Hill Rag

ANC 6C Report

by: Nancy G. Rosen

With four of the nine ANC6C Commissioners absent, the April 12 meeting of ANC 6C was just able to met its quorum requirement in order to proceed with the meeting and voting on agenda items. With few exceptions, the agenda weighed heavily on zoning and development. The most notably discussion of the evening highlighted the ongoing contentious debate between the rights of District residents and perceived needed security measures to protect federal assets located on Capitol Hill--in this case, the proposed installation of security barriers and bollards near to residential properties on 2nd and A Streets, NE to protect the grounds of the Supreme Court Building (item discussed under zoning).

Commissioner and Community Announcements

Street Closures – Commissioner Charlie Docter introduced two street closing permit applications for upcoming events, both receiving ANC approval: the American Diabetes Association Walk/Run scheduled for June 11, and the Novo Nordisk American Academy of Family Physicians 5 K Walk/Run which will be held on Sept. 30.

Mayor’s Office Announcements - Mary Ann Floto of the Mayor’s Office made a brief presentation describing Emancipation Day festivities scheduled for April 17, and distributed materials outlining the “Citizens’ Budget”, which highlights the Mayor’s budget and financial plan for fulfilling citizens’ priorities in fiscal year 2007.

Ward Six Council Race – Chairman Mark Dixon introduced Will Cobb, the newest Ward Six City Council candidate who was allowed to make a very brief statement with no follow-up questions asked by Commissioners. Dixon also announced the upcoming Ward Six Council Candidates Forum scheduled for April 25.

Zoning and Planning Committee

Zoning Committee Chair, Bill Sisolak reported on the following items:

Supreme Court Building Security/200 A St., NE – “Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger.” Committee Chair Sisolak reflected on this excerpt taken from a quote, which ironically was not made in light of recent responses to the threat of terrorist activity in this country. It was uttered from a jail cell in Nuremberg, Germany in April 1946 by Hermann Goring, a Nazi Party leader convicted and sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. Sisolak’s comments served as a haunting prelude for the ensuing discussion on whether to approve plans allowing the installation of pop-up underground barriers and street bollards on the residential sidewalk and roadway of 2nd and A Streets, NE behind the Supreme Court Building. The plan, if approved, would include five weeks of noisy and inconvenient construction, and the temporary removal of trees and parking spaces on both sides of the block. It might, however, have a permanent impact on the property value of the historic homes in the area, and create a lasting sense of unease among area residents. The security measures are intended to block up to a 1500 pound truck carrying explosives from reaching the grounds of the Supreme Court. Residents are concerned that the proposed placement of the barriers might redirect a blast toward their homes, in effect, accusing the Court of using their homes as a blast shield. The impassioned discussion from both affected residents and Court representatives ended in a stand-off with most believing that the perceived need for national security in the nation’s capitol will surely outweigh the rights of already disenfranchised District residents. While the ANC voted unanimously to deny the application, the item will proceed for review by the city’s Public Space Committee at their April 27 meeting. Stay tuned…

800 New Jersey Ave., NW – Not realizing his original dream to develop the free-standing triangular property that now houses the new National Association of Realtors building at 500 New Jersey Ave., developer Jay Hellman is now seeking ANC support to move ahead with a very similar design project just a few blocks north. The new site located at 800 New Jersey Ave. is currently owned by the National Capitol Redevelopment Corporation (NCRC). Hellman is proposing to enter into a partnership with NCRC to construct an office building on this site, with a second proposal to construct a mixed-use building, which would include residential units on the lot across the street at 777 New Jersey Ave. While ANC Commissioners did not express any objection to Hellman’s design concepts, many cited concerns that NCRC may not be so eager to enter into this joint venture. With one abstention by Comm. Docter, the ANC voted to send a letter of support for the project to NCRC.

17 Sixth Street NE – the Commission voted unanimously to approve the application allowing demolition of a 1950’s style yellow brick house described as a “non-contributing” building to the historic district. Macy Whitney, owner of the property is proposing to replace this structure with a new townhouse designed to be more in keeping with the design and character of other historic buildings in the neighborhood.

1111 North Capitol Street –The ANC voted to support the application granting historic designation of the 1927 Telephone Building at this location which is part of the Historic Warehouse Study, and also considered as one of the city’s “art deco” industrial buildings. Developers seeking to construct an office building on this site have no objections to the application for historic designation as their design plan will incorporate the 1927 structure.

717 6th Street NW – Hayden Wetzel of the DC Preservation League and Linda Lyons of the Art Deco Society received unopposed support from the ANC in their efforts to have this building designated as a historic landmark. Surrounded on all sides by towering high-rise condos, office buildings, and hotels, this charming two story, stand-alone building constructed in 1928 was part of the original “Printer’s Row”. The building façade contains four large carved stone panels depicting scenes illustrating the beginnings of the printing industry; which in the early part of the century, was the second largest industry in the District following government. Two of the decorative panels are now completely hidden behind a glaring neon sign for Coyote Ugly, the club which currently occupies the building. And ugly it is.

The next ANC6C meeting will be held at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, May 10 12 at the Heritage Foundation located at 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. For more information, visit www.ANC6C.org, or call: 202-421-4511.


