ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 3-C

GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Cathedral HeightsCleveland ParkMassachusetts Ave. HeightsMcLean GardensWoodley Park

 

2737 DEVONSHIRE PLACE, NW

WASHINGTON, DC 20008

(202) 232-2232 FAX: 232-2232

 

Regular Monthly Meeting Minutes

January 26, 2004

 

I. CALL TO ORDER 

            Chair Nancy MacWood called to order Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3C (ANC 3C’s) regular monthly meeting for January 26, 2004 at 7:40 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 Allen Hahn, Sheila Hogan, Sally MacDonald, Nancy Nord, Trudy Reeves, 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 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 stated that the commission would not consider a resolution regarding the proposed addition to 3530 35th St due to time constraints and the fact that HPRB had already met and approved the addition. 

 

Commissioner Welsh requested that the commission add to the agenda approval of the fourth quarter financial statement and the 2004 fiscal year financial statement and consideration of a resolution to allocate funds to the security fund.  Commissioner Vorndran moved adoption of the agenda as modified.  There were no objections.

 

V.  ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Chair MacWood announced that ANC 3C had received a grant proposal for a musical production at John Eaton Elementary School.  She also announced that the nonprofit organization, Chime, was looking for donations of non-string instruments in any condition and that the contact person was Dorothy Marshak at (202) 232-2731.

 

Commissioner Hogan announced that the DC Democratic Party would be holding its caucus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Columba’s church on Saturday, February 14, 2004.  Commissioner Nord stated that the D.C. Republican Party would be holding its caucus on February 10.

 

Commissioner MacDonald announced that the Swiss Embassy had scheduled a public meeting for Tuesday, February 3 to discuss its plans for tearing down the Ambassador’s residence and that the National Zoo would be holding meetings on February 3 and 4 at the Maine restaurant.

 

Commissioner Welsh provided an overview of the D.C. Affordable Housing Production Trust Fund and asked community members to consider signing on as “Friends of the Fund.”

 

VI. COMMISSION BUSINESS

 

a.       Commissioner MacDonald moved to propose a slate of officers for 2004, with Nancy MacWood as Chair, Kurt Vorndran as Vice-Chair, John Welsh as Treasurer, and Allen Hahn as secretary.  Commissioners Reeves and Nord seconded.  The motion was approved by a unanimous vote of 6-0.  Commissioner Welsh had temporarily left the meeting.  Commissioner Hogan arrived following the vote.

 

b.       Chair MacWood moved to approve the 2004 meeting schedule, moving the meetings to the third Monday of the month beginning in March 2003.  Commissioner Vorndran seconded.  The motion was approved by a unanimous vote of 7-0.

 

c.       Commissioner Nord moved for approval of the British Embassy’s plans to install brick planters between trees around the embassy as part of its security plan.  Commissioner Reeves seconded.  The motion passed by a unanimous motion of 7-0.

 

d.       Chair MacWood moved consideration of a resolution regarding the proposed development of the Tregaron property.  She introduced George Cavucchi of Arnold & Porter and Sheila Grady, the owner’s landscape architect.  They provided an overview of the history of the site and the proposed plans to develop the twenty acres and build sixteen houses on the site.  Commissioners Reeves and MacDonald inquired about the route to be used to handle the construction traffic.  Ms. Grady stated that the workers would be entering from Macomb Street.  Chair MacWood thanked Mr. Cavucchi and Ms. Grady for their diligence in educating the community about the proposal. 

