DRAFT ANC3B Annual Report covering December 1, 2021-November 30, 2022
Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) were established in the “home rule” act of 1979 to be the part of local District government closest to the people. The five Commissioners of ANC3B serving Glover Park and Cathedral Heights (“the Commission”) are elected every two years in the DC General Election and act as a group to make recommendations to local and federal agencies on matters affecting local residents. City agencies are required by law to give “great weight” to ANC recommendations on most proposed regulatory and policy decisions.
The year brought many important developments in ANC3B, for the commercial area, for Stoddert Elementary School and for residents around the community.
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the area continued to deal with the challenges of COVID-19. Metrobus service remained at lower levels than it was prior to the pandemic, as commuting and personal travel have not fully rebounded, and business for stores and restaurants in the commercial is still lagging behind pre-COVID-19 levels.
The Commission continued to hold meetings virtually, via Zoom, as allowed under the District’s COVID-19 emergency legislation and the ANC’s vote on March 12, 2020, to waive bylaws requiring in-person public meetings. Stoddert returned to almost fully in-person classes in the past year, though the building retained limits on visitors, so the ANC continued to meet “remotely.”
With the strong support of the ANC, residents, the Stoddert PTO and LSAT, and Councilmember Mary Cheh, the Council reaffirmed its support for a capital improvement project at Stoddert to add permanent classroom space to replace the “demountables” in the parking lot and improve common areas. The ANC joined those supporters in backing Council adoption of language to include in the scheduled capital project structural designs to support addition of a third floor at Stoddert, when enrollment demands, and succeeding in getting the Council to approve a resolution in October 2022 stating that a proposed new elementary school on Foxhall Road would not be convenient for Stoddert families and children who would be in the current Stoddert boundaries in Glover Park should not be required to go to a more distant school. That policy would help significantly to ensure the strong public elementary school can continue to serve the area with the capacity to serve students in the neighborhood and also maintain enrollment of out-of-boundary students, and ease transportation challenges for local families.
Early in the year, the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) decided to remove from its bicycle plans the proposed two-way protected bike lanes on Tunlaw Road and 37th Street south of Calvert Street. DDOT continued discussions with the ANC throughout the year on plans for protected bike lanes on Tunlaw Road north of Calvert and on New Mexico Avenue in Glover Archbold Park, along with proposed pedestrian improvements and changes to parking. The ANC consulted with residents through this process and contributed to DDOT’s consideration of the details of the plans to meet safety and other transportation needs in the area. DDOT’s proposed timeline calls for installing protected bike lanes on Tunlaw as well as adjoining segments of New Mexico in the new year, when the plans are finalized.
The Commissioners coordinated with businesses and Glover Park Main Street (GPMS) on improvements in the commercial area on Wisconsin Avenue. The District extended permission for the “streatery” on Wisconsin Avenue, and the area saw the opening of several new restaurants and businesses. With the support of the ANC, the commercial area also saw new entertainment endorsements for existing restaurants, reopening of the Glover Park Whole Foods in February, a return to Glover Park Day at Guy Mason Recreation Center in June, and Glover Park’s second “Art All Night” in September.
Two applicants submitted applications to the DC Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) for the one license available for a Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Ward 3, proposing to operate in a location in Glover Park (one at the site of Laliguras, one at the site of the Subway). The ANC voted not to support the specific applications at either of those locations, and ABRA turned down both applicants in favor of a dispensary on MacArthur Boulevard.
In February, ABRA approved a 3-year extension of the existing moratorium on new liquor licenses for taverns and nightclubs in the Glover Park commercial area, at the request of GPMS and the ANC, to give existing businesses more time to recover from COVID-19 and encourage new family-oriented restaurants.
In the fall 2022, Petra Development’s new 27-unit affordable housing project at 2430 Wisconsin Avenue opened to tenants age 55 and over with medium to high medical risks. Petra did not require ANC approval for this development, but after the initial tenants moved in, Petra officials came to the ANC to talk about its experience with affordable housing and its plans for a high-end showroom in the first floor commercial space at the building.
