Additional Lots for Baseball Parking
The DC Office of Planning presented a proposal for eight additional locations for temporary parking lots that could be used for parking lots for baseball stadium parking. The possible lots, which would not increase the cap on the number of spaces that have been okayed for use by the Nationals, are all located in the Buzzard’s Point area south of the heavily residential neighborhood south of M Street. Buzzard’s Point is currently a primarily industrial area, with many blocks lacking sidewalks and curbs that the DC Department of Transportation would have to install, along with constructing the parking lots.

These lots are in addition to a number of temporary lots that were previously approved in Near Southeast. The zoning is in effect for five years, at which time it is assumed that garages in many of the buildings being constructed in Southeast will be available. A Zoning Commission hearing on the lots was held on February 21st.

Commissioner Litsky presented a resolution opposing the new lots, citing the fact that they could bring 2 950 new parking spaces into the neighborhood during the warm months of the year when children and others are out on the streets at hours when the parking activity would be at its maximum, threatening the safety and health of Southwest residents.

The resolution points out that when the Zoning Commission approved use of the original group of parking lots, the Order specifically prevents either the Washington Nationals or the DC Department of Transportation from directing baseball patrons to approved temporary surface lots over Eye, Fourth or P Streets, SW.” The proposed lots are due south of Fourth and P Streets.

In addition, the City’s recently adopted new Comprehensive Plan specifically “ensures that the established communities adjacent to the South Capitol Street corridor, including James and Creek and Greenleaf Gardens housing projects and adjacent residential areas, are buffered from adverse impacts associated with increased density and traffic relating to stadium development.”

Nationals Vice President for Ballpark District Activity Gregory McCarthy told the Commissioners that the Nationals have prepared brochures and marketing plans telling ballpark patrons how to avoid the residential streets, and urging them to park at RFK Stadium, or use alternative transportation such as Metro. However, the resolution states “no plan has been put in place to prevent drivers from ignoring …’prohibitions’ protecting our neighborhood from this onslaught of traffic.”

The Commission voted unanimously to oppose the Office of Planning application for the additional lots.

Alley Closing at N and Hal Street SE
Last month Monument Realty, which is developing several projects adjacent to the baseball stadium, appeared before the ANC seeking support for an alley closing on a lot directly north of the baseball stadium at N and Half Street SE. They are planning to build a 185 unit residential building with ground floor retail. Alley closings must be approved by the Office of the Surveyor, and the City Council. A motion to support the alley closing failed because a package of community benefits offered by the developer was not considered firm enough, but the ANC committed to continuing to negotiate with Monument.

Christy Shiker, of Holland and Knight, who represents Monument returned to the Commission with a letter outlining a firm proffer of community benefits that includes:

• a contribution of $50,000 to an ANC 6D Community Investment Fund (which is the process of being organized)
• a First Source Employment Agreement for construction of the project
• preference to ANC 6D residents, as permitted by law, with recruitment of construction workers from ANC 6D through ads in the Southwester; an overall 10% employment goal for ANC 6D residents; and a tie-breaking preference for ANC 6D residents
• affordable housing in accordance with Inclusionary Zoning requirements, which currently would be at 8% of the gross floor area; the housing would be between 50% and 80% of the area median income (AMI); with priority to ANC 6D residents.
• sustainable design elements including clean-up of the site, which has some contamination; storm water management and energy efficient fixtures and appliances.

The developer will return to the Commission when the actual project design is ready for Zoning Commission review. The ANC voted 4-3 to support the alley closing.

Liquor Licenses
The liquor license dispute with H2O Restaurant and Lounge at 800 Water St. SW continues according Commissioner Skolnik, who reported that the ANC is still in negotiation with the waterfront club on a voluntary agreement. The parties are working with an Alcoholic Beverage Commission mediator, but the agreement H2O has presented is still unsatisfactory to the Commission.

Zanzibar, a waterfront club, has applied for a change from a restaurant license to a nightclub license, a change unanimously opposed by the ANC, and members of the community. According to Commissioner Skolnik, they have said that if the ANC supports the license change, they will consider signing a voluntary agreement. He said that letters have been sent by Councilmember Wells and the Metropolitan Police Department opposing the license change. A protest hearing is scheduled for March 26th.

Other Items

In other items:

• The ANC voted to support the St. Patrick’s Day 8K Race for the Special Olympics, which will take place on March 6; and the FreedomMan Triathalon, for the benefit of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which will take place on September 14.
• Heard a report that the accreditation of Southeastern University is in a probationary period, with the University having to make corrections to its course offerings and correct and imbalance between its on-line and on-site programs by 2009.

The next regular business meeting of the ANC will be on Monday, March 10th, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, 6th Street and Maine Avenue SW.

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.

Commissioners present: Treasurer Max Skolnik (6D01); David Sobelsohn (6D02), Ron McBee (6D03), Vice Chair Andy Litsky (6D04); Chair Roger Moffatt (6D05), Secretary Rhonda Hamilton (6D06), Bob Siegel (6D07).