Category Archives: ANC 5A

March 22, 2023 ANC 5A Meeting Recap

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

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.

Residents can sign up for office hours with CM Parker at ward5.us/officehours. Sign up for CM Parker’s newsletter at ward5.us/newsletter.

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.

Mayor’s Office Ward 5 Report (Anthony Black, Ward 5 MOCR)

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)

View supporting statement.

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)

View DPR summer camp presentation.

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.

The next meeting is scheduled for April 26, 2023.

March 24: ANC 5A02 Community Meeting with Commissioner Karlus Cozart

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A
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.

5A02 SMD Meeting: 03/24/2023 at 06:00 pm

Meeting will be held via Zoom

Topic: 5A02 SMD Meeting
Time: Mar 24, 2023 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/6187975861?pwd=dnshC6SprCDoMUDqiUyblEabKimBEL.1

Meeting ID: 618 797 5861
Passcode: 5A02SMD

March 22: ANC 5A Public Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

[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.]

From ANC 5A

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 

ANC 5A Monthly Meeting (Virtual)  

Join Zoom Meeting

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

Meeting ID: 818 7070 9297   

Passcode: 847136      

Dial In: 301 715 8592

AGENDA 

I. Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm

II. Quorum  

III. Agenda Review/Acceptance  

IV. Commission Business

A. Minutes for Approval (February 2023)

B.Commission Action Items
1. 5A09 ANC 5A Satellite Office Space MOU
2. 5A08 Z Burger/Convenience Store 4975 South Dakota Ave NE

C. Administrative Matters
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. 5A04: 701 Michigan Ave Development

B. 5A01: UDC Project

C. Mayor’s Budget presentation

D. DPR Summer Camp Lottery Process- Christopher Dyer

VII. Community Comment Period 

VIII. Next Meeting: April 26, 2023  

 IX. Adjourn

Proposed Gas Station on South Dakota Avenue in North Michigan Park

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A, North Michigan PArk
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.

View renderings.

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:

  1. 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;
  2. The operation of the use shall not create dangerous or other objectionable traffic conditions; and
  3. 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:

  1. Will be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps;
  2. Will not tend to affect adversely, the use of neighboring property in accordance with the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps; and
  3. 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.

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.

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.

Read OP’s 2009 report

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:

  1. The hours of operation shall be limited to 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
  2. Flood lights at the property shall be angled downward and shuttered in order to avoid light spillage onto nearby residential properties.
  3. Canopy lighting at the property shall be recessed.
  4. There shall be no exterior amplified sound system at the property.
  5. Hours for fuel delivery shall be limited to 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  6. Fuel deliveries shall be made with trucks that are no larger than 30 feet in length.
  7. 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.

February 22, 2023 ANC 5A Meeting Recap: Mundo Verde Agreement; NMP Gas Station; Yu Ying-Washington Latin Joint Campus Project; Park Space & Pedestrian Trail; New Ward 5 MOCR

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

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)

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)

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.

March 4: ANC 5A09 Fort Circle Park Cleanup

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

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.

February 22: ANC 5A Public Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

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

February 16: ANC 5A08 and 5A03 Joint Meeting on McDonald’s Development – Public Space Committee Application

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

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

February 15: ANC 5A Satellite Office Space Committee Community Meeting – Soliciting Public Comment

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

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: 

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

January 25: ANC 5A Public Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

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 2nd 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

January 21:Fort Circle Park Cleanup with ANC 5A09 Commissioner Zachary Ammerman

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A, Fort Circle Park

Fort Circle Park Cleanup with ANC Commissioner Zachary Ammerman (5A09)
January 21, 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 meet Commissioner Ammerman, say hello, and discuss neighborhood issues.

This event and other news are in Commissioner Ammerman’s newsletter. Sign up to receive Commissioner Ammerman’s ANC 5A09 updates at ANC5A09.com.

New ANC 5A09 Commissioner Online Office Hours

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

From ANC Commissioner Zachary Ammerman (5A09)

Map of ANC 5A09 boundaries from DC Board of Elections

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.

Nominating Petitions for Vacant ANC 5A05 & 5A07 Seats Available January 9, 2023

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A
Picture of notice of ANC/SMD vacancy from DC Board of Elections website. In the DC Register, January 6, 2023.

