Penn East | Brian Flahaven

Tonight’s ANC 6B Transportation Committee Meeting Postponed

March 6, 2013

Due to the weather and early closure of the Hill Center, tonight’s ANC 6B Transportation Committee meeting has been postponed. The committee will now meet on Wed., March 13, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm in the Frager’s Conference Room at the Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE.

A discussion of the Feb. 21 Barney Circle-Southeast Boulevard Transportation Planning Study meeting and how the commission should approach the study was on tonight’s agenda. That discussion will now take place next Wednesday.

Leave a Comment » | ANC 6B, Barney Circle, Penn East, Transportation | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

1550 Penn Ave (Used Car Lot) Building Meeting Recap

March 3, 2013

Attendees listen to a presentation about plans for a residential building at 1550 Penn Ave SE.

We had a good turnout for the Feb. 27 community meeting on plans for a 80-84 unit residential building at 1550 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, current site of a used car lot. Here is a brief recap of the meeting:

I led off with a discussion of the ANC’s role on the project. NOVO Development is requesting two variances and one special exception from the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA). The BZA hearing is on April 30, and ANC 6B will consider the case during the commission’s April 2 planning & zoning committee meeting and April 9 full commission meeting. While ANC 6B can vote to support or oppose the variance and/or special exception requests, the BZA ultimately determines whether the relief is granted.
Greg Selfridge of NOVO Development, architect Eric Colbert and transportation consultant Bill Schultheiss gave a presentation (pdf) on the project. Selfridge said the building would have 80-84 apartment units, with 75 percent of the units one bedroom. Colbert discussed the building’s design and noted the building’s 15 foot setback from the adjacent rowhouses on Kentucky Avenue. Schultheiss, a former Capitol Hill ANC commissioner, talked about traffic flow around the site, particularly the need to think about how vehicles will enter and exit the building.
On parking, the building will include 31 spaces – 23 in an underground garage and 8 off of Freedom Way. Selfridge cited the property’s unique shape, shallow water table and proximity to transit as justification for the parking variance request.
NOVO is also seeking a loading variance. Selfridge said the 55 foot truck loading dock requirement is unnecessary at the site, and that 55 foot trucks would have a difficult time navigating Freedom Way. My sense was attendees supported the loading variance request.
The special exception request relates to the height of the building’s mechanical penthouse. Colbert said that the design was still in flux and the developer may not need the special exception request.
On parking, attendees raised a number of concerns. Many residents are worried that residents from the building would take up on-street parking spaces along the 700 & 800 blocks of Kentucky Avenue SE. Selfridge and Schultheiss were confident that many residents in the building would not own cars and would instead use Metro, bikeshare and/or carshare services.
A number of attendees asked NOVO to consider using existing curb cuts on Kentucky Avenue for the entrance to the parking garage, particularly since Freedom Way is extremely narrow. Selfridge said that they would explore the possibility of using the curb cuts with the District Department of Transportation but noted that DDOT prefers parking garage entrances off alleys. One resident noted that DDOT signed off on Douglas Development’s use of an existing curb cut for the proposed retail building at 1442 Penn Ave SE.
Attendees also voiced concerns about the number of units and the target demographic of the building: young professionals. A number asked if NOVO would consider reducing the number of units or combining units to attract more families to the building. Selfridge said that NOVO was comfortable at 80-84 units and noted that there is a high demand for apartments on Capitol Hill. He also signaled a willingness to work with neighbors on a memorandum of understanding on noise, trash, construction and other issues.
Traffic flow around the building is a major concern. Currently, vehicles trying to access the parking garage from the north would have to travel east on Potomac Ave SE, south on 17th St. SE, west on Barney Circle and north on Kentucky Avenue SE or would have to travel south down the extremely narrow Freedom Way. When the idea of making Kentucky Avenue a two-way street was brought up, a number of attendees voiced opposition. However, attendees also voiced concern about increased traffic on Freedom Way.
One attendee suggested narrowing Kentucky Avenue to one-lane by adding diagonal on-street parking. While this would reduce speeding along the corridor and add on-street parking spaces, it would not resolve the issue of increased traffic on Freedom Way. I plan to ask DDOT about the diagonal parking alternative.
Residents along the 1500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue SE raised concerns about pedestrian traffic from the building passing in front of their homes. Currently, the city allows residents to park their cars on driveways in front of their units despite the fact that the cars block the sidewalk. One potential solution would be to remove the curb cuts and add on-street parking along the 1500 block of Penn, though that would mean residents lose their current driveway parking.
There was some discussion of the benefits of the project. It certainly would increase foot traffic on the 1500 and 1400 blocks of Penn Ave, which would help existing and planned retail along the corridor. Attendees also noted that the increased foot traffic would also improve public safety.
Overall, I was pleased with the turnout and thought the meeting was helpful. I plan to work with the neighbors and the developer to address as many of the concerns raised as possible prior to ANC 6B consideration.

