ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION (ANC3B) ANNUAL REPORT
December 1, 2017 – November 30, 2018
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3B serving Glover Park and Cathedral Heights (“ANC3B” or “the Commission”) holds public meetings open to every member of the community to discuss issues affecting the area, share information, and make policy recommendations to city decision-makers. The Commission has five members, each representing about 2,000 residents in the community. ANC3B meetings are usually held on the second Thursday of every month except August at Stoddert Elementary School and Glover Park Community Center. The schedule of ANC3B public meetings is announced at the beginning of the year and posted on the official ANC3B website www.anc3b.org along with the proposed agenda for the next meeting, which is shared at least a week in advance via the website, ANC email list, and local listservs. The Commission invites residents to suggest agenda items for future public meetings and each public meeting includes time for an “Open Forum” in which anyone can raise issues, comments or questions.
ANC3B reports to the community about each of its public meetings, posting a summary on the home page of its website, which is also published in the Glover Park Gazette, and also sharing the detailed minutes from each meeting on the website after they are approved. Copies of official resolutions are also posted, along with quarterly financial reports, the ANC annual budget, meeting dates, proposed agenda for the next meeting, grants and guidelines for making grants. In 2018 the ANC adopted new by-laws and grant guidelines to comply with the requirements of the ANC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2016, which went into effect in the course of the past year.
Day to day, the five ANC3B Commissioners also consult with constituents, participate in local and city-wide meetings on issues affecting the Commission area, share information about emerging issues, and are available to answer questions and help resolve concerns. In the past year, the Commissioners have paid particular attention to transportation, including improving the condition of streets and sidewalks, and attending to areas where pedestrian and traffic safety are particular concerns. The ANC has particularly pushed DDOT to provide recommendations for improving safety on Cathedral Avenue between 39th Street and Glover-Archbold Park, and at Wisconsin and W Place, Wisconsin and Fulton Street, Wisconsin and Garfield Street, and Tunlaw Road and Davis Place
The Commission invites representatives of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Second District to each meeting to present local crime statistics and discuss public safety issues of interest to the Commission area, including traffic safety. The Commission got MPD to increase patrols in areas with increased thefts and also in areas where speeding or other traffic violations had been reported, including on Cathedral Avenue and in front of Stoddert Elementary School.
Between December 1, 2017, and November 30, 2018, the Commission voted to approve 14 official actions, including 9 resolutions on city policy matters such as the propsed Framework Element of the DC Comprehensive Plan, the NEAR Act of 2016, the proposed Clean Energy DC Omnibus Amendment Act and Leaf Blower Regulation Act, and the Washington Gas-AltaGas merger; 2 letters to city officials advising them on proposed policies or requesting specific actions to meet community interests; and 3 resolutions supporting local community activities.
The city provided ANC3B $11,700 in appropriated funds annually in FY2018 (ending September 30, 2018) and in FY2019 (ending September 30, 2019). The Commission does not have an office or administrative staff. Instead, the ANC funds are used for small expenses to support the website and basic supplies, and uses the rest of its funds for grants to support projects that benefit the community. Non- profit organizations are invited to apply for grants of up to $2,500 within a single year. During the 12-month reporting period, the Commission approved 7 grants totaling $10,788.07 to groups including the Friends of Glover Park, Hardy Middle School PTO, Iona Senior Services, Friendship Place, the Citizens Advisory Group to the MPD Second District, and an innovative DC Food Project working to improve nutrition for Stoddert students through a “share table” at lunch and a new program providing food bags to students’ families for weekends.
Over the past 12 months, the Commission also heard 6 presentations from local groups talking about their proposed developments and other activities in the area including Kindercare, Petra Development which purchased the Pearson’s parking lot property, Laligura’s new restaurant in Glover Park, Quiet Clean DC supporting legislation on leaf blowers, several local representatives on the “Initiative 77” tipped wage measure on the primary ballot, and Changing Perceptions, the non-profit that manages the Glove Park Clean Team.
In addition, the Commission organized presentations by 4 city agencies and organizations on their services and programs, including the Deputy City Administrator/Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Kevin Donahue on criminal justice and the NEAR Act; the Department of Motor Vehicles on the Real ID format for DC driver’s licenses; the Ward 3 representatives on the DC Commission on Aging; and DC Water Clean Rivers Project Green Infrastructure (GI) team on the construction schedule for installing green infrastructure projects in the Glover Park area to reduce run-off and prevent sewage overflows into the rivers from the Combined Sewer System. As a result of discussions between the ANC and DC Water, the GI team withdrew its plans for a construction office and temporary staging area for construction materials at the intersection of Idaho Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue, on the corner of the 4000 Massachusetts property.
