ANC 2B  OCTOBER MEETING SUMMARY

Below is a summary of the actions taken by the Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 2B) at the October 10, 2001, Regular Meeting. Please note this summary does not constitute an official record of the meeting.Contact the Executive Director or appropriate Commissioner for additional information.
 
October 10, 2001 - Regular Meeting
 
-- General Announcements:  The following major general announcements were made at the beginning of the meeting.  (1) The Chair encouraged those present to attend a benefit concert on October 14, 2001, 7 pm, at the Carnegie Institute in honor of the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks.  The event is sponsored by the Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA).  (2) The Chair encouraged those present to participate in the annual DCCA House Tour on October 21st, from 12-5 pm.  This year's tour features neighborhood homes in the 15th Street and Massachusetts Avenue corridor areas. The Chair wished DCCA well in these efforts. (3) Amy Palugi, a volunteer with the American Cancer Society, described the high percentage of DC residents who have various forms of cancer. She urged those present to lobby the City Council and Congress for more comprehensive health screenings, medical care, and preventive health campaigns. (4) Resident Zelda Zeldin described non-compliance to a recent Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) Order at the commercial properties located at the corner of Connecticut Avenue, NW, and Q Street. Ms. Zeldin requested that the ANC take action to request prompt enforcement by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA).

-- Public Safety Issues:  Lt. Groomes and Lt. Durand (3rd District) provided an update on the incidence of crime in the Dupont Circle neighborhood.  Lt. Groomes noted that there was an overall increase in crime as many Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers had been redeployed from 3rd District as a result of the terrorist attacks. She noted that she expected additional officers would return to their normal duties in the coming weeks.  Lt. Groomes announced the appointment of the new Commander for 3rd District, Commander Peacock. The Commander will be invited to attend a future ANC meeting.  Lt. Durand announced that he was the new lieutenant for PSA 307 and that he was previously assigned to vice in the 5th District.  The officers addressed questions from those in attendance.  A resident from the 1700 block of Riggs Place described a break-in to her home on October 9th.  This resident was concerned about the quality of MPD response to this crime, which occurred while she was away from her home for only a few minutes.The resident also noted that there were other crimes perpetrated by the same individual in the neighborhood.  Lt. Durand met with the resident following the meeting.  Those present were invited to address these and other issues at the next Dupont Circle Public Safety Meeting, to be held on Wednesday, October 17, 2001, 7:30 pm, at the Governor's House Hotel (17th Street, NW, and Rhode Island Avenue).

-- Neighborhood Concerns about Starbucks Expansion on P Street:  It was noted that concerns had been previously expressed by residents and business owners during open forum about the potential impact of a new Starbucks at the corner of 21st and P Streets, NW, on small businesses in that area.  This item was placed on the agenda for testimony on the matter. No one present commented and ANC 2B took no action. (2B02)

-- Tree Planting List for Submission to the District Department of Transportation:  ANC 2B solicited input form residents on places where there are empty tree boxes or tree boxes with dead and/or dying trees requiring replacement.  The completed list will be forwarded to Clark Ray, Ward 2 Neighborhood Services Coordinator, for inclusion in the Ward 2 requests to the District Division of Transportation (DDOT).  ANC 2B voted unanimously to authorize the Chair to transmit the list provided and any additional lists forwarded by Commissioners by close-of-business October 12, 2001, to Mr. Ray and DDOT.

-- Proposed Public Space Request by Riggs Bank for a Public ATM Near the Dupont North Metro Entrance:  An architect representing Riggs Bank presented a conceptual proposal to place a free standing public ATM on Riggs Bank property facing the Dupont North Metro entrance.  The proposed ATM will be housed in a small building of the same architectural style as the Riggs Bank buildings.  After an extensive discussion, ANC 2B voted to table action on the conceptual presentation subject to additional information about from Metro officials addressing their position on the proposed placement of the ATM and any public safety issues noted by Metro Transit Police.  This matter will be further considered by ANC 2B at its November Public Meeting.  (2B02)

-- BZA Application #16776 by Thomas Hansson at 1607 16th Street., NW, for Variances to Allow an Addition to a Nonconforming Structure and to Extend a Nonconforming Open Court:  ANC 2B considered a request for variances to allow a nonconforming structure and to extend a nonconforming open court.  The applicant noted that this proposal, for an existing apartment building, will allow for the expansion of the number of units and various improvements to the property.  The additions alter the rear of the building and are not visible from the front.  After comment and questions by the public and Commissioners, ANC 2B voted unanimously to support this application. (2B04)

-- BZA Application #16782 by 1742 N Street Co., LLC for a Special Exception for Additional Office Space in an SP District and for a Variance from the Floor Area Ratio:  ANC 2B considered a request for a special exception and variance to allow the expansion of a building housing offices.  The applicant noted that this proposal, for an existing office building, will allow for expansion and various improvements to the property.  The additions alter the rear of the building and are not visible from the front.  After comment and questions by the public and Commissioners, ANC 2B voted unanimously to support this application.  (2B07)

