MINUTES

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 3F

NORTH CLEVELAND PARK, FOREST HILLS & TENLEYTOWN

SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING

Capital Memorial Church

3150 Chesapeake Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20008-2229

Monday, May 8, 2006

1.         Call to order [7:35 p.m.]

            Chair Wiss called the meeting to order and finding Commissioners Klibanoff, Maudlin, Perry and Winstead present declared a quorum.

2.         Agenda [7:36 p.m.]

            Chair Wiss presented the meeting agenda which was adopted 5-0-0 (Chair Wiss moving and Commissioner Winstead seconding)

3.         Announcements [7:37 p.m.]

            Ms. Barbara Simons reported that the Ward 3 Democrats are sponsoring a mayoral candidate forum at 7:00 p.m., May 31, 2006 at the Wilson High School.

            Mr. George Clark, president Forest Hills Citizens Association, reported:

1. The Zoning Commission has the FHT&SO on the agenda for its meeting tonight and should agree to republish the FHT&SO Notice with a 30-day comment period.

2. The FHCA will have a meeting on June 7, 2006.

            Commissioner Perry announced that the Zoning Commission rules for applying for party status were on the table at the rear of the room.                                                                      

4.         Open Forum [7:39 p.m.]

None

5.         Presentation and discussion of Tilden 800 LLC, (Clark Realty Capital, LLC) application for a planned unit development and map amendment at 2950 Tilden Street, N.W. (Lot 800, Square 2234), Zoning Commission Case No. 05-26 [7:40 p.m.]

            Mr. Phil Feola, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, attorney for Tilden 800 LLC, outlined the application for Planned Unit Development (PUD) at 2950 Tilden Street, N.W. The project is a 5/6 story building with 49 residential units and 100 parking spaces below grade. Zoning for the site would be changed from R-2 (townhouses) to R-5-C (apartment building). The Zoning Commission will hold a hearing on the application at 6:30 p.m. on June 5, 2006.

            Ms. Suman Sorg, Sorg and Associates, P.C., architect for the project, pointed out major changes in the proposed building which had been reduced from 97,370 to 87,500 square feet, set back ten feet from the property line, added a courtyard in rear, reduced to five stories in the center and that the mechanical equipment has been relocated from a roof penthouse to the basement. She also noted that are no windows on the side of the building next to the Kuwait Embassy and a proposal for a drop-off area located at the front of the building.

            Ms. Trini Rodriguez, Parker Rodriguez, landscape architect described the proposed landscaping for the building.

            In response to a question by Commissioner Perry the Commission was told that an updated traffic impact statement would be sent to the ANC the next day or ASAP. Commissioner Klibanoff requested information on the impact on rush hour traffic from cars leaving the project that want to go west on Tilden Street. He also asked about the handing of water from any streams found during the excavation. He was told that so far the geo technical reports had not indicated any streams but if there is water it would be moved to the storm water system in Connecticut Avenue. Commissioner Klibanoff requested information on the amount of impervious surface of the project.

            Commissioner Winstead asking about noise from the ventilating system, which is relocated from the roof to the basement, was told by Ms. Sorg that the type of equipment being used should not cause a problem.

            There was discussion of the handling of moving vans and other trucks servicing the building that would be backing from Tilden Street into the driveway on the west side of the building.

            The green roof of the building is the court yard area in the rear which is over part of the parking garage.

            On the question of amenities and affordable units the commission was told that Clark proposes to donate $100,000 for the renovation of Peirce Mill and $35 - 40,000 for the Hearst Recreation Center but would consider suggestions for other amenities. There would be three affordable units of various sizes which are 5 percent of the units and Mr. Feola said this is in line with similar developments in the area.

Comments and recommendations from the community

            Mr. Jake Gillespie, 2931 Tilden Street, N.W., Tilden Street Coalition, said the neighbors are opposed to the proposal and that he had been unable to find one supporter of the proposal in the surrounding area. He based the Coalition’s opposition on a number of factors including changing the character of the Tilden Street neighborhood, negative impact on all neighboring buildings, and traffic problems on Tilden and other streets and alleys in the area. He said the Coalition was not opposed to matter of right construction of four townhouses (eight units) on the R-2 site.

