Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6B recently experimented with a mediation strategy enlisting volunteers from nearby ANCs to help resolve neighborhood disputes. At its March meeting, the commission saw the results of one such experiment and unanimously adopted a resolution commending those involved.

At the commission's February meeting, neighbors opposed renovation plans for 612 E St. SE, and the commission refused to support the historic preservation application (HPA# 08-112) for the project. At March's meeting, however, owner and neighbors appeared side by side with a mutually acceptable plan which the commission agreed to support. Resolution in this case was reached through the assistance of Tom Hamilton, who volunteered as mediator on behalf of ANC 6A.

The ANC's February position said the project was “disguising a zoning matter” as a historic preservation case. Of particular concern was the plan to remove a garage roof, thus subtracting that structure from lot occupancy calculation to make room for a larger-than-otherwise-permitted rear addition. New plans address neighbors' concerns but still rely on additional lot occupancy gained through partial garage roof removal. The ANC's resolution of support for renovations at 612 E St. SE – approved by a vote of 7 to 1 – notes a continuing concern about increasing lot occupancy through such methods.

Two Restaurants Request Increased Hours, Offerings
Café 8, at 424 Eighth St. SE, is requesting a substantial change to hours of operation; new hours would be 8 a.m.-11 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Sundays. With the Alcohol Beverage Commission (ABC) Committee noting no complaints about existing operations, the ANC unanimously voted “full support” for the change.

Taverna the Greek Islands is requesting a substantial change to its operations to offer longer hours as well as live music and dancing with an occasional cover charge; a voluntary agreement would limit live music and dancing to upstairs in the back, on Fridays and Saturdays, with karaoke on Wednesdays; most bands would be local, with no cover charged, and such charges would be at most twice a month.

Commissioner Ken Jarboe, who had served as acting chair of the ABC due to illnesses, noted that “the committee has long-standing concerns about nightclubs masquerading as restaurants.” However, he said, the voluntary agreement addresses areas of possible concern; in addition to those noted above, the owner agrees to limit dumpster activity to daytime hours, to adhere to noise regulations, and to keep the public space litter-free and clean. Jarboe also noted that the current request is for music and dancing for 50 persons, and space limitations would prevent a future owner from expanding nightclub-like operations. The ANC voted unanimously not to oppose the substantial change.

Schools and Recreational Facilities Considered
Brent and Schoolyard Greening: Tessa Muehllehner, representing the Brent Elementary “Schoolyard Greening Program,” described the school's current green space and playground facilities and outlined possible changes, still in the concept stage. The project was referred to the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Committee for detailed consideration.

In discussion of Brent, 301 North Carolina Ave. SE, Muehllehner briefly outlined neighborhood involvement with the school. As recently as 2005, 92 percent of Brent students commuted from outside Ward 6. Formation of “Brent Neighbors” and the introduction of a program for 3-year-olds has helped change the school's relationship to the neighborhood over the last few years.

Commissioner Francis Campbell discussed with Muehllehner concerns about current confusion in feeder patterns from the elementary school; depending on residence, students completing Brent's program now proceed to Jefferson Middle School in Southwest as well as Hine in Southeast (which consolidates next year with Eliot in Northeast). In conjunction with Capitol Hill Public School Parents, DCPS is working to improve that pattern, Muehllehner said.

Soccer Kick Fence at Watkins ; Larry Kaufer of Sports on the Hill provided an update on plans to build a soccer “kick fence” on Watkins Elementary School grounds, at 13th and E streets SE. A presentation last year, concerning what was then called a “kick wall,” led to concerns about creating a hiding place for drug and other illegal activities. Kaufer explained, however, that the one-eighth-inch steel strips create a see-through structure, and issues about noise and maintenance had been addressed to neighbors' satisfaction. Mike Barrett and his son, Jake, a current Watkins student and soccer player, brought supporting signatures from 20 of 22 nearby residents. Two neighbors, they reported, said they'd abide by the ANC's decision, and several could not be reached.

Despite a procedural question about entertaining a resolution during “community speak out” without advance notice, the commission voted 5-0-2 – including a “loud abstention” from David Garrision (6B01) – to support installation of the soccer kick fence.

Parental Involvement in Schools: Robyn Carey, grants program manager with the Office of State Superintendent of Education, briefly outlined parental rights and obligations under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. She provided materials about the importance of parental involvement in education and school decision-making, as well as information about grants available for parental involvement. She encouraged interested parents to contact her at 202-741-6486 or robyn.carey@dc.gov.

Reclaiming G Street
Congressional Cemetery proposes to reclaim a portion of G Street SE, according to a brief presentation by Patrick Crowley, chair of the cemetery's board of directors. Between 17th and 20th streets, G Street is cemetery property, Crowley explained, but a 150-foot-wide stretch between 20th Street and DC Jail is not used by either the jail or the cemetery. Congressional Cemetery has requested the DC Surveyor's office to approve their request to close existing right-of-way and allow the cemetery to use that land for urn burials. The project was referred to the P&Z Committee and will later come before the ANC as a zoning matter.

Roll Call:
Chairperson Julie Olsen (6B03), David Garrison (6B01), Mary Wright (6B02), Kirsten Oldenburg (6B04), Ken Jarboe (6B05), Carol Green (6B07), Neil Glick (6B08) and Francis Campbell (6B10) were present. Will Hill (6B06) and Michael Patterson (6B09) were absent.