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.

Map of ANC 5A05 from DC Board of Elections
Map of ANC 5A07 from DC Board of Elections

Election Result in ANC Single Member District 5A06

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

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).

DC Zoning Commission gives preliminary approval to McDonald’s rezoning request for a drive-thru

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A, North Michigan PArk

At its public meeting on December 15, 2022, the DC Zoning Commission took proposed action, voting (3-1-1) as expected to approve a map amendment (rezoning) request by McDonald’s that would permit rebuilding the existing McDonald’s restaurant at 4950 South Dakota Avenue NE with a drive-through as a matter of right (Zoning Commission case no. 22-19). The existing restaurant does not have a drive-through. Zoning Commissioner Peter May opposed; one seat is vacant. Approval of map amendments require the Zoning Commission to first take proposed action before taking final action. The Zoning Commission is expected to take final action on this matter at its public meeting on January 26, 2023.

The requested action would rezone the property from MU-3A to MU-7B. According to the DC Office of Planning (OP) and counsel for McDonald’s, MU-7B is the lowest zone district that would permit building a drive-through as a matter of right. McDonald’s has made clear that it is only seeking this upzoning in order to build a drive-through as a matter of right. McDonald’s does not have any plans to build a mixed-use development or to maximize the allowable zoning limits at this site. (See FAQs provided by McDonald’s).

The restaurant is currently located in ANC single member district 5A03. Effective January 2023, the restaurant will be located in ANC 5A08 due to redistricting.

Public Hearing on November 28

The Zoning Commission held a public hearing on the matter on November 28, 2022. The question before the Zoning Commission was whether the rezoning request is “not inconsistent” with DC’s Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan).

On November 18, 2022, the Office of Planning and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) submitted their final reports. Office of Planning supported the rezoning request, while DDOT objected. OP’s report said that while the Comp Plan calls for pedestrian-oriented infill development along arterials such as South Dakota Avenue NE and discourages auto-oriented uses, “on balance” the rezoning would not be inconsistent because in a theoretical world, it would promote more jobs and more housing. (Everyone acknowledges that McDonald’s does not intend to build housing. No one addressed the automation that McDonald’s has introduced in its restaurants).

DDOT’s report recommended that the Zoning Commission consider a different zone allowing greater density, but one that would not permit building a drive-through as a matter of right because drive-throughs “negatively impact pedestrian safety” and “increase impacts to the transportation network.” DDOT’s report stated that DDOT was “in support of higher densities and mixed‐use potentials of the site to support adjacent Priority Bus Routes and generate foot traffic for nearby businesses.”

Following submission of DDOT’s report, several residents submitted letters in opposition for the record. (Disclosure: I submitted written comments for the record stating that the Zoning Commission should follow DDOT’s recommendation. I do not think drive-throughs should be permitted as a matter of right anywhere in the city. At a minimum, desires of McDonald’s headquarters in Illinois should not dictate planning decisions in this city). ANC 5A submitted letters in support of the rezoning, including one that was drafted primarily with the help of McDonald’s counsel and a strange “letter of continued support” submitted the day of the hearing.

During the hearing, it was apparent that Commissioner May would oppose the request. He is on record as generally not supporting drive-throughs in the city as a planning principle. He noted that DDOT plainly outlined why the request was inconsistent with the Comp Plan. Zoning Commission Chair Anthony Hood wanted to insist on not talking about intended uses, but Commissioner May noted it was impossible to analyze the matter without talking about the use. He pointed out a few times where testimony by those in support seemed to suggest that the request was inconsistent with the Comp Plan.

It was also clear that Chair Hood would support the request. He made curious statements throughout the course of the hearing, such as stating that he did not like all of the “late” comments that were submitted in opposition, though they were submitted by the deadline in the hearing notice. Based on ANC 5A’s strange letter of continued support, he chastised an incoming ANC 5A commissioner for submitting a letter in opposition, stating that that individual would have to work with his colleagues on ANC 5A, the majority of whom Chair Hood mistakenly thought would be returning commissioners. In fact, a majority of ANC 5A will be new commissioners. Chair Hood, who said he grew up around North Michigan Park, also recounted the story of a senior who resided in the neighborhood who would wait in her car at the McDonald’s until a young person would come along to ask them to go inside the restaurant to get her a senior cup of coffee. He said she should not have had to do that. He stated that nearby residents will need to accept and adjust to change. He even threw in the gratuituous mention of bikes.

