1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Wiss called the meeting to order at 7:35pm. Commissioners Kogan,
Perry, Maudlin, Bardin, Strauss and Wiss were present. Chair Wiss welcomed
Commissioner Strauss to his first meeting. With six commissioners present,
Chair Wiss declared a quorum.
2. AGENDA
The Chair said Clarissa Byrd of DDOT was unable to come to speak and
that there would be no resolution as to the Sheridan School situation.
The meeting agenda, so modified, was approved on motion of Chair Wiss,
seconded by Commissioner Bardin. 6-0-0 (see attached agenda)
3. MINUTES
Minutes of the February 19, 2002, meeting were approved on motion by
Commissioner Bardin, seconded by Commissioner Perry. 6-0-0
4. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Commissioner Maudlin:
1. The D.C. Board of Education will hold a District 2 meeting at Deal
JHS on March 26 at 6:30-8:30 pm.
2. Friends of Forest Hills Playground will hold their annual yard sale
on April 20, 2002. Call Karen (686-8698) or Laura (244-9924).
B. Commissioner Wiss: Friends of the Tenley Library will hold their
Used Book Sale on the same day (April 20) from 12 - 4 pm.
C. Commissioner Bardin:
1. The Department of Health is holding an all day Low Impact Development
workshop on March 20, 2002, addressing storm water management environmental
issues.
2. A program on Early Childhood Education Reform will be held April
17 at 6 pm at American University, Kay Spiritual Life Center.
3. The Tree & Slope Overlay Committee will meet next on March 25
at 7:30 pm.
D. Barbara Simons, President, Forest Hills Citizens Association, announced
that the FHCA will hold a town hall meeting on tree and slope protection
issues on April 16, at 7:30 pm, at the Netherlands Embassy. Security reasons
dictate pre-notification of FHCA and photo ID.
5. OPEN FORUM
A. Alex Walworth reported the subdivision of 2900 Albemarle Street,
which overlooks her property, into two lots and cutting down of large trees
by Zuckerman Brothers and urged actions to protect trees, slopes, neighborhood
character and privacy.
B. Myndel Gaynor, who lives at Connecticut and Albemarle, reported
concerns about the car wash at 4432 Connecticut and its impacts on traffic
and safety.
C. Bill Breer, of 2738 Brandywine, asked how to get blocked storm water
catch basins cleaned out. Commissioner Bardin said he could provide information
on how to contact WASA with precise information as to location of the catch
basin.
6. REPORT OF SECOND DISTRICT, METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
Lt. Lockerman and Sgt. Hayes of the Second District, MPD presented
at 8 pm. Commissioner Kogan raised issues of traffic enforcement for a
new "Do Not Block Intersection" and an existing "Do Not Block Alley" sign
on south bound Reno Road between Veazey and Van Ness Street. Commissioner
Perry expressed concern that Second District still was not providing a
picture of MPD important crime issues for ANC 3F's area, instead providing
information about routine crimes. Commissioner Kogan expressed concern
about MPD reporting on PSA 201 (largely covering Chevy Chase) and omitting
any information about PSAs 202 and 204 which encompass almost half of ANC
3F. Lt. Lockerman made the commitment to provide information about the
ANC 3F area. Commissioner Wiss asked that statistics be presented in writing.
Alice Thurston of the Parker House and Commissioner Bardin referring
to violent crime in the neighborhood (including an assault with screwdriver
on Cumberland Street and at least three rock throwing incidents at the
rear of the Truman House) asked what residents might do. Responses:
* Carry a cell phone, report serious offenses in progress to 911 (expect
a response within 2 minutes of submitting a call) and report other offenses
to 311 (expecting a 10-minute response time).
* Keep an eye out for suspicious persons "who should not be in the
neighborhood."
* Get detailed identification, including height, bulk, unique facial
characteristics, clothing.
* Where a car is used, try to get license plates.
* Citizens' arrests are permissible, but be very careful, since criminals
may strike back; it is best to phone the Police.
As to non-violent thefts the advice was not to leave cars unlocked
or with valuables showing.
7. THE WASHINGTON HOME, BZA APPLICATION #16836 [8:34-9:30 pm]
Commissioner Kogan indicated that he had first planned to present a
resolution on the merits of The Washington Home application but now believed
that some residents had not participated in discussions with TWH and felt
they had been left out. Therefore, he proposed asking the BZA to agree
to postpone the case from April 2 so that discussions between TWH and all
members of the community could try to resolve the outstanding issues. Attorney
George Keys representing TWH said they Home would be amenable to a delay
only if the BZA would limit it to one month. Numerous residents spoke,
some of whom had received notice from the BZA of its hearing, scheduled
for April 2, and some of whom had not. Mr. Richard Danzig of 3670 Upton
Street identified several issues of concern including the size of the proposed
parking lot and the number of parking spaces to be provided. Mr. Henry
Guyot presented a resolution signed by 11 households opposing delay and
approving TWH plans. Mark Bravin presented a petition signed by 47 residents
supporting delay. On motion of Commissioner Kogan, seconded by Commissioner
Perry the Commission adopted Resolution 02-09 [attached], 6-0-0, recommending
that the BZA postpone the hearing to allow TWH and the community to try
to resolve five outstanding issues identified in the resolution. The commissioners
expressed support for the idea of scheduling a special meeting (preferably
in the next week or two) to address issues.
