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

Oct 28, 2002

 

I.                  CALL TO ORDER: Chair Nancy MacWood called to order Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 3C’s regular monthly meeting for Oct. 28, 2002 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 Richard Bartel, Rosalyn Doggett, Lars Hydle, Bob Martin, Kurt Vorndran, and John Welsh.

 

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.

 

V.               COMMUNITY FORUM:  

 

A. Chair MacWood introduced John Barnes of the American Civil Liberties Union. Mr. Barnes discussed surveillance cameras being placed around the District by the Metropolitan Police Department. Mr. Barnes stated the ACLU is opposed to cameras in place of police officers, and noted that the D.C. City Council will consider the issue at its Nov. 7 meeting. Chair MacWood stated that ANC3C invited the MPD to send a representative to discuss the issue but the department is still identifying a spokesperson.

 

B. Chair MacWood introduced McLean Gardens resident Barbara Bermpohl, who discussed tentative plans to place a dog park at Newark and 39th Streets next to an existing city park, community garden and tennis court. Ms. Bermpohl stated the park would be 138 ft. by 58 ft., and would be surrounded by a 6-foot vinyl coated green chain-linked fence. She stated that a petition circulated within the neighborhood garnered 169 signatures and that D.C. Parks and Recreation has shown interest. Chair MacWood introduced Trudy Reeves, a candidate for the vacant ANC3C position, who is a resident of McLean Gardens. Ms. Reeves stated that she liked the concept of a dog park, but was not sure the location was optimal and the size was too large. Chair MacWood suggested that a McLean Gardens meeting to discuss the issues surrounding this proposal might be the logical next step before the ANC3C introduced a resolution on the issue.

 

C. Chair MacWood introduced Barbara Beelar, a resident at 3505 Tilden St., and a member of the Hearst Recreation Center advisory council. Ms. Beelar discussed proposed repairs and improvements to the center, which was last upgraded seven years ago. The plans include short-term repairs and a longer-term renovation of the facility. Commissioner Martin introduced a resolution supporting the proposal, and Commissioner Welsh seconded. After further discussion and minor changes to the language, Resolution 2002-40 passed by a unanimous vote of 7-0.

 

VI. commISSION BUSINESS:

A.     Commissioner Welsh introduced and read a resolution regarding a proposed sidewalk café at 3518 Connecticut Ave. Commissioner Welsh stated that the sidewalk café is not yet operating, but would allow less than10 feet of sidewalk space as it is next to the Metro escalator. Commissioner Doggett seconded the resolution. Chair MacWood clarified that the resolution opposed both the liquor license for the sidewalk café and the sidewalk space the café would inhabit. Commissioner Hydle asked why the resolution opposed the liquor license rather than just the sidewalk space issue. Commissioner Welsh stated ANC3C has requested that the DCRA not issue any more liquor licenses until an accurate restaurant overlay count has been established. After further discussion regarding the language of the resolution, Chair MacWood called the question, and Resolution 2002-41 passed by a unanimous vote of 7-0.

 

B. Chair MacWood introduced an application to the Historic Preservation Review Board for renovations at 2818 28th St., NW. Chair MacWood explained that the ANC3C planning and zoning committee had already considered the application. Peter Challin, the owner of the home, attended the meeting to tell commissioners that he planned to replace storm windows and modernize some back rooms within the existing building footprint. Mr. Challin stated that he had letters of acknowledgement from his neighbors to the left and right of his home. Commissioner Martin introduced a motion to advise HPRB that ANC3C had no objection to the project. Commissioner Doggett seconded, and the motion passed by a unanimous vote of 6-0.

 

C. Chair MacWood introduced an application to the Board of Zoning Adjustment for a special exception and variance at 2901 29th St., NW. Architect Peter Donovan explained that the residents are planning to push back their existing building footprint and the renovation will come within four feet of the property line. Mr. Donovan explained that the special exception was for a side yard setback and the variance was for a deck. Commissioner Martin stated that the neighbors are well aware of the project, and he moved to advise the BZA that ANC3C had no objection to the variance or special exception. Commissioner Doggett seconded, and the motion passed by a unanimous vote of 7-0.