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ANC 6C Report

by: Nancy G. Rosen
With four of the nine ANC6C Commissioners absent, the April 12 meeting of ANC 6C was just able to met its quorum requirement in order to proceed with the meeting and voting on agenda items. With few exceptions, the agenda weighed heavily on zoning and development. The most notably discussion of the evening highlighted the ongoing contentious debate between the rights of District residents and perceived needed security measures to protect federal assets located on Capitol Hill--in this case, the proposed installation of security barriers and bollards near to residential properties on 2nd and A Streets, NE to protect the grounds of the Supreme Court Building (item discussed under zoning). Commissioner and Community Announcements Street Closures – Commissioner Charlie Docter introduced two street closing permit applications for upcoming events, both receiving ANC approval: the American Diabetes Association Walk/Run scheduled for June 11, and the Novo Nordisk American Academy of Family Physicians 5 K Walk/Run which will be held on Sept. 30. Mayor’s Office Announcements - Mary Ann Floto of the Mayor’s Office made a brief presentation describing Emancipation Day festivities scheduled for April 17, and distributed materials outlining the “Citizens’ Budget”, which highlights the Mayor’s budget and financial plan for fulfilling citizens’ priorities in fiscal year 2007. Ward Six Council Race – Chairman Mark Dixon introduced Will Cobb, the newest Ward Six City Council candidate who was allowed to make a very brief statement with no follow-up questions asked by Commissioners. Dixon also announced the upcoming Ward Six Council Candidates Forum scheduled for April 25. Zoning and Planning Committee Zoning Committee Chair, Bill Sisolak reported on the following items: Supreme Court Building Security/200 A St., NE – “Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger.” Committee Chair Sisolak reflected on this excerpt taken from a quote, which ironically was not made in light of recent responses to the threat of terrorist activity in this country. It was uttered from a jail cell in Nuremberg, Germany in April 1946 by Hermann Goring, a Nazi Party leader convicted and sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. Sisolak’s comments served as a haunting prelude for the ensuing discussion on whether to approve plans allowing the installation of pop-up underground barriers and street bollards on the residential sidewalk and roadway of 2nd and A Streets, NE behind the Supreme Court Building. The plan, if approved, would include five weeks of noisy and inconvenient construction, and the temporary removal of trees and parking spaces on both sides of the block. It might, however, have a permanent impact on the property value of the historic homes in the area, and create a lasting sense of unease among area residents. The security measures are intended to block up to a 1500 pound truck carrying explosives from reaching the grounds of the Supreme Court. Residents are concerned that the proposed placement of the barriers might redirect a blast toward their homes, in effect, accusing the Court of using their homes as a blast shield. The impassioned discussion from both affected residents and Court representatives ended in a stand-off with most believing that the perceived need for national security in the nation’s capitol will surely outweigh the rights of already disenfranchised District residents. While the ANC voted unanimously to deny the application, the item will proceed for review by the city’s Public Space Committee at their April 27 meeting. Stay tuned… 800 New Jersey Ave., NW – Not realizing his original dream to develop the free-standing triangular property that now houses the new National Association of Realtors building at 500 New Jersey Ave., developer Jay Hellman is now seeking ANC support to move ahead with a very similar design project just a few blocks north. The new site located at 800 New Jersey Ave. is currently owned by the National Capitol Redevelopment Corporation (NCRC). Hellman is proposing to enter into a partnership with NCRC to construct an office building on this site, with a second proposal to construct a mixed-use building, which would include residential units on the lot across the street at 777 New Jersey Ave. While ANC Commissioners did not express any objection to Hellman’s design concepts, many cited concerns that NCRC may not be so eager to enter into this joint venture. With one abstention by Comm. Docter, the ANC voted to send a letter of support for the project to NCRC. 17 Sixth Street NE – the Commission voted unanimously to approve the application allowing demolition of a 1950’s style yellow brick house described as a “non-contributing” building to the historic district. Macy Whitney, owner of the property is proposing to replace this structure with a new townhouse designed to be more in keeping with the design and character of other historic buildings in the neighborhood. 1111 North Capitol Street –The ANC voted to support the application granting historic designation of the 1927 Telephone Building at this location which is part of the Historic Warehouse Study, and also considered as one of the city’s “art deco” industrial buildings. Developers seeking to construct an office building on this site have no objections to the application for historic designation as their design plan will incorporate the 1927 structure. 717 6th Street NW – Hayden Wetzel of the DC Preservation League and Linda Lyons of the Art Deco Society received unopposed support from the ANC in their efforts to have this building designated as a historic landmark. Surrounded on all sides by towering high-rise condos, office buildings, and hotels, this charming two story, stand-alone building constructed in 1928 was part of the original “Printer’s Row”. The building façade contains four large carved stone panels depicting scenes illustrating the beginnings of the printing industry; which in the early part of the century, was the second largest industry in the District following government. Two of the decorative panels are now completely hidden behind a glaring neon sign for Coyote Ugly, the club which currently occupies the building. And ugly it is. The next ANC6C meeting will be held at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, May 10 12 at the Heritage Foundation located at 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. For more information, visit www.ANC6C.org, or call: 202-421-4511.