 

Chair MacWood read the proposed resolution opposing the planned development.  Commissioner Hogan seconded.  Chair MacWood noted that the Executive Committee of the Cleveland Park Citizens Association (“CPCA”) and Friends of Tregaron had both sent the ANC copies of resolutions strongly opposing the plan.  Commissioner Vorndran asked if the full committee of CPCA ratified its resolution.  President George Idelson said they would meet the following week to do so.  Commissioner Nord asked if the Friends of Tregaron Foundation had issued appropriate development guidelines for the property.  The foundation president responded that they issued guidelines in 1981.  Commissioner Hogan asked the foundation president if the foundation had worked with the National Park Service to preserve the land as a historic site.  Commissioners Vorndran and Reeves stated that negotiation is continuing on a permanent resolution to the problem of land development, including discussions with the Park Service.  Commissioner Vorndran encouraged the foundation to actively seek appropriate development or convert Tregaron to public land.  Resolution 2004-001 was passed by a unanimous vote of 8-0

 

e.       Chair MacWood introduced a motion to approve a letter to DCRA Director David Clark regarding the Alcoholic Beverage Commission and DCRA’s lack of response to ANC requests for information about the Woodley Park overlay in relation to a restaurant liquor license application.  Commissioner Vorndran seconded.  Chair MacWood read the letter.  Commissioner Hogan pointed out that the ABC regularly withholds permit disclosures from the ANCs.  Commissioner Vorndran stated that some individuals would like to relax the overlay, but that the ANC cannot consider reform of a law that isn’t being enforced.  A community member suggested that the ANC follow up with a specific request for a measurement of the overlays.  Chair MacWood stated that Councilmember Patterson had done so.  After further discussion, Commissioner Vorndran called the question.  The motion was approved by a unanimous vote of 8-0.

 

f.        Commissioner Hogan introduced a resolution opposing the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation application for no parking on Wisconsin Avenue from March 1 thru June 30.  Commissioner Reeves seconded.   Commissioner Nord commented that if tour buses could not park on Wisconsin Avenue, they would move onto Garfield Street.  Chair MacWood stated that apartment residents had strongly commented in the past on how the idling tour buses affect their quality of life.  Commissioner Hogan stated that, while there is an idling time limit in effect, it is not strongly enforced, and that there is no place for bus drivers to wait during the summer. 

 

Julie Cook from the National Cathedral stated that they always have three guards outside to enforce the “no idling” rule.  She further stated that they tried to limit the number of buses by imposing a reservation system, which has reduced by half the number of buses visiting the Cathedral since 2000.  Chair MacWood asked if the Cathedral would be willing to renew conversations with WMATA regarding tour buses using the Friendship Heights Metro bus barn as a waiting area.  Ms. Cook said they would, but that she had spoken with them recently with little response.  Chair MacWood suggested that Ms. Cook also speak with DDOT regarding satellite parking.  Transportation Committee co-chair Peter Espenscheid noted that the Transportation Committee is willing to help the Cathedral work with WMATA.  Ms. Cook said that there would be a community meeting on February 18.  Commissioner Vorndran called the question.  Resolution 2004-002 was passed by a unanimous vote of 8-0.

 

g.       Chair MacWood introduced a resolution urging the Office of Planning to withdraw its Upper Wisconsin Avenue Corridor Study Strategic Framework Plan.  Chair MacWood stated that the report, if approved, would be part of the DC Comprehensive Plan and would have a profound impact on ANC 3C.  She stated that no one from the ANC was asked for input on the proposal.  Commissioner Hogan stated that she attended two public meetings related to the study and was told that the Office of Planning was not planning any major changes to the Wisconsin Avenue corridor.  She said that she had also attended a meeting where residents raised concern of infrastructure overload and she felt that their concerns were overlooked.  Chair MacWood agreed that infrastructure issues should be considered before announcing the plan. 

 

Cindy Petkac from the Office of Planning stated that ANC 3C was invited to participate at the focus group meetings and that the plan would merely be a supplement to the Comprehensive Plan.  She countered that the building height increase is within the current allowed perimeters and that WMATA and DDOT were both involved in the plan’s development.  Chair MacWood stated that the Comprehensive Plan and the Ward 3 Plan have many aspects that encourage goals that residents are trying to achieve and, therefore, there is no need for the supplementary plan.  Chair MacWood stated that there was little awareness of the plan among residents within ANC 3C and Commissioner MacDonald agreed and stated that the active community members within ANC 3C would definitely want to be heard on the matter. 

