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

August 19, 2002

 

I.                  CALL TO ORDER: Chair Nancy MacWood called to order Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 3C’s regular monthly meeting for August 19, 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, Lars Hydle, Bob Martin, Cheryl Opacinch, 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.

 

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.               ANNOUncements:  Chair MacWood announced that crime statistics for Police Service Area 204 were significantly down in July 2002 from July 2001. Specifically, there was a 71 percent decrease in robberies, a 42 percent decrease in burglaries and a 27 percent decrease in thefts for an overall reduction in crime of 18 percent. Chair MacWood noted that the only crime category that increased was stolen autos. Commissioner Bartel noted that burglaries along the 16th through 18th Streets corridor were still rising and urged community members to remain vigilant although statistics have improved.

 

VI.            commUNITY FORUM:

A.     Chair MacWood introduced Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Commander Jeffrey Moore to discuss the upcoming World Bank/IMF meetings planned for the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Road, N.W., on Sept. 28 and 29. Commander Moore stated that the MPD is working to schedule a meeting with the undersecretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury to express neighborhood concerns about the meeting site. MPD officials expect the meeting will draw heavy traffic and protest demonstrations, resulting in bicycle fencing, street closings and a large police presence. Commissioner Martin noted he had sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill expressing community concerns. Commander Moore stated the MPD would keep the neighborhood informed as they planned for the meetings. Mark Reikling, a representative from the Mobilization for Global Justice, spoke on his organization’s plans to peacefully protest during the meetings. Commissioner Martin moved that Chair MacWood send a letter to the World Bank, the IMF and to Secretary O’Neill indicating ANC3C’s wish that the meeting be moved to a new site. Commissioner Vorndran seconded and called the question. The motion passed unanimously. Chair MacWood thanked Commander Moore and asked him to return to the September ANC 3C meeting with an update.

 

VII.   COMMISSION BUSINESS:

 

A. Chair MacWood introduced and read a resolution regarding the text amendments to the neighborhood commercial overlay district. Commissioner Opacinch seconded. Commissioner Bartel noted his support of the resolution but his concern that it doesn’t encourage a variety of businesses to move to Cleveland Park. After some discussion regarding the language of the resolution, Commissioner Hydle moved the question. Resolution 2002-30 passed by a vote of 5-0 with Commissioners Opacinch and Bartel abstaining. Commissioner Welsh then noted several discrepancies in the Commercial Overlay District chart provided to ANC 3C by Denzil Noble, acting zoning administrator. Commissioner Hydle moved that Chair MacWood reply to Mr. Noble’s correspondence, thanking him for the information but also expressing concern with the methods used to create some of the data in the chart. Commissioner Vorndran seconded and moved the question. The motion passed unanimously.

 

B. Commissioner Opacinch introduced a resolution expressing support for the planned installation of bronze lions at the Connecticut Avenue entrance to the National Zoo. She noted the site of proposed installation includes public space and therefore required a permit. Commissioner Vorndran seconded and noted that he has observed great enthusiasm in the neighborhood for the lions. Resolution 2002-31 passed unanimously.

 

C. Commissioner Opacinch introduced a resolution encouraging the Historic Preservation Review Board to complete within the next 60 days a mailing to all residents (home owners and businesses) in the Old Woodley Park Historic District to inform them of the rules, regulations and procedures regarding proposed architectural changes, including signage within the historic district. Commissioner Vorndran seconded. After some discussion regarding language, Resolution 2002-32 passed unanimously.

 

D. Chair MacWood introduced and read a resolution urging the D.C. Department of Transportation to work with residents to preserve plantings in treeboxes during curb and sidewalk repairs/reconstruction. Chair MacWood noted that residents have taken responsibility for beautifying several of them, and when streets are repaired or reconstructed, plants are sometimes ripped up or destroyed with no notice. Commissioner Welsh seconded. Commissioner Opacinch noted she did not support the resolution, and questioned whether the greenery planted in the boxes by residents encouraged rats. After some discussion about language, Resolution 2002-33 passed by a vote of 6-1, with Commissioner Hydle opposing.

 

VIII. OFFICERS’ REPORTS: 

A. Secretary’s Report – Commissioner Martin moved acceptance of the July 22 meeting minutes. With minor changes, the minutes were passed unanimously, with Commissioners MacWood and Welsh abstaining.

B. Treasurer’s Report – Commissioner Hydle introduced a resolution clarifying that the amount in the annual column is the amount authorized to be disbursed in this fiscal year. Chair MacWood seconded. Resolution 2002-34 passed unanimously.

 

IX.            COMMITTEE reports:

 

A. Commissioner Hydle introduced a resolution to extend two ANC 3C special committees (covering tour buses and St. Albans Towers traffic patterns) until the December ANC 3C meeting. Commissioner Martin seconded. Chair MacWood questioned whether the committees could feasibly conclude their work by that time. Commissioner Hydle stated that there could be turnover from the November elections and wished to wrap up the committees prior to that. Resolution 2002-35 passed unanimously.

 

B. Chair MacWood noted that the Planning and Zoning Committee met prior to the regular monthly ANC3C meeting to discuss the Neighborhood Commercial Overlay Districts.

 

X. SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT REPORTS:

 

            A. Commissioner Welsh noted that he had received a letter from Shaw Pittman regarding a traffic plan for the Field School. The letter indicated that only two buses would be used. Commissioner Vorndran said that wasn’t objectionable, but stated the ANC should ask where the pickup and drop off locations would be for the buses.

 

            B. Commissioner Bartel noted that the ANC 3C office houses an extensive file on the Klingle Road issue, and asked whether the ANC budget included funds for photocopying in case any interested parties wished to make copies. Commissioner Hydle noted a resolution had been passed previously authorizing a copying fund.

 

XI. adjournment: A motion to adjourn was offered by Commissioner Vorndran. Without objection, the August 2002 meeting of ANC 3C adjourned at 10:06 p.m.