 

D. Chair MacWood introduced a liquor license application for Woodley Café, 2619 Connecticut Ave., NW. The café is seeking a wine and beer license. Chair MacWood asked representatives if they had talked to residences to the rear of the restaurant, and they stated they had. Commissioner Vorndran asked whether they had considered trash removal, which had been an issue in the alleyway previously, and representatives stated that the trash now is removed each day at 5 p.m. Attorney Dmitri Malios explained that the café would like a stipulated liquor license so that the café could serve alcohol prior to its January hearing for the liquor license. Commissioner Martin stated that he was inclined to vote for a stipulated license, as the café was coming up on a critical time of year for business. Commissioner Vorndran agreed, but requested that café owners also consult with the Woodley Park Community Association. Commissioner Martin moved that ANC3C advise the BZA that it had no objection to the stipulated liquor license, with the caveat that if any community members objected to the license, then the business would have to cease serving alcohol until its January hearing date. Commissioner Vorndran seconded, and the motion passed by a unanimous vote of 6-0, with Commissioner Welsh abstaining.

 

E. Chair MacWood introduced the proposed National Child Research Center expansion and renovation by stating that the NCRC had held one community mediation session, in which Commissioners Hydle, Martin and Welsh participated. Commissioner Welsh stated that the session was used to discuss design, traffic, enrollment cap, the scope of the proposed expansion, and other issues. Commissioner Hydle stated that session participants also discussed how decisions by the city would be enforced, and the relationships between NCRC and neighbors. Commissioner Martin stated that it might be that the facility was getting to large for a residential area, but that both sides were working in good faith for a solution. NCRC officials showed commissioners some changes to the proposed expansion, including modification of windows and the Ordway facing elevation of the building. Members of the Cleveland Park Neighbors advocacy group stated that the use and magnitude of the proposed structure do not meet the standards of the historic district. The group referred to the historic district application, which pointed out features such as serenity, setback of construction, and lack of traffic.

 

Commissioner Welsh introduced and read a resolution, stating that since NCRC is operating under a special BZA order, the group should approach the BZA about what can be built there. Commissioner Martin seconded the resolution. Chair MacWood stated that she was impressed with the high regard neighbors had for NCRC, but this proposed project would forever transform this property from residential to institutional. Commissioner Hydle moved an amendment to the resolution that would establish a special committee to study NCRC issues. Commissioner Welsh offered no objection, and Commissioner Martin seconded. Commissioner Doggett stated that she initially felt the project was too large, but while there are traffic and enrollment issues, she was not convinced it was a violation of the historic district. After further discussion regarding the resolution, Chair MacWood called the question. Commissioner Bartel moved that the special committee amendment be taken out of the resolution because it is not the role of an ANC to mediate matters between private parties; Commissioner Welsh seconded. After further discussion, commissioners voted by roll call 5-2 to keep the mediation amendment in the resolution. Commissioners voting to keep the mediation amendment in the resolution were: Doggett, Hydle, MacWood, Martin and Vorndran. Commissioners voting to remove the amendment were: Welsh and Bartel. Commissioners then voted on the main resolution, and Resolution 2002-42 was approved by a roll call vote of 4-3. Commissioners voting for were: Hydle, MacWood, Martin and Welsh. Commissioners voting against were: Bartel, Doggett and Vorndran.

 

 

VII.  OFFICER’S REPORTS:

             

             A. Secretary’s Report – Commissioner Martin moved adoption of the September   23, 2002 meeting minutes, and Commissioner Doggett seconded. The motion was  approved by a unanimous vote of 7-0.

 

B.  Treasurer’s Report – Commissioner Hydle introduced a resolution that 1) approved the fiscal year 2002 fourth quarter budget; 2) approved the fiscal year 2003 budget; 3) approved paycheck to the ANC3C administrator for August; and 4) authorized technical amendments to minutes to submit to the D.C. auditor. Chair MacWood thanked Commissioner Hydle and stated that the commission should inquire about worker’s compensation. Commissioner Martin requested $1,000 in the fiscal year 2003 budget for office equipment, which Commissioner Hydle accepted. After further discussion, Commissioner Vorndran seconded the resolution, and Resolution 2002-43 was approved by a unanimous vote of 6-0.

 

VIII.  SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT REPORTS:

             

       A. Commissioner Bartel stated that NCPC is taking up the zoning commission    decision regarding amendments to the restaurant overlay at its November 7      meeting.

 

B. Commissioner Martin noted ongoing traffic difficulties at the intersection of Woodley Road and Connecticut Avenue.

 

C. Community member Gabe Fineman informed commissioners that recently installed traffic measures installed at Porter Street are not working.

 

IX. ADJOURNMENT:  Without objection, the October 2002 meeting of ANC3C adjourned at 11:04 p.m.