Hill Rag | August 2007

ANC 6A

by: Heather Schoell

Commissioners present at the July 12 meeting: Chairman Joseph Fengler, 6A02; Raphael Marshall, 6A01; Vice Chair David Holmes, 6A03; Treasurer Nicholas Alberti, 6A04; Mary Beatty, 6A05 and Alcohol Beverage Licensing chair; Secretary Bill Schultheiss, 6A06; Gladys Mack, 6A07; and Stephanie Nixon, 6A08 and Public Safety chair. Community resident chairs Drew Ronneberg of the Economic Development and Zoning Committee and Elizabeth Nelson of the Community Outreach Committee were present. Omar Mahmud of the Transportation and Public Space Committee was not.

Fast Food by Any Other Name
Joy Bennett, representing H Street Tropicana Restaurant, was on hand with Tchaka Sapp, the owner of Tropicana Eateries Inc., who has leased the building at 1016 H St. NE. Sapp was given a building permit by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs to “renovate an existing building to accommodate a fast food restaurant,” though Bennett and Sapp claim this categorization to be in error. Ronneberg said that given DCRA’s history of mistakes, he is inclined to believe this was another. To make certain that everyone is on the same page, Sapp was given a letter to be signed by him, written by Ronneberg, to be sent to the Office of Zoning, outlying seven restaurant characteristics that they will follow, and asking that their permit be changed to restaurant status. Bennett agreed to six of the seven, including table service, tables bussed by staff, and non-disposable plates and flatware. What she could not agree to was that “the restaurant will primarily be an eat-in restaurant where patrons will be provided tables and chairs.”

Alberti said, “I want to clear the misconception that this ANC is against fast food...We’re well under 25 percent (the percentage per block that may be fast food, under the H Street Streetscape plans), so there’s plenty of room for new businesses...Unfortunately, if we don’t appeal now, we lose our voice.”

Marshall stated that he does not want fast food or liquor stores in his single member district, which this address is within. Ronneberg said, “My concern is that although I want them to come to H Street,” he doesn’t want to set a precedent for true fast food restaurants operating without a special exception permit by giving ANC approval to this one.

Based upon the ED&Z recommendation, 6A will appeal the building permit in its current state unless Sapp signs the letter, which may be viewed at www.anc6a.org.

Speaking of Liquor Stores on H
ANC 6A did it – the moratorium for sale of singles from the 700 to 1400 blocks of H will go into effect likely by September. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board will publish final rules in the DC Register by the end of July, after which businesses have 30 days to liquidate the products that they will no longer be allowed to sell.

Zoning Loopholes – Closed!
Fengler reported that the Zoning Commission closed a loophole which recently came to light when AppleTree Institute was trying to open a school on a small residential block. The loophole was that properties built prior to 1958 did not have to comply with current zoning regulations, even if the use has changed. “This is for the entire city,” Alberti explained. “The exemption no longer applies.”

Additionally, the loophole that allowed non-conforming multi-unit buildings to be expanded to even more non-conforming units is closed. Both loophole fixes are due to ANC 6A testimony to the Zoning Commission.

Vacant Property Task Force
Schultheiss has the ball rolling with the vacant property task force. A Maryland resident was receiving a homestead tax deduction for her house on Emerald Street, but isn’t any more. An interactive map of DCRA- and citizen-identified vacant properties is available on the ANC 6A Web site. According to the information therein, if you know of a property added to the map, e-mail 6a6cvacantproperties@gmail.com with a picture of the property, its address and the history of its vacancy (if known).

H Street Heritage Trail
Thomas Gallo, affiliated with Sticky Rice, is in the beginning stages of the creation of an H Street Heritage Trail. Gallo’s working with Cultural Tourism and is looking for your help. He needs support and knowledge – oral history, pictures and artifacts from the days of yore on H. To get an idea of current heritage trails, go to www.culturaltourismdc.org. To help Gallo, call 202-286-4343.

