Event has ended
From Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George
On Saturday, November 19 from 11am-1pm Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George will be co-hosting a Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway for Ward 4 families in need with the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association at Lamond Rec Center (20 Tuckerman St. NE).
Her office will be giving out one turkey per family on a first come, first serve basis.
Please bring proof of Ward 4 residency.
See you there!
The Zoning Commission hearing for McDonald’s, located at 4950 South Dakota Avenue NE, is scheduled for November 28, 2022 (Zoning case number 22-19). Recall McDonald’s is requesting a map amendment (rezoning) that would upzone the property to the MU-7B zone solely for the purpose of replacing the existing restaurant with a two-story McDonald’s with a drive-thru as a matter of right. It currently does not have a drive-thru. I have written plenty of treatises about this matter already; I will add links later. See FAQs McDonald’s previously provided about the project.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and DC’s Office of Planning (OP) both submitted reports today, with DDOT objecting to the map amendment request and OP supporting it.
Link: DDOT Report
Link: Office of Planning Report
DDOT writes:
DDOT has reviewed the Applicant’s request and determined that based on the information provided, the Applicant intends to construct a new fast‐food restaurant with a drive‐through, which will be a by‐right use if the rezoning is granted. DDOT discourages construction of drive‐through lanes since they negatively impact pedestrian safety and increase impacts to the transportation network. Therefore, DDOT objects to this Map Amendment application since the Applicant does not intend to increase existing uses or density on the site, and is using the rezoning solely for the purpose of adding a drive‐
through.Instead, DDOT recommends the Zoning Commission consider a different zone, with similar densities to the MU‐7B, but which does not include a drive‐through by‐right. DDOT is 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.
DDOT goes on to provide traffic analysis and requests, should the property be redeveloped in the future.
Contrary to DDOT, OP uses a lot of pages analyzing this case from a completely fictional standpoint, as if there is a world in which McDonald’s intends to put a mixed-use development on the property or in which McDonald’s ever had that goal in mind when they submitted a proposed Comp Plan amendment to the Office of Planning way back when. OP would probably say that is what they are supposed to do, pretend as if they have a blank slate before them.
But the fact remains McDonald’s stated very clearly when it submitted a proposed amendment to the Comp Plan several years ago that its goal was and always will be trying to put in a drive-thru, something it has been trying to do since at least 1982. That’s it. Nothing about increasing density or seeking any of the other benefits of upzoning.
Unclear why OP completely fails to acknowledge this fact to conclude that the rezoning application “on balance” is not inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Actually, it is clear. I would say the Zoning Commission should ask OP to address that question head on, but the Zoning Commission and OP will likely both contend that intended or actual uses do not matter when considering rezoning applications because neither OP nor Zoning want to give an inch in their goal to stem the litigation that had been holding up development projects prior to the Comp Plan update.
I had been waiting to see how DDOT and OP would handle this case in their final reports. I will write more next week, but for now I will just say DDOT got it right and OP got it completely wrong. OP will likely never admit that they should not have supported McDonald’s proposed amendment to the Comp Plan’s Future Land Use Map (FLUM) that paved the way for McDonald’s to submit this application (when OP rejected a similar upzoning amendment proposal from the church next door during the amendment process that would have made it easier for the church to build affordable housing as a matter of right as it has been trying to do for years). And honestly if the concern is about how to drive more traffic to the McDonald’s (no pun intended) so that it is financially viable for them to remain in the neighborhood (which seems to be the driving concern here), then OP and other officials can offer other ways to help McDonald’s do that without supporting McDonald’s desire to put in an actual drive-thru.
It will be interesting to see what the Zoning Commission decides.
Instructions on how residents can testify at the hearing or submit written testimony for the record are in the Hearing Notice.
Officials from UDC held a community meeting on October 19, 2022 to explain the upcoming Campus Plan process for UDC’s Bertie Backus Campus, which is located in Riggs Park at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE (between Galloway Street and Hamilton Street NE). UDC presented again at the ANC 5A meeting on November 16, 2022. ANC 5A did not notify residents that UDC would be presenting.
The Backus campus is UDC’s community college campus. It is also home to the university’s Bertie Backus Food Hub. University officials anticipate expanding the Backus campus in the future.
DC zoning regulations require universities to update campus plans every 10 years. According to UDC, the goal of the regulations are to ensure that university campuses “(1) are well-planned and designed; (2)have long-term facilities plans; (3) minimize any negative impacts the university may have on the surrounding residential neighborhood; and (4) are consistent and transparent with their planning processes.”
Link: UDC presentation 10/19/2022
Link: UDC presentation 11/16/2022
The two meeting presentations are largely the same. They outline the role of community stakeholders; UDC’s long-term vision for the Backus campus; planning considerations and priorities; and the campus plan process.
