Brian Flahaven

Apologies for the delay in posting this recap of a very brief June ANC 6B meeting. Here are the highlights:

• The commission unanimously passed a resolution honoring the life of Charnice Milton, a local reporter with Capital Community News and the Hill Rag who was tragically gunned down on her way home from the May Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee meeting. A tremendous loss for the community.
• ANC 6B unanimously approved sending a letter (pdf) to the District Department of Transportation sharing concerns about media comments made by a DDOT representative on the purpose of the Southeast Boulevard project. In the letter, the commission also reiterates ANC 6B’s expectation that DDOT remains committed to seeing the full vision of the Barney Circle-Southeast Boulevard project come to fruition.
• The commission voted unanimously to send a letter to Events DC outlining concerns about the transportation plan and parking enforcement related to the July 4 Foo Fighters concert at RFK Stadium. These questions were addressed during a June 15 Events DC community outreach meeting.
• The commission heard a presentation from Chris Geldart, interim director of the DC Office of Unified Communications on 911 call center operations. Geldart talked about how the call center works and addressed concerns raised by commissioners and residents regarding specific incidents in the neighborhood. Geldart noted that residents should stay on the line if they are put on hold when calling 911 and that callers are put on hold only if the center notes that their call is coming from an area with high call volume (likely due to the same incident). Hold times are very short.
• The commission also received an update on the progress of the Hine School redevelopment project across from Eastern Market.
• ANC 6B’s July meeting will be on Tues., July 14, 7 pm at the Hill Center.

Due to DCPS spring break, ANC 6B moved our monthly meeting from April 14 to April 20. Here are highlights from the meeting:

• The commission voted unanimously to send a letter (pdf) to DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson with comments on Mayor Bowser’s FY16 budget plan. While supportive of the Mayor’s proposed funding to replace and close DC General and for Reservation 13/Hill East infrastructure, ANC 6B noted its opposition to continued delays for modernization funding at Ward 6 schools, including funding for Eliot-Hine and Jefferson Academy Middle Schools.
• ANC 6B voted 10-0 to send a letter (pdf) to the DC Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency expressing the commission’s disappointment with the lack of agency coordination evident during the 2015 Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon event. Absent proactive measures by the event sponsor and city to address major shortfalls, the commission will not support this event in 2016.
• The commission voted unanimously to send the District Department of Transportation a letter (pdf) urging the department to restore funding for  projects awarded under its 2014 Performance Parking Zone Community Benefits Program.
• The commission considered and voted on a number of historic preservation and Board of Zoning Adjustment cases related to specific properties. Information on these cases are included in the commission’s April meeting packet (pdf) and final votes and letters are posted on the commission’s website.
• I was elected by my colleagues to serve as chair of the ANC 6B Outreach & Constituent Services Task Force. The task force works to strengthen the commission’s communication strategies and tackles issues not in the purview of other ANC 6B committees and task forces. A big thanks to my commission colleagues for their support.
• Representatives from the District Department of the Environment provided an update on their Anacostia River Clean Up Project. DDOE is currently testing sediment in the river to determine the level and source of contaminants. Once testing is complete, DDOE will identify potential remedial actions and work to fund clean up efforts. The DDOE website includes more information about the project.
• ANC 6B’s May meeting will be on Tuesday, May 12, 7 pm at the Hill Center.

Here is a recap of major actions from ANC 6B’s March 10 meeting:

