Author: Executive Director

NEWS: July 2014 “Votes of the ANC” Posted

This new blog, “Votes of the ANC” will be posted on the next day after our meeting to explain the votes that took place the night before. The language in resolutions will still be up to final review and some change may be made.  Last night at our overflow ANC meeting the following votes occurred:

 

General Items

Resolution honoring Dupont Festival, Aaron DeNu, and our friends and neighbors from the German Embassy for their efforts and generosity in holding a successful viewing party in Dupont Circle for the US-Germany World Cup match. 
Commission Silverstein moved to approve, Commissioner Feldstein. Passed 8-0. 

 

Regulatory Items

 

Department of Health Applications

Application by Eric C. Marshall, P.C. for Certificate of Need (No. 14-2-8) for MinuteClinic at CVS Pharmacy, 6-7 Dupont Circle NW (2B02)
Commission Stephens moved to approve, Commissioner Silverstein. Passed 8-0.

 

Public Space Use & Applications

Request to allow Sunday hours and early staging for sidewalk and public space renovation at 1220 19th Street (building that includes I Ricci and formerly held The Melting Pot). Washington Real Estate Investment Trust seeks waiver to work 10am to 6pm on Sundays, and to stage equipment and do what they call “quiet work” from 5am-7am seven days a week on this 4-month project. Bill Cate of WRIT will present. (2B06) – Commission Silversrein moved to approve, Commissioner Stephens. Passed 6-0.

Request for DDOT Public Space Permit for 1908 14th St NW – Taylor Gourmet – for 10 outdoor seats. Tracking Number 97417. (2B09) -Support table by window but object…. Commission Smith moved to approve, Commissioner Stephens. Passed 7-0.

Alcohol Applications 

Request for Class “C” Restaurant liquor license for Custom Fuel Pizza and Salads (#95570) located at 1635 Connecticut Ave NW. Restaurant featuring rapidly prepared pizzas, fresh salads and snacks. No live entertainment with 96 seats. Hours of operation: Sunday through Saturday 11am-3am. Hours of alcoholic beverage sales, service and consumption: Sunday through Thursdays 11am-2am, Friday and Saturday 11am-3am. Petition: August 11, 2014. Roll Call Hearing: August 25, 2015. Protest Hearing: October 15, 2014. (2B03)
Commission Maltz moved to approve, Commissioner Feldstein. Passed 6-0.

Request for substantial change to hours of operation for the Bottom Line (#000755) located at 1716 I Street NW. Approved hours of operation: Sunday through Wednesday 11am-2am, Thursday 11am-2:30am, Friday 11am-3:30am and Saturday 11:30am-3:30 am. Approved hours of alcohol sales and consumption: Sunday through Thursday 11:30am-1:30am and Friday through Saturday 11:30am-2:30am. Proposed hours of operation: Sunday through Thursday 8am-2am and Friday through Sunday 8am-3am. Proposed hours of alcohol sales, consumption and summer garden: Sunday through Thursday 8am-2am and Friday through Saturday 8am-3am. Approved hours of operation, sales, consumption and sidewalk cafe: Sunday through Thursday 11:30am-1:30am and Friday through Saturday 11:30am-2am. Proposed hours of sidewalk cafe: Sunday through Thursday 9am-2am and Friday through Saturday 9am-3am. Proposed alcohol sale, consumption and sidewalk care: Sunday through Thursday 9am-1:30am and Friday through Saturday 9am-2:30am. Petition: July 7, 2014. Hearing: July 21, 2014. (2B06)
Commission Maltz moved to approve, Commissioner Nichols. Passed 6-0.

Request for substantial change to license hours for Nooshi (#024470) located at 1120 19th Street NW. Current hours of operation and alcohol sale and consumption for the inside premises and sidewalk cafe: Sunday through Saturday 11:30am-11pm. Requested hours of operation and alcohol sale and consumption for the inside premises and sidewalk cafe: Sunday through Saturday 11:30am-2am. Petition: August 11, 2014. Hearing: August 25, 2014. (2B06) – Commission takes no action.

