Brian Flahaven

ANC 6B’s September meeting is tonight (Tues., Sept. 13), 7:00 pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Avenue SE. The agenda includes three items of particular interest to our neighborhood:

1. The commission will be voting on Douglas Development’s application for a parking variance and a roof requirement special exception at 1442 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, the old KFC site. The case is currently on the consent agenda but can be removed by any commissioner. Attendees will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed plans during the community speakout portion of the agenda.
2. Representatives from the Ward 6 Redistricting Task Force will be in attendance to get the commission’s feedback on their draft redistricting plan and on an ANC 6C proposal to move the western portion of ANC 6B into ANC 6C. I plan to voice my opposition to 6C’s proposal, which would lead to a dramatic re-drawing of the single member district boundaries in Hill East. You can read more on the task force blog.
3. I’ll provide a brief update on the July 27th Hill East Task Force meeting.

The commission will also vote on approving resident members to ANC 6B committees and task forces. Many thanks to Ksenia, Kate, Keith, Darren and Evan for volunteering to represent 6B09.

Hope to see you tonight!

An electronic speed display sign on Mt. Olivet Road NE. I'd like to see one of these on 17th Street SE.

Last week, the Metropolitan Police Department announced the deployment of 19 new speed cameras at locations across the city. I was pleased to see that two of the new cameras will be deployed in Hill East – one on the 1900 block of Independence Avenue SE and the other on the 200 block of 19th Street SE. Independence Ave. and 19th Street see heavy commuter traffic and speeding. Hopefully, the new cameras will slow vehicles down.

Notably absent from the list is 17th Street SE (a.k.a. “the speedway”), the other heavily trafficked commuter corridor in our neighbor. Cars frequently speed down 17th Street between East Capitol St.  and Barney Circle with only two stoplights (Mass Ave. and Potomac Ave.) to slow them down. Making matters worse, drivers crossing Mass Ave. can see the Potomac Ave. stoplight and tend to speed up to avoid the red light. Drivers also frequently turn on to E St. SE and D St. SE when the light at Potomac is red, turning narrow side streets into dangerous commuter thoroughfares.

When I’ve asked MPD to help with the speeding problem, they’ve been responsive. Earlier this year, MPD placed their roving electronic speed display at the corner of 17th St. SE and C St. SE. The display made a difference – vehicles noticeably reduced their speed as they approached the sign. But the problem returned once the sign was removed. MPD has also periodically set up speed traps and placed rumble strips along the route.

But these are temporary fixes to a permanent problem. A speed camera on 17th St. could provide a longer-term solution.  When I’ve asked MPD to either permanently place a speed camera on 17th St. SE or rotate a speed camera between 17th St. SE, 19th St. SE and Independence Ave. SE, I’ve been told that MPD studied the option and determined that the corridor lacks a safe location for the speed camera vehicle. Why not consider a fixed camera mounted on a pole? There must be a way for a camera to be deployed somewhere within the 7 blocks between East Capitol St. and Barney Circle.

I’ve also asked the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to place a permanent electronic speed display sign between Mass Ave. SE and Potomac Ave. SE. While the sign would not issue citations, it would help slow traffic down. DDOT has said they will consider the request after they gather data. Note that since 17th St.  is an evacuation route, DDOT can not install other traffic calming measures like speed humps.

Bottom line – something needs to be done before someone is seriously injured or killed. I’ve formally asked MPD to once again consider deploying a speed camera on 17th Street. I’ll also continue working with DDOT on appropriate traffic calming measures for the corridor. I’m hopeful that we will see some progress on this issue in the coming months.

ANC 6B’s Planning & Zoning Committee will be discussing and making a recommendation tonight (Tues, Sept. 6) on Douglas Development’s proposed plans for the old KFC site, 1442 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. The meeting begins at 7:00 pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Avenue SE. Here are the updated plans:

• Douglas Development Plans for 1442 Pennsylvania Avenue SE (September 2011)

As I mentioned in my previous post, DDOT is opposed to Douglas using the existing curb cut on 15th St. SE for parking. The updated rendering removes the curb cut and adds access to parking from the alley.

Please stop by tonight and share your views on the proposed development. ANC 6B will also be considering the case at our Sept. 13 full commission meeting.