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

Jan. 27, 2003

 

I.                  CALL TO ORDER: Chair MacWood called to order Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 3C’s regular monthly meeting for Jan. 27, 2003 at 7:31 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, Allen Hahn, Sheila Hogan, Bob Martin, 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 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 stated that D.C. Councilmember Linda Cropp would hold a public roundtable from 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, to unveil preliminary recommendations of the committee on changes to the comprehensive plan.

 

B. Chair MacWood stated that a public hearing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 will address Washington Gas’s proposal to no longer take cash for gas bills. The hearing location was 1333 H St., 7th Floor.

 

C. Chair MacWood stated that the Washington National Cathedral would hold a briefing on parking issues and the St. Albans School athletic center plans at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, in Perry Auditorium, 7th floor of the Cathedral. Chair MacWood stated she had contacted Cathedral officials to inform them this conflicted with the next ANC3C meeting.

D. Commissioner Bartel stated that the Cleveland Park Citizens Association would hold their meeting at 10:15 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1.

 

VI. ELECTION OF OFFICIALS:

A. Chair MacWood stated that ANC3C must elect officers for the new term. Commissioner Martin nominated Chair MacWood to continue her work as chairperson of the commission, and Commissioner Hogan seconded. Commissioner Bartel nominated Commissioner Vorndran to serve as vice-chair, and Commissioner Welsh seconded. Commissioner Hahn nominated Commissioner Martin to continue in his position as secretary, and Commissioner Hogan seconded. Chair MacWood nominated Commissioner Welsh to serve as treasurer, and Commissioner Martin seconded.

 

Commissioner Vorndran moved that a unanimous ballot be cast in favor of all nominations. The motion to accept the nominations for officials was approved unanimously.

 

VII.  COMMISSIONER BUSINESS:

             

            A. Chair MacWood explained that ANC3C would consider an application by the National Child Research Center (NCRC) to the Board of Zoning Adjustment for a special exception. Chair MacWood stated that the commissioners were all very familiar with the issues and had heard from neighbors, school officials, parents and board members. Chair MacWood read the portion of the code applying to special exceptions as they apply to child development centers, and the rules for special exceptions. Chair MacWood introduced Maureen Dwyer of Shaw Pittman, which represents NCRC. Ms. Dwyer stated that NCRC was willing to consider a cap on its enrollment – specifically, 10 more students over current enrollment of 171. In addition, she stated NCRC was willing to put its traffic program and changes made to it over the last year in writing. Chair MacWood reminded commissioners that she had requested a draft NCRC traffic plan and had not received it, and stated that it was highly unusual for neighbors and the ANC not to get the opportunity to review traffic reports in controversial matters. Ms. Dwyer stated the school did not want to issue the plan in draft form, and the final version would be ready the following day. NCRC traffic consultant Osborn George was introduced, and stated that the proposal was not likely to cause a significant impact to the neighborhood.

 

Chair MacWood introduced Bill Taylor, 3301 Highland Place, NW, who stated the proposed NCRC project was a major expansion. Mr. Taylor introduced a model of the proposed project and a map of families adjacent to the school who opposed the project. He stated the current impact of the school on the neighborhood was extreme and often dangerous, and the proposed project would make it intolerable. Residents Barbara Haas, 3200 Highland Place, NW, and Sally Beckner, 3225 Highland Place, NW, spoke of the congestion and illegal blocking the school currently causes, and Ms. Beckner played a video of traffic and parked cars in the neighborhood during NCRC hours. Neighbors Lane Kaufman, 3230 Highland Place, NW, and Esther Namian, Newark and 33rd Place, also spoke of the traffic issues related to NCRC.

 

Resident Jon Thoren, 3049 Ordway St., introduced himself and stated he was part of the Friends of NCRC. Mr. Thoren submitted signed petitions to the commissioners of supporters of the proposed project and stated that the video and photos of traffic in the neighborhood were taken out of context. Anne Large, 3520 35th St., stated that traffic is not the issue upon which the ANC should base their decision, and that the school was simply modernizing to meet contemporary educational standards.

 

Commissioner Welsh introduced and read a resolution regarding the application for special exception, and Commissioner Martin seconded. Commissioner Bartel stated that he was convinced the impacts of the NCRC on the neighbors were adverse, but wished to talk about whether the proposed plan would address any potential impacts. Commissioner Bartel asked whether the issue could be a lack of enforcement, and Commissioner Martin stated that he would not assume it was simply lack of enforcement and could in fact be that there are too many cars for the area. Commissioner Hogan stated that no curbs, lights or other infrastructure were in place to mitigate the situation and wondered if the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) could help with the issue.

