Minutes – Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4A

November 3, 2015 Regular Public Meeting



The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM, Commissioner Stephen Whatley, Chair (and ANC 4B03) presiding. It was held in the Brightwood Education Campus Cafeteria, 1300 Nicolson Street NW. Also present were Commissioners 4A01 Acqunetta Anderson, 4BA04 Patience Singleton, 4A06 Karrye Braxton, 4A07 Dave Wilson, and 4A08 Gale Black. A quorum was present for all votes.



1) Approval of the Agenda



Commissioner Braxton moved that the agenda be approved as presented. Commissioner Wilson seconded the motion. The motion was adopted, 6 yes, 0 no.



2) Approval of Minutes



Commissioner Whatley moved to postpone approval of the September and October 2015 minutes to the December meeting. There was no objection.



3) Vote: East Rock Creek Senior Village Grant Application - $3,000



Ms. Shannon Cockett, President, East Rock Creek Park Senior Village, presented their application for a grant in the amount of $3,000. Grant funds would be used for criminal background checks on volunteers and training of volunteers, including printing of a handbook.



Following the presentation and discussion, Commissioner Braxton moved that the FY 2015 budget be amended to allow the award of grants up to $3,000.00 to the total available budgeted amount. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. The motion was adopted, 3 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain.



Commissioner Braxton moved that the Commission approve the East Rock Creek Park Senior Village grant application in the amount of $3,000.00. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. The motion was adopted, 3 yes, 1 no, 2 abstain.



4) BZA 19118 – Application for Variance at 7300 Georgia Avenue NW.



Mr. Eric Jenkins, Evergreen Properties, LLC, presented their application to the Board of Zoning Adjustment for a variance to convert an existing 4-unit apartment building to a seven-unit building.



Following the presentation and discussion, Commissioner Whatley moved that the Commission adopt a resolution recommending that the Board of Zoning Adjustment approve the application. Commissioner Braxton seconded the motion.



Commissioner Black asked that the resolution be amended on page to identify the single-member district in which the subject building is located at SMD 4A02. Commissioner Whatley accepted Commissioner Black’s amendment.



The resolution as amended was adopted, 4 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain..



The adopted resolution:

WHEREAS, pursuant to applicable District laws, each Advisory Neighborhood Commission ("Commission") may advise the Council of the District of Columbia, the Mayor and each executive agency, and all independent agencies, boards and commissions of the government of the District of Columbia with respect to all proposed matters of District government policy, including, but not limited to, decisions regarding planning, streets, recreation, social services programs, education, health, safety, budget, and sanitation which affect that Commission area [D.C. Official Code §§ 1-309.lO(a)];



WHEREAS, proposed District government actions include actions of the Council of the District of Columbia, the executive branch, or independent agencies, boards, and commissions. In addition to those notices required in D.C. Official Code §§ 1-309.lO(a), each agency board and commission shall, before the award of any grant funds to a citizen organization or Committee, before the transmission to the Council of a proposed revenue bond issuance, or before the formulation of any final policy decision or guideline with respect to grant applications, comprehensive plans, requested or proposed zoning changes, variances, public improvements, licenses, or permits affecting said Commission area, the District budget and city goals and priorities, proposed changes in District government service delivery, and the opening of any proposed facility systems, provide to each affected Commission notice of the proposed action as required by D.C. Official Code §§ 1-309.IO(b);



WHEREAS, the issues and concerns raised in the recommendations of the Commission shall be given great weight during the deliberations by the government entity, and great weight requires acknowledgement of the Commission as the source of the recommendations and explicit reference to each of the Commission’s issues and concerns [D.C. Official Code §§ l-309.10(c)(3)(A)];



WHEREAS, the Advisory Neighborhood Commissions ("ANCs") are the bodies of government with the closest ties to the people and they are expected to advise the city on issues, including fees, taxes, zoning, social service programs, health, emergency preparedness, economic development, transportation and infrastructure issues;



WHEREAS, Evergreen Properties I LLC has requested relief from the lot occupancy restrictions of Section 772.1, and the restriction against additions to structures which exceed lot occupancy of Section 2001.3, and one parking space requirement of Section 2101.1, to permit the construction of a one-story addition to the building located at 7300 Georgia Avenue NW;



WHEREAS, 7300 Georgia Avenue NW has been a decrepit building for many years;



WHEREAS, the building is a 4 unit apartment building zoned C2A which allows for matter of right development of 50ft height and 100% lot occupancy for commercial and 60% lot occupancy for residential. The existing building sits on 70% of the lot and has no parking due to the unusual triangular shape of the lot (front is 47’ wide and back is 16’ side);



WHEREAS, the Developer is proposing to build third story and add a unit in the basement on the same 70% of the original footprint and add one regular parking space and one compact parking space for a total of two. Since the existing lot coverage is non-conforming The Developer has to request a variance to do the work;



WHEREAS, the parking requirement is for two regular spaces but the lot space can only fit one regular and one compact;



WHEREAS, ANC 4A encompasses 7300 Georgia Avenue NW and ANC 4A favors assisting redevelopment of housing in single-member district 4A03;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, upon considering the foregoing at the meeting, a majority of the duly named Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4A, with a quorum present, voted to recommend support of the plan to renovate 7300 Georgia Avenue NW; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Commissioner Stephen A. Whatley, ANC 4A03, is hereby authorized to serve as the Commission's representative in all matters relating to this resolution, with Commissioner Dwayne Toliver, ANC 4A02 serving as alternate.



Respectfully submitted,






Stephen A. Whatley, Chair ANC 4A



CC:

Muriel Bowser, Mayor, Washington, D.C.

Councilmember Brandon Todd

Councilmember Brianne Nadeau Councilmember Anita Bonds Councilmember Vincent Orange Councilmember David Grasso



Community Concerns



The following people addressed the Commission with concerns:



1) A constituent asked about the status of the new restaurant, Mama Put, at Geranium Street and Georgia Avenue. Commissioner Whatley said that the restaurant is located in ANC 4B. They have approved a settlement agreement with the restaurant, but he has heard nothing more about when it will open.



Presentations and Reports



1) Ms. Greer Gillis, Deputy Director, District Department of Transportation, Mr. Rodney Foxworth, Community Engagement Director, DDOT, and Mr. Leon Anderson, Senior Traffic Engineer, DDOT presented information regarding changes in DDOT communication protocols. These changes are designed to improve communication and interaction between DDOT and ANCs.



2) Mr. Seth Charde, Ms. Bethany Bezak and Ms. Megan Kanagy, representing the DC Water and Sewer Authority, presented an update on the Clean Rivers Project and the development of green infrastructure to reduce pollution of waterways by rainwater runoff.



3) Chair Whatley presented an update on the Walter Reed Community Advisory Committee and the Walter Reed development.



4) Ms. Cheryl Newman, representing Councilmember Todd, gave an update on issues of concern to Ward 4.



5) Mr. Khalil Thompson, Ward 4 Liaison for Mayor Muriel Bowser, gave a report on current issues and concerns being addressed by the Mayor.



The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.