The Commission receives notices of all applications for liquor licenses and zoning cases in the ANC3B area, as well as public space permits, building permits, and raze permits. The Commission generally asks applicants to compile comments from adjoining property owners and make a presentation about a project at an ANC public meeting if the cases raises opposition or any significant public issues. In the past year, ANC3B reviewed several applications and voted to:
• Support the zoning application of Kindercare to open a child care center for up to 125 children ages 0-5 years old at 2461 Wisconsin Avenue (“Union Building”), now approved.
• Support the zoning application for renovation of 4017 Davis Place NW as condos but oppose construction of habitable space on the fourth floor, which would have broken the building height limit for the area. (The proposal for a fourth level was also opposed by the DC Office of Planning and subsequently withdrawn by the developer before a scheduled BZA hearing).
• Ask for DDOT to defer approval of a public space permit for Petra Development’s proposed mixed use project at 2340 Wisconsin Avenue, pending resolution of the legal challenge by Pearson’s Liquor to the sale of the property, which has been used as Pearson’s parking lot.
• Support a minor amendment to the settlement agreement attached to the liquor license for Good Guys, 2311 Wisconsin Avenue.
This year one of the most important actions of the Commission was the initiative by Vice Chairman Jackie Blumenthal to organize and lead a panel discussion about the Glover Park Commercial Center, including recent problems and possible solutions to vacancies, the continued closing of Whole Foods, and maintaining and attracting of new households and businesses to the area. The discussion occupied most of the two-hour public meeting on May 10, and led to an outpouring of interest by residents and businesses, a series of subsequent meetings, and formation of an informal group of volunteers under the name Glover Park Business Improvement Task Force.
The group has held discussions with local businesses, created a Facebook page ”ReEnvision Glover Park,” organized a survey launched at Glover Park Day in September to elicit residents’ views on what they would like to see in the commercial area in the future opportunities. Glover Park Day also included a selfie station for neighbors to take pictures post their messages to the Whole Foods landlord and take photos in front of the message wall. The group has also spoken with the DC Main Streets program, as well as consultants, board members and staff of other Main Street programs in the area to explore the options for Glover Park, including the idea of a Main Street program which would require forming a non- profit organization, hiring a full-time executive director, making a detailed financial plan, obtaining a grant from the city for the first year of operation (which the Council would have to support), and raising private funds in the area year by year to match the city grant.
Here is a more detailed list of activities and actions by ANC3B during this reporting period.
PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS
Grif Johnson of Quiet Clean DC presented the proposed legislation they were supporting in the DC Council to ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in the District by 2020. (12/17)
Kevin Donahue, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, made a detailed presentation on the NEAR Act (Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results) adopted by the District Council in spring 2016 includes provisions to address crime prevention and community safety by taking a public health focus that attempts to solve problems before they lead to crimes or violence. (2/18)
Discussion of Initiative 77 “Tipped Wage Ballot Measure” on the June 19 primary ballot with Diana Ramirez, Director, Restaurant Opportunities Centers United—DC Chapter (ROC), and Mary Barry representing “Save Our Tips” and the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington accompanied by Paul Holder, owner of Town Hall restaurant in Glover Park and Ris Lacoste, Glover Park resident and owner of Ris restaurant in the West End. (3/18)
Introduction and conversation with DC Commission on Aging Commissioners Marguerite Pridgen and John Giacomini, who are the Ward 3 representatives on the commission. They spoke about the work of the Commission and asked for input from ANC3B residents. Later, the Commissioners circulated a survey for residents on needs of seniors in the area and perspectives on the city’s proposed pilot program for “Satellite Wellness Center” to offer decentralized activities and services to seniors in Wards 2 and 3, rather than having just one designated senior wellness center for all of Ward 3. ANC3B has held several discussions on senior services and needs and the idea of senior wellness services at multiple sites had considerable support, with such a large population of seniors living in so many different locations around Ward 3. (4/18)
Presentation by DC Water Clean Rivers Project Green Infrastructure Program team about projects in ANC3B scheduled to begin construction in July 2018. After initial presentations and discussion with ANC3B through the preceding 2 years, DC Water had prepared designs for GI projects in Glover Park, done test bores, surveyed the neighborhood, and developed a schedule for implementation. Fort Myers Construction was expected to begin construction starting in the summer and lasting for more than a year, including rain gardens and permeable pavement in selected parking strips and alleys. As a result of discussions between the ANC and DC Water, the GI team withdrew its plans for installing a construction office and temporary staging area for construction materials at the intersection of Idaho Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue, on the northeast corner of the lawn of 4000 Massachusetts. (6/18)
