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ANC3D MINUTES MAY 3, 2006 MEETING On May 3, 2006 at 7:00 PM, the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of ANC3D was called to order by Acting Chair Alma Gates. Commissioners present: Gates, Haas, Heuer and Thompson. There were about 50 people in the audience. Commissioners Shapley and Mullane arrived after the vote on new officers. Note: Sibley Memorial Hospital had on display, starting at 6:30 p.m., a model of the hospital’s proposed new medical office building and garage. Alma Gates read a letter of resignation submitted to the ANC by Jill Stern. Ms. Stern has accepted a full-time attorney position with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs and believes it would be a conflict of interest, and impractical from a workload perspective, to continue her role as ANC Commissioner. Commissioner Haas nominated Commissioner Gates to become the ANC chair. Commissioner Heuer seconded. The vote was 4-0-0. Commissioner Thompson then nominated Commissioner Heuer to become the vice chair. Commissioner Haas seconded. The vote was 4-0-0. ------------------------------------------- 1. Police Report – PSA 205
1.1. Officer Tony McElwee presented the monthly police report. There were a total of 8 crimes and 500 moving violations in April. A “smart machine” for measuring traffic speeds will be placed on Dalecarlia Parkway between Westmoreland Circle and Loughboro Road. 1.2. Question from audience concerning what to do about dumping of yard waste on the north side of Loughboro where there are no houses. Officer McElwee said to call 911 to report unlawful dumping. Depending on where it is taking place it could be a felony offense. 2. Community Concerns
2.1. Sally Strain reported that an Environmental Assessment has been released for the Georgetown University Boathouse and the plan is still to build this facility on federal parkland. Copies of the EA are available and the public has until June 15th to submit comments. She urged people to write to the Park Service and demand they do a more thorough Environmental Impact Statement. This can be done online. 2.2. Joe Slovinec, a former American University student who now lives at 425 Second Street, NW, asked the commission to support an investigation of American University on its lack of homelessness prevention. The chair explained that the request would be better served by Councilmember Patterson’s office. 2.3. Dawn Nazer, a resident of Palisades and teacher at the Fillmore Theater, said the theater will hold a two-week summer program in the latter half of July at Key School. 2.4. Complaint from audience about leaf removal on the 4800 block of MacArthur Boulevard, near the River School. Commissioner Thompson said she thinks the city is cleaning Ward 3 gutters in June. 2.5. Kent Slowinski, a resident of Foxhall, pointed out that U.S. Army Corps of Engineers representative Gary Schilling was in attendance. He asked Mr. Schilling to give a quick update on the latest perchlorate findings in the Spring Valley FUDS area. Mr. Schilling said the substance, which was used for firing missiles, has been found in two locations in concentrations that concern the Corps and the Environmental Protection Agency, and that groundwater and surface water studies are ongoing.
3. Presentation of model of Sibley Hospital campus with proposed new medical office building and garage – Jerry Price, chief operating officer, Sibley
3.1. The hospital was invited to make a short presentation of its model and to answer questions for a period of 10 minutes. Sibley’s presentation was made by Wilmot Sanz architect Dwight Fincher. 3.2. Commissioners asked about the height of the building relative to other buildings on the site. The MOB would be 90 feet plus up to 18 feet added height for mechanical equipment. The other building heights – 84 feet and 79 feet – also do not include mechanical. 3.3. There will be a five-level garage with two entrances and trees on the open (unroofed) top level; a new main entrance at Dalecarlia and Little Falls; and 90-100 doctors. 3.4. The MOB will include outpatient surgery and imaging, and the hospital’s data center, among other functions. 3.5. Commissioners asked for clarification on the number of seats planned for the auditorium. There were questions from the audience regarding the use of a green roof, the type of equipment on the roof and how much noise it will generate, and construction hours. An audience member questioned whether there is a need for an enlarged hospital in this area, and exactly what the building will be used for. 3.6. Chairman Gates asked when the hospital will be prepared to make a full architectural presentation, including a floor-by-floor description of the uses of the building. The hospital will be ready to do this in September. 3.7. The Zoning Commission’s hearing on the proposal will be keyed off the date that Sibley files its pre-hearing statement. Mr. Price said they expect to make this filing, including a final traffic study, toward the end of May. A hearing is expected in September or early October.
4. Bill Crews, Zoning Administrator, DCRA and Matt La Grant, Assistant Zoning Administrator
4.1. Mr. Crews explained that the purpose of zoning is to interpret, administer and enforce zoning regulations. He talked about his background and experience and that of Mr. LaGrant, and talked broadly about changes he expects to make in the way the Zoning Administrator’s office works. There is a search underway for DCRA positions including zoning inspectors. The goal is to assign one per ward. 4.2. Useful phone numbers: 202-442-STOP – illegal construction 202-442-4400 – general number for the zoning office 202-442-4476 – Bill Crews office 4.3. Mr. Crews went on to discuss particular zoning irregularities and address Commissioners’ questions. He clarified that his office does not have jurisdiction over raze permits; that is the function of the Building and Land Regulation Administration (BLRA) which is headed up by Lennox Douglas.
