Monday Quick Takes: Old KFC Site, Town Hall, Cupcakes, Day of the Dog

September 9, 2013
Construction underway at the old KFC Site on Penn Ave SE.

Construction underway at the old KFC Site on Penn Ave SE.

  • Construction is underway on the new two-story retail building at 1442 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, the old KFC site. At last week’s ANC 6B Planning and Zoning Committee meeting, Paul Millstein of Douglas Development, said that they expect construction to be complete by December.  The company has been contacted by potential tenants but does not have any leases signed as of yet.
  • A liquor license for District Taco (656 Pennsylvania Avenue SE), a fast food exception for Southeast Market (1500 Independence Ave SE), comments on proposed alternatives for the re-construction of Virginia Avenue Rail Tunnel and proposed testimony on Reservation 13 for an upcoming DC Council hearing are among the agenda (pdf) items for tomorrow’s (Tues., Sept. 10) ANC 6B September meeting. The meeting begins at 7:00 pm at the Hill Center (921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE).
  • A big thanks to Jennifer Howard, Nike Opadiran, Ross Parman and Claudia Vilato for volunteering to represent 6B09 as Resident Members on the ANC 6B Hill East Task Force. Their appointments will be voted on by the full commission at the Sept. 10 meeting. I’m still looking for a volunteer to serve as 6B09 representative to the ANC 6B Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee. If you are interested, please contact me.
  • I’m really excited that Curbside Cupcakes is moving into the old Crepes on the Corner space at 257 15th Street SE. Owners Kristi and Sam plan to open in  the next month or so and will be offering more than cupcakes. Should be a great addition to 15th Street SE and Hill East!
  • Mark your calendars! I’ll be holding a Neighborhood Town Hall meeting on Thursday, October 10 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at the Chapel at Congressional Cemetery (1801 E Street SE). More information to come!
  • Speaking of Congressional Cemetery, the first Day of the  Dog Festival will take place at the Cemetery on Saturday, Sept. 21 from  10 am – 3 pm. The festival is open to the public and will include contests, music and local vendors.

1 Comment | 15th Street SE, ANC 6B, Congressional Cemetery, Development, Penn East | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

Volunteer to Serve as an ANC 6B Resident Member

July 24, 2013

Are you interested in volunteering to serve on an ANC 6B committee or task force? I’m seeking 6B09residents to serve as resident members on the following ANC 6B committees/task forces:

  • Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee
  • Planning and Zoning Committee
  • Hill East Task Force
  • Outreach & Constituent Services Task Force

Each Commissioner can recruit one resident member per committee and multiple resident members for task forces. Resident members must reside in the Commissioner’s Single Member District.

Service as a resident member involves attending monthly committee or task force meetings, listening to cases, participating in discussion and voting on recommendations to the full commission. ANC 6B recently amended our bylaws to allow resident members a vote in committee.

Here is a listing of ANC 6B’s committees/task forces and their leadership:

Planning and Zoning Committee
Purpose: Considers historic preservation, zoning and public space cases.
Meeting Schedule: 1st Tuesday of the month (except August)
Chair: Commissioner Francis Campbell (6B10)

Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee
Purpose: Considers requests and renewals for liquor licenses or substantial changes to existing liquor licenses. Negotiates settlement agreements with establishments.
Meeting Schedule: 1st Thursday of the month (except August)
Chair: Commissioner Sara Loveland (6B07)

Transportation Committee
Purpose: Advise on transportation issues on the Hill. Develop and recommend improvements to the Performance Parking Pilot (PPP) and expenditure of related budgets.
Meeting Schedule: 1st Wednesday of the month (except August)
Chair: Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg (6B04)
Note: Keith Smith serves as the 6B09 resident member on the transportation committee.  

Outreach & Constituent Services
Purpose: Develop and implement methods to increase resident participation. Review and improve ANC technology usage.
Meeting Schedule: 3rd Wednesday of the month (except August)
Chair: Commissioner Brian Pate (6B05)
Note: Darren Cole serves as a 6B09 resident member on the O&CS Task Force. 

Hill East Task Force
Purpose: Address issues specific to the Hill East area, such as Reservation 13 and development around the Potomac Avenue metro.
Meeting Schedule: As scheduled by the chair.
Chair: Brian Flahaven (6B09)

If you are interested in representing 6B09 on a committee or task force, please contact me at brianf6b09@anc6b.org or 202-744-1854. I hope to bring the names of resident member candidates before the full commission in September. Once approved, resident members serve for a period of one year (typically February to February).

Thank you for considering this opportunity to strengthen our neighborhood and ANC 6B.