The other major change for ANC3B came with District-wide redistricting of Wards and ANCs after the 2020 Census. Ward 3 redistricting resulted in a change in ANC3B boundaries to expand the ANC to 6 Commissioners, add several blocks of apartment/condominium buildings north of New Mexico Avenue on the west side of Glover Archbold Park, and also remove several blocks of Cathedral Heights from the Commission area to help create a new ANC3A to the north along Wisconsin Avenue.
After the November 2022 General Election, ANC3B will see the retirement of Chairman Brian Turmail and Treasurer Elizabeth Elson, shift of Commissioner Ann Mladinov to the new ANC3A, continued service of Commissioners Jackie Blumenthal (3B02) and Melissa Lane (3B03), and addition of four new Commissioners Kevin Lavezzo (3B01), [successful write-in candidate Kevin Carroll (3B04)], Gupi Howe (3B05), and Ben Bergmann, former Chair of ANC3D (in the new 3B06).
Official Actions by Vote of the Commission
Between December 1, 2021, and November 30, 2022, the Commission voted on 43 official actions, including 10 administrative actions such as the ANC3B budget, expenditures and quarterly reports; 18 votes involving local zoning and liquor license applications, and 16 letters and resolutions on city policy matters. policies, DMV, and other agencies.
In addition, the Commission hosted 16 discussions and presentations at ANC3B public meetings by city agencies and organizations on their services and programs, including WMATA on local Metrobus services, the Department of Parks and Recreation and its plans for Guy Mason Recreation Center, the Chancellor of DCPS, the Director of the DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on new online and streamlined services, and members of the DC Department of Transportation about parking permits, safety initiatives, and service requests in the community. The Commissioners and members of the community also provided information and updates at each monthly meeting on developments, activities or programs affecting the Commission area
The city provided ANC3B $13,820 in appropriated funds in FY2022 (ending September 30, 2022), in quarterly allotments, and the DC Council approved a parallel level of funding for the ANC in FY2023 (beginning October 1, 2022). The total allotment for ANC3B will go up in proportion to the new number of Commissioners starting January 1, 2023, which will mean a total allotment in FY 2023, of $15,476.65.
The Commission does not have an office or administrative staff but instead uses the funds from the city to cover supplies, communications, and the ANC3B website and makes the rest available for grants to non-profit organizations for projects to benefit the community. During the 12-month reporting period, the Commission did not get any grant applications.
Major Issues for the Community Addressed by ANC3B
The most important issue for the Commission through the past 12 months has been the proposed project by the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) to install protected bike lanes on the New Mexico Avenue/Tunlaw Road corridor which starts at Nebraska Avenue in ANC3D. DDOT decided not to continue the bike lanes south of Calvert Street, on Tunlaw and on to 37th Street south to Reservoir Road, because the 30-foot width of the roadway does not provide enough room to accommodate motor vehicles, Metrobuses, delivery vehicles, parking as well as two-way 10-foot wide protected two bike lanes. The majority of residents supported that decision, along with ANC3B and the Councilmember’s office. The decision was also in line with the policies in DDOT’s MoveDC 2021 Long-Range Plan and the standards adopted by the National Association of City Transportation Officials that protected bike lanes are not required for safety on local residential streets or collector streets, which is the classification of Tunlaw and 37th Street south of Calvert.
DDOT had made three presentations to the ANC about possible options for the project in the previous years and returned again in April and July to present new designs. DDOT issued a formal Notice of Intent (NOI) in early September at the 65% point in the design process, with comments due on November 3. In response to DDOT plans, ANC3B adopted official statements to DDOT in April, July, and October. The Commissioners consulted with constituents, invited comments at ANC meetings from members of the community on the various proposals DDOT put forward, and reflected the comments in their votes.
