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)

View renderings.

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.

In the application for modification of significance and statement in support, the applicant writes:

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)

View resolution.

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)

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)

Project website: https://4301harewood.org.

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.

From ANC Commissioner Zachary Ammerman (5A09)

Fort Circle Park Cleanup with ANC Commissioner Zachary Ammerman (5A09)
March 4, 2023
10:00 am-12:00 noon

Meet at the Galloway Street side of the Gallatin-Galloway pedestrian trail. Gloves, trash bags, and a limited number of trash grabbers provided.

Stay for five minutes or two hours, up to you. This is also a chance to talk to Commissioner Ammerman about neighborhood issues and concerns.

Sign up to receive Commissioner Ammerman’s ANC 5A09 updates at ANC5A09.com.

Ed. Note: My understanding is that the ANC will be taking a vote on the matters listed under “Legal Matters.”

From ANC 5A

ANC 5A Meeting
Wednesday, February 22, 2022 at 6:45 pm

ANC 5A’s meeting will be held online only in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81870709297?pwd=WDRMMGpvaVVGSGc5amNSU003UDE0QT09

Meeting ID: 818 7070 9297
Passcode: 847136

Dial In: 301 715 8592

AGENDA ITEMS 

I. Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm

II. Quorum  

III. Agenda Review/Acceptance  

IV. Minutes (January 2023 and Emergency Meeting February 2023)

IV. Commission Business

A.    Parliamentarian

B.    Minutes for Approval (January Meeting and February Special Meeting 2023)

C.    Treasurer: Cell Phones and Communication (Zoom account increase)

D.    Legal Matters

1.     5A03: Mundo Verde Community Agreement

2.     5A08: McDonald’s Public Space Committee Application

3.     5A08: Z Burger/Convenience Store 4975 South Dakota Ave NE

4.     5A09: ANC 5A Satellite Office Space MOU

5.     5A09: Park development at the southwest corner of South Dakota and Riggs Road

E.    Committee Formations

1.     Public Safety

2.     Social Media

3.     Parks Task Force

4.     Transportation

5.     ANC Office

V. Community Updates

A.    MPD  

B.    Mayor’s Office

C.    Councilmember Parker’s office  

VI. Reports & Presentations

A.    Yu Ying Addition-Carlie Fisherow

B.    Office of Campaign Finance-Natasha Alexander

C.    Fort Totten Park-National Park Service

VII. Community Comment Period 

VIII. Next Meeting: March 22, 2023  

IX. Adjourn

From ANC 5A

ANC 5A08 and 5A03 Joint Meeting on McDonald’s Public Space Committee Application

Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 7:00 pm

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82747576285?pwd=SmJaZFl0U3VwNHkzNEVmRHU1YzE1UT09

Meeting ID: 827 4757 6285
Passcode: 826515

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

Meeting ID: 827 4757 6285
Passcode: 826515

AGENDA ITEMS 

McDonald’s Public Space Committee Application

From ANC 5A

ANC 5A Satellite Office Space Meeting
 Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 8:00 pm

To join the video meeting, click this link: https://meet.google.com/yaa-task-dzm 

 To join by phone, dial +1 925-621-0939 and enter this PIN: 635 734 652#

Virtual meeting rules: 

Participants will be muted until called upon. A timer will be used, and time limits will be strictly adhered to. The meeting will be recorded, a transcript will be taken, and both the recording and the transcript will be posted after the meeting. Raise your hand to be called upon during the community comment and discussion segment.

Accessibility: 

The Committee strives to host meetings that are inclusive and accessible and that enable the full participation of all residents of the Commission area. The meeting will be closed-captioned. Please contact Commissioner Ammerman at 5a09@anc.dc.gov at least 48 hours before the meeting start time if you have any requests for special accommodations needed to participate fully in the meeting. 

Meeting subject: Soliciting public comment and discussion on use of the ANC 5A satellite office space located at 420 Galloway Street NE

Background info. and documents: In 2017,  ANC 5A acquired approximately 600 square feet of office space located at 420 Galloway Street NE as part of the Community Benefits Agreement in the P.U.D. for the Modern at Art Place development. Starting in 2020 and continuing to the present, Ward 5 Mutual Aid has been using the office on an informal basis as a supply hub for their organization. ANC 5A formed this Committee during its January meeting to provide recommendations to the entire ANC 5A Commission on formalizing this relationship and developing a long-term strategy for using the office. 

