MINUTES
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 3F
NORTH CLEVELAND PARK, FOREST HILLS & TENLEYTOWN
PUBLIC MEETING

Monday June 21, 2004
Capital Memorial Church
3150 Chesapeake Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20008



1.    CALL TO ORDER [7:37 pm]
     Chair Perry called the meeting to order and, finding Commissioners Kessler, Maudlin, Bardin, and Wiss present, declared a quorum.

2.    AGENDA [7:38 pm]
    The proposed agenda, attached with brief reports, was approved on motion of Chair Perry, seconded by Commissioner Maudlin, 5-0-0.

3.    MINUTES [7:39 pm]
    Minutes of the May 17, 2004, monthly public meeting were approved 5-0-0 (Wiss/Maudlin) after a friendly amendment was accepted from Commissioner Kessler.
    Minutes of the June 2, 2004, special public meeting were approved 5-0-0 (Wiss/Kessler) after a friendly amendment was accepted from Commissioner Bardin.

4.    ANNOUNCEMENTS [7:41 pm]
A.    Announcements by Commissioners:  
Commissioner Maudlin announced that he had received a letter from ABRA stating that the status hearing on the liquor license for CVS, 5011 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., has been scheduled for July 21 at 9:30 a.m.
Commissioner Kessler announced that he will be holding a single member district meeting on July 7 to discuss renewal of the Burger King’s special exception for use of its parking lot in an R-1B zone district and plans by Zips Cleaners to expand.  Both businesses will have representatives present.  The meeting will be held at the Day’s Inn, 4400 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Commissioner Wiss announced that the DC Public Library will be holding a focus group meeting on June 22 to hear community views on design and uses of the new Tenley-Friendship Branch Library.  The meeting will be at the library, 4450 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., from 7-9 p.m.
Commissioner Wiss also announced that the DC Office of Planning expects to release a revised draft of the Upper Wisconsin Avenue Corridor Study in mid-July.
Commissioner Bardin announced that WASA has announced a proposal to remove lead service lines on private property for a fixed fee of $100/linear foot for outside work and $500/linear foot for inside work.  Responses are due by close of business Friday, June 25, 2004.

B.    Announcements by members of the community:
George Clark, 4525 – 28th Street, N.W., announced that the Forest Hills Citizens Association has mailed a survey form on the Forest Hills Tree and Slope Protection Overlay to all property owners in the overlay area.  He urges everyone to fill out and return the forms.  The Zoning Commission will hold a hearing on the overlay on July 22 at 441 – 4th Street, N.W., starting at 6:30 p.m.
Cindy Petkac announced that the revised draft of the Upper Wisconsin Avenue Corridor Study will be posted on the Office of Planning web site.  OP will hold a hearing on the Study at the end of July.  Cindy is now the full-time Ward 3 neighborhood planner.  She would like to tour the ward with ANC commissioners to learn about issues.

5.    OPEN FORUM [7:51 pm]
    No issues were raised.

6.    MPD SECOND DISTRICT REPORT [7:52 pm]
    Office LaConte presented the police report.  He stated that Lt. Pat Burke had been notified about the malfunction of the red light camera at Connecticut and Nebraska Avenues and that DPW Parking Enforcement officers had been asked to patrol the Van Ness area, as requested at the May 17 ANC meeting.
Officer LaConte noted that the crime rate for this area has been declining.  Statistics for PSA 203 for the last month show only property crimes.  When questioned about an assault at Connecticut and Tilden Street and a sexual assault on a child at 4600 Connecticut Avenue, he responded that he was unfamiliar with them.  Commissioner Wiss, noting that about 2,000 residents of ANC 3F live in PSA 202, asked that future reports include all parts of the ANC.
Eddie Saah, athletic director at Wilson High School, asked for patrols around the Wilson stadium on Nebraska Avenue particularly after midnight to deter graffiti.  Officer LaConte agreed to inform Lt. Aiello of PSA 202.

