I have not been attending the meetings that North Michigan Park Civic Association (NMPCA) has held regarding the planned temporary hypothermia shelter site at Faith United Church of Christ. But I figured I would make a post with the information I do know. If you want to get on NMPCA’s distribution list, email Carmen Williams at carm8954@aol.com.
ANC 5A plans to hold a special meeting on November 6, 2023. The hypothermia shelter is one agenda item.
Faith United Church is located at 4900 10th Street NE. Its property sits along South Dakota Avenue across from the Sunoco station.
From the FAQs, the church plans to house up to 35 adult women at the church for the 2023-2024 hypothermia season. The shelter will be open from 7:00 pm-7:00 am when hypothermia alerts are in effect.
A resident at the ANC meeting on October 25 asked whether women with children would be turned away if they show up at the church. The church officials said that the shelter is for single women who would be transported to the site by DHS.
My understanding is that while cots, equipment, and security cameras/lights have been set up at the church already, the shelter will not begin operation until November 7 or November 15. There were a couple of hypothermia alerts earlier this week, but church officials said that the shelter is on the DHS list for use starting next week.
Church representatives want to form an advisory committee. If interested, email faithuccdc@gmail.com or call (202) 635-7777.
· Call to Order · Opening Prayer – Silent · Roll Call of Officers
Meeting Protocol
Meeting Protocol is Robert’s Rules of Order
Phone call should remain on mute unless asked to unmute.
Respect others when speaking
Respect our guest.
Raise your hand if you have a question and wait to be acknowledged.
Community Development Task Force
Meeting will be scheduled in November regarding the request for a gas station at the 4Mart. Hearing canceled until Jan. owner must meet with Community and the ANC
Guest Speakers:
Alice Thompson, Community Outreach Specialist, (DACL) Department of Aging and Community Living
Community Leader Reports
Mayor’s Office – MOCR – Christian Starghill / Christopher Ingram
Ward 5 Council member’s Office – Carlos McKnight
ANC Commissioners 5A02, 5A03, 5A08
President’s Update
Faith United Church
Coming Events in 2023
Membership Drive Annual Dues $10.00 per person
November Open Executive Officer Positions Send information to AFWilloughby@msn.org
The 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat in Ft. Circle Park is this Saturday, October 28th! This is a very low-key gathering. It’s an opportunity to bring the kids in their costumes and meet some neighbors. For safety, blankets will be set up in the park instead of going to car trunks. Please see below for details:
Ft. Totten Trunk (Blanket) or Treat Saturday, October 28th, 2023 3:00pm ET to 5:00pm ET Ft. Circle Park – Pavilion on Galloway St NE between 9th and 10th Street Facebook invite is here Volunteer sign-up here
At the last Civic Association meeting on October 4, 2023, the Faith United Church informed the community that as part of their outreach ministry they wanted to implement a plan to house homeless women overnight between November and March. Because this will impact the North Michigan Park community, Faith Church has agreed to hold a community meeting to listen to our concerns regarding this impact on the community.
This meeting is scheduled as a face to face meeting ONLY :
Date: Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Faith United Church
4900 10th Street NE
Washington, DC 20017
Please make sure to inform your neighbors of this important meeting.
[Ed. Note: At the North Michigan Park Civic Association meeting held on October 4, Faith United Church shared that DC’s Department of Human Services (DHS) approached the church about serving as a hypothermia shelter site for single women when hypothermia alerts are in effect. A church representative said that the church wants to help and that there is space for up to approximately 30 women. He said the individuals would remain on the grounds of the church during their stay. DHS wants to have everything in place by November in time for the cold weather months. The church representative stated the church will have a community meeting about the proposal. ANC 5A sent the information below to the ANC’s distribution list.]
—
From ANC 5A
Faith United Church of Christ at Decatur Street NE and South Dakota Ave NE has been asked to become a shelter for women over the winter. At this point, what we know is that if this goes forward, the women will be bussed there in the evening and will be bussed from there in the morning. It is out understanding that there will be security and that they will not be allowed to leave the shelter after they arrive. We have also been told that there will be security. That is all we know as of now.
There is a community meeting scheduled. Please attend to learn more.
Single agenda: Faith UCC becoming a temporary hypothermia site for DHS.
Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 7pm Faith United Church of Christ 4900 10th St NE, Washington DC 20017
Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker invites North Michigan Park residents to a public safety walk with new MPD 4th District Commander Nikki Lavenhouse.
