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ANC3D Minutes of July 2003
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Chair John W.
Finney called the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of ANC3D to order at
7:30 PM. All Commissioners except Commissioner Heuer were present.
A quorum was present at all times (4).
Community Concerns: Commissioner Shapley stated that July is the
deadline for planning month survey of trees that need to come down and
others that need to be
planted. The Act went into effect on June 15th.
BZA- 17039 – 2708 44th Street NW. Mr. And Mrs. McAdams moved into a
newly built home which city officials say exceeded zoning regulations by
building four stories in an area restricted to three. The McAdams must now
apply for variances for permits to allow the attic dormers, extra floor and
extra floor space. They have the support of their neighbors to apply for
these variances. They feel that they did not cause these problems and bought
in good faith from the dealer who had built the house on “spec.”
The Commissioners voted 6-0-0 to support the variances from provisions of
the Wesley heights overlay district, which ordinarily limits houses to three
stories and a 40’ height..
Mr. Lars Hydle, former ANC 3C Commissioner appeared before the Commission
concerning the boundaries of POLICE SERVICE AREAS (PSA), including
PSA 203. Mr. Hydle asked the ANC to support a realignment of boundaries for
PSAs in the city) that would match ANC districts and not Neighborhood
Clusters, as proposed by the Chief of Police. The proposed change would
have limited affect on PSA 203, which is already planned to approximately
match our present ANC area. The Commission agreed that the Cluster Plans
have not been effective tools for communities.
Putting that premise aside, ANC 3D voted 6-0-0 to support the following: "That
the first priority for new PSA boundaries be effective policing, combined
with consideration of neighborhood areas, and to the extent feasible,
following ANC boundaries."
Michael Lovendusky, a neighbor of the St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School’s
new building at Ashby and MacArthur has filed an appeal with the DC Court of
Appeals to overturn the zoning board’s decision to approve the schools
application. Mr. Lovendusky asked ANC3D to file an “amicus Curiae” with the
court (friend of the court) since the ANC’s are not allowed to take DC
Government agencies to court. After much discussion, Chair Finney stated
that he did not want to revisit the case. It had caused so much dissent
between neighbors earlier this year at three meetings and the Court was not
going to overturn the decision of the zoning board. Chair Finney said “we
have fought the good fight with all our might” and lost, now people should
try to live together.
4801 Indian Lane – Mr. And Mrs. Peskowitz owners, and their landscape
architect, Alan Garnass, and their zoning expert, Trish Cooper, appeared
before the Commission to ask for support in putting up a 7 foot high iron
fence on public space. The Peskowitz’ have purchased this property and are
completely redoing both the house and the landscaping.
As part of their plans, they want to shift existing hedges along Glenbrook
Road and Rockwood Parkway by 28 inches to provide improved sidewalk access.
They also want to replace three Bradford Pear trees with three willow trees.
The fence that they want to erect would be 17 feet from the curb along
Glenbrook Road and Rockwood Parkway.
After discussion the Commission voted 5-1-0 (dissenting vote: Shapley), to
disapprove this request. A letter will be written to the Public Space
Committee in DPW or DDOT with the following resolution. “ANC3D recommends
that the seven foot security fence be located on the property line on all
four sides of this property, and not on public space.”
Alex Momchilovich, owner of Ilija’s International Gourmet came before
the Commission seeking a stipulated license to serve liquor – on the
premises. (they now have a carryout license that allows them to sell beer
and wine for carryout only) but they hope to obtain a full restaurant
license. Momchilovich said that his parents started this business in 1976
and it used to have a booming business as a deli and sandwich shop but there
have been so many new restaurants started within a three/four block radius
that his business has almost forced him to close. He has gone from 17 to
four employees, he has built a restaurant that will hold 50 people, but many
won’t stay unless they can order a drink with their meal. The Commission
voted 6-0-0 to approve this stipulated license.
The treasurer’s report was presented. There is currently a balance of
$18,877.36 in the Bank of America checking account. This includes an
allotment of $6029.40, which was made June 25th.
The Third Quarter (FY2003) Report was presented and approved 6-0-0. This is
not due at the Auditor’s until the end of August, but ANC3D will not hold a
meeting in August.
The minutes from the June meeting were read and approved 6-0-0.
The next meeting will be September 2, 2003.
Respectfully submitted
Sarah Stowell Shapley
Secretary |
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