 

Commissioner Hahn commented that adding more traffic on Wisconsin would also affect other corridors.  Commissioner Welsh asked why the plan called for the maximum building height to be implemented across the board.  He also asked if there was an expectation that developers would not try to exceed the height limit.  Chair MacWood read a letter from Councilmember Patterson to Mayor Williams asking for additional consideration of the plan and stating that she would recommend disapproval of the plan in its current form.  After further discussion, resolution 2004-003 was passed by a unanimous vote of 7 – 0.  Chair MacWood announced that the Cleveland Park Citizens Association would host a forum on February 3 at 6:30 p.m. regarding both the Upper Wisconsin Avenue Study and the plans to develop Tregaron. 

 

 

VII. COMMUNITY FORUM

a.       A community member presented a petition regarding the expansion at Sidwell Friends School and requested that the ANC oppose it and request more time for consideration, especially since the school is between two ANCs.  She stated that 112 people endorsed the petition and that she expected more signatures.  Chair MacWood thanked her and stated that the ANC would consider the matter.

 

b.       Commissioner Welsh introduced a resolution endorsing the D.C. Housing Production Trust Fund and urging the D.C. Council to fully fund the proposal.  Commissioner Vorndran seconded.  Resolution 2004-004 was passed by a unanimous vote of 7-0.

 

VIII. OFFICERS REPORTS

a.       Commissioner Welsh presented the treasurer’s report.  He moved to transfer $1500 from the ANC savings account to pay for a tax penalty and potential 2004 grants, with the balance to go to an ‘other’ fund.  Commissioner Vorndran seconded.  The motion was passed by a unanimous vote of 7-0.  Commissioner Welsh moved to authorize a tax payment of up to $250.  Commissioner Vorndran seconded.  The motion was passed by a unanimous vote of 7-0. 

 

      Commissioner Welsh requested that the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary sign bank signature cards for the 2004 fiscal year. 

 

      Commissioner Welsh moved approval of the fourth quarter 2003 budget.  Commissioner Reeves seconded.  The motion was passed by a unanimous vote of 7-0.   Commissioner Welsh moved approval of the 2004 fiscal year budget.  Commissioner Vorndran seconded.  The motion was passed by a unanimous vote of 7-0. 

 

      Commissioner Welsh moved a resolution to approve the ANC’s participation in the ANC Security Fund and authorize a $25.00 payment to the fund.  Commissioner Vorndran seconded.  Resolution 2004-006 was passed by a unanimous vote of 7-0.

 

      Commissioner Welsh stated that said he would write to the D.C. auditor regarding penalties imposed on the ANC and the lack of response from the auditor to the ANC’s letter of December 15, 2003. 

 

b.       Chair MacWood moved consideration of the November 2003 minutes.  Commissioner Reeves seconded.  The motion was passed by a unanimous vote of 7-0.  After some discussion, the commissioners agreed to move consideration of the December 2003 minutes to the February 2004 meeting.

 

c.       Chair MacWood introduced consideration of a resolution approving ANC committee chairs for 2004 and establishing an ad hoc emergency response committee.  Commissioner MacDonald seconded.  Resolution 2004-005 was approved by a unanimous vote of 7-0.

 

d.       Commissioner Hahn presented the secretary’s report.  He reported that the Kennedy Warren residents and owners were still working towards a resolution.  He stated that there had been a planning meeting and that the Kennedy Warren Residents’ Association (KWRA) was given permission to post flyers in the building to notify residents when a meeting will be held to discuss the agreement between the KWRA and BF Saul.   

 

e.       Commissioner Hahn presented a list of potential haulers to move used equipment out of the ANC office to the D.C. Personal Property Division.  He moved to approve Ellen’s Movers as the hauling company.  Commissioner Welsh seconded.  The motion was approved by a unanimous vote of 7-0.

 

X. ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Vorndran moved for adjournment.  Chair MacWood adjourned the meeting at 11:34 p.m. without objection.