Thanks to everyone who attended the two-hour meeting, and thanks to Greg Selfridge, Eric Colbert and Bill Schultheiss for spending time walking through the project and answering questions. And a BIG thank you to New York Pizza for hosting the meeting.

Please post your comments, questions or anything I missed below.

2 Comments | Barney Circle, Development, Penn East | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

Barney Circle-SE Boulevard Public Meeting Recap

February 25, 2013

Attendees discuss one option for the new Southeast Boulevard.

A big crowd attended the District of Transportation’s Feb. 21 meeting on the Barney Circle-Southeast Boulevard Transportation Planning Study. As with the Penn-Potomac intersection study, the city is seeking federal funds for the Barney Circle-SE Blvd project and must complete an environmental assessment. The Feb. 21 meeting was the first of three planned public meetings on the project.

Here are the highlights:

The meeting began with a brief presentation by Sanjay Kumar of DDOT and Karl Kratzer of consultant CH2MHill. As with Penn-Potomac, DDOT has hired CH2MHill to manage and complete the study. The presentation outlined the goals of the larger Anacostia Waterfront Initiative and provided a timeline for the project.
Attendees were divided into smaller working groups with DDOT or CH2MHill facilitators. Each group was asked to provide answers/feedback on the following four questions related to the Southeast Boulevard. I roamed from group to group and heard the following answers:
Where is the best connection from the neighborhood to the Southeast Boulevard? 13th, 14th and/or 15th Streets SE? Most groups seemed to support connecting all three streets to the boulevard as a way to distribute traffic along multiple routes. However, there were a number of attendees who live on or near 13th, 14th & 15th south of Pennsylvania Avenue who preferred no connections between these streets and the boulevard. While I understand the concerns of these residents, I’m also concerned that a boulevard without connections and stop lights is really just another freeway separating the neighborhood from the waterfront.
How is L Street SE incorporated into the Southeast Boulevard? Integrated completely, separated slightly or completely separate? I didn’t hear any support for fully integrating the currently quiet, residential L Street SE with the boulevard. There was more support for separating the two with green space and bringing the boulevard up to grade with L Street.
How should the city use the space created underneath the elevated Southeast Boulevard? DDOT and CH2MHill asked whether attendees would prefer a multi-modal transfer facility/bus parking lot or a commuter parking lot under the elevated freeway. My sense is that a majority of attendees preferred the former.
In addition to pedestrian and bike connections, should the project attempt to provide a vehicle connection between M Street SE and the new SE Boulevard. I heard some support for this idea, but most groups emphasized increasing pedestrian and bike access to the waterfront. Of course, the CSX railroad tracks and the difference in grade between the proposed boulevard and waterfront are obstacles to both goals.
DDOT did not specifically ask for feedback on the other major portion of the project – the transformation of Barney Circle into a full traffic circle. I hope there will be more discussion about the circle at the next public meeting.
A few groups did raise concerns about plans for “Park Drive,” a proposed roadway connecting Independence Avenue SE with the new Barney Circle via the Anacostia Waterfront. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, Park Drive is a bad idea, particularly since it would cut off mixed-use development at Reservation 13 from the waterfront.