Lucinda Babers, Director of DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) spoke about the agency’s new strategic plan and also shared details with residents on how to obtain a new DC driver’s license that meets the federal requirements for a “Real ID.” After October 2020, Real IDs will be needed to board domestic airline flights in the United States. (7/18)
Representatives of Petra Development presented their plans for constructing a mixed use building (three levels of condos and first floor retail or commercial space) at 2340 Wisconsin Avenue NW which they have purchased (what has been used as the Pearson’s parking lot). The owner of Pearson’s Liquor store also spoke at the meeting. He is challenging the sale of the property on the basis that Pearson’s had the first right of refusal on the property sale and the legal requirements under that agreement were not followed. The ANC had adopted a resolution in March asking DDOT to defer approving any public space permits until the legal issues over the sale of the property were resolved. (7/18)
Will Avila and Charlie Curtis of the Glover Park Clean Team spoke about their work to keep the streets and sidewalks clean in the Glover Park commercial area over the past year. Their work is funded under a one-year grant from the city Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). At that time they were applying for another one-year grant, which they subsequently received a renewal. (7/18)
Dawa Sant of Laligura’s Indian and Nepali cuisines of Connecticut Avenue presented his plans to establish a new restaurant at Calvert Center in the former Bruegger’s Bagels and half of the Salvadoran consulate space. (10/18)
Sarah Fashbaugh, Community Resource Officer for the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) presented the timetable for local establishments’ liquor license renewals. All licenses for restaurants as well as hotels, clubs, and caterers are up for renewal by March 31, 2019, and licenses for taverns and nightclubs by September 30, 2019. (10/18)
Nicole Rentz, Legislative Director for Councilmember Cheh, presented the major provisions of the proposed Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act of 2018, which was introduced in the DC Council on July 10. The bill includes raising the city’s Renewable Portfolio Standards from 50% to 100% by the years 2032 for each electricity supplier; increasing the small fees on customers’ utility bills to help pay for energy efficiency programs and assist in paying for energy efficiency improvements for low income residents; requiring the city to set energy efficiency performance standards for new buildings; and authorizing the Mayor to coordinate with adjoining states on initiatives such as carbon tax programs in the region to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change. Councilmember Cheh was holding a hearing on the bill on October 9 and Councilmember McDuffie scheduled a second hearing on October 29, to hear comments from ANCs, residents and businesses. (10/18)
UPDATES AND INFORMATION FROM THE COMMISSIONERS
Jackie Blumenthal reported on the January 31 Community Meeting with the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) at Guy Mason Recreation Center regarding DDOT’s proposal for lifting the No Left Turn restriction during afternoon rusb hour at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Observatory Circle. (1/18) The No Left Turn was removed over the summer.
Commissioners reported on the March 27 walk-through with city representatives to see the locations subject to ANC3B resolutions related to transportation and public safety. The walk-through included Donise Jackson, Ward 3 representative from DDOT’s Office of Community Engagement, DDOT Engineer Julianna Wilson, and Russell Rowe, liaison to the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations. (3/18)
Commissioners reported on developments in Mayor’s proposed FY2019 budget, April 4 DC Water Town Hall for Ward 3, the city’s second contract study on the effects of airplane noise in neighborhoods in NW quadrant of the city as a result of the Federal Aviation Administration’s new laser-guided routes to and from DC National Airport to be used to support the city’s efforts to get FAA to adjust the routes; and the city’s proposed Satellite Senior Wellness Pilot Program for Wards 2 and 3. (4/18)
Vice Chairman Jackie Blumenthal organized and led a panel discussion about the Glover Park Commercial Center, current challenges and potential solutions, followed by Q&As. Panel members included:
• Gina Schaefer, Owner of Glover Park Ace Hardware, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue
• Robert Isen, Owner, Calvert Center, 2330 – 2338 Wisconsin Avenue
• Jennifer Prats, Main Streets Program, DC Department of Small and Local Business Development
• Theresa Cameron, Executive Director, Van Ness Main Street Program
Commissioner Blumenthal asked people interested in this subject to sign up to receive future updates by email and participate in further discussions about actions to support improvements to the attractiveness and appeal of the commercial area. These discussions lead to the formation of the Glover Park Business Improvement Task Force. (5/18)