            Mr. Neal Krucoff. 2870 Upton Street, N.W., questioned how large trucks leaving the proposed building would get back to Connecticut Avenue and the decrease (120 to 110) in the number of parking spaces proposed for the building.

            Mr. Stephen Low, 2855 Tilden Street, N.W., said no reason had been given for changing the R-2 zoning for the site and discussed the current traffic problems on Tilden Street.

            Ms. Jeanette Miller, 2841 Tilden Street, N.W., discussed the problems that would be caused by trucks backing out of the proposed driveway and negotiating turns to get to Connecticut Avenue.

            Mr. Eric Goulet, 3801 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., noted that since the easement over the rear of the property had been negotiated when the plan was to construct townhouses that it may be needed to be renegotiated for an apartment building.

            Mr. Dorn McGrath, 2710 Brandywine Street, N.W., questioned the large trees shown on the plans along the west property line. He also noted that a shadow study should be made available and that the study would show that the courtyard would always be it the shadow of 3883 Connecticut Avenue.

            Mr. Stephen Dennis, 3901 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., said the project had two serious flaws; one, the mediocre architecture and the second, proposing a large structure on a side street.

            Mr. Chris Carter, 4007 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. said his main concern is the traffic and parking problems that would be created by the proposed building. He added that he supported smart growth but smart growth should not mean just smart enough to get the plan approved.

            Ms. Jaynie Simmons, 4007 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., described the existing parking problems of the 100 residents of 4007 Connecticut Avenue and neighbors of the proposed building.

            Mr. Jeff Sosland, 2927 Tilden Street, N.W., pointed out security issues resulting from the proposed terraces overlooking the Kuwait Embassy.

            Ms. Margaret Melady, 3016 Tilden Street, N.W., representing the Tilden Gardens coop said they supported the Tilden Street Coalition and expressed her concern regarding parking problems in the area and the need to preserve the character of the neighborhood

            Mr. Nabeel Al Dakheel, Kuwait Embassy, 2940 Tilden Street, N.W., noting that 2940 Tilden Street was not only the embassy but also the ambassador’s residence. He acknowledged that there would be no windows on the side of the building overlooking the embassy but said he was concerned about the proposed terraces that would overlook their offices and maybe the ambassador’s office.

            Mr. David Rose, President of the Board of Directors, 3883 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., said the Board of Directors are opposed to the project and pointed out that owners of units on the north side of the building that overlook the site purchased their units with the understanding that the only construction on the site would be townhouses.

            Ms. Amanda Dietrick, 4007 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., objected to the design of the proposed building.

            Ms. Joan Ward, 2951 Tilden Street, N.W., expressed her concerns regarding safety and the ability of fire trucks to service the proposed building.

            Commissioner Perry encouraged everyone to testify at the Zoning Commission hearing. She asked that the applicant supply a copy of the shadow study and requested that the number of parking spaces be recalculated.

            In reply to a question by Chair Wiss the applicant said the proposed building was on the east property line and that the windows on that side of the building had been deleted from the plans at the request of the Kuwait Embassy due to security concerns.

            There was discussion of operation of trucks picking up trash at the proposed building.

            Mr. Gillespie in reply to a question described how the intersection at 29^th and Tilden Streets was becoming a failed intersection due to east bound cars on Tilden Street turning left at 29^th Street being blocked by west bound car on Tilden Street which then blocks east bound Tilden Street. This caused cars south bound on 29^th Street to be blocked at the intersection.

            The applicant conceded that large trees could not be grown on the property because the underground parking would include all of the area of the lot except the fire lane.

6.         Adjournment [9:43 p.m.]

            Commissioner Perry moving and Commissioner Klibanoff seconding the meeting adjourned with a vote of 5-0-0           

            Respectfully submitted

            /s/ Robert V. Maudlin

            Robert V. Maudlin, Acting Secretary

            The next regular monthly public meeting is scheduled for May 15, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital Memorial Church.

            These minutes were approved 6-0-1, with a quorum present, at a duly noticed public meeting of ANC 3F on May 15, 2006.