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ANC 2B Dupont Circle NEWS
From: Vince Micone <vnm3@rcn.com>
ANC 2B NOVEMBER MEETING SUMMARYBelow is a summary of the actions taken by the Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 2B) at the November 14, 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. November 14, 2001 - Regular Meeting-- Vacancy in Single Member District 2B05 - Doug Damron announced his resignation as Commissioner due to a recent move out of his Single Member District. The Chair thanked Commissioner Damron for his service and declared the position vacant. Those interested in this position are encouraged to seek petitions to fill the unexpired portion of the term of office (through January, 2002). It is anticipated that the petition circulation period will begin on or around December 3, 2001. Candidates will have 21 days to gather signatures. After that period, there is a 5 working day period for public inspection of the petitions. If only one candidate is certified, then that individual will be appointed to the vacancy. If more than one candidate is certified, then an election will be held at the following ANC meeting. Interested parities are encouraged to contact the DC Board of Elections and Ethics at 727-2525 or visit their website at http://dcboee.org/htmldocs/vacanci.htm and http://dcboee.org/htmldocs/dcmr13.htm for additional information. -- General Announcements: The following major general announcements were made at the beginning of the meeting. (1) The annual Christmas Tree sale, benefiting Ross Elementary School, will be held in December at Dupont Italian Kitchen. Those in attendance were encouraged to purchase their trees to benefit this neighborhood school. (2) It was announced that Mimi's will be hosting a special fundraising event on December 11th to benefit a neighborhood charity, The Green Door. (3) Nick Geledan, a resident of Riggs Place, announced that his cat was missing and that he was offering a reward for his pet's return. -- Public Safety Issues: Third District Commander Cheryl Peacock was introduced and welcomed to the Dupont Circle neighborhood. Commander Peacock announced her efforts to improve neighborhood safety and place additional officers on the street. She addressed questions from the audience. Lt. Groomes (PSA 309) and Lt. Hill (PSA 308) provided an update on the incidence of crime in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. It was noted that there had been an increase in crime in the District as a whole and in MPD's Third District. Specifically, daytime breaking and entering and robberies were discussed. The Lieutenants encouraged participants to be vigilant as we enter the Holiday Season, particularly in keeping items out of parked cars. Sgt. Parson, of the MPD Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit, provided information on a missing person, Douglas Alexander Small, who is known to frequent Dupont businesses. More information is available through the MPD website at http://mpdc.dc.gov/serv/solvers/missing_persons/smallD.shtm. The Chair thanked Commander Peacock for attending the Dupont Circle ANC Meeting and expressed his appreciation of her efforts to reconnect the leadership of MPD's Third District with the community. Those present were invited to address these and other issues at the next Dupont Circle Public Safety Meeting, to be held on Wednesday, November 28, 2001, 7:30 pm, at the Dupont Circle Resource Center (#9 Dupont Circle, NW). -- Presentation on the Historic Preservation Process: Steve Callcott, the staff member assigned by the Historic Review Office for the Dupont Circle neighborhood, made a presentation about the requirements for historic preservation in the several historic districts located within the boundaries of the Dupont Circle ANC. Mr. Callcott noted that the historic preservation staff and functions had been transferred to the Office of Planning from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, to provide a better link between the planning and historic preservation processes. Mr. Callcott addressed many questions from those present and encouraged those requiring specific information contact him on 442-8846 or visit his office's website at http://planning.dc.gov/preservation/index2.shtm. -- Proposed Bus and Heavy Ban on 21st Street Between Massachusetts and Florida Avenues, NW: Neighbors and representatives of The Phillips Collection requested that ANC 2B petition the Division of Transportation to conduct rulemaking to prohibit buses and heavy truck on 21st Street Between Massachusetts and Florida Avenues, NW. The Chair noted that this request was in follow-up to the comprehensive agreement reached to resolve neighborhood issues related to an expansion of The Phillips Collection. Commercial trucks on delivery to residences will still be allowed access to the street and buses have received permission to drop off visitors to The Phillips Collection at the nearby Metro Bus Stop on Massachusetts Avenue. ANC 2B voted unanimously to support this request. (2B02) -- Proposed Public Space Request by Riggs Bank for a Public ATM Near the Dupont North Metro Entrance: Representatives of 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. ANC 2B had voted to table action on the conceptual presentation at its October