Aww, Thanks!
Commissioners agreed to send Nixon’s letter to the mayor (and on down the line) as a show of appreciation for the inter-agency efforts of the fire and police departments in cracking down on illegal fireworks. A second letter will go to the mayor and Police Chief Cathy Lanier in support of the outstanding work and dedication of First District Commander Diane Groomes.

Viggy’s – You’re Next
Beatty and the ABL will protest the license renewal of Viggy’s Liquor at 409 15th St. NE. Beatty plans to do a “spot protest” Aug. 8 – a modification of the license so Viggy’s can no longer sell singles. Fengler thought this to be brilliant and pointed out the unanimous vote in support of this idea.

Greening
Nixon reported that Community Action Group is putting in a greenhouse at Eastern High School. Beatty is getting five trees for her SMD through Casey Trees. Vanessa Ruffin reported that there is a new community garden – instead of graffiti – on Wylie Street.

No Ads?
Marshall proposed that the ANC 6A advertisement in this publication was not worth the money, which could be better put to use in the community. He said, “I’ve been monitoring” attendance at the monthly meetings, and the average is “10.6 people per meeting.”

Fengler pointed out their responsibility to keep the public informed of ANC meetings and said, “The ads have never stopped us from doing what we wanted to do.” (Like disbursing $6,000+ in grants so far this year.)
Mack is supportive of the Hill Rag’s ANC coverage. “I could not go to the meetings and know what went on if I weren't a commissioner,” she said. During community comments, Roy (a new face in the audience) said he rediscovered the ANC through the Hill Rag ad.

Clean Your (Class) Room
DC Public Schools Beautification Day is Aug. 25 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parents and friends of public schools are invited to work along with DCPS staff to ready the interior and the grounds for a fresh start for a new school year. Duties include litter collection, landscaping, cleaning and possibly painting. Visit www.anc6a.org for registration information or call 202-727-0488.

ANC 6A meetings are held at Miner Elementary (15th and G streets NE) at 7 p.m., the second Thursday of each month, except for August recess. Please see the ANC 6A advertisement in this publication to note possible committee meeting recesses. All are welcome. For more information, visit www.anc6a.org.