• The commission voted unanimously to urge the Department of General Services to re-issue its Request for Proposals for the Eastern Branch Building. In a letter (pdf) to DGS, the commission urges notes that both responses to the initial RFP were flawed and asks the agency to extend the allowable lease terms. The letter also includes specific comments on both the Century Associates and Dantes Partners/Menkiti Group proposals. It is unclear whether DGS will agree to re-issue the RFP or proceed with one of the proposals.
• I was really pleased that the commission voted 10-0 to send a letter to Mayor Bowser urging her to support and fund the Capitol Riverside Youth Sports Park proposal. The proposal would convert a portion of the wasteful north parking lots at RFK Stadium into athletic fields and outdoor recreation space serving city residents.  The CRYSP proposal exemplifies the kind of creative thinking the city needs when considering the future of the RFK Stadium site.
• The commission voted 6-1-3 to withdraw its protest of the Ugly Mug Dining Saloon’s request for a substantial change to allow expansion of its second floor capacity. ANC 6B and the applicant agreed on a settlement agreement that limits the hours that a new retractable roof can be open and prohibits the roof from being opened during live entertainment events. A big thanks to Commissioner Jim Loots (6B03), the nearby neighbors and the applicant for all the time and effort they put into reaching this agreement.
• Brynn Barnett, a 6B10 resident, was unanimously elected chair of the ANC 6B Hill East Task Force. The vote marked the first time that ANC 6B has elected a non-commissioner to chair one of its task forces. A big thanks to Brynn for volunteering to serve in this important role.
• The commission also approved resident members for both the Hill East and Outreach & Constituent Service Task Forces. I particularly want to thank Julianne Bythrow, Katie Donahue, Nike Opadiran, Ross Parman and Pat Taylor for agreeing to represent 6B09 on the Hill East Task Force.
• On a 9-0-1 vote, the commission authorized testimony (pdf) at the March 11 WMATA performance oversight hearing. The testimony was delivered by Commissioner Denise Krepp (6B10) in front of the Committee on Finance and Revenue.
• Commissioners and attendees heard a presentation from Rashee Kumar with the Neighborhood and Victim Services unit of the DC Office of the Attorney General about how the office can help with vacant and nuisance properties.
• Note that ANC 6B’s April meeting, originally scheduled for April 14, has been moved to Monday, April 20 due to DCPS spring break. As always, the meeting will take place at 7 pm at the Hill Center.

My battle with the sick bug these past two weeks delayed my recap of the final meeting of the commission term. Here it is:

• The commission voted unanimously to support the Hill East Redevelopment – Phase I: Parcels F-1 and G-1 Disposition Approval Resolution of 2014 (PR20-1153) and retroactively approved my Dec. 9 testimony (pdf) in support of the resolution in front of the DC Council Committees on Economic Development and Government Operations. The commission had previously voted to support the surplus declaration (PR20-1152). On Dec. 17, the DC Council voted unanimously to support both resolutions, which means that Donatelli Development and Blue Skye Development can move forward on their plans for two mixed-use buildings on the parcels. I’m really pleased that this project is finally moving forward and optimistic that it will help push the city to develop the remaining parcels at Reservation 13.
• After a significant amount of discussion, the commission voted on the Office of Planning’s proposed text amendments (pdf) to definitions, maximum height and minimum lot dimension requirements in residence zones. On the proposal that has received the most attention, the commission voted 6-3 to support OP’s proposal to limit the maximum height in the R-4 rowhouse zone to 35 feet (from 40 feet now) and to allow homeowners to apply for a special exception to build up to 40 feet subject to certain criteria. The commission did voice concern that some of the special exception criteria veered into the area of historic preservation. I voted with the majority. While it does subject “pop-ups” to additional ANC and Board of Zoning Adjustment Review, the OP proposal does not prohibit third story additions outright.
• The commission voted unanimously to send letters to the District Department of Transportation on adding pedestrian crossings in the area of 11th, K and L Streets SE (near the freeway entrance ramps) and on converting the current one-way streets just south of Barracks Row from one-way to two-way streets.
• The commission voted unanimously to reiterate our support for the 1333 M Street SE First-stage Planned Unit Development request.
• The commission voted unanimously to urge the DC Department of General Services to initiate an environmental assessment of the Eastern Market Metro Plaza redesign plan. Commissioner Brian Pate (6B05) gave the commission and audience a brief presentation on the redesign plan.
• After some debate, the commission voted 6-0-3 on to send a resolution (pdf) to the DC Council and the Public Service Commission voicing our concerns about the proposed Exelon-Pepco merger. I’m skeptical of Exelon’s record on sustainable energy and that the merger will be the best interests of DC residents.
• The commission voted unanimously in favor of a resolution (pdf) thanking departing commissioners for their service. A big thanks to Commissioners Francis Campbell (6B10), Ivan Frishberg (6B02), Dave Garrison (6B01), Sara Loveland (6B07), Nichole Opkins (6B06), Brian Pate (6B05) and Phil Peisch (6B03) for their great service to their constituents, ANC 6B and the city. They all will be missed!
• Commissioner Campbell, completing 12 years of service, adjourned the final full commission meeting of his tenure. The next commission meeting will be on Tues., Jan. 13 at the Hill Center.