GRANTS
Friendship Place $2,500 for its AimHire program to purchase Tracfones, a computer, and computer workstation to help formerly homeless men find employment (1/18)
Iona Senior Services $856 for a portable speaker and “PocketTalker” assistive devices for those with limited hearing to use when they are participating in Iona activities (2/18)
Friends of Glover Park $601.95 to purchase sports equipment for use in the recreation facilities at the Glover Park Community Center at Stoddert School (7/18)
DC Food Project $1,918.12 for bags, labels, and work supplies to support the “share table” and weekend food projects at Stoddert Elementary School providing access to nutritious food in school and over the weekend while helping reduce food waste (9/18)
Iona Senior Services $1,412 to purchase a new projector, bulbs and ceiling brackets to support meetings and other activities at Iona’s center in Tenleytown (9/18)
Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) to Second District Metropolitan Police District $1,000 to help pay for service award plaques to recognize exemplary officers at the annual 2D MPD banquet (9/18)
Hardy Middle School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) $2,500 for library books and library materials (11/18)
LETTERS AND RESOLUTIONS
Resolution opposing the proposed merger between Washington Gas and AltaGas which was before the DC Public Service Commission in Formal Case FC 1142. The Commission noted that the merger would not meet the legal standards for providing public benefits to ratepayers and the community, and submitted its position at a public hearing in February. The PSC was prepared to deny approval of the merger but the DC government submitted a settlement agreement offering some additional financial benefits and the PSC voted to accept that deal. (1/18)
Resolution supporting the proposed Leaf Blower Regulation Act (B22-0234) that would prohibit use of gas-powered leaf blowers in the city as well as sale of gas-powered leaf blowers by anyone in the District for use in the District, starting in 2022. Councilmember Cheh introduced the legislation in 2016. (2/18)
Resolution supporting implementation of the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results (NEAR) Act which was enacted in the District in spring 2016 to create an integrated approach to crime and violence, combining public health and social services with improvements in policing and data collection. In the resolution, the Commission supported the principles and mechanisms in the law and encouraged the city executive agencies and Metropolitan Police Department to continue working toward full implementation of the provisions and sharing of resulting data with the public as appropriate. (3/18)
Resolution opposing adoption of Mayor’s proposed update of the Framework Element of the DC Comprehensive (“Comp Plan”) adopted in The DC Office of Planning (OP) drafted a revision of the first 60 pages of the DC Comprehensive Plan, called the “Framework Element,” covering policies, principles and land use maps. The Mayor submitted the draft to the DC Council early in the year without sharing the proposed changes with the public and providing the comment period that OP had promised for ANCs and members of the public. The draft Framework Element also reduced the avenues for ANCs and others to participate in zoning cases or to oppose decisions on the basis that they violate the goals and principles of the Comp Plan. The resolution urged additional opportunities for public comment on the Framework Element before it can be approved, and asked OP and the Council to ensure that ANCs and others have adequate opportunity to review and comment on other proposed changes in the Comp Plan and on future planning and zoning issues. Commissioner Mladinov presented the ANC’s position at a Council hearing on March 20. (3/18)
Letter to the DC Department of General Services (DGS) requesting a further discount on the rent the charges the non-profit Community Foodworks to hold the Glover Park-Burleith Farmers’ Market on the Hardy Middle School parking lot from May to November. The Farmers’ Market is a benefit to the community in many ways and serves as the official composing pick-up area for the DC Department of Public Works. DGS has granted discounts in the past and the Commission requested additional discounts to make it possible for the Farmers’ Market to continue. (3/18)
Resolution regarding the application for Public Space Permit #299146 at 2340 Wisconsin Avenue NW, including sidewalk benches and planters as well as balconies overhanging public space. That property has been used as Pearson’s Parking Lot and is proposed for a new building with three levels of condo units and retail or offices on the first floor. The ANC recommended to DDOT that it not issue a public space permit until a legal challenge to the sale of the property had been resolved. (4/18)
Letter to DC Department of Parks and Recreation in Support of Glover Park Day at Guy Mason Recreation Center and Playground, which was scheduled for June 2, 2018. (4/18)
Letter to DC Department of Parks and Recreation in Support for Glover Park Day at Guy Mason Recreation Center and Playground, which was rescheduled from June 2 to September 15 because of rain. (6/18)
