Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D

Monthly Business Meeting

St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church

Minutes

April 9, 2007

 

Present:  Commissioners Hamilton, Litsky, McBee, Moffatt, Siegel, Skolnik, and Sobelsohn.

 

The meeting was convened at 7:05 p.m.

 

1.    Agenda

Motion:  Commissioner Sobelsohn moved/ Commissioner Litsky seconded the approval of the agenda.  The motion was approved without objection.

2.    Community Comment and special guests

Gene Solon, a resident of Harbor Square, addressed the Commission

 4.   Public Safety

There was no Public Safety Report

 5.   Old Business

Presentation: Waterfront Mall

David Smith of Forest City Washington, and Gordon Fraley, of Vornado Charles Smith presented an update on the first stage PUD they will be presenting to the Zoning Commission on June 7th.  They will return to the ANC on May 14th for a vote on the project.

They reported that the interior demolition of the Mall is continuing, preparing the building for demolition, which will begin in June.  The Bank of America and CVS will be relocated into temporary structures in the West parking lot by the end of May.  They are working with DDOT and the Office of Planning on the 4th Street opening, and are at the 90% drawing stage. 

They said that input from the community had been incorporated into their plan, including an increase in retail use from 75,000 to 110,000 square feet; 800,000 sq. ft. of housing, including­ 130-160 units of affordable housing; an open space plan for 4th Street; a setback on M Street aligned with Marina Towers.  And community space within the project. 

They reported that the negotiations with Safeway were progressing positively, but in case they fail, they are committed to having a “niche,” smaller grocery, e.g., a Trader Joe’s, as part of the project. They said the boundary of the area where they do not have to build a supermarket has been reduced, and is now south of the freeway and west of South Capitol Street.  Commissioner Litsky said that he thought that provision had been removed, and he was told that it was removed in the agreement with NCRC in the land swap agreement, but said that negotiations were very far along.  Commissioners Litsky and Skolnik said that they wanted a commitment that there would be a supermarket included in the development.

They reported that the Mall would close at the end of May that they planned to have 1,000,000 sq. ft., about 40% of the project, completed early in 2009, that 400,000 sq. ft. of residential would be accelerated, and that the office towers will be built to LEED silver standard. The second phase of the PUD will be filed within five years.

Southwest Waterfront

Eleanor Bacon, Dessa Seeley Ruffin and Sean Seaman of Hoffman Steuver, the selected developers of the Waterfront presented an update on current plans for the 4 acre project. Ms. Bacon introduced Sean Seaman as the person who will be the liaison with the Southwest community.  They reported that the NCRC land swap had taken place, and the next step was for the City Council to approve the Exclusive Rights Agreement between the developers and the District, scheduled for April 19th.  After the approval, they will be hiring Master Planners and Marina consultants and start working with the community on planning. 

 

The timeline on the project is for construction to begin in 2009, will be open by 2012 and completed by 2014.  They have met with the people living at the waterfront, and will continue to do so, although the design process cannot begin until the ERA is approved. 

Finally, they said they want to be inclusive and work with the community every step of the process.

 

1111 New Jersey Avenue SE

Bob Donahoe, the developer, Mark Nathanson, the architect, and Jeff Johnson of Holland& Knight, their attorney presented their request for support of a special exception to the rear yard requirement for an office building at 1111 New Jersey Avenue SE, at a BZA hearing scheduled for May 4th.

 

The building, located between M and L Streets, abuts a 21.5 foot alley on its west, and wants to reduce the alley space in order to increase the footprint of the building without changing the 165,000 square foot building or its FAR, enabling them to 11 stories with 11’ ceilings instead of 12 stories with 9l ceilings.  The Applicant said they had agreement from the two other building projects in that square, but had not had any conversation with St. Matthew’s Church or the beauty supply store on L Street about providing any benefits to those entities, saying that because it is a matter of right project they did not have to provide any benefits to the community. Motion: Commissioner. Sobelsohn moved/Commissioner McBee seconded a motion to oppose the request because the Applicant has not proffered sufficient community benefits to warrant support.  Commissioner Siegel recused himself.  The motion passed 3-1-2, with Commissioner Litsky in opposition, and Commissioners Skolnik and Hamilton abstaining.

