Condo at 100 Percent
The structure at the corner lot of 1137 C St. NE is a two-unit dwelling, which the developer, Pius Mutah, plans to expand to five units, with a three-story addition to cover just about 100 percent of the lot. Commissioner Nick Alberti was emphatic when he repeated, “The staff got it wrong,” that The Historic Preservation Review Board will include Mutah’s request for special exceptions for this construction at their November hearing, despite ANC 6A asking for a one-month postponement. Additionally, HPRB circumvented the requirement of giving a 30-day notice to the ANC by posting the case without action in July.

ANC Chair Joseph Fengler added, “We’re trying to stop over-density – it’s not right.”

The commission will send “an absolutely wonderful letter,” said Alberti, penned by Economic Development and Zoning Committee member Annie Swingen, to HPRB, asking them to reconsider their agenda, while reminding them of their obligation to comply with DC code, stipulating advance written notification to the appropriate ANC 30 days before taking action.

DCRA Selective Compliance
In January, Alberti asked the Inspector General’s office to investigate possible construction permit fraud at 1405 North Carolina Ave. NE. The IG sent two requests for information to the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, both of which were ignored. The case has now escalated to the mayor’s office. Fengler suggested that EDZC Chair Drew Ronneberg invite DCRA to the EDZC meeting. Having already done so to no avail, Ronneberg has good company in the IG. Alberti advised commissioners, “My plan is to craft a letter to Linda Argo [DCRA director], then to the mayor.”

A Broad Study
Concerned Citizens of Eastern Washington wants the ANC to sign on to a request for a broad transportation study (they were at ANC 6C’s October meeting for the same purpose). This came out of the Transportation Committee, with committee member Lance Brown representing.

Commissioner Bill Schultheiss, a transportation engineer, had some serious concerns. “I understand where this is coming from,” he said, “but there are several underlying issues – this is a study of traffic of half the city!”

Alberti explained that this is “basically a request that the city do a comprehensive mobility study, a broad study of traffic impact,” including how NoMA development will affect traffic in Ward 7.

Schultheiss challenged the study as unrealistic, “asking to predict traffic 20 years from now.”

Commissioner David Holmes did not agree. “I enthusiastically support this motion; it may be that my concerns are misplaced, that I don’t understand,” he stated. “This will do a great disservice to Ward 8 and part of Ward 7 – it will shuffle them straight to Capitol Hill.”

Schultheiss argued, “If we send [the letter of support to Mayor Fenty] now, it will be linked to the 11th Street Bridge politically.” (This bridge is an issue under current review. See www.11thstreetbridgeseis.com/default.asp for more information.) Tom Grahame, chair of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society Transportation Committee, suggested, “You could clarify that this has nothing to do with the 11th Street Bridge.”

Fengler was not convinced, and stated, “I hear what you’re saying, but I feel extremely uncomfortable making a recommendation. ... I don’t see the urgency.” The topic will go back to the ANC 6A Transportation Committee for consideration at their November meeting.

Rosedale – So Money
Commissioner Gladys Mack reported that Mayor Fenty did a walkthrough of the Rosedale neighborhood Nov. 7 and has another scheduled for the end of the month. Mack pointed out DCRA’s mistakes as they walked but “stopped counting at 25 within two blocks.” Mack met with the Department of Parks and Recreation, which is putting up $1 million for the Rosedale Recreation Center. And lastly, the Benning Road project: “It’s a good project ... it’s time to get some attention,” she said.

In the Works

• After an armed robbery in the parking lot at Lovejoy Lofts, Commissioner Mary Beatty is working at getting the lights on.
• Schultheiss is trying to get valet parking for The Atlas Theater, as it would benefit patrons as well as residents.
• The eradication of a band of delinquents at 10th and G Streets will be a focus at the next PSA 102 meeting.
• The Office of the Attorney General has finished and approved contracts for H Street Streetcars. The request for proposal process will open soon and will be within a short window.
• For those who enjoyed the ongoing discourse over what to do with the old fire and police stations a few years back, you’re in luck. The Office of Property Management wants to know what ANC 6A would like done with them. Fengler suggested they read the many letters on the topic, which are all posted at www.anc6a.org, and then they will go from there.
• Out of a concerning number of accidents and injuries on C Street and Constitution Avenue, Holmes encouraged the Transportation Committee to look into bulged sidewalks or other measures to increase traffic safety along these corridors.

Roll Call
Present at the Nov. 8 ANC 6A meeting were Chair Joseph Fengler (6A02); Vice-Chair David Holmes (6A03); Treasurer Nicholas Alberti (6A04); Mary Beatty (6A05), Alcohol Beverage Licensing chair; Secretary Bill Schultheiss (6A06); and Gladys Mack (6A07). Commissioners Raphael Marshall (6A01) and Stephanie Nixon (6A08), Public Safety chair, were absent.

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 absent.