Request for substantial change to license for Cities (086319) located at 919 19th Street NW entertainment endorsement of the sidewalk cafe. Entertainment will include jazz bands,steel drums and a DJ. Sidewalk cafe capacity is 64. Current hours of operation, sales, service, consumption: Sunday through Thursday 8am-2am and Friday and Saturday 8am-3am. Current hours of operation, sales, service and consumption for sidewalk cafe: Sunday 12p-2am, Monday through Thursday 11:30am-2am, Friday through Saturday 11:30am-2am and Friday through Saturday 11:30am-3am. Proposed hours of Entertainment for sidewalk cafe: Sunday through Thursday 6pm-2am and Friday and Saturday 6pm-3am. Petition: August 4, 2014. Hearing: August 18, 2014. (2B06)
Commission Maltz moved to protest, asking for more information and applicant not here, Commissioner Stephens seconds. Passed 7-0.

 

Historic Preservation & Zoning Applications 

BZA Application BZA #18-802 for construction at 1727 Mass. Ave (7:00pm) (2B07)
Commission Dwyer moved to request a delay to allow for time to review additional information, Commissioner Stephens seconds. Passed 8-0. The resolution reads as follows:

Whereas, the applicant for 1727 Massachusetts Ave NW seeking a special exception BZA #18802 to convert 800sf of residential space in the Winthrop condominium into commercial office space;

Whereas, the applicant seeking the special exception did not reach out to ANC 2B in a timely manner;

Whereas, ANC 2B requested project drawings and a copy of the BZA application #18802, whereas, ANC 2B did not receive these items from the applicant prior to the subcommittee meeting dedicated to reviewing matters dealing with zoning, preservation and development;

Whereas, ANC 2B did not receive the requested drawings before the official ANC 2B meeting on July 9, 2014;

Whereas, ANC 2B asked if the applicant had reached out to the neighbors and to the condominium board, whereas the applicant had not communicated this zoning special exception request to that of the neighbors in the building, and to the condominium board;

Whereas, the applicant had not reviewed the condominium bylaws to see if this would be a permitted use of space by the condominium bylaws;

Whereas, the applicant having purchased this property within the last few years, and that the applicant seeking the special exception purchased said property as a residential unit, whereas, this applicant is actively involved in real estate and development and has the experience and knowledge of the real estate market, should therefore be regarded as a competent buyer, and would therefore know the difference between a legal dwelling unit and one that would not be deemed a legal dwelling unit;

Whereas, the applicant now claims that the property in mention for which they are seeking a special exception is not suitable for residential usage, whereas, ANC 2B finds this to not be a suitable request;

Whereas, ANC 2B is concerned about this request because the building does not have the necessary security measures in place to maintain a mixed use facility; and

Whereas, ANC 2B is concerned with the impact of transferring residential space into commercial office space.

Therefore, be it resolved that ANC 2B opposes this project on the basis that the applicant did not provide the necessary documents to the ANC for review, that ANC 2B is concerned with the impact that this special exception would have upon the building residents, and to Dupont Circle overall. ANC 2B furthers its’ opposition because the applicant did not communicate this request with that of the neighbors impacted by this request, had not reviewed the bylaws of the condominium, and had not communicated this request to the condominium board.

 

 

HPRB Application HPA #14-530 for construction at 1772 Church St (St Thomas Church) (2B07)
Commissioner Dwyer moved to approve, Commissioner Maltz. Failed 3-5. No Comment to HPRB.
Amendment – Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Maltz seconds. (4-3-1)
Support DCC resolution – Mike S. Seconded by Mike 6-2. The resolution reads as follows:

Whereas, ANC 2B acknowledges the applicants’ engagement of the community the last six months prior to their submission to Historic Preservation Review Board, and that they have engaged the community in four full community town-hall style meetings and 31 individual and small group meetings;

Whereas, ANC 2B acknowledges that St. Thomas Parish has been a member of the Dupont Circle community since 1894, and the Parish has been a critical ally and supporter of the gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual community, and whereas, the Parish provides space for other community groups as well as serving as a polling location at election time, and that this development will further strengthen the ability to support the St Thomas Parish and our community;

Whereas, ANC 2B acknowledges that since 1970, when the Gothic revival church was burned to the ground by an arsonist, the congregation has made the best out of an horrific situation, moved into the Parish Hall which was never meant to be a house of worship, and is not an ADA-accessible structure and therefore hinders the ability of the Church to serve the community;