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ANC 6A

by: Heather Schoell
Commissioners present at the July 12 meeting: Chairman Joseph Fengler, 6A02; Raphael Marshall, 6A01; Vice Chair David Holmes, 6A03; Treasurer Nicholas Alberti, 6A04; Mary Beatty, 6A05 and Alcohol Beverage Licensing chair; Secretary Bill Schultheiss, 6A06; Gladys Mack, 6A07; and Stephanie Nixon, 6A08 and Public Safety chair. Community resident chairs Drew Ronneberg of the Economic Development and Zoning Committee and Elizabeth Nelson of the Community Outreach Committee were present. Omar Mahmud of the Transportation and Public Space Committee was not. Fast Food by Any Other Name Joy Bennett, representing H Street Tropicana Restaurant, was on hand with Tchaka Sapp, the owner of Tropicana Eateries Inc., who has leased the building at 1016 H St. NE. Sapp was given a building permit by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs to “renovate an existing building to accommodate a fast food restaurant,” though Bennett and Sapp claim this categorization to be in error. Ronneberg said that given DCRA’s history of mistakes, he is inclined to believe this was another. To make certain that everyone is on the same page, Sapp was given a letter to be signed by him, written by Ronneberg, to be sent to the Office of Zoning, outlying seven restaurant characteristics that they will follow, and asking that their permit be changed to restaurant status. Bennett agreed to six of the seven, including table service, tables bussed by staff, and non-disposable plates and flatware. What she could not agree to was that “the restaurant will primarily be an eat-in restaurant where patrons will be provided tables and chairs.” Alberti said, “I want to clear the misconception that this ANC is against fast food...We’re well under 25 percent (the percentage per block that may be fast food, under the H Street Streetscape plans), so there’s plenty of room for new businesses...Unfortunately, if we don’t appeal now, we lose our voice.” Marshall stated that he does not want fast food or liquor stores in his single member district, which this address is within. Ronneberg said, “My concern is that although I want them to come to H Street,” he doesn’t want to set a precedent for true fast food restaurants operating without a special exception permit by giving ANC approval to this one. Based upon the ED&Z recommendation, 6A will appeal the building permit in its current state unless Sapp signs the letter, which may be viewed at www.anc6a.org. Speaking of Liquor Stores on H ANC 6A did it – the moratorium for sale of singles from the 700 to 1400 blocks of H will go into effect likely by September. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board will publish final rules in the DC Register by the end of July, after which businesses have 30 days to liquidate the products that they will no longer be allowed to sell. Zoning Loopholes – Closed! Fengler reported that the Zoning Commission closed a loophole which recently came to light when AppleTree Institute was trying to open a school on a small residential block. The loophole was that properties built prior to 1958 did not have to comply with current zoning regulations, even if the use has changed. “This is for the entire city,” Alberti explained. “The exemption no longer applies.” Additionally, the loophole that allowed non-conforming multi-unit buildings to be expanded to even more non-conforming units is closed. Both loophole fixes are due to ANC 6A testimony to the Zoning Commission. Vacant Property Task Force Schultheiss has the ball rolling with the vacant property task force. A Maryland resident was receiving a homestead tax deduction for her house on Emerald Street, but isn’t any more. An interactive map of DCRA- and citizen-identified vacant properties is available on the ANC 6A Web site. According to the information therein, if you know of a property added to the map, e-mail 6a6cvacantproperties@gmail.com with a picture of the property, its address and the history of its vacancy (if known). H Street Heritage Trail Thomas Gallo, affiliated with Sticky Rice, is in the beginning stages of the creation of an H Street Heritage Trail. Gallo’s working with Cultural Tourism and is looking for your help. He needs support and knowledge – oral history, pictures and artifacts from the days of yore on H. To get an idea of current heritage trails, go to www.culturaltourismdc.org. To help Gallo, call 202-286-4343. Aww, Thanks! Commissioners agreed to send Nixon’s letter to the mayor (and on down the line) as a show of appreciation for the inter-agency efforts of the fire and police departments in cracking down on illegal fireworks. A second letter will go to the mayor and Police Chief Cathy Lanier in support of the outstanding work and dedication of First District Commander Diane Groomes. Viggy’s – You’re Next Beatty and the ABL will protest the license renewal of Viggy’s Liquor at 409 15th St. NE. Beatty plans to do a “spot protest” Aug. 8 – a modification of the license so Viggy’s can no longer sell singles. Fengler thought this to be brilliant and pointed out the unanimous vote in support of this idea. Greening Nixon reported that Community Action Group is putting in a greenhouse at Eastern High School. Beatty is getting five trees for her SMD through Casey Trees. Vanessa Ruffin reported that there is a new community garden – instead of graffiti – on Wylie Street. No Ads? Marshall proposed that the ANC 6A advertisement in this publication was not worth the money, which could be better put to use in the community. He said, “I’ve been monitoring” attendance at the monthly meetings, and the average is “10.6 people per meeting.” Fengler pointed out their responsibility to keep the public informed of ANC meetings and said, “The ads have never stopped us from doing what we wanted to do.” (Like disbursing $6,000+ in grants so far this year.) Mack is supportive of the Hill Rag’s ANC coverage. “I could not go to the meetings and know what went on if I weren't a commissioner,” she said. During community comments, Roy (a new face in the audience) said he rediscovered the ANC through the Hill Rag ad. Clean Your (Class) Room DC Public Schools Beautification Day is Aug. 25 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parents and friends of public schools are invited to work along with DCPS staff to ready the interior and the grounds for a fresh start for a new school year. Duties include litter collection, landscaping, cleaning and possibly painting. Visit www.anc6a.org for registration information or call 202-727-0488. ANC 6A meetings are held at Miner Elementary (15th and G streets NE) at 7 p.m., the second Thursday of each month, except for August recess. Please see the ANC 6A advertisement in this publication to note possible committee meeting recesses. All are welcome. For more information, visit www.anc6a.org.