A team of lawyers and architects presented a PUD (planned unit development) for 460 New York Ave. NW during February’s ANC 6C meeting, a project previously reviewed by the Commission. Jeff Kaufmann, representing the contract purchaser for the PUD, presented a complicated case that involved parking lot coverage, lot occupancy, roof structure, and the loading of trash. The project’s developer and architect have moved trash loading from the street to a location within the structure itself, in response to the ANC’s request.

However, conflict arose around the issue of affordable housing. Representatives for the project’s architect noted that it is financially impossible to both provide affordable housing and salvage the historical aspects of the building currently in place at the site itself (the PUD incorporates parts of that building into the new structure).

Here, several Commissioners noted that the Mayor’s office has not yet implemented inclusionary zoning legislation that would force the developer’s hand in the case of affordable housing. Positive alterations in the trash removal and other situations pleased the ANC, but the absence of any affordable housing seemed to sway several votes. Two Commissioners in favor, four opposed, and three abstentions resulted in the ANC’s opposition to the PUD’s BZA request.

A motion was passed to send a letter to the Mayor’s office expressing the ANC’s displeasure with the lack of action regarding the zoning legislation, and Commissioner Docter piggybacked on the aforementioned motion with one that took a far more aggressive stance. His motion, which received approval, stated that ANC 6C is ‘on strike’ until the inclusionary zoning legislation is ratified, and will not approve any BZA request until that legislation is enacted.

Update 318 Eye St. NE Project
After a number of issues were raised regarding the long-troubled PUD at 318 Eye St. NE, including a shift from condominiums to rentals and the inability to augment citizen amenities despite numerous alterations to the PUD itself, the ANC voted to oppose the project as presented. Since the February ANC 6C meeting, Commissioner Kimber met with the developer, Broadway Capital, in order to work on expanding amenities. One of the hot-button issues from last month’s meeting regarded extending the sidewalk in front of the structure so that the entire length of 4th St. between K and I Streets would be made of the same material. While Broadway was unable to commit to this, they are willing to make a $10,000 contribution to a playground renovation near the PUD itself.

Success on the amenities front was partially mitigated by further complaints from residents near the site: Zacariah Mully, who lives across the street the PUD, said he has received one notice from the developer, and that he and his neighbors are largely unaware of the plans for development. Based on an apparent lack of communication between the developer and the community, the ANC voted ‘not to oppose’ the PUD once the ANC itself is satisfied with an open line of dialogue between the two parties.

510 8th St. NE
An HPRB application for alterations to the edifice of a structure at 510 8th St. NE was postponed till the next full ANC meeting. Several complaints from neighbors around the structure prompted the tabling motion: residents noted that they were uninformed of the plans for alteration, while the neighbor directly across the street from the building expressed her firm dislike of the planned addition.

Other Development News
A planned 700-unit PUD at 200 K St. NE that features 11% affordable housing was supported by the ANC. A motion to table approval for external improvements to an existing office building at 440 1st St. NW passed in order for Commissioner Silver to discuss plans with the developer. Finally, the ANC voted unanimously to support the HPRB application for exterior renovations and landscaping for the D.C. Public Library – Northeast Branch.

Licensing News
The ANC heard one licensing matter in the case of ‘Mirrors,’ a club located at 33 New York Avenue, NE. Club manager Anthony Garner submitted a request for extended hours in order to create a more subtle and natural transition from a late-night club atmosphere to one where patrons will be gently reminded that closing time is near. “Usually at the end of the night, everyone inside the establishment leaves at once, and it’s becoming a safety issue with everyone spilling out onto New York Avenue,” noted Garner. Commissioner Phelps noted that there was no voluntary agreement on file between ANC 6C and the establishment as is customary: both parties agreed to work on creating and ratifying such an agreement before ‘Mirrors’ next goes before the ABC.

Concerns were also raised regarding the presence of ample on-site security. With the assurance that an expanded detail would be put in place, the ANC approved Garner’s request for extended hours pending the formation of a voluntary agreement.

Transportation News
Commissioner Phelps noted that she has received several complaints from several residents in her district regarding traffic violations by District vehicles, including MPD cruisers, DPW trash trucks, and WMATA vehicles, especially city buses. The ANC approved the writing of letters to various District entities including the Mayor’s office and at-large Councilmembers recommending a joint effort to ensure the enforcement of traffic laws. “Just yesterday somebody reported an altercation on the MPD list serve about how they were almost run over at a pedestrian crosswalk by a DPW trash truck, noted Councilmember Phelps. “I think that the number of people hit by buses in the last year alone is something to take note of.”

Commissioner Kimber noted that all District-owned and operated vehicles have an individual identification number: the best course of action to pursue in light of a traffic violation is to record and report the vehicle’s ID number to city authorities.

Public Safety News
Kimberly Williams, the new PSA 101 Lieutenant, introduced herself and prompted Commissioners and residents to contact her with questions or concerns. MPD Commander Dave Cameron of the 1st District highlighted the opening of a new $230 million crime lab which handles forensic and criminal information. The Commander’s headquarters are at Bowen Elementary.

Community Events
Representatives from the Nations Triathlon were present to answer questions regarding the event planned for September 14, 2008. The ANC voted to support the triathlon, as it appeared the entirety of the 2008 route fell outside the bounds of 6C; however, the arrival of Commissioner Docter after the hearing concluded prompted an alteration to the Commission’s decision. Docter noted that representatives for the event promised to resolve two issues before coming before the ANC: first, to examine and consider the fact that part of the Triathlon’s route interferes with a museum opening, and secondly, that event officials stated the need to build tents at one a.m. in a residential neighborhood. Commissioner Docter noted that no action was taken in either area, and as such, a motion to reconsider the ANC’s support for the event passed.

Also up for approval was the St. Patrick’s Day 8k, represented by Rick Freedman of the Capital Running Company. The twentieth anniversary of the event supports Special Olympics DC, and Freedman noted that no road closure should last more than twenty minutes. Reassured ANC Commissioners voted to support the 8k run.

6C Meetings continue at Heritage Foundation
March’s ANC 6C meeting will again take place at the Heritage Foundation. The ANC’s PZ&E Committee will meet March 5th at 7:00 p.m. at the School Without Walls (215 G St. NE).

Roll Call
Commissioners present: Chair Karen Wirt (6C08); Co-Vice Chair and Public Safety Committee Chair Mark Dixon (6C02); Transportation Committee Chair Anne Phelps (6C04); Secretary Alan Kimber (6C05); Tom Hamilton (6C06); Planning, Zoning and the Environment Committee Chair Ryan Velasco (6C07); and Co-Vice Chair Charles Docter (6C09); Keith Silver (6C01); Treasurer and Grants Committee Chair Lena Brown (6C03).

Absent: None.