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Parts of Southwest may be at increased risk of flooding, according to studies now underway by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and the US Army Corps of Engineers. This information, and steps that residents can take to save money on potential increases in flood insurance, was discussed by Mary Wiedorfer of KCI consultants to the DC Department of the Environment at Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D’s September meeting.
The Potomac Park Levee extends from 23rd Street NW to a new levee that will be completed in December at the Washington Monument grounds at 17th Street NW. Wiedorfer said that while this levee will protect the District from river flooding, the risk of flooding from interior drainage such as excessive rainfall has increased in the Federal Triangle district, parts of the National Mall and portions of Southwest, going south from the Capitol grounds and including about 2,000 households in Capitol Park and other residential areas. In January 2010, the District will release new maps for this flood plane, which will show these areas as a Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone A), up from low to moderate risk (Zone X) and, for property owners, requiring the purchase of flood insurance.
Next May the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) will go into effect. However, the maps detailing the risk for each property will be available in January 2010. Flood insurance rates are set by FEMA and vary depending on the features of each property. If a homeowner purchases flood insurance prior to the date the FIRMs go into effect, it will be available at reduced rates. The reduced rates will be continued once the FIRMs are effective, and will convey with property when it is sold.
More information is available at the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) website at www.ddoe.dc.gov/floodplainmap, and www.floodsmart.gov, or from Tim Karikari at DDOE, 202-535-2248.
Southwest Safeway Commits to Improvements
More than 200 people attended a community meeting on the deteriorated conditions at the Southwest Safeway, according to Commissioner David Sobelsohn. The community’s motivation was the store’s application to sell beer and wine at their new 55,000-square-foot store, which will be located in the new building at Waterfront Station located directly behind the current store.
The meeting was attended by several Safeway executives, Lt. Nick Gallucci of MPD’s First District, and David Smith, representing the developers.
Sobelsohn reported that Safeway representatives said several issues troubling the community had been resolved, including the reopening of the restrooms to the public, the hiring of new managers and additional baggers, and an improvement in the produce department. Safeway will hire 75 new employees and have a camera to monitor wine and beer sales.
Community comments at the meeting focused on the lack of stock, staffing problems, inadequate signage on stock and sale items, and the general cleanliness of the store. Questions were also raised about loiterers outside the store. Sobelsohn said that the Safeway Task Force would be meeting with Safeway staff within the week after the ANC meeting to follow up.
The ANC subsequently voted unanimously to support the granting of a Class B liquor license to the new Safeway for the sale of wine and beer.
Waterfront Station Construction Schedule
David Smith reported on progress on the construction at Waterfront Station and announced that the reopened section of Fourth Street going from M Street to I Street will be completed in February, and the two buildings will be completed in March. He also said that they will be announcing some retail establishments in the near future.
Support for Amendment to Affordable Housing Legislation
Nina Albert of the Deputy Mayor’s Office on Economic Development requested the support of the ANC for an amendment to the Affordable Housing Act (Bill no. 18-304) that will correct a technical problem that arose as a result of the absorption of the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation (AWC) into the Office of Economic Development that affects the flexibility in building affordable housing in projects at the Southwest Waterfront, Hill East and Poplar Point. The legislation will re-establish the same regulations for housing at both 30 percent and 60 percent of the AMI (Average Mean Income) that was included in the original AWC mandate. She also emphasized the fact that there was a strong provision providing a 20-year covenant on condo units and a 50-year covenant on rental units, making it a long-term provision.
A question was raised about the lack of workforce housing, which is at 80 percent to 120 percent of AMI, and would provide housing opportunities for people like teachers, police and firefighters. Albert said that it would be worthwhile to have a debate on workforce housing, but this legislation is focused on an aggressive push for affordable housing.
The commission voted to send a letter to the DC Council supporting the legislation.
In Brief, the ANC
- heard a report from Commissioner Jane Jorgensen about the pond at the park at Sixth and I streets SW, which, because of a broken pump, has an erratically bubbling fountain causing mosquitoes and an excess of algae in the pond. The District Department of Parks and Recreation says it will cost $17,000 for a new pump, but their plumbers are keeping the pond clean with tablets and keeping the fountain running with a makeshift fix. A motion to send a letter to DPR was tabled when Commissioner Ron McBee reported that the Rev. Brian Hamilton, of Westminster Presbyterian Church, thought he knew how to repair the fountain.
- voted unanimously to research and comment on a provision in the current draft of the new District Comprehensive Plan that proposes the implementation of an Inter-modal Transportation Center at the Banneker Overlook at the Southwest Waterfront.
- supported an amendment to the Southeast Federal Center Zoning Overlay that will permit the Trapeze School to move to The Yards in Southeast from its current location at the old Convention Center site.
- agreed unanimously to write letters of support for three walks: the Help the Homeless Walkathon on Nov. 20, the Walk to Fight Diabetes on Oct. 24, and the finale of the Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk, which will use only sidewalks, on Oct. 9.
- agreed unanimously, because of recent legislation discouraging the use of plastic bags, to eliminate a requirement that liquor store owner use clear bags for single sales.
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