 

Chair MacWood stated that the commission did not need to judge whether the expansion would constitute a significant increase, but only whether it would constitute an adverse impact for the neighbors. Chair MacWood offered a friendly amendment to the resolution, and Commissioner Welsh accepted. Commissioner Vorndran stated that although he had voted in favor of the school before, he believed the school is barely able to handle its current enrollment. He stated that if the school came back to the ANC with a new accommodation plan, he hoped the commission would view it favorably.

 

Commissioner Hogan stated that DDOT and the DC Office of Planning should work to mitigate problems, and that it was not good for the community at large to have the kind of tension this issue was creating. Commissioner Reeves stated her concern that the school would reappear in five years proposing another capacity increase. Chair MacWood stated that NCRC had to get control of the traffic issue, and asked that the school not expand and push the issue any further at this time. Chair MacWood called the question, and Resolution 2003-001 passed by a unanimous vote of 9-0.

 

B.  Commissioner Welsh introduced a second resolution regarding NCRC. Commissioner Bartel stated his concern that the document had not been discussed with the neighbors or the school. Chair MacWood offered a friendly amendment to the resolution, and Commissioner Welsh accepted. After further discussion, Resolution 2003-002 passed by a vote of 8-0 with Commissioner Bartel abstaining.

 

C. Chair MacWood explained the planned unit development (PUD) planned at Wisconsin and Calvert Avenues, the St. Luke’s Condominiums. She explained the PUD process is designed to encourage high-quality developments that benefit the community. Representatives from the architecture firm Niles Bolton Associates presented plans and renderings for the project. The project would include 85,000 square feet and include 40-ft. high residential unites averaging 1,900 square feet each. Each unit would include two parking spaces in an underground garage, plus four spaces for staff. Representatives stated that the PUD application was filed with the Office of Planning Dec. 10, and construction would begin in late 2003 or early 2004. Commissioner Bartel asked if the PUD included projects of benefit to the community, and representatives stated the owners were just beginning those discussions. Commissioner Vorndran stated he was impressed with the amount of parking included in the project. Chair MacWood asked the representatives to elaborate on the landscaping proposed for the project. They stated the existing rose garden would be preserved, and other trees and green space would be added. Commissioner Hogan suggested the planners consider a “green roof” of hearty plants to mitigate the “heat island” effect, and representatives stated they would consider the idea as they continued planning. The president of the Massachusetts Heights Community Association stated the neighbors were delighted that the project is entirely residential, and had secured a promise that the construction routes would be via Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues rather than residential sidestreets. Chair MacWood thanked the representatives for working with the community on the design.

 

D. Chair MacWood stated that the ANC had previously passed a resolution urging the Office of Planning not to require a large-tract review on the Rosedale subdivision project, but the Office of Planning had requested a large-tract review (which considers if a project presents traffic or environmental issues or changes the character of a neighborhood). Chair MacWood stated that the project had been thoroughly vetted in the neighborhood and the subdivision made the conservancy of a large portion of the Rosedale property possible. Chair MacWood stated that the project would include only one curb cut, on Ordway Street. Chair MacWood moved that the ANC send a letter to the DC Office of Planning indicating it found no objections and no issues to raise in the large-tract review, and Commissioner Martin seconded. The motion was approved without objection. Developer Sam Nunn told commissioners he would bring plans for the individual houses as they came available.

 

E. Chair MacWood introduced a resolution regarding the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) draft regulations. Commissioner Bartel stated that in his single member district, many bar and restaurant owners were not even aware the ANC took up licensing issues. After further discussion regarding language, Chair MacWood moved that the ANC adopt the letter and Commissioner Hogan seconded. Commissioner Vorndran called the question, and Resolution 2003-003 passed by a unanimous vote of 8-0.

 

E. Chair MacWood introduced McLean Gardens resident Kathy Silva, 3700 39th St., NW, who discussed neighbors’ rally on Saturday, Jan. 25 to support a dog park at 39th and Newark Streets. Ms. Silva stated that 60 residents and 40 dogs attended, and speakers from the Humane Society and councilmembers’ offices participated. Ms. Silva stated that the group hoped to meet with Commissioner Reeves to discuss the issue, and that the group would like ANC3C to pass a resolution supporting dog parks in Ward 3. Chair MacWood thanked Ms. Silva for her work on the project.