Whereas, ANC 2B acknowledges that the intent of the Church is to rebuild a proper sanctuary on the grounds of their former sanctuary, which will build upon and strengthen their religious community as well as their commitment to providing services to the Dupont Circle community;

Whereas, ANC 2B has been involved in the dialogue within the community over the last six months;

Whereas, ANC 2B acknowledges that the applicant has worked hard to address the concerns of the residents with several design changes, and with decreasing the residential component by 6,000 square feet;

Whereas, ANC 2B recommends support of the design concept;

Whereas, ANC 2B has concerns regarding the organization to how the massing of the two components, being that of the Church and of the residential component should have a strong and cohesive massing;

Whereas, ANC 2B has concerns regarding to the various façade materials represented for the Church St. facade, for the residential component;

Whereas, ANC 2B seeks guidance from the Historic Preservation Review Board regarding the matter of an appropriate loading dock area along the alley, while not a common article for the Board to review, ANC 2B would appreciate design guidance on this matter; and

Whereas, ANC 2B looks to the Historic Preservation Review Board for guidance regarding the appropriateness of the massing and façade, so that this project can be an appropriate and suitable addition to the Dupont Circle community.

Therefore, be it resolved that ANC 2B recommends support of this project with the Historic Preservation Review Board addressing the foregoing matters of massing and building materials for the Church St. façade of the residential building.

Other Finance/Treasurer Items (if any); Pro-rate Daniel Pay. Support letter for Garrisson market. By acclimation.
Vote to approve to member of transportation committee. First by Noah, Seconded by Stephens.

 

NEWS: ANC 2B June “Resolution Letters by Month” Posted

The following letters that were transmitted to D.C. government agencies as the result of ANC actions at the Commission’s June meeting have been uploaded and posted for public viewing:.

June 2014

17 Street Festival (General)

1820-1822 Jefferson Place (BZA)

2123 Twining Court NW (BZA)

Bottom Line (ABRA)

Custom Fuel Pizza (ABRA)

Floriana’s (Public Space)

Francis Recreational Area (General)

Hampton Inn (ABRA)

Penthouse Pool & Lounge Vida Fitness (ABRA)

Street-side banners (General)

Yamas Mediterranean Grill (ABRA)

 

These letters can also be viewed on the “Resolution Letters by Month” page of the ANC website, along with other letters sent on behalf of the Commission in previous months.

NEWS: June 2014 “Votes of the ANC” Posted

This new blog, “Votes of the ANC” will be posted on the next day after our meeting to explain the votes that took place the night before. The language in resolutions will still be up to final review and some change may be made.  Last night at our overflow ANC meeting the following votes occurred:

 

Public Annoucements

Support of 17th Street Festival on Sept 13 – Passed 8-0.

 

General Items

Elections to fill vacancies in Secretary & ABRA Policy Committee Chair – Passed 8-0.

 

Regulatory Items

Alcohol Applications

Request for stipulated license for Custom Fuel Pizza Restaurant, 1600 block of Connecticut Ave for Sun-Sat 11am-3am [Note: Full license application will be on July 2014 agenda] (2B03) –  Passed (7-0). The Commission passed the following resolution: 

Whereas; at it’s regularly schedule meeting on June 11, 2014 the Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2B (“ANC 2B”) considered a request by Custom 1635 CT, LLC (“applicant”) trading as “Custom Fuel”/“Fuel Pizza” for a new Retailer’s Class C/R ABC License and transfer of Existing Sidewalk Cafe permit, located at 1635 Connecticut Avenue, NW, (formerly the site of Potbelly), and; Whereas; the applicant has requested that ANC 2B support the issuance of a Stipulated License in accordance with Section 200 of Title 23 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, (“23 DCMR §200”), to operate under the terms of that license application prior to the completion of the 45 day protest period, and;

Whereas; the FUEL PIZZA restaurant group presently operates establishments in the District of Columbia including two located at in ANC 2B, and another in ANC 2C, both of which had previously been granted stipulated licenses at the request of their respective ANCs;

Now therefore be it resolved; that ANC 2B Supports the request by Custom Fuel/Fuel Pizza for a new retailers C/R license and supports the request for a stipulated license.