7.    PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE CLOSING OF A PORTION BEACH DRIVE DURING NON-RUSH HOURS [8:08 pm]
    Commissioner Maudlin informed the commission that the National Park Service (NPS) has indicated in a letter to Congressman Van Hollen of Maryland that it plans to include another alternative, “D1”, in the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the Rock Creek Park General Management Plan.  Alternative D1, to close Beach Drive from Joyce Road to Broad Branch Road during non-rush hours but to allow motorized traffic on Ross Drive during that time, was not included in the draft Management Plan considered by ANC 3F in May 2003 (Resolution 03-08).  
Commissioner Maudlin moved, seconded by Commissioner Bardin, a resolution requesting that NPS issue a revised draft management plan, hold a public hearing on this alternative, and conduct a study of diverting traffic to Ross Drive. George Clark, speaking on behalf of the Forest Hills Citizens Association, said this approach was consistent with an agreement NPS made last September to inform the community of any changes.  The commission approved Resolution 04-20 by a vote of 5-0-0.

8.    DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION PLANS FOR BALL FIELDS AT FORT RENO NATIONAL PARK [8:15 pm]
     The community offered several views on ball fields at Fort Reno.  Eddie Saah, athletic director and baseball coach at Wilson High School, described a plan originally proposed by Wilson that DPR appears not to be considering.  This plan would keep the softball diamond near the tennis courts, but add a baseball diamond diagonally opposite, in the corner near the Army Corps of Engineers’ fence and the path to Deal.  A regulation soccer field could fit between them and a practice field to the northwest.  Mr. Saah warned against putting a baseball diamond in the corner by the tennis courts because right-handed players, the majority of the team, tend to slice the ball to the right if they hit late.  These balls would fly toward Chesapeake Street.  Under Wilson’s plan, no fences would be needed for the softball field, but a 30 to 40-foot safety fence would be needed along Chesapeake Street for the baseball field.  Wilson practices baseball in the football stadium now, but because right field is only 160 feet deep, balls fly into Nebraska Avenue.
    Stephen Tarason, principal of Wilson High School, stated that it is impossible to play baseball in the Wilson stadium.  Balls hit houses across Nebraska Avenue.
    Mike Sires of 3619 Alton Place stated that improvements to the condition of the ball field at Fort Reno are needed for safety.  He would prefer a softball diamond, but would like the project to move forward, whatever fields are chosen.
    Judy Chesser of 3901 Alton Place supports Option A because it fits better into the space available, allows multi-purpose use of the park, and leaves room for a heritage trail.  It would keep open a corridor for people to walk around the reservoir, as many people do now.
    Charlie Myers of 4402 – 16th Street, N.W., Fields Committee Chairman for D.C. Stoddert Soccer, presented a list of Stoddert players residing in ANC 3F.  He supports any proposal that would allow a full-size regulation soccer field at Fort Reno, but would like to develop fields for all sports.  Wilson plays at Fort Reno on weekdays from 3:30 to 5:30 pm.  Stoddert plays after that and on weekends.  Stoddert uses 18 to 20 fields in the area, three of which are in Maryland.  Most are not full-size.  Some of them are irrigated.  Because of Washington’s hot, dry summers, he believes irrigation is needed to maintain a quality field.  Artificial turf also works if it is maintained well.  Worn sections have to be cut out, and patches affixed with adhesive.  Stoddert has a nine-week season in both spring and fall.  Baseball has a similar season, but Wilson would not play baseball at Fort Reno during the fall.
Andrew Mohr of 4520 – 38th Street supports a full-size baseball field at Fort Reno for Wilson High School and a regulation soccer field for Stoddert Soccer.
    Ken Katz of 3411 Fessenden Street presented a letter to commissioners.  He believes Option A maximizes the number of uses for the park.  Baseball does not fit in this location.
    George Clark stated how important ball fields are for young people and for the vitality of the neighborhood.  He pointed out that under Wilson’s plan, batters would face into the sun.
    Jack Koczela noted how hard he had worked on the agreement to give public school students a place to play.  He was involved in developing the plan described by Mr. Saah, but does not know if DPR reviewed it.  He believes the land along Donaldson Place just east of the agreement area is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Marlene Berlin of 4526 – 30th Street believes Ward 3 needs good recreational spaces to keep families with young children living in the ward.  She would like to have soccer and baseball fields, but with flexibility.
Ross Brown of 4700 Connecticut Avenue pointed out that the park is used in many ways by others who do not play ball.  She would accept baseball, but without fences and disruption of the landscape.  She regards Fort Reno as rare open land.
Carolyn Sherman of 4341 Ellicott Street finds the process by which NPS and DPR entered into the agreement – after an environmental assessment but without a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) – unacceptable.  Although she walks her dogs in the park, she believes playing fields are needed.  She urged that DPR consult the neighborhood on what trees are removed and how to accommodate the heritage trail.  She does not want fences, artificial turf, or lights for night games because they would compromise the park’s historic legacy.
Mary Giffin of 4608 - 46th Street mentioned that in addition to the area set aside in this agreement for ball fields, the park still has the sledding hill and rolling hills to the east for people to enjoy.
Commissioner Wiss moved a resolution, seconded by Commissioner Kessler, asking DPR to develop a new plan in the configuration of Option B, but with a softball diamond near the tennis courts instead of a baseball diamond.  On motion of Commissioner Maudlin, seconded by Commissioner Kessler, the ANC approved adding a “whereas” clause “that ANC 3F recommends and urges that DPR, engaging the National Park Service, investigate and study carefully the use of an irrigation system or artificial turf” (4-2-0, with Commissioner Perry dissenting and voting Commissioner Dennis’ proxy in dissent).  The ANC then approved Resolution 04-21 by a vote of 6-0-0, with Commissioner Perry voting Commissioner Dennis’ proxy.

