Representatives of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church sought a special exception to create a community center to provide specialized job training for CVS employees, as well as a variance to increase the number of available units in a nearby unoccupied former apartment building for ‘workforce housing.’ Both applications met with considerable opposition from members of the community, who voiced numerous arguments against the efforts of the Church.

Planning, Zoning and the Environment Committee Chair Ryan Velasco started the proceedings by noting that his group lent its support to the proposal when last convened. A centerpiece of the proposed project is a Memorandum of Understanding between the Mt. Vernon Square Neighborhood Association, CVS Corporation, and the District of Columbia. The MOU includes the creation of a ‘workforce training center’ (the aforementioned community center), a computer lab office, and six units of workforce housing. Additionally, the MOU mandates that a maximum of 12 trainees can be on-site at any one time, and also that the training center operates during normal business hours, Monday-Friday. Finally, CVS must make a ten-year commitment to support the Mt. Lebanon center.

Several residents of Morgan Street were present, stating that a petition of 40 neighborhood residents opposed the rezoning of the six-unit building as well as the training center. Furthermore, opponents of the project noted that there were already ‘four existing community centers within a five-minute walk of Mt. Lebanon Church,’ to which Reverend Edmonds, pastor of Mt. Lebanon church, responded by saying that the proposed training facility would be available exclusively to ‘those already employed at CVS,’ in order to procure training that would further their own careers within the organization. This not only includes positions like cashiering, but also more specialized roles such as pharmacy technicians.

Residents present at the meeting were adamant about ‘keeping the neighborhood residential,’ but Commissioner Docter and others noted that while many of their concerns were valid, it would be extremely difficult to get the currently-abandoned six unit building cleaned up and occupied without approval of the rezoning itself.

After much debate on the part of Reverend Edmonds, his team of consultants, and residents opposed to the project, the ANC voted to lend its support to the Mt. Lebanon Church. Six commissioners voted to approve, with Commissioners Wirt and Phelps abstaining due to valid arguments on both sides of the issue.

17 2nd St. NE
The applicant for planned renovations to 17 2nd St. NE was not present for the ANC 6C meeting, but has agreed to appear next month to present their case. As a formality, commissioners voted to oppose the application and send a letter asking the HPRB to strike the project from its agenda pending the appearance of the applicant at the May Full ANC meeting.

Resolution at 510 8th St. NE
An agreement between the owner of 510 8th St. NE and several concerned neighbors has been reached. The project was hotly debated over several months. Last month, architect Sassan Gharai presented a much-changed proposal and participated in an open dialogue with concerned neighbors. ANC Commissioners were encouraged by the news.

Other Development News

Transportation News
Commissioner Phelps’ presentation dealt with an update on a Public Space application from Grainger Store originally sought during the April ANC 6C meeting. Grainger proposed the installation of a 6-foot tall wrought-iron fence around its property and on a portion of publicly-owned land near the sidewalk in front of the establishment. Commissioners voted 7-2 to oppose the application at the March Full ANC meeting. Commissioner Phelps noted that Grainger Store withdrew its application, and instead of exploring other options to secure their property, moved the placement of the controversial section of the fence inside their property line: the entire length is now located on  privately-owned property.

Community Announcements
Representatives from several races upcoming in the ANC 6C area were present, including those from the 29th Annual Capitol Hill Classic taking place Saturday, May 18. The ANC lent the race its unanimous support.

Next, Jay Greenberg of the National Police Week 5k presented plans for the May 10 event: all benefits go to families of police officers killed in action. The rolling street closures planned in the area are very short in duration, and the ANC again lent its unanimous support.

The race docket finished up with the National Triathlon, an event presented to ANC 6C several times previously. Issues with planned street closures drew concern from Commissioner Docter, who noted that the revised course addresses the problems of late night race preparation and road closures that conflict with museum openings. The ANC voted to support the event.

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); Tom Hamilton (6C06); v (6C07); and Co-Vice Chair Charles Docter (6C09); Keith Silver (6C01); Treasurer and Grants Committee Chair Lena Brown (6C03).

Absent: None.