ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 3-C
Government
of the District of Columbia
Cathedral Heights= Cleveland Park=
Massachusetts Ave. Heights= McLean Gardens=
Woodley Park
2737 DEVONSHIRE PLACE, NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20008
(202) 232-2232 FAX: 232-2232
Minutes
Regular Monthly Meeting
Feb. 24, 2003
I. CALL TO ORDER: Chair MacWood called to order Advisory
Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 3C’s regular monthly meeting for Feb. 24, 2003
at 7:35 p.m. The meeting was held at the Community Room, Second District
Police Station, 3320 Idaho Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Other commissioners
present were Allen Hahn, Sheila Hogan, Nancy Nord, Trudy Reeves and Kurt
Vorndran.
II. VERIFICATION OF NOTICE:
Chair MacWood verified that
the proper notice was published in The Northwest Current and posted on the
Cleveland Park email list and ANC3C website.
III. Establishment of quorum:
Chair MacWood acknowledged
that a quorum (at least 5 members of the commission) was present.
IV. Approval of Agenda: With minor adjustments, the
agenda was approved without objection.
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A. Chair MacWood announced that Commissioner Bob Martin
passed away Friday, Feb. 21 after a brief illness. Chair MacWood stated that
Commissioner Martin was a valued member of the commission and of the
community. Commissioner Vorndran introduced and read a resolution
cosponsored by all ANC3C commissioners in memoriam to Commissioner Martin.
Commissioner Hogan seconded, and Resolution 2003-007 passed by a unanimous
vote of 6-0.
Chair MacWood stated that Commissioner Martin’s funeral Mass would be
held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 1, at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown.
VI. Commission business:
A. Chair MacWood introduced a project at 3312 Cathedral Ave., NW. The
homeowners were seeking a special exception in order to add a one-story
addition with basement to their existing home. Chair MacWood stated that the
ANC3C planning and zoning committee had reviewed the project. The
homeowners’ architect, Bruce Wentworth, explained that the addition would
not be any higher than a wall on the adjoining property, and that they had
letters from neighbors on all sides approving the project. Commissioner Nord
moved approval of the addition, and Chair MacWood seconded. The motion
passed by a unanimous vote of 6-0. Chair MacWood stated she would write
a letter to the Board of Zoning Adjustment advising them of the action.
B. Chair MacWood introduced concept plans for lots of the Rosedale
project. She explained that the lots under consideration by ANC3C that night
would face Ordway Street, and the lot owners had applied to the Historic
Preservation Review Board (HPRB) for concept review. Architect Dale Overmyer
discussed the common elements to the planned Rosedale project. He stated
that a new paved driveway would access six of the properties for parking. A
clay tennis court would be shared by the homes on lots 4 and 9. The court
would be sunk into the ground so a surrounding wall would appear only 7 ft.
The tennis court would not include lighting.
Architect Richard Williams then discussed plans for lot 5, which include
a 3,200 square foot home with a one-car garage. Architect Michael Marshall
presented plans for lot 3, which would include a footprint of 1,962 square
feet. Mr. Marshall stated this would comprise 33 percent of the lot, and the
home would be set back 8 ft. from the street.
Chair MacWood stated that the architects had made an intentional effort
to ensure each house was distinct, at the request of the HPRB. Commissioners
voiced concerns about whether lights could be added to the tennis court in
the future without having to apply to the HPRB. Mr. Overmyer stated that the
owners were very clear they didn’t want lighting.
Chair MacWood stated that the owners of lot 8 had already met with the
HPRB. Chair MacWood moved that the commission voice no objection to the
projects on lots 3, 5, the tennis courts, and lot 8. Commissioner Hahn
seconded, and the motion passed by a unanimous vote of 6-0. Chair MacWood
stated that she would write a letter to the HPRB noting the vote.