As the COVID-19 crisis eased and more people could travel safely, WMATA restored the N2 and N4 Metrobus routes to service in September 2021 and increased service on the 31 and 33 on Wisconsin Avenue. At the same time however, WMATA also eliminated the long-time cross-town bus service provided by the 30N and 30S as of September 4, 2021, in spite of hundreds of letters residents had sent in 2020 and earlier in 2021 supporting continuation of those routes. Until late August 2022, Metrobus service on the D2 continued with far lower frequencies at weekday peak times than prior to the pandemic, but at that point, in response to rising ridership and urging from the ANC, WMATA agreed to return to pre-COVID-19 schedules on the D2. However, the D1 peak hour weekday service remains suspended along with the 37 peak hour weekday Limited service between Friendship Heights and Cathedral Heights and on to Dupont Circle and Archives via Massachusetts Avenue. ANC3B continued to ask WMATA to maintain and expand Metrobus service and hosted WMATA bus planners at the July 2022 meeting to take questions and discuss current operations and future plans for local transit service.
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.
When a zoning application is filed in the ANC3B area, the Commission generally asks applicants to make a presentation about a proposed application at an ANC public meeting and get comments from nearby residents, including the residents and owners of the adjoining properties. During the reporting year, the Commission heard presentations and reviewed comments on 10 zoning applications and adopted letters of support to the Office of Zoning. Of those applications, 6 requests were from residents for a Zoning Special Exception, one for a rear deck addition at a single family home and 5 for addition of new units to existing four-unit apartment buildings.
The Commission also heard presentations and approved a letter of support for replacement antennas at 2121 Wisconsin Avenue and the redevelopment plans for the commercial complex at 3300 Whitehaven, a Planned Unit Development (PUD) to allow construction of a new underground gymnasium for the British International School, and heard a second presentation by the developers at 3300 Whitehaven about an intended second phase of redevelopment to convert the rear of the site now devoted to office buildings to create 275 new residential units, which will be subject to a Zoning Commission in early 2023.
Over the past 12 months, the Commission also heard presentations about applications to the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration for entertainment endorsements for Wingo’s and Rocklands, for DeCarlo’s new restaurant at 4000 Cathedral Avenue for a stipulated license to start service, which the ANC supported; and for renewal of the liquor license for Good Guys, which the ANC voted to protest based on gun incidents and other disruptions and security problems at the establishment.
See the ANC3B website www.anc3b.org for a list of letters and resolutions, grants, minutes of public meetings, and other official documents.
For more information, contact anc3bmail@gmail.com
DETAILED REPORT ON ANC OPERATIONS
Each ANC Commissioner is elected for a two-year term from a Single Member District comprising about 2,000 residents in the community. ANC3B regular public meetings, generally held once a month, are open to every member of the community, and residents are welcome to participate.
ANC3B public meetings are usually held on the second Thursday of the month, with a break in August. In 2022, the Commission held a Special Meeting about the final applicants for an MMD license were announced in late July and it was necessary to hold a meeting in August in order to approve an official position by the due date expressing views on the applicant in the Commission area. Normally ANC3B public meetings are held in person at Stoddert Elementary School. However, after March 2020, ANC3B shifted to “virtual” public meetings.
The proposed schedule of ANC3B public meetings is announced at the beginning of each calendar year and posted on the official ANC3B website www.anc3b.org. The proposed agenda for the next meeting is published 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 through meeting summaries on the home page of the Commission’s website and in the Glover Park Gazette. The more detailed official minutes of each meeting are subject are posted on the website after they are approved at the following public meeting. Copies of official resolutions, letters, and other documents that have been approved by vote of the Commission at public meetings are also posted on the website, along with quarterly financial reports and the ANC annual budget.
Day to day, the five ANC3B Commissioners 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 issues, including improving the condition of streets, sidewalks, and crosswalks and focusing on areas where pedestrian and traffic safety are particular concerns.
