Highlights from the December 10, 2020 virtual meeting include:
- Captain Bray gave the police report and addressed several specific incidents including a domestic incident at 2712 Wisconsin, a burglary at 2100 Huidekoper, a break in at Laliguaras at 2332 Wisconsin, and a series of thefts where full sets of tires were stolen. Despite these incidents, both property and violent crime in general in Glover Park and Cathedral Heights for the year are down compared to 2019.
- Chairman Turmail, the other Commissioners, Councilmember Mary Cheh, and Iona Senior Services Director Sally White joined in thanks and congratulations to Commissioner Mary Young (ANC3B04), retiring after 8 years of invaluable service to Cathedral Heights, ANC 3B and the community at large.
- Mahesh Patel from Good Guys and Jenna Gross from Moving Targets described their plans to expand the GG space into the second floor, pending approval by ABRA. Under COVID restrictions, the club has not been able to offer live entertainment since March. In August, the city would have let them open for restaurant service only but they would not have been able to serve enough customers to break even under DC social distancing requirements. Mr. Patel said if approved, they would continue to use the second-floor space after the pandemic but that they were not asking for increased capacity beyond the current 75-person limit. ANC 3B has until January 25th to decide whether or not to protest the ABRA application.
Highlights from the January 21, 2021 virtual meeting include:
- Lieutenant Paul Johnson reported that crime had been low in January with only a few thefts from auto, thefts of motor vehicles, and general thefts. Overall crime is down a bit from a year ago. He said Second District officers had been involved in responding to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th and several were injured but all are recovering.
- Regina Knox Woods from MedStar Health along with Kathleen Stratton from the Sheppard Mellon Law Firm requested a letter of support for Medstar Georgetown University Hospital to move its ob-gyn and internal medicine practices to 2233 Wisconsin Avenue. The practices would occupy the entire third floor (about 29k square feet) and employ approximately 100 people. Pending approval, they hope to start renovations sometime in April and be ready to move in by December. The Commission voted unanimously to support the request.
- Jon Gillespie presented his application to BZA for a zoning variance to construct a rear deck of 2022 37th Street, NW. The plans call for a 9.3-foot deck bringing the lot occupancy to 63%, higher than the 60% regulation. He has support from his adjacent neighbors. The Commission voted to send a letter of support to BZA pending receipt of written approval from Mr. Gillespie’s neighbors.
- Commissioner Blumenthal reported that Mahesh Patel says he plans to withdraw his application for expansion of Good Guys to the second floor. The Commission voted to protest the application to ABRA if Mr. Patel did not withdraw it.
- Mike Goodno and Gilberto Solano from the DDOT Bike Planning Team presented two options for infrastructure and safety improvements to the bike route on New Mexico, Tunlaw and 37th Street. This briefing was their first public presentation on the proposed options: a) separated bike lanes on either side of the street or b) a two-way cycle track the entire length of the route between Nebraska Avenue and Reservoir Road. Both options would eliminate all on-street parking on both sides of Tunlaw and 37th between Calvert Street and Reservoir Road. On Tunlaw between Calvert and 39th all but 3-8 spaces would be eliminated. For ANC 3B specifically, the proposed total of curbside parking lost would be between 108-115 spaces out of 154. DDOT will share a corrected set of slides to post on anc3b.org and will be reviewing options and taking feedback from the community over coming months before deciding on a course of action.
- WMATA is still developing their Metrobus operating budget for the coming year to present for public comment. Proposals for FY 2022 for the 30’s buses and D buses are included starting at p. 13 of the draft budget at https://www.wmata.com/about/board/meetings/board-pdfs/upload/3B-FY2022-Budget-Update-2.pdf. These may not be the final proposals.