Police Report. Commissioner Mladinov gave the police report. In the last 30-day period, property crimes numbered 14 including one stolen auto, 7 thefts from auto and 6 other thefts. In SMD 01 and 03, thefts from auto include a number of catalytic converters and airbags.
Discussion and Resolution on New Parking Passes for Teachers at Stoddert Elementary School. Jill Sanderson of DCPS presented a request to DDOT for special parking passes for Stoddert teachers to use on-street parking in the local area. Much of the Stoddert parking lot is taken up by demountables leaving only 11 parking spots. While about a third of the Stoddert faculty and staff of 60 walk to work, many other staff need parking. Passes would only be needed while the demountables are on the campus; after construction is completed on the addition in 2023-24, the parking lot should be returned to full capacity. Ms. Sanderson said the school is hoping for approximately 20 parking passes that would be valid during school hours (8 am-3:30 pm on weekdays). The Commissioners voted to send DCPS a resolution supporting the school’s request.
Discussion and Vote on Councilmember Mary Cheh’s Proposed Resolution RE Stoddert School. Councilmember Cheh’s “Sense of the Council Resolution” directs that the current Stoddert addition should permit adding a 3rd floor if needed, and no students/families should be assigned to a new DCPS elementary school on Foxhall Road if it would require a longer commute to school than they have with their current in-boundary school. The Council hearing on the Resolution was scheduled for September 27. The Commissioners voted to urge the Council to adopt the Resolution.
Letter of Support for Rocklands’ Request to Have Entertainment for Art All Night on September 23. Rocklands at 2418 Wisconsin proposed to participate in the Glover Park Art All Night program by having a small band in their streatery, but the business does not have an entertainment endorsement on its liquor license. The Commission approved a letter to ABRA supporting Rocklands’ one-day request to have entertainment.
Presentation on Application for Special Exception for Addition at 2504 41st Street. The applicants are asking for zoning approval in BZA Case 20783, to build a recessed third story with roof decks and add ground level units, converting the two-story semi-detached 4-unit apartment building to 9 units. A green roof will be installed, and five parking spaces will also be added off the alley. BZA scheduled a hearing on the case on September 14, 2022. Toye Bello, counsel for the owner, and the architect presented the proposed plans. They had also sent nearby neighbors the plans and request for support (see anc3b.org for plans and notices). No one had expressed opposition. The Commission voted to send BZA a letter supporting a Special Exception to allow construction of the additional units.
DDOT Update on Proposed Design for Protected Bike Lanes on New Mexico/Tunlaw. Since December, the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) Bike Planning team has been assessing safety options and public comments on possible designs for bike lanes and other traffic safety improvements on New Mexico Avenue and Tunlaw Road north of Calvert. On April 14, DDOT presented new preliminary designs and in the past two months has been reviewing comments from residents and the ANC in its letter adopted at the July 14 meeting and working on potential modifications. DDOT also held a site visit on August 31 to review some of the areas raised in the comments about adjusting the location of some parking spaces. Mike Goodno and Gilberto Solano presented the agency’s “65 percent” design (see anc3b.org website for plan) but noted the slides did not include any changes to respond to what they learned during the site visit. They said DDOT still hopes to make further adjustments but also would like to issue a Notice of Intent within a few days and launch a 30-day period for final comments from residents and ANC, to get responses by mid-October and potentially be able to install the bike lanes and other safety improvements by the end of December.
Presentation about the Work of the DC Sentencing Commission. Outreach Specialist Brittany Bunch spoke about the Sentencing Commission’s ongoing review of sentencing policy and practices for criminal violations in the District and its annual Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines Manual. The Commission conducts research, compiles comments and provides recommendations to the DC Council on sentencing policy but does not have the authority to change the current law or set the sentence in individual cases.
Next meeting: October 13, 2022