Resolution regarding Rhode Island Condos LLC application for a zoning variance and special exception at 4017 Davis Place NW. The Commission voted to support the renovation of the building as condos but oppose a variance for constructing a fourth level with habitable space, which would go beyond the height limits for the neighborhood under the zoning standards. The Office of Planning also opposed the plans for a habitable fourth level and the developer withdrew that element of the application before the Board of Zoning Adjustment hearing. The developer subsequently asked the BZA to postpone consideration of the application on the basis that DCRA should be able to issue permits for the proposed development without a special exception. (6/18)
Resolution regarding Application for Zoning Special Exception for a child care center to be operated by KinderCare in the old I.O.U.E. (“Union Building”) at 2461 Wisconsin Avenue NW. The Commission urged the DC Board of Zoning Adjustment to approve the request for a special exception. BZA subsequently approved the application. (6/18)
Resolution to support the request for minor changes to the ANC’s Settlement Agreement with Good Guys, 2311 Wisconsin Avenue NW, adjusting the required hours for security guards to work. The resolution was submitted to ABRA, as the Settlement Agreement is attached to the liquor license for Good Guys. (6/18)
Letter of Support for renewing the grant to the non-profit organization Changing Perceptions as the Glover Park Clean Team. The District Department of Small and Local Business Development subsequently approved the grant to Changing Perceptions, which has had a dedicated crew of trained and effective returning citizens working 6 days a week for the past two years to keep the sidewalks, gutters, tree boxes, and other public areas clean and well maintained along the Wisconsin Avenue commercial corridor in Glover Park. (7/18)
Letter to DDOT Regarding Proposed Design Guidelines for Telecommunications Providers to Install “Small Cell” Technology in the District to allow higher speed voice and data transmission (4G and 5G). The Commission made a series of recommendations for changes in the proposed guidelines and further opportunities for public review and comment, which Commissioner Mladinov presented in testimony at the DDOT hearing on the subject on October 15. Council-member Cheh also scheduled a roundtable on the subject in her committee November 19 to hear from DDOT, ANCs and the public on their interests and concerns about the issue. (10/18)
Resolution Regarding Clean Energy DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018 (B22-904) which was introduced by Councilmember Mary Cheh and had been the subject of a presentation by her Legislative Director Nicole Rentz at the September meeting. The ANC3B letter was submitted as part of the written record of Councilmember Cheh’s committee hearing on the bill on October 9. Commissioner Mladinov also testified for ANC3B at Councilmember McDuffie’s hearing on the bill on October 29. (10/18)
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Carried out the annual budget for ANC3B for FY2018, adopted in October 2017.
Elected new officers for ANC3B, including first-time Chairman Brian Turmail and Vice Chairman Jackie Blumenthal to serve from January through December 31, 2018. (1/18).
Voted to pay $25 to participate in the ANC Security Fund which insures the ANC against any unauthorized expenditures or loss of funds during the year. (1/18)
Adopted amended by-laws to accommodate changes in the DC Code affecting ANCs as part of the ANC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2016, which went into effect in 2017-2018. (2/18)
Adopted amended grant guidelines laws to accommodate changes in DC Code affecting ANC grants, as part of the ANC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2016, which went into effect in 2017. (2/18)
Approved ANC3B financial reports each quarter as required, posted them on the ANC3B website, and submitted them to the Office of ANCs.
Contracted for a redesign of the ANC3B website by DLM Web Development, the local company that maintains the website and also oversees the security of the website. The security safeguards successfully protected the website from a major “hacking” attempt in October 2018.
Introduced the new liaisons to Ward 3 from the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services, Rich Harrington and Jessica Wertheim, replacing Ian Maggard who was hired by DDOT as a Program Analyst, and the new ANC liaison and Legislative Counsel for Councilmember Cheh’s Office, Cole Wogoman, replacing Ona Balkus who was appointed Director of Food Policy for the city. (9/18)
Adopted the proposed ANC3B annual budget for FY 2019. (10/18)
Individual Commissioners attended training classes offered free of charge by the District to provide information needed for ANCs to carry out their responsibilities, including on: new rules and regulations governing ANC Chairmen and Treasurers in handling city funds; the requirements of the ANC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2016; and DC Zoning laws as changed by the Zoning Regulation Rewrite in 2016.
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This Annual Report was approved by the Commission by a vote of 5-0 at a duly-noticed public meeting on November 8, 2018, at which a quorum was present. (Three of the five Commissioners constitute a quorum.)
ANC3B COMMISSIONERS
(all elected to a 2-year term in November 2016 and re-elected in November 2018)
Brian Turmail, Chairman (ANC3B05)
Jackie Blumenthal, Vice Chairman (ANC3B02)
Mary Young, Treasurer (ANC3B04)
Ann Mladinov, Secretary (ANC3B01)
Melissa Lane (ANC3B03)