 

F. Chair MacWood moved that the ANC3C meet each month on the fourth Monday of the month, except in May and December, when the dates would be May 19 and Dec. 15. Commissioner Martin seconded, and the motion was approved without objection.

 

VIII.  CoMMunity Forum:

             

       A. Commissioner Hogan stated that a request for proposals (RFP) had been issued for memorial tree groves in each city ward in honor of the victims of Sept. 11. Memorials must be at least a half acre, include a bench, trees and handicapped accessibility. In addition, a group must be established to maintain the site. Commissioner Nord asked that the commissioners have time to consider appropriate locations and forward suggestions to Commissioner Hogan. Chair MacWood stated that the RFP would be posted on the ANC3C website and Cleveland Park listserv.

 

B. Commissioner Bartel reintroduced the video surveillance resolution tabled at the December 2002 meeting, and moved that it be referred to committee. Chair MacWood seconded and referred it to the public safety committee.

 

IX. OFFICERS’ REPORTS:

 

A. Commissioner Martin moved acceptance of the December 2002 ANC3C meeting minutes. With small adjustments to language, the minutes were approved without objection.

 

B. Outgoing Commissioner Lars Hydle explained a proposed spending plan making small changes to the budget approved in October. After further discussion and revisions, Commissioner Welsh moved acceptance of the spending plan as revised and Commissioner Martin seconded. The motion was approved without objection.

 

C. Commissioner Welsh moved acceptance of the fiscal year 2003 first quarter report. Chair MacWood seconded and the motion was approved with no objection.

 

D. Commissioner Welsh introduces and reads a resolution regarding the ANC security fund and Commissioner Hogan seconded. Resolution 2003-004 was approved by a unanimous vote of 9-0.

 

E. Commissioner Welsh introduced and read a resolution regarding check signing authorization and Commissioner Hogan seconded. Resolution 2003-005 was approved by a unanimous vote of 9-0.

 

X. COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

A.     Chair MacWood moved that the following commissioners be authorized to chair ANC3C committees as indicated:

 

Administration - Trudy Reeves
Consumer Affairs - Allen Hahn (Peter Espenshied)
Education, Libraries, Recreation - Nancy Nord
Environment - Sheila Hogan
Government Operations - Kurt Vorndran
Historic Preservation - John Welsh

Planning and Zoning - Nancy MacWood
Public Safety - Rick Bartel
Public Utilities - Peter Espenshied
Transportation - Bob Martin (Peter Espenshied)

Peter Espenshied expressed interest in co-chairing Transportation and Consumer Affairs.

 

Commissioner Hahn seconded, and the motion passed by a unanimous vote of 9-0.

 

B.     Former Commissioner Hydle stated that the transportation committee should handle further Cathedral bus issues, and that the committee be allowed to expire. Chair MacWood moved to reauthorize the Alban Towers committee for six months with Mr. Hydle and Commissioner Hogan co-chairing. Chair MacWood stated the mandate would be to continue determining the ingress and egress from the garage, and the issue of the parking on the street versus in the garage. Commissioner Vorndran seconded, and the motion passed by a unanimous vote of 9-0. Commissioner Martin moved to keep the NCRC mediation committee active for another six months, and Chair MacWood seconded. The motion passed by a vote of 8-1.

 

XI. Single member district reports:

 

A. Commissioner Vorndran stated that Oyster Elementary is proposing a change in its status from neighborhood to citywide school. Commissioner Vorndran suggesting inviting the school principal to address the ANC at its next monthly meeting. Commissioner Vorndran also informed commissioners that the BZA voted against the permit application of All-Souls Parish and the church will not appeal.

 

B. Commissioner Vorndran stated that longtime Woodley Park resident Sarah McClendon passed away recently, and asked the ANC send a letter of condolence to Ms. McClendon’s daughter.

 

C. Chair MacWood stated that PSA204 Commander Jeffrey Moore had told her that World Bank has chosen to discontinue its meetings at the Woodley Park Marriott. Commander Moore conveyed his thanks to the ANC and neighbors for voicing their objections to the arrangement.

 

XII. ADJOURNMENT:

 

Without objection, the January 2003 meeting of ANC3C adjourned at 11:51 p.m.