Author: will.stephens@dupontcircleanc.net

NEWS: Model “Settlement Agreement” (formerly “Voluntary Agreement”) with instructions

The Commission’s ABRA Policy Committee has developed a tool to help ANCs, community groups, residents and businesses develop Settlement Agreements (formerly “Voluntary Agreements” or “VAs”)  that have fair, consistent language.  The language presented here is suggested language and can be modified as the parties involved see fit.  Users can select the elements that are relevant to their specific establishment and negotiation.

The model / template SA with instructions is available on our Settlement Agreements & Moratoria page: https://www.dupontcircleanc.net/wordpress/documents/va-moratoria/

NEWS: DDOT releases 2013 “Parking Action Agenda”

From the District Department of Transportation:

DDOT Releases 2013 Parking Action Agenda

Action Agenda Designed To Restructure And Better Focus Parking Management In The District

 (Washington, DC) Today the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) released its Parking Action Agenda for 2013 to restructure and better focus parking management in the District.

In the past decade, the District of Columbia has witnessed substantial growth in population and visitors, enhanced economic activity, and an increasing density of the urban environment. Changing transportation and land use patterns have led DDOT to revisit the issue of parking and its role in the overall transportation network.

This agenda creates a roadmap for DDOT to best assess the state of parking in the District, investigate innovative curbside management strategies, evaluate the benefits and impact of these tools and approaches upon the District, and outlines an implementation plan to holistically restructure the District’s parking system. DDOT anticipates that a comprehensive approach to some of the most challenging policy issues will be presented in the summer.

The agenda was compiled based on the public input DDOT received from the various community conversations (Parking Think Tanks) that were held this past fall to gauge the state of parking in the District of Columbia.

The 2013 Parking Action Agenda is comprised of the following seven key points:

·        Evaluating and identifying ways to update the Residential Permit Parking (RPP) Program;

·        Creating a new, more flexible Visitor Parking Pass (VPP) program;

·        Enhancing parking opportunities for individuals with limited mobility;

·        Improving access to, and turnover of, on street parking in congested areas;

·        Improving communication with the public about parking challenges and opportunities;

·        Increasing online parking services; and

·        Clarifying agency responsibilities to enhance transparency.

 

The agenda also includes a summary of the feedback from the Parking Think Tanks that shaped the above mentioned key points and timelines for next steps.

To view the agenda please visit: http://ddot.dc.gov/DC/DDOT/Publication%20Files/Services/Parking/ThinkTanks/DDOT_ParkingActionAgenda_2013.pdf

NEWS: ANC 2B to consider commenting on new bike safety legislation

Post by Commissioner Noah Smith (2B09), one of our Public Safety Liaisons:

Earlier this month, Councilmembers Mary Cheh and Tommy Wells introduced the “Bicycle Safety Amendment Act of 2013”. The bill increases penalties for drivers who fail to yield to cyclists or are at fault in crashes involving cyclists and increases education requirements for new DC drivers on how to share the road. It also establishes a requirement that public space permit holders blocking a sidewalk or bicycle lane provide a safe accommodation for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Also this month, DDOT released a report analyzing bicycle and pedestrian crash records for the last two years, which concluded that the intersections of 14th & U Streets NW and 16th Street & New Hampshire Ave NW are among the most dangerous for bicyclists in the city.

Noah Smith and Kishan Putta, on behalf of the ANC, led several public safety listening sessions in 2012, including one on bicycle safety. The ANC heard from neighbors about issues concerning bicycle lanes, signage, bicycling on sidewalks, and pedestrian safety.

The following draft resolution will be introduced at the March 13, 2013 meeting and we welcome any and all feedback. Questions can be directed to Commissioner Noah Smith at Noah.Smith@dupontcircleanc.net.

Draft Resolution in Support of the Bicycle Safety Amendment Act of 2013

Bicycle Safety Amendment Act of 2013

Here is the highlight from the resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED that ANC 2B supports the passage of the “Bicycle Safety Amendment Act of 2013” with the following recommendations:

1.  New laws governing the actions of drivers and bicyclists are only effective if properly enforced; the City Council must fund and direct the Metropolitan Police Department to increase traffic enforcement efforts as part of the normal duties of all of its officers and increase ongoing traffic enforcement training.

2.  The City Council must include language in the law that more clearly defines the term “safe accommodation” as it relates to the proposed requirement for construction projects blocking sidewalks and bicycle lanes. More clarity is important to avoid unintended regulatory flexibility that could result in unsafe accommodations. That definition must include requirements to protect and cover pedestrians and that the accommodations not be unduly burdensome.

Please let us know what you think of the bill and proposed resolution!

NEWS: Water service to be interrupted 3/3/13 near 17th Street & Mass Ave NW

We received the following notice from DC Water:

This is to inform you that on Sunday, March 3, 2013 from 4:00pm until 4:00am  our contractor will be on location to replace a large valve into the water distribution system at 17th Street NW and Massachusetts Ave NW.  The following locations will be affected and will be notified of the scheduled water outage:

  • 1519 17th Street NW – JR’s Bar & Grill
  • 1127 Connecticut Ave NW – The Mayflower Hotel
  • 1724 Massachusetts Ave NW – Legacy
  • 1750 Massachusetts Ave NW – Peterson Institute for International Economics
  • 1776 Massachusetts Ave NW – ELV Associates, Inc.
  • 1730 Massachusetts Ave NW – CCM US LLC
  • 1740 Massachusetts Ave NW – John Hopkins University Office of Administrations
  • 1720 Massachusetts Ave NW – Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.