DDOT plans to hold the next public meeting on the project in the spring. At that meeting, attendees will review alternatives and provide feedback. ANC 6B’s Transportation Committee also plans to discuss the project on March 6.

Thanks to everyone who came out and participated in the meeting. And a big thanks to Principal Marcus and Payne Elementary School for playing host to both the Penn-Potomac and Barney Circle meetings.

Please post your comments/feedback/questions below. And if you want to be added to the project e-mail list, send an e-mail to barneycircle@prrbiz.com.

One option under consideration would completely integrate L Street SE and the new SE Blvd.

A second option would separate L Street and the SE Blvd but connect at 13th, 14th and 15th.

A third option would separate the SE Blvd completely from the neighborhood.

5 Comments | Barney Circle, Penn East, Transportation | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

Residential Building Planned for 1550 Pennsylvania Ave SE

February 19, 2013

A used car lot currently sits on 1550 Pennsylvania Avenue SE.

Lots of things happening around Barney Circle these days. In addition to the planned Barney Circle transportation project, Penn Avenue Partnership, LLC plans to build an 80-84 unit residential building at 1550 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, located at the intersection of Penn Ave and Barney Circle. Neighbors can learn more about the plans and ask questions of the owner and developer at a meeting on Wednesday, February 27, 6:30 pm at New York Pizza (1401 Pennsylvania Avenue SE).

In addition to the initial plans (pdf), here are some additional details about the project:

The northern portion of the proposed building will be three stories, matching the existing three story rowhouses on the 1500 block of Penn Ave SE. As the building approaches Barney Circle, it will rise to five stories, the maximum allowed in the C-2-A zone. The initial design is by Eric Colbert & Associates.
Penn Ave Partnership is seeking two variances and a special exception from the Board of Zoning Adjustment. This means that ANC 6B will have an opportunity to weigh in on the project, perhaps as early as March.
One variance will be for parking. The plans call for 31 parking spots – 23 in an underground garage and 8 along the alley (a.k.a. “Freedom Way”) which runs behind the property. This is 11 spots short of the required 42 parking spaces. The applicant argues that the property’s unique shape makes it difficult to provide 42 parking spaces and that building a second underground level of parking would be prohibitively expensive. Additionally, the applicant points to the site’s proximity to the Potomac Avenue Metro and other transit to make the case that meeting the full parking requirement is not necessary.
A second variance request relates to a requirement for a loading dock that can accommodate 55-foot trucks. The applicant argues that the unique shape of the property and the narrowness of Freedom Way makes providing such a dock overly burdensome.
The special exception request is a technical matter relating to roof height requirements of the mechanical penthouse.
While there are currently curb cuts on Penn Ave and Kentucky Ave, the plans call for vehicles to enter the new building via Freedom Way. While I certainly support the idea of removing curb cuts, Freedom Way seems ill-suited to handle traffic in and out of the building. In addition, the current one-way configuration of Kentucky Ave. SE means that Freedom Way will be the only northern access point. Vehicles will have a difficult time navigating the alley, particularly if it remains two way.
While no final determination has been made, the projects 80-84 units will likely be apartments.
While parking and traffic flow are certainly concerns, the project would significantly increase foot traffic along the 1400 & 1500 blocks of Penn Ave, providing a major boost for existing and proposed retail along the corridor.

Again, the owner, developer and architect will present their plans to the community and answer questions on Wed., Feb. 27, 6:30 pm at New York Pizza. In the meantime, post your questions and comments below.

Initial design of proposed residential building courtesy of Eric Colbert & Associates.