Documents: 

• Proposed draft agreement for use of the office (initial draft proposed to the Commission, likely to change)
• ANC lease with Cafritz Foundation for use of the office space

AGENDA ITEMS 

• Welcome and introduction
• Background information, rationale, and goals for committee and meeting
• Opening Remarks: Commissioners Ammerman, Fletcher, and Malone
• Ward 5 Mutual Aid remarks and presentation
• Community comment and discussion
• 2 minutes max. per speaker. The total discussion segment is limited to 30 minutes max.
• Wrap-up 
• Meeting summary and next steps
• Closing Remarks: Commissioners Ammerman, Fletcher, and Malone
• Adjourn

ANC 5A Meeting
Wednesday, January 25, 2022 at 6:45 pm
ANC 5A’s meeting will be held online only in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81870709297?pwd=WDRMMGpvaVVGSGc5amNSU003UDE0QT09

Meeting ID: 818 7070 9297
Passcode: 847136

Dial In: 301 715 8592

All residents will be muted. Individuals will be called on once acknowledged by the Chair.

AGENDA ITEMS 

      I. Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm

    II. Quorum  

  III. Office Vacancy Declaration

  IV. Election & Swearing in of Officers Honorable Councilmember Zachary Parker

  III. Agenda Review/Acceptance  

  IV. Commission Business

A.    New Commissioner Orientation

B.    Budget & ANC Security Fund

C.    Minutes for Approval (December Special Meeting 2022) *

D.    Ward 5 Website Update – Domain

E.    Annual Calendar

F.     ANC 2^nd Office Space

    V. Community Updates

A.    MPD  

B.    Mayor’s Office

C.    Councilmember Parker’s office  

  VI. Reports & Presentations

VII. Community Comment Period 

VIII. Next Meeting: February 22, 2023  

  IX. Adjourn

Duvalier Malone, SMD 5A01
Karlus Cozart, SMD 5A02
Emily Singer Lucio,  SMD 5A03
Diego Rojas SMD 5A04
Vacant, SMD 5A05
Kweku Toure, SMD 5A06
Vacant, SMD 5A07
Gordon-Andrew Fletcher, SMD 5A08
Zachary Ammerman, SMD 5A09

ANC 5A Commissioners 2023-2024

From ANC Commissioner Zachary Ammerman (5A09)

New ANC 5A09 Commissioner Zachary Ammerman is now hosting twice weekly online office hours. Sign up for a 30-minute video chat with him on any topic up to two weeks in advance. Online office hours will be every Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 7 pm. Feel free to also reach out to him at 5a09@anc.dc.gov (the fastest way to get in touch) or by text or phone call at 202.695.2213.

Sign up for a 30-minute video chat here.

5A09 is a brand-new district that was created out of redistricting. Roughly, it is bounded to the east by South Dakota Ave NE and the Red Line on the west and includes the Modern at Art Place and Aventine apartment complexes, the Food and Friends property, Rocketship Infinity Public Charter School, and a few blocks of duplexes of North Michigan Park north of Emerson Street NE.

Find your ANC/SMD.

The DC Board of Elections has certified vacancies for ANC single member districts 5A05 and 5A07. Nominating petitions will be available on January 9, 2023. The deadline to file petitions is January 30, 2023 at 4:45 pm. Instructions are in the notice of vacancy.

More information is available on the DC Board of Elections website at https://dcboe.org/Candidates/ANC-Commissioners and in the DC Board of Elections Filling ANC Vacancies Overview Document.

Maps of ANC 5A05 and 5A07 are below. You can find your ANC/SMD on the ANC/SMD locator. If you know someone in these areas who might have an interest in serving, please pass along this information.

On December 19, 2022, the DC Board of Elections recertified results from the November 2022 general election that impact ANC 5A, due to a recount. Current ANC Commissioner Derrick Holloway (5A06) ran for re-election for his ANC 5A06 seat as a write-in candidate during the general election. No candidate appeared on the ballot, but another resident, Kweku Toure, also ran as a write-in candidate for the seat. The initial general election results certified by the Board of Elections showed that Mr. Holloway won by one vote (30 to 29).