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Posted by bflahaven

ANC 6B July 2013 Meeting Recap

July 17, 2013

New parenthood kept me away from ANC 6B’s July 9th meeting at the Hill Center. However, thanks to Commissioner Phil Peisch (6B03), who serves as ANC 6B’s secretary, I do have notes of the commission’s major actions. I also want to thank Commissioner Ivan Frishberg (6B02) for presiding over the meeting in my absence. Here are the highlights:

  • John Weintraub, owner of Frager’s Hardware, provided an update on the status of store and employees in the aftermath of the June 5th fire. According to Commissioner Brian Pate (6B05), who live tweeted the update, Weintraub noted that $160,000 has already been raised to benefit Frager’s, with about half going directly to employees. Frager’s pop-up at Eastern Market is selling plants and making keys while the rental store has moved temporarily to 1323 E Street SE. Weintraub estimates rebuilding Frager’s will take 1.5-3 years. You can contribute to the rebuilding efforts at the Friends of Frager’s website.
  • The commission voted to support emergency legislation (pdf) extending the deadline for the disposition of the Hine school site. Prior to the vote, the commission heard from the attorney representing residents who have filed a lawsuit against the Zoning Commission, representatives from the developer Stanton-Eastbanc and a representative from the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development’s Office. You can read a recap of the discussion on the Capitol Hill Corner blog. The DC Council did pass the legislation with a six month extension during its July 10 legislative session.
  • The commission voted to send four letters to the District Department of Transportation. The first letter (pdf) officially confirms that ANC 6B has decided to “opt in” to DDOTs new citywide Visitor Parking Pass system. The second letter (pdf) requests that DDOT extend the comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the CSX-Virginia Avenue Tunnel project. The third letter (pdf) also requests additional time from DDOT to comment on new proposed regulations for commercial loading zones. And the fourth letter (currently being drafted) reaffirms ANC 6B’s request that DDOT use $100,000 from Performance Based Parking funds to upgrade landscaping on the Eastern Market Metro Plaza.
  • With a August 2nd deadline looming to provide comments, the commission voted to hold a special call meeting on Wed., July 17 to discuss proposed regulations for demolition by neglect in historic districts. The meeting will begin at 8 pm, immediately following ANC 6B’s Outreach & Constituent Services Task Force meeting at the Hill Center.  The commission will also discuss and approve its quarterly financial report on July 17.
  • The commission voted unanimously to authorize the chair to approve amendments to Settlement Agreements (SAs) requested by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. The ABC Board has requested modifications to SAs between ANC 6B and 30 restaurants located in the commission area. The amendments are administrative in nature.
  • The commission voted unanimously to support proposed design and facade changes to Banana Cafe at 500 8th Street SE. Since the restaurant is located in the Capitol Hill Historic District, the design must be approved by the Historic Preservation Review Board.
  • ANC 6B does not meet in August. The next commission meeting will be on Tues., Sept. 10, 7 pm at the Hill Center.

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Posted by bflahaven

Future of DC General Meeting Recap

July 14, 2013

Here is a brief recap of the June 27 ANC 6B Hill East Task Force meeting. I actually had to leave the meeting early to take my wife to the hospital, where my son, Cole, was born on Fri., June 28. A big thanks to my Hill East colleague, Commissioner Francis Campbell, for facilitating the rest of the meeting. If you attended the meeting, please post your comments below (particularly on the last half of the meeting!). 

Around 30 attendees participated in the June 27 Hill East Task Force meeting to discuss the future of the Family Shelter at the former DC General Hospital complex. David Berns, Director of the Department of Human Services, and BB Otero, Deputy Mayor for Health & Human Services, were invited to provide an update on the shelter and the city’s future plans for the site. Here are the highlights:

  • I welcomed attendees and DHS Director David Berns. He noted ANC 6B’s recent letter (pdf) in support of the Donatelli/Blue Skye proposal to develop phase I of the Hill East development. The letter urged Mayor Gray and the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development to come up with a plan to close the temporary shelter at DC General. Due to a last-minute scheduling conflict, Deputy Mayor Otero was unable to attend the meeting.
  • Director Berns introduced himself and outlined the city’s plans to move homeless residents from shelter to housing. The city’s goal, according to Berns, is to move from a shelter drive approach to keeping families within their communities. View the DHS handout (pdf).
  • Berns talked about the importance of using Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) assessment to identify families at risk of homelessness and to target resources to those families to help them stay housed. The goal is to reduce the need for emergency shelter units at sites such as DC General.
  • Berns stated the DHS goal of reducing shelter capacity at DC General from its current level of 271 units to no more than 153 units in FY14 and no more than 100 units by the end of FY15.
  • It costs the city $50,000/year to house one family in DC General. Berns stated that DHS has no desire to put more money into the deteriorating DC General complex and that the goal is to eventually close the antiquated facility.
  • I asked Director Berns for clarification on how many families (or units) can currently be housed at DC General. Berns responded that complex houses 271 units, with 18 additional units available for overflow during hypothermia season. One unit can have up to 6-7 people (large families).
  • When asked if the city or DHS has considered identifying a closing date for DC General, Berns responded that the other locations would have to be identified and funded prior to such a decision. This funding would have to be in DC’s capital budget moving forward. It was not fully funded in the FY14 budget request. If DHS can meet reduction target in number of families housed at DC General by FY15, Berns said it would be easier to request capital funding for smaller shelter location(s) to house roughly 100 families. He reiterated that the city’s goal is to move away from a shelter driven policy towards policy that provides resources to prevent families from needing emergency shelter.
  • I left the meeting at the beginning of the audience Q&A.

