June 2011 Meeting Report

Meeting Agenda:

• Check in U.S. Park Police
• U Street Summer Movie Series Update
• Commissioner Deborah Thomas Update (ANC)
• Jair Lynch RE; 15th and U Street Project
• Judy Restaurant RE: Amendment to their Voluntary Agreement
• MOVA RE: RE: Planned Upscale Martini Lounge at 2204 14th Street
• Pica Taco RE: Summer Garden
• Presentation from Living City Blocks
• Treasurer Update

Check in with U.S. Park Police:

Meridian Hill Park Update:  There are not a lot of new updates regarding crime.  There was an armed robbery last Friday and a possible suspect is in custody.  The new bathrooms are now open to the public.  A Park Police Officer is in the Park during the weekends and within an 8 block radius during weekdays.  The Drum Circle is operating on a 30-day permit and as of right now there have been no complaints from the neighbors.  Input from the neighbors is needed for the current hours to change.

U Street Summer Movie Series: 

The U Street Summer Movie Series needs volunteers to man the MHNA table.  Volunteers are needed at 6:30 the day of the event.  Posters have been printed as have advertising cards to distribute to area businesses and neighbors.  So far the U Street Summer Movie Series has raised $11,000 this year where as last year they raised $5,000.  The next movie will be on June 28^th.  The movie will be “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” and “The Poodle Trainer”.  The rain date is set for June 30^th.

Commissioner Deborah Thomas Update (ANC)

Palace 5ive hosted an event today, June 21^st that attracted an estimate 400-500 people without a permit.  Police shut down the event and a fine was issued.

Jair Lynch RE: Project at 15th and U Street NW: 

According to Jair Lynch, they have been working with the Campbell Heights Association for the past two years to develop a piece of their property into a new apartment building.  The goal of the project is to help keep affordable senior housing in the neighborhood while developing a piece of the Campbell Heights parcel so that it is at it’s max FAR (currently the parcel is under it’s max allowable FAR as it is developed today – this project will not exceed the current allowable FAR and is a by-right development).  Jair Lynch was able to acquire the property in 2010.

The project seeks to develop the part of the existing parking lot north of the Campbell Heights Building at the corner of 15th and V Streets with a 95-unit, 9-story building.  The architect has incorporated numerous elements found in the surrounding neighborhood and is proposed to have it’s entrance on 15th Street.  Two levels of underground parking are proposed , accessible in the rear on V Street.  If successful in the entitlement phase which includes a presentation to the Historic Review Board at the end of July, the project will move forward to design and construction would begin in the Summer of 2012 with a 15-18 month construction process.

According to Lynch, residents of the existing Campbell Heights Association have been involved from the beginning and endorse the project.  The existing building will have many interior upgrades including a new outdoor space.  The existing Campbell Heights building will also have their Section 8 HUD status extended for 20 years.

Jair Lynch has asked MHNA for a letter of support.  No objections were taken.  NOTE: On September 20, 2011, MHNA voted to correct the June 21, 2011, meeting report to state that Jair Lynch was informed that their presentation at the June 21, 2011, MHNA meeting was for informational purposes and that MHNA did not take a vote on whether to support the proposed new construction.  

Judy Restaurant RE: Amendment to their Voluntary Agreement:

Judy is requesting approval for an amendment to their voluntary agreement.  They would like to extend their entertainment endorsement from Thursday-Saturday to also include Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  They would also like to add outdoor seating.  Deborah Thomas is in support of the amendment because they are in good standing with the Community and have been there for 20 years.  Deborah would like to see them be able to keep up with the new surrounding businesses.  The outdoor seating will include 3 or 4 tables.  MHNA offers support to the amendment with contingent upon verifying what hours the outdoor seating will be allowed.  MHNA offers support if the hours are consistent with other businesses in the other including Eatonville and the proposed La Fonda at 14^th and V Street NW. 

MOVA:

MOVA presented their application for an upscale martini lounge at 2204 14^th Street.  They are applying for a liquor license and an entertainment endorsement that would be used for dj’s.   The application also requests outdoor seating on the rear roof of the building.  To mitigate sound, a 3’6 parapet wall and wooden latticework is proposed.  Commissioner Thomas has concerns about noise since the outdoor seating will be in the rear of the building on the roof.  Commissioner Thomas is going to reach out to neighboring condominium buildings to make them aware of the proposed project and build consensus before the presentation at the next ANC meeting.

Pica Taco: 

Pica Taco is proposing outdoor seating at 1406 Florida Avenue.  The application requests 4 tables that will be available to patrons until closing.  MHNA suggested reaching out to the neighbor which Pica Taco says they have already done.  MHNA also suggested contacting The Solea Condominium across Florida Avenue.  Bobby Barusefski will distribute the information to the Solea Condominium once Commisioner Thomas verifies whether or not alcohol will be able to be served outside and the hours of the proposed outdoor seating.

Living City Block:

Living City Block is using several city blocks within MHNA boundaries as part of a project that builds a model of what a sustainable city block could be.  The blocks include the blocks between 13^th Street to 15^th Street from U Street to V Street.  Those blocks were chosen because of the diverse income levels and mix of uses.  Some of the components of the project are composting from surrounding restaurants, community gardens, and green roofs.   Va Tech, Howard University, and American University are participating in the project.   More information can be found at www.livingcityblock.org

The next MHNA meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 19, 2011.