19 Comments | Barney Circle, Development, Penn East, Potomac Avenue Metro | Permalink
Posted by bflahaven

Pennsylvania-Potomac Avenue Intersection Safety Study Meeting Recap

February 4, 2013

Meeting attendees discuss potential options for improving safety at the Penn-Potomac intersection.

On Jan. 31, the District Department of Transportation held the first of three scheduled public meetings on the Pennsylvania-Potomac Avenue Intersection Pedestrian Safety Study. The primary goal of the study and project is to enhance pedestrian safety at the intersection. Around 100 attendees had an opportunity to view a presentation on the study and to ask questions.

Here are the highlights:

Sanjay Kumar of DDOT and Karl Kratzer of consulting firm CH2MHill led the meeting and presentation. DDOT has hired CH2MHill to conduct the Environmental Assessment (EA) and PRR, a public affairs firm, to handle the public relations aspects of the project. Both CH2MHill and PRR will also be involved in the Barney Circle-Southeast Boulevard project.
Since DDOT is seeking federal funds for the project, the agency must complete an EA. The purpose of the Jan. 31 public meeting, or “scoping meeting,” was to determine the purpose, need and scope of the project. Feedback from the scoping meeting will be used to develop alternatives that will be shared with the public during the next public meeting (spring 2013).
After detailing existing problems with the intersection – multiple crosswalk locations that create pedestrian/driver confusion, no direct crosswalks across Penn Ave and the reality of pedestrians crossing PA at unstriped locations – Mr. Kratzer outlined the various concepts DDOT was considering for improving the intersection. The concepts ranged from minimal improvements (improvements to exiting crosswalks, changes to signal timing) to full redesign and reconfiguration of the intersection. The goal of the study is to determine which concept will best accomplish the goal of enhancing pedestrian safety.
Mr. Kratzer acknowledged that the Penn-Potomac EA actually began in 2009 but was put on hold due to budget constraints. He said the previously developed 2009 concept of a traffic square is no longer a viable option due to lack of space for bus turns.
Two new concepts were shared with the audience (see photos below). Concept 1 would create T-intersections at Penn and Potomac Ave and 14th and Penn Ave. If implemented, Concept 1 would keep the existing three lane configuration on Pennsylvania Avenue but would add a direct crosswalk from the Metro plaza to the southern side of Penn Ave. The portion of Potomac Ave immediately in front of the Metro entrance would be eliminated under this concept, with the potential for additional public space to be added on both the north and south sides of Penn Ave.
Concept 2 would introduce a traffic oval to the existing intersection. Traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue proceed around the oval to continue traveling westbound or eastbound. In addition, traffic would enter the oval at various points, with signals at each end of the oval. A new, long crosswalk would bisect the traffic circle, allowing pedestrians to cross directly from the Metro plaza to the south side of Penn Ave.
DDOT and CH2MHill noted that these two concepts were meant to begin the conversation with the community and that they expected changes to both concepts as they received community feedback.
During Q&A, residents voiced concern that Concept 2 would actually bring traffic closer to the residential areas near the Metro plaza. Other residents mentioned the need to consider bike traffic, the potential impact of any new configuration on side streets, improvements to the Metro “Kiss & Ride” area at 14th & G Streets SE and the need to think holistically about how this project interacts with other DDOT projects both on the west and east side of the river. Mr. Kratzer acknowledged all of these concerns and encouraged residents to submit their feedback on comment forms.
If you missed the meeting, you can e-mail comments and feedback to pennpotomac@prrbiz.com. You can also join the project e-mail list by e-mailing ddot.awi@dc.gov or calling 202-741-8528.
There certainly needs to be significant coordination between both the Penn-Potomac and Barney Circle-SE Boulevard projects. I am pleased that the same team will be working on both projects. The Barney Circle-Southeast Boulevard project scoping meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 21, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at Payne Elementary School (1445 C Street SE).