8. FANNIE MAE PUBLIC SCULPTURE PLANNED FOR 4250 CONNECTICUT
Alfred King of Fannie Mae presented sculptress Martha Jackson Jarvis
who will create a public, open air work of art, "Music of the Spheres,"
which will be installed on or about September 2003 in the private space
between the Metrorail escalator on the west side of Connecticut and the
building courtyard. They brought a simulated digital "photo" of the finished
sculpture as "seen" from eye level of one standing on the ground (which
the ANC web site will post), a model of sculpture and setting, and samples
of actual rock or glass materials that will cover the spheres.
9. SEARS-HECHINGER BUILDING, BZA APPLICATION #16857 [9:35-10:20 pm]
Mr. Richard Lake explained and answered questions about the four requests
for special exception or variance being sought from the BZA. On motion
of Commissioner Wiss, seconded by Commmissioner Strauss, the commission
adopted Resolution 02-10 [attached], generally supporting the application
but requesting presentation of a traffic study and weighing of certain
other factors, 5-1-0 (Commissioner Perry dissenting).
10. SPECIFIC TRAFFIC ISSUES [10:20-10:50 pm]
The commissioners and members of the community considered the following
topics, with resolutions presented and adopted, as recorded below, regarding
all but the first topic:
* Traffic calming around Sheridan School. No resolution.
* All-Way Stop sign at Yuma and 35th Streets. Resolution 02-11 moved
by Commissioner Wiss and seconded by Commissioner Bardin, adopted 6-0-0
(with Commissioner Kogan voting Commissioner Perry's proxy during her temporary
absence from the room).
* Proposed sidewalks for the 3400 block of Yuma Street. Resolution
02-12 moved by Commissioner Wiss and seconded by Commissioner Bardin, adopted
6-0-0.
* Signage on Upton Street at Wisconsin Avenue. Resolution 02-13 moved
by Commissioner Wiss and seconded by Commissioner Bardin, adopted 6-0-0.
* No standing during am and pm rush hour signs in 4400 block of Connecticut
Avenue just south of Albemarle Street. Resolution 02-14 moved by Commissioner
Wiss and seconded by Commissioner Perry, adopted 6-0-0.
11. LEVINE SCHOOL OF MUSIC APPLICATION # 16846 TO BZA
On motion of Commissioner Perry, seconded by Commissioner Maudlin,
the Commission approved (6-0-0) Chair's writing to the BZA concurring in
the School's request for a delay of the April 2 hearing to permit further
discussions between Applicant and the community.
12. SHANGHAI GARDEN RESTAURANT, APPLICATION No. 9321 TO ABRA
On motion of Commissioner Perry, seconded by Commissioner Bardin, the
Commission approved (6-0-0) a Voluntary Agreement [attached], covering
both indoor and outdoor space, to be submitted to the ABRA in conjunction
with renewal of the Class "C" liquor license for Carmel Corp t/a Shanghai
Garden Restaurant. Commissioner Perry noted that Ray Shau (who will co-sign
the Agreement with the ANC) and his family have for 28 years served our
community at this restaurant.
13. TREASURER'S REPORT FOR FEBRUARY
The Chair distributed and the commissioners noted the monthly report
[attached].
14. ADJOURNMENT
By consensus, the Commission adjourned at 10:57 pm.
The next meeting regular, monthly business meeting at 7:30 pm on Monday,
April 15, 2002, at Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church (Tenley Circle, entrance
at Alton Place).
An earlier special meeting may be called to address open issues regarding
TWH.
Respectfully,
/s/ David J. Bardin
David J. Bardin
Secretary, ANC3F
Attachments:
Agenda
Res 02-09 REGARDING THE WASHINGTON HOME'S APPLICATION TO BOARD OF ZONING
ADJUSTMENT FOR A SPECIAL EXCEPTION (CASE NO. 16836)
Res 02-10 CONCERNING BZA APPLICATION NO. 16857 FOR 4500 WISCONSIN AVENUE,
N.W. (SEARS/HECHINGER'S BUILDING)
Res 02-11 REQUESTING ALL-WAY STOP SIGNS TO BE INSTALLED AT INTERSECTION
OF YUMA STREET, N.W., AND 35TH STREET, N.W.
Res 02-12 ENDORSING INSTALLATION OF SIDEWALKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE
3400 BLOCK OF YUMA STREET, N.W.
Res 02-13 REQUESTING THAT DDOT DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE TURNING RESTRICTIONS
FOR WESTBOUND UPTON STREET TRAFFIC AT WISCONSIN AVENUE, N.W.
Res 02-14 REQUESTING "NO STANDING
7AM-9:30 AM AND 4PM-6:30PM, MONDAY-FRIDAY" SIGNS IN THE 4400 BLOCK OF CONNECTICUT
AVENUE, N.W.
Voluntary Agreement to be signed with Shanghai Garden Restaurant
Treasurer's Report for February 2002
Minutes approved: April 15 , 2002