September 20, 2011
Meeting Report
Meeting Agenda:
- USPP Update
- Check in with ANC Commissioners
- Food and Craft Market at 14th and W Streets
- Development at 15th and V Streets – Jair Lynch
- Fall Clean-Up
- U Street Movie Series
- Elections
- Tree on Florida Avenue
USPP Update:
The United States Park Police will present a Citizens’ Academy in the Fall of 2011. The six-week course starts October 12th and concludes on November 16th. The classes are planned from 7pm to 9pm on Wednesdays and will offer citizens the opportunity to become more knowledgeable about police procedures and the United States Park Police Organization.
More information is available at:
http://www.nps.gov/uspp/citacad208.htm
The USPP Explorers Program takes candidates age 14-21 and develops their interest in law enforcement. Candidates must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA. The USPP is looking for donations to help sponsor the kids to go to an upcoming competition.
More information can be found at:
http://www.nps.gov/uspp/Exploring1791.htm
The bathrooms are up and running in the park after a lengthy construction issue with sewer hook-up. Since this year, there have been over 50 quality of life arrests in the park. The Drum Circle permit continues to run on a 30-day basis until 9pm. If there are complaints about the hours residents should contact:
Nick Bartolomeo (Chief Ranger of Rock Creek Park) Nick_Bartolomeo@nps.gov
ANC Check-in:
Deborah Thomas: Commissioner Thomas continues to work with Councilman Graham’s office to find solutions for drug use and loitering at the Coop’s on W Street.
Commissioner Thomas requested a letter for support for expanded hours at Judy’s restaurant so that its operating hours would be consistent with those of similar neighborhood establishments, which she requested at MHNA’s June 21, 2011, meeting. Brian stated that MHNA had agreed to such a letter in principle and was waiting to hear from Commissioner Thomas as to what those hours were. Commissioner Thomas stated that she would provide the requested hours to the MHNA Board so that they can provide a letter for the October deadline.
Charlie Meisch (Via email): Commissioner Meisch has been active in dealing with the Nehemiah construction site on constituent concerns. He has also been attempting to get the City to improve the flower boxes and trash situations on Chapin.
Food and Craft Market at 14th and W Streets, NW:
Chef Ken came to present the food and craft market he started in the parking lot at 14th and W Streets, NW on August 20, 2011. Meridian Hill Neighborhood Association is a sponsor of the market. Chef Ken relayed that the market provides a unique blend of pantry foods and people. The market has been open on Saturdays and Sunday from 10 until 4 although Chef Ken plans to cut back to Saturdays only and will continue at the same location until at least the end of October. He is exploring using the Douglas Lot for a holiday-type market and reaching out to View 14 to possibly use their indoor space during cold months.
Chef Ken relayed that he needs more help getting the word out about the market. He is looking for places to post flyers about the market and has requested funding from MHNA to help pay for advertising the market. Brian requested a vote on a resolution for MHNA to contribute an amount of a couple hundred dollars to defray the costs of publicity for the market, with the amount to be set by the Board after conferring with the treasurer. Those present who were MHNA members voted in favor of the resolution. Brian stated that he will send out a press release.
Development at 15th and V Streets, NW – Jair Lynch:
Andrew H. Spencer of Jair Lynch Development Partners (JLD) provided an update on plans to construct a 95-unit 9-story apartment building on the southeast corner of 15th & V Streets, NW. He stated that the DC Historic Preservation Office (HPO)recommended approval of the project but expressed reservations about the glass bays on the northwest corner. He relayed that while the project is proposed as a by-right development, it is in the U Street Historic District, which requires Historic Preservation Review Board approval and will be reviewed at the next HPRB meeting will be Thursday, September 22nd.
Attendees noted that JLD had not contacted affected residents, including those in the 16 Victorian rowhouses on the west side of 2000 block of 15th Street, the seven historic rowhouses on the east side of the 2100 block of 15th Street, and the Wakefield Hall apartments at 2101 New Hampshire Avenue. Andrew responded that contacting affected residents is not a normal part of the company's development process. Deborah Thomas stated that rather than contacting individual residents, the developer went to MHNA. Brian clarified that Jair Lynch’s presentation about the proposed construction project at the June 21, 2011, MHNA meeting was the first time those present had heard of the proposed project and that MHNA did not take a vote on whether to support the proposed new construction.
Andrew stated that JLD had made changes to the project, since its June 21, 2011, presentation to MHNA after consulting with the HPO, including increasing the brick to glass ratio and simplifying the design and that the footprint of the building remains the same as previously presented.
Andrew stated that following the HPRB review JLD will continue to refine the design. He relayed that part of the reason for the scale of the building is that it allows them to fund other components of this project, including the renovations and extension of the HUD status for the adjacent Dunbar Senior Housing.
Attendees’ comments included:
- While the design has added more brick, some adjacent residents felt that the glass to masonry ratio on the building does not fit in with the context of the historic rowhouses across 15th Street.
- The scale of the building still feels too large.
- Not enough quantified information is known about the proposed new construction, such as its exact height.
- The proposed new construction should be set back from 15th Street at the same distance as the front entrance to the adjacent Paul Laurence Dunbar apartments, to preserve green space and the view of historic St. Augustine’s church from U Street. Andrew responded that a specified amount of space must be allotted on the eastern side of the building to allow vehicular access to the Paul Laurence Dunbar apartments from V Street, JLD will look into a longer setback from 15th Street, which may require a reduction in the number of units, and that even if the new construction is not set back from the property line the trees along 15th Street will be preserved.
- Andrew produced a photograph of the Portner Flats hotel which once occupied the property and some agreed that the design consistent with the Portner Flats would be acceptable.
- Not enough time has been given to adjacent property owners to provide input. One affected resident stated that she had learned of the proposed construction project over the weekend. Christina requested that JLD seek to postpone HPRB review so that the affected residents would have time to review the renderings and provide comments. Andrew declined, stating that the process has already been initiated and they would like to move forward with the project.
- Bobby Barusefski stated that he liked the architecture of the proposed building and that it is an improvement over some of the other architecture in the surrounding neighborhood. He also noted that one of the things he enjoys about this neighborhood is the many layers of architecture that are represented.
Brian proposed that MHNA submit a letter to the HPRB stating that MHNA has not taken a position on whether to support the proposed construction project. Those present voted in favor, with a amendment that the letter note the existence of positive and negative aspects of the project.
Christina proposed that the June 2011 meeting minutes be amended to clarify that JLD’s presentation on June 21, 2011, was for informational purposes and that MHNA did not take a vote on whether to support the proposed new construction and that the meeting minutes reflect that they were being amended. Those present voted in favor.
Fall Clean-up:
MHNA will tentatively set the date for the MHNA Fall Clean-up on Saturday October 22nd. Pete volunteered to coordinate with the city to make the necessary logistical arrangements.
U Street Summer Movie Series:
The September U Street Summer Movie Series was cancelled because of the rain. The October movie “Waiting for Superman” is scheduled tentatively for October 20th.
Elections:
Brian Levy relayed that he will step down as president effective 2012. He requested that board members or any current Meridian Hill members consider if they will run for election for the next MHNA meeting.
Tree along Florida Avenue:
Bobby relayed that there was a dying tree on the private property at 1421 Florida Avenue that had been affected by an adjacent construction project and was a risk of falling and possibly injuring someone. Bobby reported that he had already sent an email to Commissioner Street and the Coop President for an adjacent building but had not received a response. John DeTaeye of Councilmember Graham's office requested that Bobby forward the email and a picture to him to see if their office can be of assistance as this is a public safety issue.
Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 9:47PM