-- BZA Application #16792 and 16793 by Alan and Anexora Skvirsky at 1604-06 19th Street, NW, for a Variance from Requirements for an Addition to a Nonconforming Structure and a Special Exception to Allow an Increase of Bed and Breakfast Rooms from Two to Six:  ANC 2B considered a request for a variance from rear yard requirements for an addition to an existing nonconforming structure, a variance for an addition to an existing nonconforming structure operated as a bed and breakfast, and a special exception to operate a bed and breakfast home occupation having a maximum of six sleeping rooms.   The applicant described the proposed project which will involve building a "greenhouse-like" structure in the rear of the buildings to protect the property and reduce noise from commercial air conditioning units in the alley.  (The Chair indicated that ANC 2B had repeatedly requested noise enforcement by the District.  Further, it was noted the air conditioning units were the subject of two voluntary agreements and an unrelated BZA Order.  These agreements have not been honored.)  It was reported that DCCA, the Dupont Circle Conservancy, and the Historic Preservation Preview Board (HPRB) had approved this application in concept for BZA purposes.  After considerable comment and questions by the public and Commissioners, ANC 2B voted unanimously to support this application subject to additional review by ANC 2B of the architectural renderings prior to submission to HPRB and DCRA for final approval.  (2B02)

-- Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Application #34250 by YAMFA, Inc. TA Red, Retailers "CT", 1216 18th Street, NW, for a Substantial Change of License from "CT" (tavern) to "CN" (nightclub):  ANC 2B considered an application from the establishment Red for a change of its ABC license category from a tavern license to a nightclub license.  The applicant noted that the request to change the license is to allow for a larger dance space which is limited in a tavern license; the applicant further indicated that they do not seek or request a change of the hours of operation or to expand bar operations as a part of this request. After comment and questions by the public and Commissioners, ANC 2B voted to support this application.  (2B07)

-- ABC Application #35509 by JAH, Inc., TA Dragonfly, Retailers "CT", 1215 Connecticut Ave., NW, for a Substantial Change to Expand to the Second Floor:  ANC 2B considered an application from Dragonfly for a proposed expansion to the second floor in the building where the establishment is located.  This application solicited significant discussion with those present expressing general support for this particular establishment, but maintaining reservations about the impact of the many ABC establishments surrounding the Dupont West neighborhood.  It was noted by the applicant that Dragonfly operates like a "restaurant" even though it has a CT license and that there is no intent to change the nature of the business.  The Chair indicated that this or any ABC establishment could be sold and a new owner could operate the business under the stipulations of the transferred license irrespective of the practices of the current owners.  After considerable comment and questions by the public and Commissioners, ANC 2B voted to protest this application subject to the negotiation of a voluntary agreement to address concerns noted during the discussion.  (2B07)

-- Public Space Application for a Memorial Plaque in Honor of Henry Martyn Robert, Creator of Robert's Rules of Order, at 1818 N Street, NW: ANC 2B considered a request for to place a memorial plaque at 1818 N Street, NW, in honor of Henry Robert.  After discussion, ANC 2B voted unanimously to support this application.  (2B07)

-- Commission Administrative Matters, Old Business, and New Business: The following administrative matters were approved by ANC 2B.  (1) The minutes of the September 19, 2001, public meeting were adopted.  (2) ANC 2B voted to send a letter of support for the High Heel Race, scheduled for Tuesday, October 23rd.  (3)  ANC 2B voted to send a letter to DCRA requesting enforcement of a BZA Order at properties undergoing expansion at the corner of Connecticut Avenue, NW, and Q Street.  (4) ANC 2B voted to support a neighborhood petition to request for the repair and repaving of the alley system bounded by Riggs Place, S Street, and 18th and 19th Streets, NW.

NEXT MEETING

The next regular meeting of ANC 2B will be November 14, 2001; 7:30 p.m.; St. Thomas Parish; 1772 Church St., NW.

ANC 2B Commissioner Information

2B01 - Norma Zane Chaplain, 234-2880, norm Zane@aol.com
2B02 - Vince Micone (Chair), 607-8429, vnm3@rcn.com
2B03 - David Jolliffe, 518-7844, jolliffe20@aol.com
2B04 - Jeff Hopp (Treasurer), 332-8508, anc2bjeff@aol.com
2B05 - Doug Damron (Secretary), 271-295, dougdamron@yahoo.com
2B06 - Marilyn Newton, 833-1344, marilynnewton@compuserve.com
2B07 - Irv Morgan (Vice Chair), 265-8575, irvmorgandc@aol.com
Executive Director - Frank Montgomery, 296-7333, montcj1x@aol.com