VII. COMMUNITY FORUM:
A. Commissioner Reeves introduced and moved a resolution in support of
the concept of dog parks in the District of Columbia. Commissioner Vorndran
seconded. McLean Gardens resident Julie Benjamin stated that D.C. lags
behind the nation in dog parks and that most neighboring counties have
off-leash areas for dogs. Resident Kathy Silva gave commissioners a history
of their efforts to establish dog parks. Commissioner Hogan stated it was
impressive that it had become a citywide effort. Chair MacWood asked about
identification of possible locations for parks, and resident Barbara
Bermpohl stated that it was ultimately up to the Department of Parks and
Recreation to choose the locations. Resident Gabe Fineman stated his concern
that one proposed location on 39th and Newark streets was near a
community garden and a playground. Chair MacWood stated that the commission
was not endorsing any specific locations. After further discussion,
Commissioner Vorndran called the question, and Resolution 2003-006 passed
by a unanimous vote of 6-0.
B. Chair MacWood introduced a resolution listing conditions for the Board
of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) to consider when they are deciding on whether to
grant a special exception application for the National Child Research Center
(NCRC). Chair MacWood reminded commissioners that at the January ANC3C
meeting, they had passed two resolutions: one opposing an NCRC application
for special exception and one urging the BZA to issue a new zoning Order to
clarify the 1998 Order.
Chair MacWood stated that the D.C. Department of Transportation has
opposed the special exception application due to existing dangerous traffic
conditions. Chair MacWood read and moved the resolution, and Commissioner
Hogan seconded. Resident Gabe Fineman asked whether the ANC3C traffic
committee had considered the serious traffic issues at the site, and Chair
MacWood stated they had not due to the tight timeline. She stated the BZA
was considering the application the following day and she hoped ANC3C’s
proposed conditions could be presented to them before that.
Commissioner Vorndran stated his concern with the resolution and that he
would like to hear from the school about whether any of the resolution’s
proposed conditions would be particularly burdensome for the school.
Chair MacWood suggested the commission could consider approving the
resolution, and if the BZA didn’t finish the case the following night, ANC3C
could reconsider at its March meeting.
Neighbor Charles Both stated that the school is still in violation of its
1998 Order by having 170 students instead of 121. He suggested there should
be a period of attrition to scale the enrollment down so traffic issues
could be handled.
Chair MacWood cited a 1997 NCRC letter and a letter to then-ANC3C
Commissioner Phil Mendelson that stated
the school’s enrollment was at 108, with no intent to add any new students
or do any construction. She stated that both ANC3C and the BZA relied on
these letters when deciding to issue the 1998 Order.
Commissioner Nord stated that she felt uncomfortable suggesting the
school’s enrollment be capped when D.C. had a shortage of quality schools.
Commissioner Nord offered a friendly amendment to drop bullet points one and
two and the bullet regarding the summer school program. Chair MacWood stated
that the nature of special exceptions is that private schools must have a
special exception to locate in residential neighborhoods, and that ANC3C’s
responsibility is to examine the criteria for special exceptions and provide
feedback to the BZA. No second was offered for Commissioner Nord’s friendly
amendment.
After further discussion, Chair MacWood referred the resolution to the
planning and zoning and the transportation committees for joint
consideration.
VIII. OFFICERS’ REPORTS:
A. Chair MacWood moved acceptance of the January 2003 ANC3C meeting
minutes. With small adjustments to language, the minutes were approved
without objection.
X. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. Commissioner Hahn stated that the Woodley Park
Citizens Association would hold a meeting regarding housing for the aging at
7 p.m. Wed., Feb. 26 at St. Thomas Apostle Church.
B. Chair MacWood stated that Robert Andrews had done work on several ANC
websites and had indicated his interest in assisting the redesign of ANC3C’s
website. The cost for the redesign would be $1,000. Commissioner Vorndran
moved that ANC3C contract with Mr. Andrews for the project, and Commissioner
Hogan seconded. Commissioner Hahn offered to assist with the planning
process. The motion passed by a unanimous vote of 5-0.
C. Commissioner Reeves stated she would attend a meeting with the D.C.
fire chief regarding the Tenley Firehouse project and report back to the
commission.
XII. ADJOURNMENT:
Without objection, the February 2003 meeting of ANC3C adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
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