The ANC presentation contains a slide regarding discussion points UDC took away from the October meeting: facility improvements, more green space, traffic, parking lot abundance, infrastructure upgrades. A resident asked about installing solar panels. In my view, the October meeting was pretty unfocused because UDC did not communicate meeting objectives or provide any context about the planning process to residents ahead of time. I for one did not offer specifics. I moreso had questions about the process and suggestions about how UDC could get more meaningful input from residents. I imagine residents will have more to say after taking some time to think about things. To that end, anyone who cares about what happens to this campus should spend a little time thinking about what UDC identified as the role of community stakeholders as well as UDC’s long-term vision for the campus.
UDC’s Vision of the Role of Community Stakeholders
UDC’s Long-term Vision for the Backus Campus
UDC’s Planning Priorities & Considerations
UDC’s Next Steps & Milestones:
Residents have asked UDC to set up a webpage with information about the Backus campus plan process. UDC officials stated that should be ready next month in December. UDC also intends to distribute a survey, so keep an eye out for that.
At both the October and November meetings, residents asked UDC how they plan to reach residents who are not connected virtually. Unclear at this point.
Connection with Van Ness (Main Campus) Plan
Until UDC gets a webpage up and running for the Backus Campus Plan, take a look at the page for UDC’s Van Ness Campus Plan, which is the plan for their main campus. The Van Ness plan was approved in 2021. UDC emphasized in both the October and November meetings that one of their goals is to make sure the Backus Campus Plan aligns with the main campus plan.
At the October meeting, I asked for a fact sheet or highlights/summaries of the Van Ness plan that residents can review as we think about the Backus campus. I have not received that yet, but I will keep asking. In the meantime, if you want some reading to do over the Thanksgiving holiday, you can read the entire Van Ness plan or take a look at the Zoning Commission record for that plan process.
UDC Contact
If you have any questions or would like to share any thoughts about the Backus campus, contact Juanita Gray, UDC’s director of community engagement, at juanita.gray@udc.edu.
You can also sign up to receive university updates, including updates about the Backus campus plan, at the link.
I have a recap of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s quarterly meeting with National Park Service (NPS) that was held on November 16 sitting in my drafts, and I just received an update today from NPS regarding the ill-fated North Michgan Park-Fort Totten pedestrian trail between Gallatin and Galloway Street NE. Recall that the last update they gave residents stated that the redesign would be done in November 2022 (as in this month). Well, we are going to have to wait longer to see if this project will get done.
I cannot say I am surprised, but I remain confused about why there seems to so much confusion between NPS and Metro. I thought it was common knowledge that Metro’s green line tunnel at Fort Totten runs underneath the park between Gallatin and Galloway Street NE east and west of South Dakota Avenue, and I guess I thought NPS and Metro would have figured out how deep the tunnel was before NPS started digging (kind of like “call before you dig”). I guess not.
In the meantime, I do hope NPS and Metro will come to an agreement about keeping the edges of the parkland along Galloway Street clean.
Look for more emails in your inbox imploring residents not to use the “construction zone.” Seriously though, it is getting dark earlier, so be careful.
NPS message below:
Good Day Fort Totten community leaders and residents, please note this latest update on the project to construct a paved trail between Gallatin Street and Galloway Street NE, just east of Fort Totten.
As most are aware, the National Park Service stopped work on this project earlier this year– after uncovering a portion of the Metrorail’s green line tunnel during trail construction.
After a thorough review and subsequent discussions with engineers and additional engagement with WMATA, the National Park Service has determined that we will need to redesign the trail with a new alignment. It is our intent to issue a contract for this redesign later this year or early 2023.
If this can be done, we should have design completed in mid-2023. When funding is available, we will proceed with construction, but that may take some time, as we won’t know the costs of construction until we have a design completed. In the meantime, we will update you on a regular basis as we proceed with the design.
We ask again for the community’s patience as well as request neighbors/metro riders continue to detour around the trail construction site until the new trail is in place. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at kym_elder@nps.gov.
Sincerely,
Kym Elder
Program Manager
Civil War Defenses of Washington
From Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George
On Saturday, November 19 from 11am-1pm Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George will be co-hosting a Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway for Ward 4 families in need with the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association at Lamond Rec Center (20 Tuckerman St. NE).
Her office will be giving out one turkey per family on a first come, first serve basis.
Please bring proof of Ward 4 residency.
See you there!
Mobile Food Market
Faith United Church of Christ (4900 10th Street NE) is hosting its mobile market with free produce and groceries on November 17, 2022, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Coat Drives
The Modern at Art Place (400 Galloway Street NE) is accepting winter coats from November 7 to December 1, 2022. Drop off in lobby.
Faith United Church of Christ (4900 10th Street NE) is accepting coats and other winter clothing (socks, blankets, thermal underwear, gloves, scarves) 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on November 17, December 15, & December 17, 2022. For information contact (202) 635-7777 or email faithuccdc@gmail.com.
According to MPD, on November 11, 2022, twenty-year-old Rashawn Phiffer passsed away after being stabbed near the 500 block of Riggs Road NE. Information about this homicide is scant. If anyone has information about this situation, please contact MPD at 202-727-9099. Anonymous tips can be sent to MPD by texting 50411.
Rest in peace and condolences to this young man’s family.