9.    REPORT ON JUNE 15, 2004, BZA HEARING ON APPLICATION NO. 17149, THE SIDWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL [9:30 pm]
     Commissioners Kessler and Perry reported that the BZA granted ANC 3F party status, but that it denied party status to the only community member who sought it.  The BZA will have to decide two legal issues:  whether to approve a phased building plan because Sidwell cannot apply for building permits within the required two years and whether to allow more than one principal building on a single lot (theoretical lots).  The next hearing will be June 22, and if another is needed, on June 29.

10.    REQUEST TO POSTPONE PUBLIC SPACE APPLICATIONS FOR SIDEWALK CAFES AT 4400 CONNECTICUT AVENUE (IL TESORO) AND 5031 CONNECTICUT AVENUE (BUCK’S FISHING ANC CAMPING) [9:35 pm]
    The ANC approved Letter 04-04 (Kessler/Bardin: 5-0-0) asking the Public Space Committee to postpone hearing on applications for sidewalk cafes at 4400 Connecticut Avenue (Il Tesoro) and 5031 Connecticut Avenue (Buck’s Fishing and Camping) to allow ANC 3F to consider them at its July meeting.  

11.    JULY ANC MEETING [9:38 pm]
The ANC voted 5-0-0 to hold its July meeting on July 19.  Commissioner Maudlin noted that the ANC has just received notice of 6 liquor license renewals that should be considered at the July meeting.  He proposed that if no change is contemplated to an existing voluntary agreement, the ANC adopt a practice of signing an addendum agreeing to continue a voluntary agreement already in force rather than re-signing the agreement itself.

12.    TREASURER’S REPORT FOR MAY 2004 [9:50 pm]
    Commissioner Kessler presented the report for May.  Because the DC Auditor has approved the ANC’s first quarter report, the ANC will receive its quarterly allotment of $4,657.33.  Commissioner Kessler plans to propose next month that the commission move more money to its savings account.

13.    ADJOURNMENT [9:56 pm]
    The meeting adjourned (Wiss/Kessler:  5-0-0).  The next regular monthly ANC meeting will be at the Capital Memorial Church, 3150 Chesapeake Street, N.W., on Monday, July 19, 2004, at 7:30 pm.

These minutes were approved 7-0-0, with a quorum present, at a duly noticed public meeting of ANC 3F on July 19, 2004.

Respectfully  submitted,

/s/ Cathy Wiss
Cathy Wiss, Secretary



Attachments:

Agenda with brief reports
Res 04-20  Alternative D-1 to the Draft General Management Plan for Rock Creek Park
Res 04-21  Development and Maintenance of Ball Fields at Fort Reno National Park
Ltr  04-04  Postponement of Public Space Hearings for 4400 and 5031 Connecticut Ave.
Treasurer’s Report for May 2004