 

 6.   New Business

Resolution on DC Voting Rights

Antonette E. Russell, of DC Vote, spoke about the Emancipation Day march on the Capitol in support of pending legislation to give the District a vote in Congress.  A resolution in support of the legislation was presented for ANC approval.  Motion: Commissioner Litsky moved/Commissioner Hamilton seconded a motion to support the resolution in support of DC voting rights.  It passed 7-0.

 

Marine Corps Marathon

Sandra Osborn, representing the Marine Corps Marathon, presented information on the October race, and asked for a letter of support to the Office of Emergency Management. Motion: Commission Sobelsohn moved/Commissioner Skolnik seconded a motion to support the Marine Corps Marathon.  It passed 7-0.

 

DC Citizens Corps

Amy Ward, Director of the Office on Citizen Participation, made a presentation on CERT Training—classes to prepare citizens to be first responder volunteers during an emergency.  She urged people to sign up and participate in an important job.

Army Ten-Miler Race

George Banker, representing the Army Ten-Miler race, presented information on the September race and asked for a letter of support to the Office of Emergency Management.  Motion: Commissioner Sobelsohn made/Commissioner Skolnik seconded a motion to support the request for support of the Army Ten-Miler.  It passed 7-0.

 7.   Committee Reports

Development

Potbelly Sandwich Works

Commissioner Sobelsohn reported that there was one area of the agreement between the ANC and Potbelly that still had to be worked out, and he would report back in May.

St. Augustine’s Church

Commissioner Sobelsohn reported that the grant proposal had been forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General, which had delayed in producing a response.  That too will be reported on in May.

Committee Chair Naomi Monk reported that the Committee is considering two grant applications, and announced the next committee meeting.

Teen crime Summit

Commissioner McBee asked for a grant for a 1D Teen Crime Summit, to be held on May 5th, as an outgrowth of the 1D Crime Summit held last month.  The request if for $1000 to purchase tee shirts for the 100 attendees, and art supplies with which to decorate the shirts.  The request was being made to the full ANC without going through the Committee because of the timing of the event.  Mr. McBee gave assurances that the attendees at the event covered all parts of 1D, and that students from Southwest would be represented.  Motion: Commissioner Skolnik moved/Commissioner Siegel seconded a motion to grant the organizers of the Teen Summit $1000 for tee shirts.  It passed 5-0-2, with Commissioners Moffatt and Sobelsohn abstaining.  Motion: Commissioner Sobelsohn moved that the ANC be informed of how many participants from ANC 6D attended the event.  The motion did not receive a second.  Commissioner McBee said that a report would be issued after the Summit which will include that information.

 8.   Approval of Minutes

Motion: Commissioner Litsky moved/Commissioner Skolnik moved to accept the February minutes of the ANC, which were approved by a vote of 5-0-2, with Commissioners Hamilton and Sobelsohn abstaining.

Motion: Commissioner Sobelsohn moved/Commissioner Litsky seconded a motion to table the March minutes until the May meeting, which passed by a vote of 6-0-1, with Commissioner Siegel abstaining.

 7.   Treasurer’s Report

Commissioner Skolnik presented the Treasurer's Report for March 12 – April 9, 2007.  A copy of his report is attached to these minutes.  ANC 6D has $43,017.78 in current funds.  The savings account has $5,131.42, including an interest payment of $2.18.  The report includes expenses submitted for approval staff salary, $554.10 (Check #309), $98.61 to Verizon for telephone services (Check #310); $90 to St. Augustine’s Church for space rental (Check #311).  Motion: Commissioner Skolnik made/Commissioner Litsky seconded a motion to approve the April report and to authorize payment of the expenses. The motion passed 7-0.

 

 8.     Chairman’s Report

 

The Chairman reported on an Administrative Committee meeting at which discussion continued grant procedures and committee structure and ways to streamline ANC business meetings.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 pm.