ANC 6D, responding to the Traffic and Operational Parking Plan (TOPP) that has been developed for the Nationals Stadium, responded with passage of a resolution that cites several aspects of the plan that the Commissioners believe promise to “threaten the health, safety and character of our…community.”

The resolution catalogues the number of times the Commissioners testified on the deficiencies of the TOPP before the City Council, as well as at public meetings, and notes that their suggestions have not been incorporated, nor has there been any community charette or other involvement in the planning. (In fact, the Commissioners note, the first presentation of the plan was scheduled for March 12, two weeks prior to the Stadium’s opening.)

They were also concerned that they had been assured in writing that many of the issues would be addressed and do not appear in the TOPP.
 
The resolution requests action on several specific outstanding issues:

• Move the current Nationals Stadium commuter bus parking from Buzzard Point to Poplar Point, as was presented early in the planning process, or to another location.
• Ensure that the intersection of N and 1st Streets SW is properly controlled, and that traffic calming devices are installed to ensure the safety of the children, families, seniors and the physically challenged using the King Greenleaf Recreation Center and its athletic fields, located at 201 N Street SW, and crossing that intersection.
• Remove the drop off location for taxis and commuter buses bringing patrons to the west side of South Capitol at M Streets SW. This is a dangerous crossing for pedestrians, and members of the community have reported fatalities at that location.  Additionally, right turns should be eliminated off South Capitol Street at K, L, N, O, and P Streets SW for traffic heading south – and the reverse for traffic heading north on South Capitol Street in order to protect the residential community in Southwest adjacent to the stadium.
• Move the Nationals Stadium sign that has been posted at the Maine Avenue SW exit on 395, which is not to be the primary exit for the stadium, to the South Capitol Street exit, as discussed in the TOPP.  This sign, and others, should be posted to reflect those decisions.
• DDOT must utilize the outcomes of Councilmember Tommy Wells Ward 6 Pedestrian Forums and use the Southwest/Near Southeast area as a pilot area for those recommendations in order to enhance pedestrian and child safety.

The Commission voted unanimously to send a letter containing these demands to the Mayor, Transportation Director Monome Emeke and other executives of the Department of Transportation, as well as to the City Council members who have jurisdiction over the stadium and transportation.

Opening Day FanFest Approved
In another baseball-related action, the Commission voted unanimously to support a request from the Nationals to close N and Half Streets SE for a FanFest prior to the opening game at the stadium on Sunday, March 30th.  The event will include stilt walkers, a Dixieland band, face painting and other activities to create a welcoming atmosphere for opening day fans.

South Capitol Street Environmental Impact Statement
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has issued an extensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the future development of South Capitol Street, including the new Douglass Bridge and the redevelopment of South Capitol Street into a boulevard that will serve as a broad entryway to the District.  Commissioners expressed their initial concerns with the scope of the EIS including the fact that the TOPP was not included in the EIS, that the closing of the intersection of Half and Q Streets SW will interfere with local traffic; that Potomac Avenue should be extended to 2nd Street SW; that previous plans to put parking under a proposed oval at the foot of the Douglass Bridge seem to have been eliminated; that there is no discussion of a previously suggested light rail system along the river; and that there is no discussion of commuter or pedestrian traffic at the foot of the bridge.  The ANC voted to give the Commissioners more time to study the EIS, and send a letter later this month to the DDOT officials in charge of the project.

Building D at The Yards
Stephanie Baldwin, of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, representing Forest City Washington, and Alex Nyan, representing the developer, presented plans for the development of the first building at The Yards, part of the Southeast Federal Center Zoning Overlay. They are requesting the support of the ANC for a mixed-use building before a Zoning Commission hearing that will be held on April 24th, They are requesting variances to reduce the loading bays by one, relief from the rear yard requirements on Tinguey Street SE, and the addition of a second roof penthouse on one building in order to have two elevator cores in the residential building.

The building will contain 350,000 square feet of office space, and between 174 and 194 residential units, 20% of which will be affordable units, up to 50% of AMI.  There will also be ground floor retail, including a supermarket and neighborhood-serving establishments.  The office building will be LEED certified, in keeping, the developer said, with the fact that near Southeast is going to be a LEED certified neighborhood.  The residential building will have sustainable features. The developer said the design will reference the industrial nature of the historic buildings in the compound that will be retained, and that the brick wall and turret on M Street will be retained.  They plan to begin construction next year.

Members of the Commission expressed concerns that Forest City has not consulted with the community about community benefits, and the ANC voted unanimously to postpone consideration of the issue until the April meeting pending the development of a significant community benefits package.

Other Actions
The Commission also

• Approved the possible expenditure of funds for an attorney to assist in the Commission’s protest of Zanzibar’s request for a change in its license from a restaurant to a nightclub, on the grounds that, with the impending redevelopment of the waterfront, it could open possibilities for the area that the community does not want.
• Was given a report by ID Lt. Nick Gallucci that, except for a slight increase in stolen automobiles, all categories of crime in the ANC’s area are down from the same period (30 days) last year.
• Heard from Waterfront Safeway manager Dean Turner that he planned to attend ANC meetings to hear community concerns in order to improve service at the store.
• Gave its support to the Marine Corps Marathon, which will be partially run through Southwest in late October.
• Heard a report from the Alcoholic Beverage Committee on the status of voluntary agreements and licenses for several local establishments
• Considered a request for a grant, which was withdrawn, from the Local Neighborhood Committee.

The ANC is still soliciting applications for grants of up to $1000 from non-profit organizations in Southwest/Near Southeast that provide programs and/or services for local residents.  For criteria and more information on how to apply, visit the Library section of the ANC website, anc6d.org.

Roll Call: Present: Treasurer Max Skolnik (6D01); David Sobelsohn (6D02), Ron McBee (6D03), Chair Roger Moffatt (6D05).

The next regular business meeting of the ANC will be on April 14, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, 6th Street and Maine Avenue SW.