ANC3B

September 2020 Meeting Report

ANC 3B conducted a virtual meeting on September 10^th, 2020.   Highlights include:

• Crime is generally down. There were 5 reported crimes in the preceding 30 days, all thefts.  In August, 12 crimes were reported:  1 stolen car, 5 thefts from auto, and 6 general thefts.
• Kate Dean, Executive Director of Glover Park Main Street, gave an update on GPMS activities. Since March, the GPMS focus has been on providing support to local businesses to help them cope with COVID-19 impacts.   Approximately $72k was spent on technical and direct assistance to Glover Park businesses, covering 27 projects: providing PPE, purchasing point-of-sale (POS) credit card devices, supporting HVAC repairs and social media marketing.  Kate also pointed out some positive developments for the past few months.  Ghostline opened up in the Town Hall space recently.  It’s a new concept in restaurants in that it is a food hall with a variety of different cuisines.  It will be take out and delivery only except the patio will be open for dining in good weather.  Other positive developments are that Xiquet/Slate has re-opened after it’s renovations and Rocklands has opened up a streetery in the parking lane outside the restaurant.  In year 2, GPMS hopes to be able to focus on the more visible projects that were originally planned for year 1, such as creating banners and improving tree boxes to create a “sense of place” for Glover Park.
• Commissioner Turmail gave an update on the zoning case about the rear deck at 2211 38^th, NW. He had talked to the homeowners and the adjoining neighbors and they reached general agreement to support a different size deck with some other changes, pending final drawings.  Some issues remain but they are outside the purview of the zoning board. With the neighbors’ agreement to withdraw opposition to the zoning application as modified, Commissioner Turmail proposed to send a letter to BZA supporting the amended request for a zoning special exception. The Commission voted to approve.
• Commissioner Turmail introduced Elizabeth Elson who is running to fill Commissioner Mary Young’s seat in ANC3B04 (Cathedral Heights). Commissioner Young is retiring.
• For the November election, every registered voter in DC will be sent a mail-in (“absentee”) ballot. Ballots can be mailed in or put in an official ballot drop box. Any voter who cannot or does not wish to vote by mail may still opt to vote in person.  Polling places and drop box locations are listed on the DC Board of Elections web site (dcboe.org).
• DDOT has begun to implement the “Slow Streets Initiative.” Slow Streets are supposed to be restricted to local traffic only (using barriers) and the speed limit is set at 15 miles per hour to support neighborhood-based safe social distancing when people are walking, running, or cycling.  In ANC 3B, 39^th Street, NW, between Fulton and Massachusetts was designated as a slow street.  The choice of those blocks raised several questions, as they are a major connector from Glover Park and Cathedral Heights to Massachusetts Avenue and Cathedral Commons. Tony Donaldson, Ward 3 MOCRS, will contact DDOT about neighbors’ concerns.
• The most recent Metrobus service schedule has not restored all the routes and services that Glover Park and Cathedral Heights residents worked over the winter to get back into the FY2021 budget, including the D1 and 37, and services continue to be reduced on the other bus lines serving ANC3B. The ANC will keep in touch with WMATA as the reopening plans develop. We will need to keep an eye on further developments.
• Steve Marencic, Office of People’s Council, reported that the DC Public Service Commission (PSC) would be holding a Community Hearing September 29 on Pepco’s proposed rate increase, and will be accepting written comments into November. Pepco is asking for at least $135 million in increased revenues over 3 years. The community is urged to submit feedback. To review the July 2020 ANC 3B letter to the PSC on this issue, go to anc3b.org/documents/resolutions.

The next meeting of ANC 3B will be a virtual meeting on Thursday, October 8th at 7 pm.  Connection information will be published at anc3b.org.