October 12, 2023 5:30 pm
Meet at corner of South Dakota Avenue & Delafield Street NE (McDonald’s side).
For questions, contact Carlos McKnight at cmcknight@dccouncil.gov or at (771) 333-9914.
Phone call should remain on mute unless asked to unmute.
Respect others when speaking
Respect our guest.
Raise your hand if you have a question and wait to be acknowledged.
President’s Update
Scholarship Night
NMP Community Yard Sale
Bulk Trash and Electronic Roll-Off
Community Day
Meeting of the 200 footers regarding McDonalds
Faith United Church
Special Thanks:
MOCR ‘s
Deja Pierre – Clean City
Inspector Darlette Salley Cromer DPW,
Community Day Volunteers
Joint Effort with Michigan Park 4 Life
NMP Recreation Staff
Council members Office Staff
Resident of NMP
Community Development Task Force
Meeting will be scheduled in November regarding the request for a gas station at the 4Mart. Hearing canceled until Jan. owner must meet with Community and the ANC
Providence Hospital update by ANC
Guest Speakers:
4D Commander Lavenhouse or designee
Officer Hamrick 4D Community Relations
DPW – Inspector Darlette Salley Cromer
McDonalds’s – Leila Batties , Raoul Alvarez
Community Leader Reports
Mayor’s Office – MOCR – Christian Starghill / Christopher Ingram
The chair of the DC Board of Zoning Adjustment postponed the hearing on a proposed gas station at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE to January 17, 2024 (BZA case no. 17963A). This is the proposal to put a gas station in front of the DC SuperMart/Z-Burger, which is next to a Sunoco gas station and across the street from the McDonald’s. The property is located in ANC 5A08.
The hearing was previously scheduled for today. This is the second time the hearing has been postponed. The applicant requested a postponement in order to have time to meet with ANC 5A and the North Michigan Park Civic Association.
The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia is reviewing the sale of the Providence Hospital site (1150 Varnum Street NE) to a for-profit entity and is holding a public hearing to receive stakeholder and resident input.
Join us Wednesday, September 6, 2023 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the University of the District of Columbia Community College Lamond-Riggs Campus (Formerly Bertie Backus) located at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE, to observe or testify at the hearing. Individuals must RSVP to testify.
To accommodate as many participants as possible, oral testimony is limited to three (3) minutes per person. Alternatively, individuals may submit written testimony as a Word or PDF file via email to providencehospitalcomments@oag.dc.gov.
The deadline to submit written testimony is Friday, September 8th at 5:00 PM.
Please RSVP here to attend the hearing and for additional information.
The North Michigan Park Civic Association along with the Michigan Park 4 Life Reunion and the Department of Parks and Recreation will host the annual North Michigan Park Community Day and Reunion Event
Date – Saturday, August 12, 2023 Time – 12:00 noon until 7:00 pm Location – North Michigan Park Recreation Center, 1333 Emerson Street NE
This is a family event, bring your chair, blanket and zest for fun. There will be food, music, and games for the entire family.
This is a timeline for some of the gaming events:
Gaming Events
Bingo 12:30 – 1:30 Simon Says – 12:30 -1:30 Musical Chairs – 1:30 – 2:00 Children’s Story Time – 2:00 – 3:00 Touch Fire Truck – 1:00 – 4:00 Game Truck – 2:00 – 5:00 Bubble Bounce – 2:00 – 4:00 Moon Bounce 1:00 – 6:00 360 Camera – 1:00 – 6:00
Other Outside Games Dodge Ball Sack Race Hop Scotch Tug of War Hula Hoop Big Checkers
· Call to Order · Opening Prayer – Silent · Roll Call of Officers
Meeting Protocol
Meeting Protocol is Robert’s Rules of Order
Phone call should remain on mute unless asked to unmute.
Respect others when speaking
Respect our guest.
Raise your hand if you have a question and wait to be acknowledged.