DDOT did not have a representative at the hearing. OP official Jennifer Steingasser noted that she could not recall a time when the government disagreed with itself in a matter before the Zoning Commission. Some time was spent with the Zoning commissioners trying to get clarity on which zones permit drive-throughs as a matter of right, what the seating restrictions are for certain zones, which zones are consistent with the moderate commercial density designation in the Comp Plan’s Future Land Use Map (FLUM), and whether the MU-7 zone (described as permitting medium density mixed-use development in the zoning regulations) is consistent with the the moderate density designation in the FLUM. The Zoning Commission asked the Office of Planning to provide this information after the hearing, which OP provided in a supplemental report.

ANC Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) testified for ANC 5A in support of the rezoning. In response to a question by Zoning Commissioner May, Commissioner Lucio said that the community supports a drive-through because South Dakota Avenue is unsafe to cross as a pedestrian so people in the neighborhood do approach the McDonald’s by driving. She said that the community does not want mixed-use development at the site. Zoning Commissioner May pointed out that driving to the restaurant (which customers are now and will continue to be permitted to do as there is a parking lot) is different from driving through. Counsel for McDonald’s asked Commissioner Lucio if there was ever any objection expressed to a drive-through during community meetings. Commissioner Lucio said that in her recollection, there were no objections expressed. (In fact, there were. And as Commissioner Lucio noted later in the hearing, she was not on the ANC when the matter first arose during the Comp Plan amendment process when the ANC originally voted to support a change to the Comp Plan’s Future Land Use Map in support of a future rezoning request).

North Michigan Park Civic Association president Carmen Williams also testified in support, stating a drive-through would be convenient and would be helpful for people with mobility issues. She said walking to the McDonald’s on South Dakota Avenue is fine (it is down the street from her house), but she said sometimes she bypasses the McDonald’s for one with a drive-through. Chair Hood asked her if she often leaves her neighborhood for this “business need,” to which she responded that she does because she has mobility issues and sometimes it is easier to go through a drive-through than getting out of the car and going into the restaurant to order. Chair Hood said that testimony solidified his support (though it was quite clear that he came into the hearing supporting this request, which is fine). Ms. Williams also said that North Michigan Park is opposed to a mixed-use development. She said residents do not want North Michigan Park to look like Riggs Park. Zoning Commissioner May had to point out to Ms. Williams that this is a permanent change to the zoning map. Everything that is permitted under MU-7B (including the maximum densities) would be permitted as a matter of right, not just the drive-through. Ms. Williams said McDonald’s has promised not to build mixed-use and that if they decide to do something different 20 years from now, she will be “dead and gone.”

Chair Hood and counsel for McDonald’s made several specious comments about racial equity. When a nearby resident called the invocation of racial equity to support a drive-through “hollow,” asking what about the negative environmental and health consequences for nearby residents, the majority of whom are Black, Chair Hood said he thought the resident’s arguments were hollow.

At the close of the hearing, Chair Hood characterized a drive-through at a McDonald’s as a “basic need.” He highlighted Zoning Commisioner May’s point that the zoning change would be permanent, but he said that McDonald’s knows what the community wants and that if they try to put in mixed-use, “we will fight you, North Michigan Park, they’ll fight you.”

In all, about what was expected from the hearing, even the most incredulous moments provided by Chair Hood and the ANC.

Public Meeting on December 15

During the December 15th public meeting, Zoning Commission Vice Chair Robert Miller voted to support the rezoning, stating he was giving great weight to the ANC and the Office of Planning. During the hearing, he noted he was originally reluctant but said based on the support from the ANC and the fact that Zoning Chair Hood supported it, he would support the rezoning. Mr. Hood noted several times throughout the hearing that he “knows” North Michigan Park and that he grew up there, and Vice Chair Miller stated at the hearing that he would defer to Chair Hood.