Again, please post any comments/reaction below.

2 Comments | ANC 6B, Reservation 13/Hill East Waterfront | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

ANC 6B June 2013 Meeting Recap

June 13, 2013

Reservation 13, a proposed doggie daycare facility, bylaws amendments and comments on the Penn-Potomac Ave Intersection Pedestrian Safety Study were among the many issues on ANC 6B’s June 11 meeting agenda. Here is a brief meeting recap:

  • The commission voted unanimously (10-0) to send a letter (pdf) to Victor Hoskins, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, urging his office to move forward with the Donatelli/Blue Skye proposal for parcels F1 & G1 of the Hill East Development/Reservation 13. The commission’s letter also includes specific comments on the Donatelli/Blue Skye plans and urges Mayor Gray and DMPED to take action now to prepare the remaining parcels on the 67-acre site for development. A big thanks to my commission colleagues and the many residents who provided feedback on the proposal and on early drafts of the letter.
  • I announced that BB Otero, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and David Berns, Director of the Department of Human Services had agreed to discuss the future of the DC General shelter at a June 27 ANC 6B Hill East Task Force meeting. The meeting will be from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Avenue SE.
  • After lengthy discussion and debate, the commission voted 9-0-1 to support a special exception and variance request that would allow City Dogs, a doggie daycare and boarding facility, to open at 1310 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. This was a very difficult case, particularly since one of the adjacent neighbors had converted her property from a commercial to residential use. City Dogs’ willingness to agree to additional operating conditions (pdf) with the commission ultimately persuaded me to support the case. I also agreed with the majority of commissioners that the commission should request that Board of Zoning Adjustment review the use after a certain period of time to ensure that all conditions are being met.  Kudos to Commissioner Nichole Opkins (6B06) for her hard work in getting to an acceptable compromise.
  • The commission unanimously supported sending a letter (pdf) to the District Department of Transportation outlining our views on the Pennsylvania-Potomac Avenue Intersection Pedestrian Safety Study. In the letter, the commission supports concept 3, which would create “T-intersections” and significantly improve pedestrian safety around the Potomac Avenue Metro plaza. Kudos to Commissioners Kirsten Oldenburg (6B04), Sara Loveland (6B07) and Nichole Opkins for their work on the letter.
  • Given my previous work on improving ANC 6B’s bylaws, I was extremely pleased that the commission overwhelmingly approved two amendments to the bylaws. The first amendment, which passed unanimously, clarified that Commissioners can only nominate resident members who live in their Single Member Districts (SMDs) to committees and task forces. The second, which passed 8-1 (7 votes needed),  finally allows resident members to vote in ANC 6B committees and task forces. Now residents who take the time to serve on committees can vote on recommendations to the full commission. A big thanks to Commissioner Brian Pate (6B05) for introducing the amendments.
  • On an 8-0-1 vote, the commission approved a package of letters on problematic vacant and blighted properties in the commission area. One letter (pdf), addressed to the Vacant Buildings Unit at the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, lists problematic vacant properties in each ANC 6B Single Member District, including 6B09. The commission will also send letters directly to vacant property owners urging them to improve their properties and comply with the law.
  • Commissioner Oldenburg provided an update on efforts to support Frager’s and the other businesses impacted by the June 5 fire. She mentioned the Friends of Frager’s website, where individuals can make tax-deductible contributions to support Frager’s through the Capitol Hill Community Foundation, and encouraged attendees to visit the Frager’s Garden Center “pop up” across from Eastern Market.
  • The commission heard a presentation by Juan Thompson of Serve DC, the Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism, who discussed the office’s efforts to emergency training preparedness efforts. The office is currently looking to recruit residents to serve in neighborhood corps, volunteers who would be able and willing to help neighborhood’s respond in the case of an emergency. You can read more on how to get involved in these efforts on the Serve DC website.
  • ANC 6B’s July meeting will be on Tues., July 9, 7 pm at the Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE.

2 Comments | ANC 6B, Development, Penn East, Potomac Avenue Metro, Reservation 13/Hill East Waterfront, Transportation | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

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