Brian Flahaven

We had a great turnout from the neighborhood at last night’s ANC 6B Planning & Zoning Committee meeting. After listening to residents and discussing the merits of the projects, the committee unanimously voted (8-0) to recommend that the full ANC approve:

1. a two-year extension of the waiver to Douglas Development for the old KFC site (1442 Pennsylvania Avenue SE),  and
2. parking and lot occupancy variance requests for a proposed residential development at 732 15th Street SE.

Here are a few highlights from the meeting:

• Paul Millstein of Douglas Development was optimistic that the KFC site would be developed in the next year. The project has stalled due to the down economy and a lack of financing.
• Mr. Millstein said that Douglas planned to continue to abide by the Memorandum of Understanding signed three years ago between the company and neighbors. The MOU makes it clear that Douglas will not pursue a number of potential retailers, including a 7-Eleven, night clubs, check-cashing establishment, or liquor store to fill the site.
• A few residents noted that the KFC site had not been shoveled during recent snowstorms. Mr. Millstein said that he will make sure the site is shoveled and maintained year round.
• Gary Cohen of Willco Development and Jeff Goins of PGN Architects walked through their plans for a proposed 5-unit residential development at 732 15th St. SE. Mr. Cohen said that he would like to provide parking on the site but cannot because there is only a five foot wide entrance to the property from Freedom Way SE (zoning requires 9 feet for a vehicle entrance).
• A number of residents voiced support for the project, saying that the new development could spur further development and improve public safety at the corner of 15th and Penn. Most said that parking in the area was an issue during day – commuters with Ward 6 stickers park in the neighborhood and walk to the nearby Potomac Avenue Metro. A few neighbors did mention difficulty finding parking spots at night.
• I noted that the full commission had received a petition signed by 16 individuals opposed to the project due to the lack of parking. I shared that I had been in contact with Councilmember Wells’ office and that the Councilmember was willing to consider asking DDOT to conduct a study of the area to see if additional parking spaces could be made available. One potential area for more spaces is the eastern side of the 700 block of 15th St SE. 

Thanks to all of the residents who showed up, waited patiently through the agenda, and weighed in on these two projects. The committee’s recommendation is just a recommendation – the full commission will vote on both of these projects at ANC 6B’s February full commission meeting next Tues., Feb. 1, 7 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS (522 7th St. SE – the old Safeway building). Only two commissioners were unable to attend last night’s meeting – Ivan Frishberg (6B02) and Brian Pate (6B05).
 
Any thoughts about last night’s meeting or the two proposed projects? Please comment below.

ANC 6B’s February Planning and Zoning Committee meeting will take place tonight, Feb. 1, 7:00 pm at Cesar Chavez Public Charter School (714 – 722 11th St. SE – enter on the 11th Street side).

As I mentioned last week, there are two Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) cases on tonight’s agenda that impact the 700 block of 15th St. SE, the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Pennsylvania Ave. SE, and the 1400 & 1500 blocks of Potomac Ave. SE.

The first case is a request for a two-year extension on a waiver granted to Douglas Development at the old KFC site (1442 Pennsylvania Avenue SE). In Dec. 2008, ANC 6B supported Douglas Development’s application for variances from floor area, rear yard and parking requirements. The original waivers must be renewed by the BZA, and ANC 6B will consider whether to support a two year extension in February.

The second case involves a proposed 5-unit residential development at 732 15th Street SE (currently a laundromat). Owner Gary Cohen is asking for variances from lot occupancy and off-street parking requirements. The lot is configured as such that the owner cannot legally provide off-street parking via Freedom Way SE.

Please bring your comments, views and questions to tonight’s meeting. I hope to see you there!

Fallen tree on Potomac Avenue SE

You may have noticed that a portion of Potomac Avenue SE (between 17th Street SE and E Street SE) was closed down Wednesday night due to a fallen tree. You may have also noticed a car under the fallen tree.

My car.

The heavy, wet snow caused the tree to collapse. Fortunately, no one was injured and no other cars were hit. The city came on Thursday morning and chopped up the tree. Amazingly, my car only had minimal damage (no cracked windshield or dents).

I owe a big thank you to Lt. Thornton and MPD Officers Wagner and Kopp for notifying me and directing traffic around the closed section of Potomac Avenue.

