MINUTES
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 3F
NORTH CLEVELAND PARK, FOREST HILLS & TENLEYTOWN
PUBLIC MEETING
Tuesday February 22, 2005
Capital Memorial Church
3150 Chesapeake Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008-2229
1. CALL TO ORDER [7:31 pm]
Chair Perry called the meeting to order and, finding Commissioners Klibanoff, Maudlin, Winstead, and Wiss present, declared a quorum.
Note: Audio recording is not available for this meeting.
2. AGENDA [7:32 pm]
The agenda was adopted 5-0-0 (Chair Perry moving, Commissioner Maudlin seconding).
3. MINUTES [7:32 pm]
Commissioner Gandhi arrived.
Minutes of the January 10, 2005, monthly public meeting, moved by Commissioner Wiss and seconded by Commissioner Winstead, were approved 6-0-0.
Minutes of the January 17, 2005, special public meeting, moved by Commissioner Winstead and seconded by Commissioner Gandhi, were approved 6-0-0.
4. ANNOUNCEMENTS [7:34 pm]
A. Announcements by Commissioners:
Commissioner Maudlin announced that on Thursday February 24, 2005 at 6:30pm, Park Superintendent Adrienne Coleman and Councilmember Adrian Fenty will hold a Rock Creek Town Hall Meeting to discuss wildlife issues in Rock Creek Park including deer problems and the growing coyote population.
Commissioner Maudlin requests that ANC 3F's March agenda include time for John Bullock and a D-DOT consultant to speak about traffic calming for the 2800 and the 2900 block of Davenport Street, NW. ANC 3F and members of the community including Mr. Charles Feldman(2855 Davenport ST NW) have pursued attention for this traffic problem in 1994, 2001, and 2002. DDOT has initiated a study. Chair Perry indicated that Mr. Feldman had accompanied D-DOT to view the area.
Commissioner Maudlin announced that on Thursday February 24, 2005 in the evening at 441 4th Street, NW, the Zoning Commission will again consider Forest Hills Tree and Slope Overlay.
Commissioner Winstead announced that new countdown timers had been installed at the Connecticut Avenue crosswalks as far north as Brandywine Street.
B. Announcements by members of the community:
Karen Ball of 4625 Reno Road announced that the “Ben W. Murch Elementary School Brick by Brick Campaign” has begun. Money raised goes for non-government supported school expenses such as a school nurse and teachers' aides. Inscribed bricks to be placed in the Murch courtyard are available for $100 a brick and at reduced rates for larger contributions. Further Information available from Chairperson Karen Ball at kjanball@aol.com, 202-686-8698.
George Clark of 4525 28th Street announced that a notice of an upcoming Forest Hills Citizens Association will be coming soon. He indicated that the Office of Planning is in the process of drawing boundary lines concerning Tree and Slope Overlay. Mr. Clark indicated that no Planned Use Development application has been submitted for the proposed Tilden Street project.
5. OPEN FORUM [7:46 pm]
No issues were raised.
6. Police Report [7:50 pm]
Lt. Ida George of PSA 203 discussed more traffic enforcement to continue to reduce inattentive driving. The Metropolitan Police Department will hold its 6th Annual “Free Car Seat Check-up” in the Giant parking lot (Wisconsin Avenue) on February 25, 2005. Chair Perry related concerns of local businesses that their patrons had begun receiving tickets for parking violations. Lt. George indicated a willingness to provide a 2 week grace period and to publicize the stricter enforcement.
Tim Lucas, the 2nd District Community Prosecutor was introduced as the liaison from the US Attorney's Office to the neighborhood. He indicated that when keys are left in cars which are subsequently stolen, the case is not considered prosecutable.
7. Parks and Recreation [8:04 pm]
John Thomas of the Department of Parks and Recreation discussed the status of the construction project at the Hearst Park. Care of Trees has been hired to monitor the effects of construction on the large trees in the park. A tree near the backstop was reported to be damaged. Commissioner Wiss inquired about willow oak tree protection. Mr. Thomas indicated that 6-10 inches of wood chips and fencing are in place. Hearst Recreation Council Chairs, Martha Black and Barbara Beelar expressed concerns over the history and future of the project. Mr. Thomas promised plans for the 3F meeting in March.
8. BZA Application 17293 [8:23 pm]
Travis Price of Travis Price Architects presented a 3D model of the proposed house to be built for Dawn and Kevin Mixon at 2846 Davenport Street NW. The Mixons seek a variance from parking space location requirements. Charles Feldman of Davenport Street indicated that an additional driveway may further degrade traffic safety on the block. Commissioner Maudlin sent a letter to neighbors in the area on January 28th about the proposed house. Commissioner Maudlin received no response. Commissioner Maudlin moved a “Sense of the Commission in support of BZA Application 17293”, Chair Perry seconded(6-0-0). A resolution will be proposed at the March 3F meeting.
9. Report on Tenley Circle Reconstruction [8:57 pm]
Commissioner Wiss presented details of the upcoming Department of Transportation's construction project for the Tenley Circle area. On the previous Tuesday DDOT met with Commissioners Maudlin, Winstead, Wiss and other members of the community to discuss DDOT's plans. From the Tuesday discussion, DDOT agreed to eliminate proposed ramp at Nebraska Avenue and Fort Drive. DDOT indicated a need for curb changes for better bus access; at Commissioner Wiss' request DDOT will try to improve crosswalk usability for pedestrians. DDOT will look at lighting concerns. The look of the historic wall on the American University will try to be preserved when the wall is relocated to allow for a larger sidewalk and bike path.
Chair Perry expressed concern for bikes on sidewalk. Commissioner Wiss indicated that signs should be no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet and that DDOT should plant elms similar in shape to the existing elms.
Members of the community thanked Commissioner Wiss for her hard work on the issues regarding the Tenley Circle reconstruction.
10. Sidwell Friends [9:23 pm]
Deferred to a later meeting.
11. Letter to BCAC [9:23 pm]
Commissioner Winstead moved the letter to continue David Bardin's participation on the Building Code Advisory Committee. Commissioner Gandhi seconded. Approved 6-0-0. [Ltr 05-01]
12. Passport Restaurant [9:24 pm]
Chair Perry requested authority to write a letter on behalf of the Commission seeking to keep the current voluntary agreement in effect with Passport Restaurant. The Chair will circulate the proposed letter via email. Chair Perry moved and Commissioner Gandhi seconded. Approved 6-0-0.
13. Quarterly Report [9:29 pm]
In light of the Treasurer's absence and the time constraints imposed by the DC Auditor, Commissioner Maudlin moved(seconded by Chair Perry) that if needed the Chair should write a letter to the DC Auditor explaining the delay in adopting the Quarterly Report. Approved 6-0-0.
14. Business Cards [9:29 pm]
Commissioners discussed details of proposed business cards. Commissioner Gandhi will try to get PDF samples for the other Commissioners to examine.
15. ADJOURNMENT [9:35 pm]
The next regular monthly ANC 3F meeting will be held on Monday March 21, 2005, at 7:30 pm, also at the Capital Memorial Church. The meeting adjourned (Commissioner Gandhi moving, Chair Perry seconding).
These minutes were approved 6-0-0, with a quorum present, at a duly noticed public meeting of ANC 3F on March 21, 2005.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Frank T. Winstead
Frank T. Winstead, Secretary
Attachments:
Agenda with brief reports
Ltr 05-01: ANC3F representative on DC Building Code Advisory Committee