Zoning Commissioner Joseph Imamura said that the case gave him heartburn, but said he ultimately decided to support the rezoning because he thinks there could be a safe drive-through at the site and it was supported by the Office of Planning and the ANC.

Zoning Commissioner May reiterated his opposition. He stated there are reasons to support the rezoning such as (theoretically) more housing and more affordable housing, but noted that there was evidence that the primary reason this rezoning request was submitted was so that McDonald’s could rebuild with a drive-through. Acknowledging that drive-throughs can be convenient, he stated that he would prefer that the city no longer allow drive-throughs because of negative impacts to traffic and the environment.

Chair Hood voted in support. He said in doing his own research in this matter, he came across plans for bike lanes on South Dakota Avenue. (During a meeting of the North Michigan Park Civic Association meeting on December 7, 2022, at which Mr. Hood installed new officers for the civic association then left the meeting, president Carmen Williams asked meeting participants their thoughts about bike lanes on South Dakota Avenue).

Chair Hood stated it seems that everyone that wants a drive-through gets one. (He is mistaken). He stated that he thought that DDOT objecting to a drive-through that (allegedly) predominantly seniors will use, while planning to put bike lanes on South Dakota Avenue in a “middle-class, Black neighborhood” is “disrespectful” and that “he has problems with that.” Talking about pedestrian safety, he said pedestrians have to watch out for bikes in the Pennsylvania Avenue NW bike lanes and now DDOT is talking about putting bike lanes on South Dakota Avenue, “let’s get real.” He concluded that DDOT has its own plans for “this middle class, Black neighborhood,” and what they want to see in “somebody else’s neighborhood.”

That led to more discussion about bike lanes and drive-throughs. Commissioner Imamura stated that in his professional judgment, Commissioner May is not wrong about the environmental and traffic impacts of drive-throughs, but that against his better judgment he would support this rezoning request for a drive-through because the ANC and Office of Planning are afforded great weight.

Commissioner Miller stated that he strongly supports the city’s expansion of bike lanes. But, he said it will be interesting to see what happens when two lanes are removed for bike lanes on Connecticut Avenue NW when commuter traffic ends up in his neighborhood three blocks away because they “can’t move on Connecticut Avenue.” He stated that the city needs to equitably provide choices for both bike lanes and drive-throughs and healthy food options throughout the city. (He too appeared to operate under the mistaken belief that every business that wants a drive-through gets one).

Ultimately, the Zoning commissioners in support noted that great weight is afforded to the Office of Planning and the ANC. They all seem to think that things can be “mitigated” by DDOT.

Public Space Permit Process

It is unlikely anything will change between the date of the proposed action and scheduled final action. Once the rezoning is approved and if McDonald’s decides to rebuild, in order to actually put in a drive-through, McDonald’s will have to go through DDOT’s public space permitting process. DDOT does not have to approve a public space permit for a drive-through. Counsel for McDonald’s stated during North Michigan Park’s December 7th meeting that she suspects that DDOT wrote its report the way it did to signal that it will put up a fight during the public space process. She said she will return to North Michigan Park and the ANC for support for the public space permit.

In his remarks during the public meeting on December 15, Zoning Chair Hood stated that he hopes DDOT will not “throw up any roadblocks” during public space. As he said though, DDOT has the last word.

My thoughts

A reader told me this past summer when he saw me in person that my blog posts about this matter had become increasingly opinionated. That is true. Because I find this whole thing wild. From OP’s actions during the Comp Plan amendment process (inconsistently supporting a proposal for a drive-through for a McDonald’s but not supporting a church’s proposal for affordable housing on the same block on South Dakota Avenue) to the ANC to regrettable remarks by Zoning commissioners. All unsurprising because so much in this city is racialized (in sometimes mysterious, unfounded, and unfortunate ways leading to unfortunate but completely predictable consequences) and also driven by who knows whom, but still wild nonetheless. I will save my extra long opinion for a separate post, maybe.

New ANC 5A09 website and outreach survey

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

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.

October 26, 2022 ANC 5A Meeting Recap: Mundo Verde Expansion; Kennedy School/801 Buchanan Street NE Project

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

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.

October 26: ANC 5A Public Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

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.    4th 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)