Following a requested recount held on December 14, 2022, the Board of Elections announced that Mr. Toure won by two votes (35 to 33).

In January 2023, ANC 5A will have nine seats (up from eight). Two seats will be vacant (ANC 5A05 and ANC 5A07).

ANC 5A Public Meeting
December 14, 2022
6:45 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85971617722?pwd=L0xkd3ZFYzlvMWYxV2tkTFFBa1J4Zz09

Meeting ID:  859 7161 7722
Passcode: 614239

Dial In: 301 715 8592

Agenda Items

• ANC 5A FY23
• DHCD $18M Housing Fund Trust Contribution for the 1 Hawaii Avenue Development Project.

ANC 5A09 Commissioner-Elect Zachary Ammerman has published a new website for future ANC 5A09 residents at https://www.ANC5A09.com. Effective January 2023, ANC 5A09 will be a new single member district (SMD) within ANC 5A, consisting of a small part of North Michigan Park west of South Dakota Avenue NE, The Modern at Art Place, Aventine at Fort Totten, and points north to Riggs Road NE west of South Dakota Avenue NE.

He is asking future ANC 5A09 constituents to fill out an outreach survey to let him know best ways to reach residents in the SMD. Please fill this out only if you will be a resident in 5A09. To find your SMD effective January 2023, use the 2023 ANC/SMD locator.

ANC 5A Public Meeting
November 16, 2022
6:45 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84468779532?pwd=VGJCRGhlQUxTdldqbDU2RXVEd2ZUUT09

Meeting ID: 844 6877 9532
Passcode: 097050

Dial In: 301 715 8592

Agenda Items

Commission Business  

• 4^th Quarter Financial Report
• Annual Report

Community Updates 7:45 pm

• MPD
• Mayor’s Office
• Councilmember McDuffie’s office

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).

Keep an eye out for the November meeting notice.

ANC 5A Public Meeting
October 26, 2022
6:45 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84468779532?pwd=VGJCRGhlQUxTdldqbDU2RXVEd2ZUUT09

Meeting ID: 844 6877 9532
Passcode: 097050

Dial In: 301 715 8592

Agenda Items

Commission Business  

A.    4^th Quarter Financial Report

B.    Annual Reports 

Community Updates 7:45 pm

A.    MPD- Police Chief

C.    Mayor’s Office

D.    Councilmember McDuffie’s office

Reports & Presentations  

A.    Bridges PCS Painting along the Metropolitan Bike Trail at Fort Totten (5A07)

B.    Mundo Verde PCS Bond Hearing Update (5A03)

C.    BZA No. 20749 – Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington- Approved (5A03)

D.    BZA Case No. 20751 – 801 Buchanan Street, NE- Minor updates (5A03)

ANC 5A held a special meeting on October 12, 2022, to take a final vote on the Kennedy School/801 Buchanan Street NE townhome project that will be developed in ANC 5A03.

Commissioners present: Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Secretary; Ronnie Edwards (5A05) – Chair; Derrick Holloway (5A06); Sandi Washington (5A07) – Treasurer; Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Vice Chair.

The ANC voted to support the project to rebuild the Kennedy School and build approximately 80 townhomes at 801 Buchanan Street NE. The Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) hearing on the project is scheduled for October 19, 2022.

See ANC 5A letter in support of the Kennedy School – BZA case no. 20749 (agency reports can be found on DC Zoning’s website).

See ANC 5A letter in support of 801 Buchanan Street NE townhome development – BZA case no. 20751 (agency reports can be found on DC Zoning’s website).

Recall, the ANC tabled a vote at its September 28th meeting in order to give the development team time to make additional presentations to the North Michigan Park Civic Association (NMPCA) and the Michigan Park Citizens Association (MPCA). The proposed project sits in Michigan Park; North Michigan Park is across the street from the project. The developer met with North Michigan Park on October 5 and with Michigan Park on October 11.