Presidents Update
NMP Community Yard Sale – Open to all – Saturday, June 24th 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Rain Date July 1 Contact Susan Letherer 202-441-2076 or Lula King 202-635-7777 Fee $25.00 and $10.00 for table
Bulk Trash and Electronic Roll-off – NMP Residents Saturday, July 24, 2023 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Roll-off location 1333 Emerson St NE in front of NMP Recreation Center 2nd roll-off location is pending Seniors 50+ and Disabled residents will need to register for home pick up To Register: Contact Carmen Williams 202-841-5256 or Debra Whittford 202-744-9082
NMP Community Day Saturday, August 12, 2023 – 12:00 noon until 7:00 pm North Michigan Park Recreation Center Vendor tables of information fun activities , food and music for the entire family
Community Development Task Force First meeting was May 8th There will be several meeting scheduled during the summer months to prepare for the Sept hearings for McDonalds and the gas station at Z Burger The Task force is open to NMP residents who have paid their annual dues
Last Civic Association until September 2023
Community Leader Reports
Mayor’s Office – MOCR – Christian Starghill / Christopher Ingram
Ward 5 Council member’s Office – Carlos McKnight
Scholarship Night – June 7, 2023
NMP awards two $1,000.00 scholarships per year for new or returning students 2023 Scholarship Recipients
Ciara Hargrove University of Hartford, Hartford, CN First Time Student
Nikitta DIxon University of the District of Columbia Returning Student
[Ed. Note: Looks like North Michigan Park Civic Association (NMPCA) has formed a development task force. Just the messenger.]
From NMPCA
The first meeting for the North Michigan Park Civic Association Community Development Task Force will be Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be virtual.
If you are a North Michigan Park resident and are willing to join this task force, please make sure to join the call. This task force will be to develop community plans, work with developers, owners and the city officials to ensure the needs of the community are met.
North Michigan Park Recreation Center – Joe Clark, Manager
ANC Commissioners that represent NMP
5A02 – Karlus Cozart
5A03 – Emily Lucio – SMD meeting May 4
5A08 – Gordon Andrew Fletcher – SMD meeting May 25
5A09 – Zachary Ammerman
Coming Events in 2023
February – Scholarship application begins (2 @ $1,000.00 scholarships) applications available at the North Michigan Park Recreation Center email to individuals on NMPCA registered listserve
May 20 -Community Clean Up
June – Scholarship Night
June – Community Yard Sale **
July – Bulk Trash pick up
Community Day Saturday, August 12, 2023
August – School Supplies and Backpack event
October – Community Clean Up with Bulk Trash pick up
The DC Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) rescheduled today’s hearing for a gas station proposal at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE to September 27, 2023 (BZA case no. 17963A). This is the proposal to put a gas station in front of the DC SuperMart/Z-Burger across from the McDonald’s, previously discussed in this post. The property is located in ANC 5A08.
The case will be re-noticed because the applicant needs to submit the proper application for special exception relief to operate a gas station in the MU-3A zone. The applicant had filed a modification of significance of a previously approved application to rebuild the existing convenience store with a gas station. That application was approved back in 2010 (BZA case no. 17963). But the applicant is now proposing to keep the existing convenience store and simply put a gas station in front of it. The applicant was advised that the proper application is a new application for a special exception rather than an amendment of the previously approved application.
The applicant also needs to provide certain information to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the DC Office of Planning (OP) so that those agencies can submit their recommendations. The agencies previously stated they needed more information from the applicant, as discussed in this post.
A representative for the applicant did appear at the North Michigan Park Civic Association meeting on April 5. Not much came out of it except it was clear then that the hearing would likely have to be postponed. I will share information about that meeting in a separate post.
We will see how everything shakes out once the applicant submits all of the required information. Hopefully that will all happen before the ANC recesses during July and August. The September ANC meeting is the same date as the new proposed hearing date.
The North Michigan Park Civic Association (NMPCA) sent notice yesterday of their meeting tonight where a representative will discuss the gas station proposal at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE.
Unfortunately, no face-to-face meeting at the NMP Recreation Center – Recreation Center new hours of operation close at 8:00 pm
· Call to Order
· Opening Prayer – Silent
· Roll Call of Officers
Meeting Protocol
Phone call should remain on mute unless asked to unmute.
Respect others when speaking
Respect our guest.
Raise your hand if you have a question and wait to be acknowledged.