How did your streets look on Wednesday night/Thursday morning? Let me know if there were any problems re: plowing, fallen trees, branches, etc.

Have a nice (and safe) weekend!

ANC 6B’s February Planning and Zoning Committee agenda includes two Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) cases on the 700 block of 15th Street SE.

The first is a request for a two-year extension on a waiver granted to Douglas Development at the old KFC site (1442 Pennsylvania Avenue SE). In Dec. 2008, ANC 6B supported Douglas Development’s application for variances from floor area, rear yard and parking requirements. The original waivers must be renewed by the BZA, and ANC 6B will consider whether to support a two year extension in February.

The second case involves a proposed 5-unit residential development at 732 15th Street SE (currently a laundromat). Owner Gary Cohen is asking for variances from lot occupancy and off-street parking requirements. The lot is configured as such that the owner cannot legally provide off-street parking via Freedom Way SE.

Gary Cohen is hosting an informational meeting on the project tonight (Thurs., Jan. 27), 6:30 pm at New York Pizza (1401 Pennsylvania Avenue SE). Please stop by to learn more about his plans, particularly if you live on the 700 block of 15th Street SE or on the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Pennsylvania Ave. SE. If you cannot attend, you can e-mail Mr. Cohen to learn more and ask questions (gcohen@willcodc.com).

Note that ANC 6B’s February Planning and Zoning Committee meeting will take place next Tues., Feb. 1, 7:00 pm at the Cesar Chavez Public Charter School (714-722 11th Street SE). Please enter on the 11th Street side of the school.

About 15-20 people attended last night’s PSA 107 meeting with Lt. Michael Thornton at the Liberty Baptist Church. Lt. Thornton was joined by new First District Inspector Alisa Petty, Sgt. Irving Curry and Officers Jeffrey Kopp and Phillipe Jerome. Here is a brief recap:

• December saw a significant crime reduction in PSA 107. There were only 23 crimes in Dec. 2010 – down 60 percent from Nov. 2010 (58) and more than a 50 percent reduction compared to Dec. 2009 (53). While the cold weather likely contributed to the decline, Lt. Thornton noted that crime reduction was significantly higher in PSA 107 than in other PSAs citywide.
• Thefts and theft/auto remained steady, mostly due to thefts at Harris Teeter. MPD is working with the store on potential solutions.
• Bike theft is a big problem right now across the entire city. Lt. Thornton urged residents to keep bikes inside your residence if possible.
• Lt. Thornton thanked residents who alerted MPD that they would be traveling over the holidays. He encouraged residents to contact MPD and ask that their home be put on “special attention” if they plan on traveling. 
• Lt. Thornton also thanked Commissioner Jared Critchfield (6B06) for contacting MPD when mysterious yellow stickers were posted on every door in PSA 107. There was concern that the stickers could be used to signal homes where residents were on travel. While the stickers turned out to be a legitimate advertisement, MPD was able to knock on doors and remove the stickers if residents were not home.
• Increased police presence on Pennsylvania Avenue SE will continue indefinitely. Officers have been stationed in cars at various blocks and have also increased their walking routes along Penn.
• Erik Holzherr, owner of Wisdom (1432 Pennsylvania Ave. SE), is reviving a neighborhood watch group he started last year. He hopes to get more residents involved in weekly neighborhood watch walks and noted that walking is a great way to meet your neighbors. Those interested in becoming “block captains” can e-mail Erik directly (erikholzherr@gmail.com).
• I asked Lt. Thornton about speeding along 17th Street SE and whether MPD was enforcing the authorized vehicles only access to the freeway at Barney Circle. MPD is doing what they can to slow traffic down on 17th and is issuing tickets to drivers who use the Barney Circle access point to the freeway.
• Lt. Thornton and attendees thanked PSA 107 officers for helping reduce crime in Dec. and their overall dedication to keeping our neighborhood safe. 

If you have questions for MPD, contact Lt. Michael Thornton at Michael.Thornton@dc.gov or 202-425-7659 (cell). For emergencies, always dial 911. The next PSA 107 meeting will take place Thursday, Feb. 17, 7 pm at Liberty Baptist Church (527 Kentucky Ave. SE).