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

 

Regular Monthly Meeting Minutes

March 15, 2004

 

I. CALL TO ORDER 

            Chair Nancy MacWood called to order Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3C (ANC 3C’s) regular monthly meeting for March 15, 2004 at 7:37 p.mNEED TIME. The meeting was held in the community room at the Second District Police Station, 3320 Idaho Ave., NW, Washington, DC.  Other commissioners present were Sheila Hogan, Sally MacDonald, Trudy Reeves, John Welsh 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 listserv and ANC 3C web site.

 

III. ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM 

            Chair MacWood acknowledged that a quorum (at least five members of the commission) was present.

 

IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 

Chair MacWood called for approval of the month’s agenda.  Without objection, the agenda was approved.

 

V.  ANNOUNCEMENTS 

a.       Chair MacWood asked the commissioners to introduce themselves.

 

b.       Chair MacWood announced that Woodley Park Community Association, Cleveland Park Citizens Association, and the National Cathedral Neighborhood Association would be co-sponsoring a meeting on Wednesday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Cleveland Park Congregation Church to discuss the National Cathedral parking garage proposals.

 

c.       Commissioner Hogan announced that she planned to introduce a resolution at the April meeting on the renewable portfolio standards introduced to the D.C. Council by Councilmember Mendelson.

 

d.       Commissioner Vorndran announced that Woodley Park Community Association’s regular meeting would be held at All Souls Episcopal Church on April 13.

 

VI. CONSENT CALENDAR

            Chair MacWood moved to approve the replacement of a temporary sign at the Gables Apartment Building, as the ANC had received no objections from the community.  The motion was approved without objection.

 

 

 

VII.  COMMISSION BUSINESS

 

a.       Chair MacWood introduced consideration of an Historic Preservation Review Board application at 3607 Newark Street for renovation of the house and a rear addition.  The architects, Mike Jones from Hamilton & Snowberg, provided an overview of the project.  Mr. Jones stated that there was a small zoning issue with a bay window planned on the second floor of the addition, but that they would apply for a special exception if HPRB approved the design. 

 

A neighbor expressed concern about the planned placement of a storage shed.  Commissioner Hogan suggested moving the shed to line up with the neighbor’s garage and not block open space.  Mr. Jones said that moving the shed could potentially damage a tree in the back yard. 

 

Chair MacWood NM asked if the architect had appeared before ARC.  Mr. Jones replied that they had.  He said that ARC had provided him with their comments and that their conclusion was to vote against the project.  He stated that HPRB staff planned to support the project.  Chair MacWood moved to approve the addition without objection, but with a recommendation that the applicant refine the storage shed and seek to lower the roofline if possible.  Commissioner Hogan seconded.  The motion was approved without objection.

 

b.       Chair MacWood introduced consideration of a public space permit application for a new parking pad at 3140 Highland Place.  Adam Braff, the homeowner, presented an overview of the project and stated that both DCRA and HPRB approved the project.  DDOT asked the homeowner to present the project to ANC 3C’s approval prior to granting its permission for the curb cut.  Mr. Braff stated that he had spoken to all four neighbors and three were supportive.  The fourth, to the west, opposed the project due to potential tree damage and quality of life issues.

 

Commissioner Welsh stated that the plan would increase available neighborhood parking by removing a car from the street and that the curb cut would not eliminate a parking spot because that side of the street is currently a no parking zone.  Commissioner Welsh had spoken with both neighbors and he fully supported the resolution. 

 

Chair MacWood asked if Mr. Braff had looked into getting handicapped placard or license plate with a reserved spot across the street.  Mr. Braff stated that he had not been aware of that option and would explore it.  Chair MacWood asked Mr. Braff if he would enter into a friendly agreement with the objecting neighbors to involve them in the tree preservation plan.  He said that he would.  Commissioner Welsh moved to support the public space permit application with cooperation between the neighbors.  Commissioner MacDonald seconded.  After additional discussion, Commissioner Vorndran called the question.  The motion was approved without objection.

 

c.       Chair MacWood introduced consideration of a resolution regarding the upgrading of Ordway Street.  Commissioner Reeves stated that a petition was signed by 51 individuals representing 41 households, 30 individuals of whom were from the affected block of Ordway.  Commissioner Reeves read the resolve and moved consideration of the resolution.  Commissioner Welsh seconded.  Commissioner Welsh expressed concern about the condition of the existing retaining wall and proposed a friendly amendment to request repair on the wall.  Commissioner Reeves accepted the amendment.  Resident Steve Hunsicker distributed copies of the petition.  Transportation Co-Chair Peter Espenscheid stated that the only controversial issue was sidewalks and that many people may have signed the petition for other reasons but aren’t in support of sidewalks.  Seven residential property owners with no sidewalks currently in front of their properties opposed having sidewalks placed in front of their residences.  Mr. Espenscheid stated that only those people whose properties are not directly affected supported the placement of sidewalks.  Mr. Espenscheid opposed the petition and requested that the ANC to vote down the resolution.  Commissioner Reeves stated that the road and potential sidewalk area is public space and that the ANC’s primary concern should be for the greater public good.  She stated that a continuous walkway would be safer for adults and children and allow people to get out of their cars without hitting an unkempt hill.

 

Commissioner Welsh said that the proposed height of a new retaining wall behind NCRC and the Badami residence had been a problem in the past, but asked whether the lowering of the wall’s projected height to four feet eliminated residents’ concerns.  Mr. Hunsicker replied that the concern over the wall was not solely because of its height and stated that he was not comfortable that DDOT would actually construct a four-foot wall.   Commissioner Welsh replied that the benefit of a safer walkway mitigates the problem of walls being installed.  Chair MacWood said that her main concern is safety and that she would like DDOT to place a crosswalk from the north side to the south side of Ordway in front of NCRC.   

