & Friends say they are now looking to expand towards South Dakota. Because of the property lines, Food & Friends would need a bit of public space for a driveway that they want to install (in addition to the curb cut) to access this planned addition.
(I asked if Food & Friends could share information from their public space application, such as vehicle count. It was a bit hard to follow from the presentation exactly what the plans are for having two separate vehicle entrances).
Commissioner Bocoum (5A09) stated she will arrange a meeting with Food & Friends and stakeholders about the expansion and driveway plan before the ANC takes a vote on the public space application.
Miscellaneous
I mentioned that Social Justice School has applied to relocate to 333 Kennedy Street NE (as noted in this post). A DC Public Charter School Board hearing was held on May 20, 2024. The school notified Chair Fletcher but the commissioner for the area, Commissioner Bocoum, was not aware and the ANC did not participate. Councilmember Parker submitted a letter in support of the relocation in advance of the hearing.
The ANC received notification Aldi’s application to obtain a beer/wine license.
The next ANC meeting will be June 26, 2024.
From ANC 5A
ANC 5A May 2024 Meeting
DATE: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
TIME: 6:45 pm
Meeting will be held virtually
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86210460261?pwd=NnF5RElVd0orWWppd3FPRGlPMjRPZz09
Meeting ID: 862 1046 0261
Passcode: 869469
Agenda
I. Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm
II. Quorum
III. Agenda Review/Acceptance
IV. Commission Business
A. Minutes (April 2024)
B. Treasurer: 2nd Quarter Financial Report
C. Website Payment for Zoom Recordings
D. Public Safety Committee Update
V. Commission Action Items/Updates
VI. Community Updates
A. MPD
B. Mayor’s Office
C. Councilmember Parker’s office
VII. Reports & Presentations
A. Christopher Berg DDOT Bike Lanes on Riggs and Taylor Street NE
B. Sayra Molina, Transportation Specialist, South Dakota Ave NE Safety Project
C. Casey Dyson, Government Relations and Public Funding Director Food & Friends
VIII. Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
IX. Adjourn
Next Stop...Riggs Park 