Presidents Update
Scholarship Applications due by May 15th
NMPCA meeting face to face May – June
Bulk trash for NMP residents – May – Seniors will need to register for home pick up
Farewell to a fabulous community leader – Grace Lewis
Community Leader Report
Mayor’s Office – MOCR – Christian Starghill / Christopher Ingram
Ward 5 Council member’s Office – Carlos McKnight
Guest Speaker Bhoopendra Prakash – ZBurger / Gas Station Proposal Q&A
Guest Speaker Keara Mehlert – Board of Zoning Q&A
Community Leader Reports
Faith United Church
ANC Commissioners that represent NMP
5A02 – Karlus Cozart
5A03 – Emily Lucio
5A08 – Gordon Andrew Fletcher
5A09 – Zachary Ammerman
Coming Events in 2023
February – Scholarship application begins (2 @ $1,000.00 scholarships) applications available at the Recreation Center email to individuals on NMPCA registered listserve
May – Community Clean Up also with Bulk Trash pick up
June – Scholarship Night
June – Community Yard Sale
June – August – Community Day Saturday, August 12, 2023
August – School Supplies and Backpack event
September – Community Clean Up with Bulk Trash pick up
A Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) hearing on a gas station proposal at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE is currently scheduled for April 12, 2023 (BZA case no. 17963A; previously discussed in this post). The applicant is seeking a special exception to operate a gas station in the MU-3A zone. Both the DC Office of Planning (OP) and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) recently submitted reports stating the agencies need more information in the matter.
On March 30, 2023, OP stated they were waiting for DDOT’s assessment of whether the proposal would create objectionable traffic conditions. The report said that DDOT indicated more information was needed from the applicant.
On March 31, 2023, DDOT issued a report stating that the agency cannot recommend approval until the applicant submits a comprehensive traffic analysis. DDOT’s report also makes a few other points. DDOT requests that landscape screening be shown on the plans. DDOT states that the applicant will have to bring the curb cuts up to DDOT standards, including reapplying for all curb cuts. And DDOT notes that the agency is creating a District National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Program and encourages gas station operators to apply for this competitive grant opportunity.
The applicant gave a very brief presentation on the proposal, summarizing what is in the statement of support, at ANC 5A’s February 2023 meeting. The applicant was scheduled to return to the ANC’s March 2023 meeting to discuss traffic but did not appear.
Photo of DC SuperMart/Z Burger at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE.
An application for a modification to a previously approved proposal for a gas station in front of the DC SuperMart/Z Burger located at 4975 South Dakota Avenue NE is pending before the DC Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA case no. 17963A). This is the convenience store located across the street from the McDonald’s and directly next to an existing Sunoco gas station. It is located in ANC single member district 5A08.
A public hearing is scheduled for April 12, 2023. Instructions on how to participate through either oral or written testimony are in the hearing notice.
The applicant submitted the modification application in October 2022, but the issue only came up at ANC 5A’s meeting on January 25, 2023, after a resident asked about activity at the location. A representative for the applicant appeared at the ANC’s February 2023 meeting with a brief presentation. The representative agreed to present to the North Michigan Park Civic Association at some point and will also provide a traffic report as well, from what I understand.
2010 Approval
I was not around in the neighborhood when this project was first proposed but looking at the original case file, it looks like well over 10 years ago, the applicant previously proposed to raze the existing convenience store and build a new one with a gas station. The convenience store could be rebuilt as a matter of right, but a special exception was needed for the gas station. The BZA held a hearing and had public meetings in 2009 to consider the request for a special exception.
Specifically, the BZA had to consider three factors in determining whether special exception relief was warranted:
The station shall not be located within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residential zone or unless separated from the residential zone by a street or alley;
The operation of the use shall not create dangerous or other objectionable traffic conditions; and
Required parking spaces may be arranged so that all spaces are not accessible at all times. All parking spaces provided under this subsection shall be designed and operated so that sufficient access and maneuvering space is available to permit the parking and removal of any vehicles without moving any other vehicle onto public space.
Under another provision in the regulations, the Board also had to consider whether the gas station:
Will be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps;
Will not tend to affect adversely, the use of neighboring property in accordance with the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps; and
Will meet such special conditions as may be specified in [the Zoning regulations].
The BZA approved the special exception for the gas station in 2010 (case no. 17963), but it was never built. The convenience store remained in place, going through a series of name changes over the ensuing years.
Modification
Now it looks like the applicant is ready to put in three double-sided gas dispensers (six total nozzles) in front of the existing convenience store, so the applicant is back before the Board seeking a modification.
The applicant hereby proposes to amend the previously approved BZA #17963 by retaining the existing convenience store and site modifications to the proposed gasoline canopy, fuel dispenser layout, and entrances. No changes to the existing drainage system and boundaries are proposed. The intended use per approved BZA 17963 remains. However, this layout reduces the originally approved impervious footprint thereby, fostering an environmentally better and less intense development.
The owner contends that the BZA already approved the gas station back in 2010, so it should approve the modification here because the “spirit” of the application remains the same.