 

Commissioner MacDonald asked if DDOT had received a copy of the petition.  Commissioner Reeves stated that she had sent a copy of the blank petition to DDOT, but that DDOT had not received the signed petition.  She said that DDOT had told her that because the street is so close to Connecticut and parking is on the no-sidewalk side of Ordway, it is necessary to install a sidewalk.

 

Chair MacWood said that curbs would help, but that she did not feel sidewalks are necessary.  Commissioner Hogan said that she was concerned about the large number of neighbors opposing a sidewalk.  She stated, however, that there is a need for a crosswalk regardless of whether or not a sidewalk is placed.  Commissioner Reeves said that DDOT would require stop signs if a crosswalk was installed and that stop signs would eliminate three parking spots on either side of the street.

 

Commissioner Vorndran offered a friendly amendment to support the installation of a sidewalk up to 3220 Ordway from Cleveland Park.  Commissioner Welsh agreed.  Commissioner MacDonald stated that the ANC had received many calls about children being unloaded into the street because of the lack of a sidewalk.  She further stated that the planned road resurfacing would lead to additional traffic, which would make a crosswalk and stop signs necessary for safety.

 

A resident living at 3010 Ordway stated that the proposed amendment of sidewalk installation up to 32nd street was reasonable.  A resident whose house would be impacted by the planned sidewalk stated that she was concerned about root damage to a large tree on her property and that she’d be forced to maintain a sidewalk she cannot easily reach because of the steep slope of the hill.  She further stated that sidewalks would destroy the character of the neighborhood.  The president of the Cleveland Park Citizens Association expressed concern about the condition of the planned sidewalk during winter because the hilly slope is so steep and would cause water runoff that could lead to icy conditions.

 

A representative from NCRC said that NCRC would take responsibility for clearing the planned sidewalk and would be willing to clear the other side of the street.  She stated that the hillside is eroding and a retaining wall is necessary to support the slope and beautify Ordway.   An affected resident responded that NCRC had broken many promises and that she would not want to enter into an agreement with NCRC to maintain the sidewalk. 

 

Commissioner Welsh and Chair MacWood asked whether NCRC would use the ANC’s support of a sidewalk to justify approval of NCRC’s special exception application.  Commissioner MacDonald stated said that she had been contacted by neighbors complaining about NCRC’s expansion plans and asked if NCRC would continue to pursue its special exception application if sidewalks were installed.  The NCRC representative said that the school would pursue its expansion regardless of sidewalks.

 

Commissioner Vorndran proposed a friendly amendment that supported the six contiguous properties that asked not to have sidewalks and honored NCRC’s request to have a sidewalk.  Commissioner Welsh proposed a friendly amendment that DDOT create a crosswalk at the western terminus of the sidewalk with appropriate traffic signage.  Commissioner Reeves accepted both amendments.  Commissioner Vorndran called the question.  Commissioners With objections from Chair MacWood and Commissioner Hogan, Resolution 2004-010 passed by a vote of 4 – 2.

 

d.       Chair MacWood stated that the scheduled consideration of a public space application for a semi-circular driveway at 3433 34th Street would be moved to the April meeting.

 

VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM

 

d.       Commissioner Reeves moved for consideration of a petition for traffic calming on Garfield Street between Massachusetts Avenue and 34th Street on behalf of Commissioner Nord.  Commissioner Welsh seconded.  Resolution 2004-011 passed by a unanimous vote of 6-0.

 

X. OFFICER REPORTS

a.       Commissioner Welsh moved for the approval of up to $250 for hauling expenses.  Commissioner Reeves seconded.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

b.       Commissioner Welsh reported that he had not received a response from the auditor about his lack of response to the ANC’s December 15 letter.  He stated that the auditor was very strict with 3C about the security fund, but appeared to go more easily on 3B.  Chair MacWood agreed that there appeared to be a lack of balance on what constitutes a serious infraction. 

 

c.       Chair MacWood moved approval of the February 2004 minutes.  Commissioner Vorndran seconded.  The minutes were unanimously approved.

 

d.       Commissioner MacDonald reported that the March 8 public transportation committee meeting had a high level of attendance.  Resident asked questions related to speeding non-resident parking in residential areas.

 

Commissioner Reeves reported that at the Ward 3 Transportation Task Force meeting, DDOT agreed to look at the service road light at Ordway and Connecticut.  Commissioner Reeves said she also contacted Patrick Burke about clocking speeds on 34th street and was referred to Commander Moore. 

 

Transportation co-chair Peter Espenscheid asked that the record reflect his opinion as committee co-chair that the commission’s vote supporting sidewalks on Ordway Street went against the best interest of the residents.

 

e.       Commissioner Hogan suggested that WASA be invited to another meeting due to the new information being issued.  Chair MacWood suggested inviting them to meetings through the environmental committee.  The president of the Cleveland Park Citizens Association suggested putting out a bulletin of information and waiting to see if there is a desire for an additional meeting.

 

f.        Commissioner Reeves announced a joint meeting with ANC 3C to discuss Sidwell’s HPRB application and special exception application in front of the BZA.  She stated that Sidwell had requested that the ANCs meet soon and consider the applications in April. 

 

IX. ADJOURNMENT

Chair MacWood moved for adjournment.  Commissioner Welsh seconded.  The meeting was adjourned at 10:13 p.m. without objection.