meeting subject to additional information from Metro officials addressing their position on the proposed placement of the ATM and any public safety issues noted by Metro Transit Police. The Chair noted that a letter from Metro officials indicated no objections to the placement of the ATM. The specific public space request will be to move a curb cut and redirect the exit of the parking lot on 20th Street to accommodate the new ATM facility. After comment and questions by the public and Commissioners, ANC 2B voted to support this conceptual proposal. (2B02) -- Public Space Application for an Unenclosed Sidewalk Cafe at Baja Fresh, 19th Street, NW, South of Dupont Circle: ANC 2B considered an application for an unenclosed sidewalk cafe for Baja Fresh, located south of Dupont Circle on 19th Street, NW. It was noted that the proposed use of public space meets all requirements of the Dupont Circle Public Space Guidelines and will allow approximately 18' of public access on the sidewalk in front of the establishment. After questions by the public and Commissioners, ANC 2B voted unanimously to support this application. (2B02) -- Proposed Use of Public Space for an Enclosed Sidewalk Cafe at Jury's Hotel on 19th Street, NW, North of Dupont Circle: The architect for and representatives of Jury's Hotel presented a conceptual proposal to enclose a portion of the space adjacent to the hotel on 19th Street, NW, just north of Dupont Circle. The enclosed space would allow the hotel to expand its restaurant facilities. Questions from the audience were addressed by the architect and hotel officials. As this was a conceptual presentation, no action was taken by ANC 2B. ANC 2B will formally consider this proposal when the applicant completes and forwards their Public Space application. (2B07) -- Persistent Problem Area Work Plan for Improvements on 17th Street, NW: Clark Ray, Ward 2 Neighborhood Services Coordinator, described a multi-agency plan he developed to address traffic, parking, safety, sanitation, and public works concerns on 17th Street, NW, between T Street and Massachusetts Avenue. Mr. Ray noted that he was soliciting feedback from agencies before releasing the plan for formal ANC comment. The Chair noted that he had reviewed a draft version and was encouraged by the potential to improve this vital neighborhood corridor. The Persistent Problem Area Work Plan will be taken up at the December ANC meeting. -- Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Application #22982 by Uni A Sushi Place, Retailers "CR", 2122 P Street, NW, for a Substantial Change to Expand to Include a Sidewalk Cafe: ANC 2B considered an application by Uni A Sushi Place for an expansion of their ABC license for the purposes of serving alcohol at a sidewalk cafe in front of their establishment. The Chair noted that this application is prohibited as the area is within the Dupont West ABC Moratorium zone. The Chair noted the Commission supported non-ABC uses for the space by the applicant. ANC 2B voted unanimously to protest this application based on its prohibition by law and regulation. (2B06) -- Conceptual Presentation to Expand the 17th Street Hardware Store: The owners of 17th Street Hardware presented their conceptual proposal to expand the store. They indicated that their proposal would require certain variances and exceptions from the BZA. Questions from the audience and Commission were addressed. As this was a conceptual presentation, no action was taken by ANC 2B. ANC 2B will formally consider this proposal when the BZA forwards their application for comment. (2B04) -- Commission Administrative Matters, Old Business, and New Business: The following administrative matters were approved by ANC 2B. (1) The minutes of the October 10, 2001, public meeting were adopted. (2) ANC 2B voted to adopt the FY 2001 Fourth Quarterly Financial Report. (3) ANC 2B voted to adopt a budget for FY 2002. (4) ANC 2B voted to provide a $250 contribution to retire expenses related to mediation efforts between The Phillips Collection and neighbors. This had been included in the FY 2001 budget, but had been unexpended as the Commission was awaiting a final request from the parties. (5) ANC 2B voted to send a letter to DPW and DDOT regarding various traffic signage needs in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. (6) ANC 2B voted to send a letter opposing certain proposed changes to the Residential Parking Permit program which would allow expanded multi-ward parking privileges to those residents in wards which are being redistricted. (7) ANC 2B voted to send a letter to DCRA opposing the placement of "special signs" at two locations in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. (8) ANC 2B voted to send a letter in support of the creation of a cabinet-level Department of Transportation for the District. (9) ANC 2B voted to send a letter to the Mayor, City Administrator, and Chair of the Council's Committee on Public Works and the Environment requesting a response to our prior letter of concern about management of the Public Space application process. Next Meeting The next regular meeting of ANC 2B will be December 12, 2001; 7:30 p.m.; St. Thomas Parish; 1772 Church St., NW.
ANC 2B Commissioner Information
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