Addressing the factors described above, the applicant writes:
The proposed gasoline service station with three pumps and a canopy over the pumps is previously approved per BZA#17963. The site is zoned MU-3A. The adjacent residential zone R-2 along the north side is separated by streets along Delafield Street NE, and Emerson Street NE. The residential zone R-2 along the east side is separated by a driveway or alley. The gasoline service station “SUNOCO” zoned MU-3A exists along the SE side of the property. The site abuts zone MU-3A across the street South Dakota Ave, NE.
The self-service gasoline station would be situated to permit a free flow of traffic onto the site for access to the existing convenience store in the same manner per the currently approved application, BZA #17963. A traffic study was conducted as a part of the previously approved BZA#17963. There is no aspect of the physical characteristics of the property which would inhibit the flow of traffic or cause any adverse impact on the traffic of South Dakota Ave.
The existing convenience building will remain. The parking spaces shown on the site plan are designed to be accessible at all times without moving any other vehicles to the public space.
The applicant also writes in the application:
Pursuant to Subtitle X-901.2 of the Zoning Regulations, the Board is authorized to grant special exception relief where, the special exception will be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps; will not tend to affect adversely, the use of a neighboring property.
The existing convenience store will remain thereby maintains the existing harmony with the adjacent zone. The proposed fuel station with three dispensers/pumps and a canopy over the pumps is previously approved per BZA#17963. The proposed scope will maintain the required setbacks. Hence, granting the special exception will retain all aspects such as use and harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps, and will not tend to adversely affect the use of neighboring properties.
The North Michigan Park Civic Association is working to address the issue. If you are interested in working with the civic association, you can reach out to them.
Old case record
Might be worth looking at the order for BZA case 17963 to see how the Board addressed comments by ANC 5A (which opposed the gas station), DDOT, and DC’s Office of Planning back in 2010. It is a pretty short order. Also, transcripts for the public hearings and meeting are available in the case file.
It is pretty interesting to read the testimony of the previous gas station team from the 2009 hearing. They talked about how amazing they thought this whole thing would be. A pair of brothers partnered with the owner of the store to propose the project to raze the store and build a new one with a gas station. One of the pair made a point to note that he was a native Washingtonian and how much he and his brother wanted to contribute to the community. Acknowledging that this proposed gas station would be right next to an existing gas station, he said there was no comparison between the two because the new convenience store (that never happened) would have a green roof and sell fresh food, not just candy and soda. He said this would provide a business need for which people would not have to leave their neighborhood to get. He promised not to apply for a liquor license. And he mentioned a few times how attractive the gas station canopy would be and that it would have recessed lighting so as not to interfere with neighboring homes.
It is also pretty interesting to read DDOT’s testimony. DDOT did not submit a report before the hearing. DDOT’s representative at the hearing stated that he was “vaguely familiar” with the case. Apparently, he had worked with the team at that time on plans for a different site and pretty much extrapolated DDOT’s work on that site to the site on South Dakota Avenue. After prompting from the Board, the applicant did submit what he said was a traffic report for the South Dakota Avenue location and DDOT apparently submitted a memo stating it had no objections to the applicant’s report. It appears OP primarily relied on DDOT to state whether there were any objectionable traffic concerns with the proposal in deciding to support the original application. OP and DDOT proposed conditions in the order.
As noted in OP’s 2009 report, the Board could “impose requirements pertaining to design, appearance, screening, or lighting, or other requirements it deems necessary to protect adjacent or nearby property.” Conditions requested by OP in 2009:
hours of operation shall be limited to 6:00 A.M. to 10 P.M.;
flood lights shall be angled downward and shuttered in order to avoid light spillage onto nearby residential properties;
canopy lighting shall be recessed; and
there shall be no exterior amplified sound system.
According to the order, DDOT requested conditions related to “the hours for fuel delivery, the size of the delivery trucks, and a specific plan for ingress and egress to and from the site, including a condition which restricted the South Dakota Avenue curb cut to a right turn into the site.”
The Board’s approval in 2010 contained the following conditions:
The hours of operation shall be limited to 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Flood lights at the property shall be angled downward and shuttered in order to avoid light spillage onto nearby residential properties.
Canopy lighting at the property shall be recessed.
There shall be no exterior amplified sound system at the property.
Hours for fuel delivery shall be limited to 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Fuel deliveries shall be made with trucks that are no larger than 30 feet in length.