The Commission invites representatives of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Second District to each meeting to discuss public safety issues in the community along with local crime statistics. During the COVID-19 emergency, total crime fell sharply in the ANC3B area through 2020 but returned to slightly higher levels in 2021. The Commission kept in touch with MPD about local crime patterns and asked for added patrols to respond when reports were filed on upticks in property crimes. At meetings and by email, the Commissioners work with MPD to share crime prevention recommendations as well as police initiatives to investigate and deter incidents.
Official Actions by Vote of the Commission
Between December 1, 2021, and November 30, 2022, the Commission voted on [44] official actions:
– [10] administrative actions such as the ANC3B budget, expenditures, quarterly financial reports, meeting schedule, and election of officers
-[18] votes on zoning requests and applications to ABRA for liquor licenses and other license issues in the Commission area, including [9 zoning applications for construction projects, 4 requests for changes to liquor license applications (renewals, entertainment endorsements, modifications to settlement agreements), 2 requests to the Zoning Commission about the Glover Park liquor license moratorium for taverns and nightclubs, and 2 requests for support for applications for a Medical Marijuana Dispensary.
– [16] letters and resolutions on local or District-wide policy matters
In addition, the Commission hosted 16 discussions and presentations at ANC3B public meetings by city agencies and organizations on their services and programs, including DC Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Lewis Ferebee on the Mayor’s proposed budget, WMATA on local bus services, Director Gabriel Robinson of the DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), representatives of the DC Sentencing Commission, DC Fire Department on fire safety, and DCPS on plans for Stoddert, and several members of the DC Department of Transportation about safety initiatives and service requests in the community. The Commissioners and members of the community also provided information and updates at each monthly meeting on developments, activities or programs affecting the Commission area
The city provided ANC3B $13,820 in appropriated funds in FY2022 (ending September 30, 2022), in quarterly allotments, and the DC Council approved the same level of funding for the ANC in FY2023, which began on October 1, 2021, plus an additional allotment for the next three quarters of the new year in proportion to the expanded size of the ANC after January 1, 2023, for a total of $15,476.65.
The Commission has not had an office or administrative staff but instead uses the funds from the city to cover supplies communications including the ANC3B website, and traditionally makes the rest available for grants for projects to benefit the community. Under ANC3B guidelines, non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for grants to cover costs of projects that benefit the community, generally up to a total of $2,500 within a fiscal year. During the 12-month reporting period, there were no grant applications to ANC3B.)
LIST OF ANC ACTIONS IN REPORTING YEAR
LETTERS AND RESOLUTIONS ON DC AGENCY PROPOSALS AND POLICIES
APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING RELIEF AND CHANGES IN LIQUOR LICENSES
PRESENTATIONS BY DISTRICT OFFICIALS AND AGENCIES
DDOT presentation on options for bicycle infrastructure and safety improvements on New Mexico/Tunlaw/37th Street corridor, delivered by Bicycle Specialists Mike Goodno and Gilberto Solano along with George Branyan, Manager of the Active Transportation Branch of the Planning and Sustainability Office. They presented designs for two-way protected bike lanes on the south/west side of Tunlaw north of Calvert Street and on New Mexico Avenue in Glover Archbold Park. . . .
UPDATES AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Commissioners provided information on . . .
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS
Approval of four quarterly financial reports to Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions
Election of ANC3B officers for the year: Brian Turmail, Chair; Jackie Blumenthal, Vice Chair; Elizabeth Elson, Treasurer; Ann Mladinov, Secretary. Melissa Allen, Communications & Media (1/22)
Approval of monthly meeting schedule for calendar year 2021 (1/22)
Approval of expenditure of $25 to join the annual ANC Security Fund, to protect the Commission from loss or misappropriation of funds by the Chairman or Treasurer (1/21)
Approval of ANC3B proposed FY2023 Budget (10/22 with updated allotment figures in 11/22)
Approval of ANC3B 2022 Annual Report covering December 1, 2021-November 30, 2022 (11/22).