Following her successful re-election for a third term, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has set up a transition website at https://together.dc.gov. There you can find members of her transition team and instructions on how to apply for jobs with Mayor Bowser’s administration and District government.
Mayor Bowser’s team is also seeking “transformational” and “big” ideas for the mayor’s third term, with a focus on:
Early last year, I shared a news article on social media about the completion of the city’s homeless shelter in Ward 1, which capped a multiyear effort to replace DC General with smaller shelters throughout the city. I wrote then that the the mayor’s first-term plan to open homeless shelters in each ward was truly masterful and that if she had that kind of vision and commitment in addressing so many issues in the District, the city would be well served. The urgency of the plan was of course heightened by the disappearance of eight-year old Relisha Rudd from DC General, which is still disturbing to me to this day.
All that to say, it can be easy to be deeply cynical about politicians and government, but we also have the ability to be courageous and create better functioning, humane communities. And sometimes even “small” things can have great impact.
If you have thoughts, big or small, about how government should better function over the next four years, it is worth sharing them at https://together.dc.gov.
There will also be an in-person engagement forum on December 3, 2022, at 10:00 am.
Art Place Construction Notice 11/14/2022
Note construction hour parking restrictions on Ingraham Street NE west of South Dakota Avenue NE.
ANC 5A Public Meeting
November 16, 2022
6:45 pm
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84468779532?pwd=VGJCRGhlQUxTdldqbDU2RXVEd2ZUUT09
Meeting ID: 844 6877 9532
Passcode: 097050
Dial In: 301 715 8592
Agenda Items
Commission Business
Community Updates 7:45 pm
Jobs Not Guns Ward 5 Recruitment Fair
November 16, 2022
11:00 am-3:00 pm
Turkey Thicket Recreation Center
1100 Michigan Avenue NE
http://www.jobsnotguns.com
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jobs-not-guns-ward-5-recruitment-fair-tickets-449753092607.
From Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton invites you to participate in a Town Hall Meeting with the National Park Service. Congresswoman Norton will host representatives from the National Park Service to provide updates and respond to your questions, comments, and concerns about federal park lands and issues under their jurisdiction in Washington, DC.
The pertinent details are below:
Who: All DC Residents
What: Town Hall Meeting with the National Park Service
When: Wednesday, November 16th, 2022, 6-7:30pm
Where: Zoom
Link: https://ushr.zoomgov.com/j/1603789012
Register: https://forms.office.com/g/Ln4bSq0JSH
If you have any questions, please email NortonEvents@mail.house.gov or call (202) 408-9041.
Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association Public Meeting
November 7, 2022
7:00 pm
November 2022 Meeting Agenda
To view the meeting online, click the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87099555539?pwd=anhjeE9ickRiREwzMlRUS3V5MFFsUT09
Meeting ID: 870 9955 5539
Passcode: 837102
You may dial-in by phone using the following number: 301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 870 9955 5539
Passcode: 837102
Read LRCA’s November 2022 Newsletter.
View map of LRCA’s boundaries.
From Zachary Ammerman, candidate for ANC 5A09
| COMMUNITY TRASH CLEANUP THIS SATURDAY |
| Join me at 10 am this Saturday in Fort Circle Park to clean up trash and litter! Stay for five minutes or an hour – it’s up to you! I’ll have plenty of industrial trash bags, reusable gloves and a small number of trash “picker-uppers” (or whatever those stick things are called!) for everyone who wants to join in. WHEN: 10 am to Noon(ish), Saturday, Nov. 5 WHERE: Fort Circle Park (meet at the unfinished trail between Galloway and Gallatin streets NE I plan on making eliminating litter in the parks in our area a crusade of mine if and when I’m elected. I’d like to see more trash cans installed in and around the parks, increased maintenance and trash removal by the National Park Service, and would like to use part of the ANC 5A budget to install anti-littering education signs in the parks in our area, among other things. If you have any other ideas on how to tackle this issue, please contact me, I’m all ears! |
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.
Joining The Parks Main Street and Mayor Bowser in recognizing the life of Ms. Vanilla Beane. A life well lived. May she rest in peace.
Join Culture Coffee Too & the WALK Ward 5 Health Coalition as they walk to increase awareness of breast cancer and domestic violence.
October 30, 2022
9:00 am
Meet at Culture Coffee Too (300 Riggs Road NE)
Walk to the Metropolitan Branch Trail from Fort Totten to Brookland and back to Culture Coffee Too (approximately 4 miles).
Wear pink to represent breast cancer awareness or purple to represent domestic violence awareness.
Please consider supporting a great cause this weekend. In honor of the legacy of Silas Grant, Sr. (father of Silas Grant, senior advisor to Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie), there will be a 5k walk along the Metropolitan Branch Trail to support Reading Partners. Reading Partners is a really terrific organization in DC that supports children’s literacy.
Register at bit.ly/rpliteracywalk.
Sonny Boy’s 5k Walk for Literacy
October 29, 2022
10:00 am
Metropolitan Branch Trail (8th & Edgewood Street NE)
Next Stop...Riggs Park 