The South Dakota Avenue curb cut will be 20 feet wide and will be restricted to a right tum onto the property. All vehicles exiting the property will use the curb cut along Emerson Street. The Emerson Street curb cut will serve as a two directional vehicle access point.
It will be interesting to see what DDOT and OP write in their reports regarding this request for modification. (Aside: I am particularly interested to see what OP says given their track record in planning in this part of the neighborhood).
My understanding is that the BZA will consider anew whether to approve a special exception. I think it is safe to say there is near universal opposition to having another gas station right next to the Sunoco. All the promises of a modern convenience store were for naught.
Hopefully the ANC will produce a report that clearly outlines why special exception relief is not warranted.
(Ed. Note: Please note McDonald’s public space permit application is on the agenda as well as an update about the gasoline station proposed to be placed in front of the DC Mart/Z Burger.)
Unfortunately, no face-to-face meeting at the NMP Recreation Center – Recreation Center new hours of operation close at 8:00 pm
· Call to Order
· Opening Prayer – Silent
· Roll Call of Officers
Meeting Protocol
Phone call should remain on mute unless asked to unmute.
Respect others when speaking
Respect our guest.
Raise your hand if you have a question and wait to be acknowledged.
President’s Update
McDonald’s
Z Burger/4Mart – Gas Station
Guest Speaker
Zachary Park, Ward 5 Councilmember
Community Leader Reports
Carlos McKnight – Ward 5 Councilmembers Office
Q&A
Guest Speaker
Leila Batties – McDonald’s Update
Guest Speaker
Joel Lawson, Associate Director * DC Office of PlanningCommunity Leader Reports
Mayor’s Office – Christian Starghill / Christopher Ingram
Faith United Church
ANC Commissioners that represent NMP
5A02 – Karlus Cozart
5A03 – Emily Lucio
5A08 – Gordon Andrew Fletcher
5A09 – Zachary Ammerman
Coming Events in 2023
February – Scholarship application begins (2 @ $1,000.00 scholarships) applications available at the Recreation Center email to individuals on NMPCA registered listserve
May – Community Clean Up also with Bulk Trash pick up
June – Scholarship Night
June – Community Yard Sale
June – August – Community Day (date unconfirmed)
August – School Supplies and Backpack event
September – Community Clean Up with Bulk Trash pick up
Reminder, tonight ANC Commissioners Gordon Fletcher (5A08) and Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) will hold a joint meeting to discuss McDonald’s public space permit application. The Zoning Commission approved McDonald’s rezoning request in order to build a drive-thru as a matter of right. Before McDonald’s can actually do that though, they need to get public space permits for the curb cuts necessary to operate a drive-thru. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is in charge of the public space permit process.
Meeting information
ANC 5A08 and 5A03 Joint Meeting on McDonald’s Public Space Committee Application
The restaurant, located at 4950 South Dakota Avenue NE, was previously in ANC 5A03. Following redistricting, it is in ANC 5A08. Residents within 200 feet of the restaurant reside in both single member districts (update: according to Commissioner Lucio), so the commissioners are holding a joint meeting.
DDOT did not support the request for rezoning. DDOT does not have to approve McDonald’s application for public space permits to operate a drive-thru. DDOT has denied public space permits for operation of drive-thrus in other parts of the city in the past, so doing so here would not be unprecedented.
As noted previously, counsel for McDonald’s stated that she believed that DDOT’s report was written the way it was during the rezoning process to indicate that DDOT would “put up a fight” during public space. That is why during the rezoning hearing, Zoning Commission Chair Anthony Hood said that he hoped that DDOT would not put up any roadblocks during public space.
McDonald’s is requesting the support of the North Michigan Park Civic Association (NMPCA) and ANC 5A for its public space application. NMPCA will support the application. The expectation is that ANC 5A will support the application given that the ANC supported the rezoning request. Commissioner Fletcher, who is now chair of the ANC, is of course getting pressure to support the public space application. But there are a lot of new commissioners and they do not have to support this application.
In my experience with public space applications, ANCs in this area typically do not get into the weeds about the application or even really notify residents about the application. They rarely ask questions. It is important to ask questions though, especially in a case like this one where there is a proposal for a drive-thru where none existed previously.
This meeting is an opportunity for residents to ask questions and let the commissioners know if you do not support the drive-thru or the public space application. My understanding is that the full ANC plans to take a vote on the application at the ANC meeting on February 22.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 