5. Update concerning BZA 17429 – Negotiations between Foxhall Community Citizens’ Association and Friends of St. Patrick’s on conditions for new upper school 5.1. The two groups are in negotiations about conditions for the proposed middle and upper school. The Board of Zoning Administration will hear the case on June 13. 5.2. FFCA members voted 36-1 to oppose St. Patrick’s unless these issues can be worked out, and authorized the FFCA board to negotiate on their behalf. 5.3. There are separate discussions about construction controls and architecture, which are issues of more immediate concern to residents of Colony Hill. 5.4. The Commission will formally revisit this issue by holding a special meeting on May 16th at 7 PM. The meeting will be held in Eckles Auditorium, Mt. Vernon College. 5.5. A letter to BZA will be written stating that ANC3D stated in its previous letter that it reserves the right to reconsider adding/amending new resolution on this application. 6. Consideration of Trip Generation Number for The Lab School Traffic Management Plan (BZA case #17383)
6.1. Chairman Gates reported that at the May 2 Board of Zoning Adjustment hearing on The Lab School, Commissioner Mitten had said the BZA lacks benchmarks to indicate whether or not the school is meeting its goal to reduce daily vehicle trips to the school. The BZA continued the case until May 16 to permit the applicant and the ANC to provide suggested benchmarks. 6.2. Starting with the Lab School’s current 175 vehicle trips per day as outlined by their Transportation expert, Marty Wells, the commission discussed various percentages and settled on a goal of reducing demand for trips by 10 percent in the 2007-2008 school year; another 10 percent in the 2008-1009 school year; and 5 percent in the 2009-2010 school year. 6.3. This goal was rendered as a motion which was introduced by Chairman Gates and seconded by Commissioner Mullane. The vote was 6-0-0. 7. Approval of 2101 Right-of-Way Dedication for Foxhall Road Widening 7.1 This matter came to the commission in the form of a Disapprove/Take No Action referral from the Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs’ Office of the Surveyor in regard to development on the Phillips Estate. 7.2 The commission concluded the proposed action is consistent with the outcome of the BZA proceeding in this matter. 7.3 Commissioner Haas, in whose district this property is located, moved to take no action to object to the dedication. Commission Mullane seconded. The vote was 6-0-0 not to object to the proposed action. 8. Renewal of Two Class A Liquor Licenses 8.1 Renewals are up for Bassin’s a/k/a MacArthur Liquors at 4877 MacArthur Boulevard, and Ace Beverage at 3301 New Mexico Avenue, N.W. 8.2 There were no complaints, no problems that were reported to the Commission or to the individual Commissioners. 8.3 Both licenses were approved for renewal 6-0-0. Motions were both introduced by Chairman Gates and seconded by Commissioner Mullane. 9. Commission Business 9.1 Chairman Gates circulated a request by Mr. Abasa, of 5232 Macomb Street, requesting a study to obtain a “Do Not Enter” traffic sign in the vicinity of St. David’s Church on Macomb Street. Commissioner Thompson reported she has a somewhat similar request from a resident on Watson Street, concerning cut-through traffic. Since both residents are in Commissioner Thompson’s district she will combine the requests and forward them to DDOT. 9.2 Chairman Gates reported that an appeal by Mr. Frank Economides to overturn the BZA’s adverse ruling in the matter of his retaining wall was denied. 9.3 Chairman Gates reported that an appeal by the ANC to the BZA for enforcement action against an illegal stable on the 2800 Chain Bridge Road property of Morton Bender was denied. She said that the Zoning Administrator’s recommendation is to restart the enforcement process with the issuance of a Notice of Violation. 10. Commissioner Thompson reported that as a result of a letter from Sibley Memorial Hospital president Robert Sloan, the Sibley working group would no longer meet with the hospital. She wanted to thank those residents who have given generously of their time and expertise: Don Velsey, Robert Herzstein and Mary Baluss. 11. The minutes from March 15th and April 5 were approved 6-0-0. 12. Treasurer’s report: There is currently a balance of $17,332.34 in the Bank of America checking account. 13. Quarterly financial report was presented for January 1-March 30. This was approved 6-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 10 pm. There will be a Special Meeting of ANC 3D on May 16th. The next regular meeting of ANC 3D is scheduled for June 7. Respectfully submitted, Rachel Thompson Secretary |
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