At NMPCA’s meeting, the developer agreed to the civic association’s request for a $5,000 scholarship contribution. At the special meeting, ANC Commissioner Sandi Washington (5A07) asked why it was not more and NMPCA president Carmen Williams and the developer both stated that NMPCA only asked for $5,000. The developer said they would raise the scholarship contribution to $10,000. In addition, the developer stated they would contribute $25,000 to DC’s Housing Production Trust Fund to benefit projects in Ward 5. This is on top of the community benefits that the developer had already negotiated with ANC Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) and residents that were discussed in previous ANC 5A meetings (preserving publicly accessible green space for future tot lot and dog park; RPP restrictions for HOA; vibration monitoring; and contribution to housing property tax relief fund).

A resident from Michigan Park noted that MPCA did not ask for more benefits because the townhomes are being developed in order to generate funds for the reconstruction of the school, which serves children with disabilities. He said the school has been in the neighborhood a long time and serves children and young adults of DC needing those specialized services.

This is a BZA project, for which technically the developer does not have to offer or provide these kind of benefits. Typically these kinds of benefits are offered with planned unit developments (PUDs), which are approved by the Zoning Commission.

There was also some discussion about building triplexes versus rowhomes. Apparently, DC Office of Planning and residents asked the developer to consider building triplexes for the row of homes facing the existing neighborhood homes. The developer responded that they thought triplexes were less than ideal because then people would see the rear of the second row of homes through the gap in the triplexes. Or something like that.

I think there was discussion of other things like making sure there were any necessary easements to access the future public green space so that it would in fact be publicly accessible.

After a very very long discussion and lots of grumbles, the ANC finally voted to support the project. The BZA hearing is scheduled for October 19, 2022.

(Aside: There was more prolonged discussion of whether Commissioner Lucio had done adequate outreach regarding this project. A reminder that residents should sign up for email distributions from ANC 5A by filling out the contact form on ANC 5A’s website or emailing Commissioner Lucio at 5A03@anc.dc.gov. Commissioner Lucio distributes meeting notices at least 7 days in advance and she typically puts her SMD meeting minutes and presentations on ANC 5A’s website. The presentation for this project can be found at https://anc5a.org/documents/#presentations in the “September 2022” folder. Also, Commissioner Lucio is one of the more reasonable commissioners on ANC 5A. I have reached out to her about projects in her SMD that are close to Riggs Park to offer what I think are helpful suggestions and she was always open to listening. People living within 200 feet of a project (so-called 200 footers) get hard copy notices of hearings, so they should be aware of what is happening. If people think hard copies of ANC meeting notices should be distributed to nearby residents, they can certainly suggest that and maybe even volunteer to help distribute them.)

ANC 5A Special Meeting
October 12, 2022
6:45 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82255243900?pwd=cElKNnc4UU1MK1lhcTAybUl2Ti9xdz09

Meeting ID: 822 5524 3900
Passcode: 424354

Dial In: 301 715 8592

Agenda Items

• BZA No. 20749 – Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington ( Kennedy School)
• BZA Case No. 20751 – 801 Buchanan Street, NE

From Zachary Ammerman, candidate for ANC single member district 5A09

Join Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner candidate for Single Member District 5A09 Zach Ammerman for a community cleanup and Sidewalkpalooza event Oct. 9th at 10 am in front of the Modern on Galloway Street (400 Galloway Street NE). Volunteers will help pick up trash throughout the community while filing 311 requests for repairs to sidewalks and pedestrians safety improvements. We’ll meander our way around the neighborhood, meet us at any point and stay for as little or long as you like. The event will end around noonish.

Trash bags and gloves provided.

Rain date: Oct. 15th at 10 am.

Registration appreciated but not required at https://zachforanc5a09.com/2022/10/02/sidewalkpalooza-and-community-cleanup-oct-9th.

ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on September 28, 2022.

Commissioners present: Charles Lockett (5A02); Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Secretary; Diego Rojas (5A04); Ronnie Edwards (5A05) – Chair; Derrick Holloway (5A06); Sandi Washington (5A07) – Treasurer; Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Vice Chair.

(This meeting clocked in at well over three hours ending after 10:00 pm for no good reason. The ANC really needs to utilize a timer; lots of speechifying going on. I am sure I am leaving something out.)

