Minutes

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3D

October 4, 2006

The regularly scheduled monthly meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by Chair Alma Gates.  Other commissioners present: Heuer, Haas, Thompson and Wells. Commissioner Shapley was absent with notice and Commissioner Mullane gave notice that he would  be late.  There were about 10 people in the audience.

Police Report

Officer McElwee gave the monthly police report.  There were 14 crimes in PSA 205 in the past month. Ten theft, 2 theft from auto. There was a 57% reduction in crime from the same period last year. 

There were 521 traffic tickets issued in September; the bulk were for speeding, improper use of cell phones, violation of No parking / No stopping signs, and cars running red lights. Officer McElwee has begun patrolling the 2800 block of Arizona (at issue re: school crossing) once a week, and will gather data on in-state/out-of-state plates. Right now there’s a speed machine (displays vehicle speed) on the 4800 block of MacArthur, and this will also be rotated to Arizona Avenue.

Commissioner Wells asked if there could be stepped-up patrol of Rockwood Parkway where it comes down toward Overlook (there’s a stop sign at the bottom).

Community Concerns

Traffic Issues: Jeff Jennings, ANC 3D liaison to the Department of Transportation, reported on a visit by DDOT director Michele Porciau to the Palisades Citizens Association. He said several streets – Sherier, Potomac, and Foxhall – are “in the queue” for paving. WASA has pledged its support to help out drainage and lead replacement issues.

Concerning Sibley Hospital’s proposed medical office building, Jennings said Sibley had provided to DDOT data on mid-day traffic in the hospital area. He said DDOT is also seeking more information regarding pedestrian safety. Jennings provided copies of Sibley’s most recent data submission to the commission and there were some comments and questions. He said the issue of whether Sibley would pay for a new intersection at Dalecarlia Parkway and Loughboro was still being discussed, with DDOT set to provide cost data to Sibley. Regarding additional data on vehicle speeds on Dalecarlia, Jennings said DDOT had just put in place tubes to document the volume and speed of vehicles.

Updates and New Business

Statement by Commissioner Heuer: Commissioner Heuer read a prepared statement concerning what in hindsight, she said, may have appeared to be a conflict of interest in the Commission’s May vote on St. Patrick’s application to build a new school on Foxhall Road. She stated that two of her grandchildren who lived in New Orleans were admitted free of charge to St. Patrick’s school after Hurricane Katrina.  In retrospect, she said she should have recused herself from the vote.

Her statement said she also wanted to make clear that she did not “consort” with potential applicants that appear before the Commission for liquor license or zoning issues.  These applicants are not heard by the Commission until they file. Stipulated liquor licenses are taken on a case by case basis.

Commissioners discussed new by-laws adopted by the Commission last spring and the language on conflict of interest. Commission Thompson expressed concern about the final two sentences of Commissioner Heuer’s statement, which she said appear to relate to earlier Commission history and were confusing in this context. Commissioner Thompson asked Commissioner Heuer to strike sentences concerning liquor licenses before submitting her statement. Commissioner Heuer agreed to do so.

GWU Pelham Hall: Commissioner Heuer reported on a public meeting held by George Washington University to unveil plans for redevelopment of Pelham Hall, an on-campus residential facility. The meeting was attended by a university lawyer, an architect, and a real estate developer who worked on the Mt. Vernon campus plan in 1999. This matter may come before the Commission within the next 2-3 months.

The 1999 proceeding was very contentious and included arbitration with a community group called The Neighborhood Alliance. Chairman Gates read from a Neighborhood Alliance outline of the agreement, which calls for a new dormitory building with a fixed footprint and 70,000 square feet of space (the existing building is 48,000 square feet). 

Commissioner Heuer reported that GW is now proposing to increase the building to 125,000 square feet including an eating facility for 400 students and classrooms.  This would change the pattern of all movement on campus.

Sibley Hospital ZC Consolidated PUD and Zoning Map Amendment: Commissoner Thompson provided a quick update:

·         A group of neighbors, “Sibley Neighbors for Responsible Growth,” has filed for opposition status in the proceeding.

·         The Zoning Commission hearing is scheduled for Thursday, October 12^th.

·         The Office of Planning in its final report to the Zoning Commission said it could not make a final recommendation on the project based on the information it has. However OP does state that it supports the ANC’s recommendation for zoning map amendment to SP-1 versus SP-2, and for elimination of two floors above grade.

·         Sibley is likely to present a revised proposal at the hearing which the ANC has had no opportunity to review.

The Commission discussed various scenarios for the Zoning Commission hearing and how the ANC should respond.

Commissioner Mullane arrived at 8:25 PM.

Ward 3 Council Candidate Forum: Chairman Gates moved onto the agenda discussion of whether ANC 3D might support a candidate forum for Ward 3 Council seat along with other ANCs. No specific date has been proposed.

Commissioner Thompson moved in favor of joining other Ward 3 ANCs to co-sponsor a Ward 3 candidate forum. Chairman Gates seconded. A 6-0 vote was taken in favor.

Request for a curb cut for 4847 Rockwood Parkway – Mr./Mrs. Mark Knebel

This property is in Commissioner Wells’ district.

Chairman Gates noted that while the current application is for a second curb cut, to date no curb cut at all has been approved. There is currently one finished driveway in place with a curb cut an apron. A second driveway has been poured and is finished but for the curb cut and apron. The Knebels had said they could not attend the meeting due to a family event, and no neighbors appeared to either support or oppose the application.

Commissioner Wells presented her findings on other curb cuts in the area. Most houses with more than one curb cut on Rockwood have more open space on the lot. In her survey she found 34 houses along lower Rockwood with one or no curb cuts, and 13 with two curb cuts. Commissioners observed that most of the Knebels’ property is built, paved or otherwise covered. A pool house is also under construction on the left rear of the property and is visible from the street and to neighbors.

Commissioner Wells moved that the Commission approve a single driveway cut at 4847 Rockwood, but deny a second curb/apron. The vote was 6-0-0.

Commission Business

Minutes: Minutes for the regular September meeting were approved with additions by Commissioner Haas.  Commissioner Thompson (Secretary of the ANC) reminded Commissioners that a request for changes had been sent two weeks prior.  Please get changes in before the meeting so correct minutes will be included in the packages.

Budget for 2006-07 was presented for final approval.  A discussion was held concerning appropriating $10,000 in case an expert counsel is needed in a zoning issue coming up this year. Commissioner Ann Heuer moved and Commissioner Thompson seconded this modification  A vote of 6-0 was taken to allow up to $10,000 for expert assistance to be approved at such time as it is needed.

Treasurer’s report:  There is currently $21,642.18 in the Bank of America checking account.  An allotment was approved with the deduction of $120 = this was the amount that former Chair Jill Stern had to charge to maintain our website – it had been approved by the Commission but disallowed by Auditor.

The next meeting will be November lst, 2006.

Rachel Thompson