Request for consent to exemption to single-sales ban at Hampton Inn (#901668) located at 1729 H Street NW. (2B06) – Passed (7-0).

 

Request for substantial change to hours of operation for the Bottom Line (#000755) located at 1716 I Street NW. – Failed (6-0).

 

Request (#ABRA-086789) by Penthouse Pool & Lounge (Vida Fitness), 1612 U St NW, for substantial change for: lateral expansion (to include 4th floor) and entertainment endorsement (DJ and live music) with hours Sun-Thur 6pm-12am, Fri-Sat 6pm-1am. Petition Deadline 7/7/14; Roll Call Hearing 7/21/14. (2B08) – Passed (6-0). The Commission passed the following resolution: 

Whereas the original license application for the Penthouse Pool / Vida Fitness rooftop bar involved a lengthy, multi-party negotiation of a Voluntary Agreement;

Whereas entertainment was not envisioned in the original application or negotiations;

Whereas the current application involves entertainment, including in the outdoor space, in addition to expansion into a fourth floor indoor space;

Whereas the ANC has received numerous concerns from abutting and nearby neighbors regarding the potential for noise and other disturbance as a result of the substantial change request;

Therefore be it resolved that ANC 2B protests the request on the basis of peace, order, and quiet concerns, subject to the successful negotiation of a revised voluntary agreement / settlement agreement;

Be it further resolved that it is the Commission’s intention to facilitate discussion among all the relevant stakeholders to arrive at a mutually acceptable agreement;

Be it further resolved that Commissioners Will Stephens (2B08), Noah Smith (2B09), and Mike Feldstein (2B01) are the Commission’s designated representatives on this matter.

 

Request (#ABRA-095296) for stipulated license and full license by Yamas Mediterranean Grill, 1946 NH Ave NW, for DR (restaurant, beer and wine only) for Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, no entertainment. – Passed (7-0).

 

Public Space Use & Applications

Request for approval for change in hours for sidewalk cafe for Floriana’s located at 1602 17th Street NW (#084579). Passed (7-0).

 

New street-side banners for Dupont. Passed (7-0).

 

Historic Preservation & Zoning Applications

BZA Case No. 18064 – 1820-1822 Jefferson Place, NW – Request for Extension. Passed (7-0).

 

BZA Case No. 18795 – 2123 Twining Court NW. Passed (7-0).

 

ZPD Committee

Francis Field Resolution. Passed (6-0). The resolution reads as follows: 

Whereas, ANC 2A, representing Foggy Bottom and the West End, and ANC 2B, representing Dupont Circle, are concerned about recent incidents and overall confusion involving dogs on-leash and off-leash in the park area along 25th and N Streets, NW.

This area is known as the “Francis Recreational Area.” Part is owned by National Park Service and is part of Rock Creek Park and part was deeded to the District during Home Rule and is managed by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation. It includes Francis Field on 25th Street and the green space behind Francis-Stevens Educational Center. The area north of N Street is part of ANC 2B and the area south of N is part of ANC 2A.

In 2008-2009, a new master plan was approved for Francis Field, the land west of 25th Street in ANC 2A. The new plan included space for an off-leash dog park on DC’s portion of the land. West End Dogs filed and its application for a dog park was approved by Director Jesus Aguirre during the Fenty administration. However, no funding has been available for its construction during the Gray administration.

In 2009, ANC 2A passed an additional resolution unanimously supporting a dog off-leash time sharing arrangement on Francis Field until such time as the formal dog park was constructed. This is allowed per DC municipal regulations, and is currently in place at Friendship Playground in Chevy Chase.

Resolved that ANC 2A and ANC 2B will work with Francis Recreational Area stakeholders in order to ensure that dog owners have safe places for their dogs on-leash and off-leash. Additionally resolved that we urge the DC government to move forward with the funding of the off-leash dog park on Francis Field.

 

Administrative Matters

Approval of room rental of $75 in Luther Place for Ward 2 Education Network meeting on June 14 from 10 to 11:30 am. Passed (5-0-1).

 

Pride Parade – ordered two more banners, total cost was 500. Passed (6-0).

 

Motion to adjourn by acclimation – Moved by Commissioner Dwyer