Armed Forces Retirement Home Development Project (5A05)

Project websites
https://www.afrh.gov/aboutus/propertydevelopment
https://www.ncpc.gov/projects/MP060

View presentation: AFRH Update, September 28, 2022

The development team for the Armed Forces Retirement Home returned to the ANC to share updates from discussions the team is having with ANCs in Ward 1 and Ward 4, primarily about connectivity with surrounding neighborhoods. The home sits in ANC 5A05, but borders Ward 1 and Ward 4.

The home is an independent federal agency but does not receive dedicated appropriations. The development project is a way to bring in money for the home.

In looking at connectivity, the team stated it will need to take into account cost, law enforcement, and potential golf course reconfiguration. Certain connectivity options will be very expensive. With respect to law enforcement, DC police do not have jurisdiction over the grounds; neither does US Capitol Police. Certain connectivity options could potentially help with this law enforcement hole by making some of the space public property that can then be policed by MPD. And finally, the team does not want to route pedestrians on paths where they are likely to interfere with golf range operations or be hit with golf balls.

The team is looking at a grocery for the first phase. The presentation includes a concept plan for how connectivity would look to the grocery store.

There was lots more talked about. If you care at all about this project, take a look at the pretty detailed presentation.

Also, I will note that the home will continue to sit in ANC 5A05, but there is currently not anyone running to represent this area for the ANC. Commissioner Ronnie Edwards (5A05), the current commissioner for this area, will be in a new ANC in January 2023 due to redistricting.

Riggs Road NE Cycletrack (5A08) (Vicki Cadullo, DDOT)

View DDOT’s presentation: Riggs Road NE Cycletrack Connector

Vicki Caudullo, a planner with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), presented rough plans for a very short cycletrack on the south side of Riggs Road NE from 1st Place NE to South Dakota Avenue NE. There was not much in the way of detail, but it looks like the idea is to take part of the dedicated right turn lane and use it for an on-street two-way cycletrack that would divert to the sidewalk where it meets a trailhead for the Metropolitan Branch Trail at the southwest corner of South Dakota Avenue & Riggs Road NE. This is supposed to connect to future bike infrastructure that is planned for South Dakota Avenue. DDOT needs to do a traffic analysis.

DDOT asked for reactions to the cycletrack connector concept. A few commissioners stated that bike lanes are terrible and taking over the city, making it difficult to drive. Another noted how ANC 5A has intergenerational communities and that there are lots of seniors in the neighborhood who need their cars. Another noted putting bike infrastructure on South Dakota Avenue is going to get someone killed. A couple of residents in comments thanked DDOT for looking at ways to provide a safe connection to the MBT from the east. (I noted that the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association had an event with Food & Friends about utilizing the green space at the corner and that DDOT should reach out to Food & Friends about this plan. When residents told Food & Friends representatives about DDOT’s plan at LRCA’s event, the representatives stated that their driveway on Riggs Road is pretty active, with delivery drivers coming and going frequently so they definitely want to know what the plans are).

DDOT presented the plans to ANC 4B the same evening. DDOT will be back with more updates.

36 Hawaii Avenue NE (5A06)

BZA Case No. 20793. BZA hearing scheduled for October 26, 2022

The ANC approved support for this project. The building has three units but only has a certificate of occupancy for a flat. The applicant is seeking relief to make the existing third unit a legal unit.

The Kennedy School/801 Buchanan Street NE (Kennedy School) Project (5A03)

This project has two related applications:
(1) Application for redevelopment of the school facility, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington – BZA Case No. 20749
Applicant Prehearing Statement
(2) Development of townhomes on the property – BZA Case No. 20751
Applicant Prehearing Statement

A BZA hearing is scheduled for October 19, 2022

The property is owned by the Joseph P. Kennedy Institute. On the site is a private school for children with physical, emotional, and developmental disabilities (The Kennedy School). In order to generate funds to support the school, part of the property will be used to develop approximately 80 townhomes with brick facades. The existing school will be redeveloped on the site.

Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) worked with the Applicant and Ascension (owner of Providence Health) to get a commitment to combine the rear of the property with part of Providence’s property, which is adjacent to the Applicant’s property and slated for future redevelopment, in order to create a tot lot and a dog park in the future. The Applicant also agreed to contribute to a tax relief fund for nearby property owners, agreed to install vibration monitoring equipment at the site during construction, and agreed that the HOA documents will restrict access to RPP parking.

If you live in this area, Commissioner Lucio has been having lots of community meetings about this project. Reach out to her to get on her email list for meeting notices and updates about the project. She said that at her last SMD meeting, residents in attendance voted to support the project.

At the full ANC meeting, a few commissioners asked about pricing for the townhomes. Construction is a ways off, so it is too early to say what market price will be, but there will be nine below market rate homes offered. The ANC tabled a vote on the project so that the development team can present the plans to the North Michigan Park Civic Association and the Michigan Park Citizens Association (the project sits in Michigan Park).

The ANC will hold a special meeting on October 12, 2022, for the ANC to make a final decision.

1343 Webster Street NE (5A03)

BZA Case No. 20797. BZA hearing is scheduled for November 2, 2022

The ANC approved a letter in support of a homeowner’s request for a special exception to build a two-story addition to his home at 1343 webster Street NE.

Bridges School Zone Parking Permit Application

Recall that Bridges Public Charter School applied for a school zone parking permit, which would allow school employees to purchase a parking permit to park on surrounding streets that require residential parking permits. Commissioner Sandi Washington (5A07) worked with Bridges to secure 10 parking spaces at UDC for staff until December 31, 2022. They will work to extend this parking past January 2023, so currently Bridges is not moving forward with the permit application as they work with Commissioner Washington.

Even though the parking situation for Bridges looks like it to coming to an amicable resolution, some commissioners still took a lot of time discussing the program in general. DDOT representatives explained that the Council created the program because schools undergoing modernization were having to choose between amenities for the school and building a parking lot on school property for school employees. Commissioner Lucio said she thinks the Council needs to reconsider the program because she thinks there are a lot of issues.

ANC 5A Public Safety Task Force

ANC 5A’s public safety task force held a meeting on September 14, 2022, where residents at that meeting approved purchase of items Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08) previously requested (whistles, refelctive vests, flashlights, batteries). Commissioner Fletcher asked for the full ANC’s approval to purchase the items. The cost was based on prices from Amazon, but the ANC said the commission should buy from local vendors to the extent possible. Commission Diego Rojas offered to assist Commissioner Fletcher with sourcing local vendors. The task force still needs to articulate a mission and goals.

Ward 5 Council Report (Alicia DiFazio, Committee Director,Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie)

Aliciz DiFazio, Committee Director for Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, said she would talk to the councilmember about the school zone parking program.

She noted CM McDuffie will host a job fair with an organization called Jobs Not Guns this fall. Details to come.

Acknowledging discussion about the cost of homes in DC earlier in the meeting, Ms. DiFazio noted there are resources for homeowners, particularly seniors. For example, a new senior real property credit cap limits taxable assessment increases to two percent.

Ms. DiFazio said that Mundo Verde wants to purchase another campus for its nearby school. Providence Health System is willing to sell its dialysis building to Mundo Verde. CM McDuffie plans to put forward a bill to use revenue bonds to support purchase of the building for Mundo Verde.

Commissioner Edwards said that CM McDuffie promised that if residents were successful in opposing a liquor store at the small strip mall next to teh McDonald’s (which they were), then he would introduce a moratorium on the siting or licneisng of liquor stores in North Michigan Park. Ms. DiFazio said should talk to CM McDuffie about a bill.

Metropolitan Police Department

Commissioner Lucio said that MPD has made it clear that they will no longer attend ANC meetings. A police officer or police community engagement liaison used to attend ANC meetings to give updates. According to Commissioner Lucio, MPD will now only attend if requested and if there is a specific issue within the police district. Apparently, MPD does not have enough staffing to attend ANC and community meetings and believes an appropriate alternative is for residents to attend the MPD sector meetings.

Permit Parking Request for Unit Block of Hamilton Street NE (5A07)

The ANC approved a resolution in support of requesting permit-only parking on the unit block of Hamilton Street NE.