Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission
Wednesday, April 10, 2002, 7:30 pm
St. Thomas Church
1772 Church St. NW (at 18th)

April Meeting Summary

Below is a summary of the actions taken by the Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 2B) at the April 10, 2002, 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.
 
April 10, 2002 - Regular Meeting

-- General Announcements:  The following general announcements were made at the April meeting.  (1) The Chair announced that the ABC Board ruled that Peppers must submit a substantial change application for their proposed expansion to be considered.  (2) Mike Fasano, President of the Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA), noted that a rededication ceremony would be held for the Dupont Circle Park on Sunday, May 5, 2002, 4 p.m., at the Circle.  The public is invited to attend the ceremony and a concert which will follow.  (3) Ed Grandis, Executive Director of the Dupont Circle Merchants and Professionals Association (DC MAP), thanked the ANC for their support of the Dupont Circle application for the Main Streets grants program.  Those neighborhoods selected for the program will be announced in the coming months.  (4) Thota Colot, Neighborhood Liaison for The Phillips Collection, thanked neighbors for attending the Collection’s recent open house and announced that the museum will join other museums in a cross-promotion of the Jackie Kennedy exhibit at the Corcoran.

-- Public Safety Issues:  Lt. Hill (PSA 308) and Lt. Claus (U.S. Park Police) provided an update on the incidence of crime in their respective jurisdictions.  They noted that reported crime was significantly reduced from this time in 2001.  Citizens present were invited to share their public safety concerns.  The Chair invited those present to attend the next Dupont Circle Public Safety Meeting, to be held April 17, 2002, 7:30 p.m., at the Dupont Circle Resource Center.  The formation of a neighborhood watch will be discussed at the meeting.

-- Re-Striping of New Hampshire Ave., NW, between U St. and Dupont Circle for a Bike Lane:  James Sebastian, Bicycle Program Manager for District Division of Transportation, described a proposal to add a bicycle lane on New Hampshire Ave., NW, between U St. and Dupont Circle.  Mr. Sebastian indicated that the proposed bicycle lane would not impact parking and would have minimal impact on the street as New Hampshire Ave. is a wide enough to accommodate bicycle lanes.  After questions form those present, ANC 2B voted unanimously to support this proposal

-- Capital Pride Parade and Festival:  Robert York, Director of the Capital Pride Parade and Festival, described their proposal to shorten the annual Capital Pride Parade and change the day and time of the parade.  The parade, part of the local celebration of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community held annually the second weekend of June, has been traditionally held on Sunday morning.  According to Mr. York, the parade's sponsors decided to shorten the parade length and hold the event on Saturday evening primarily for cost savings.  Mr. York said that the parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. at 23rd and P Sts., travel east on P St. to Dupont Circle, go around Dupont Circle to New Hampshire, head up New Hampshire to S St., then east on S St. to 17th, and south on 17th.  The parade will disperse with contingents going east and west on P St. at 17th and south on 17th St.  

-- Wayfinding Signage Proposal for the Connecticut Ave., NW, Corridor between Farragut Park and Florida Ave.:  Louise Ware, Signage Program Manager for Downtown DC BID, presented a proposal to place wayfinding signage on the Connecticut Ave. corridor.  The directional signage proposal was developed with the assistance of volunteers from the Dupont Circle neighborhood and was shared with DCCA and DC MAP for comment.  The Chair requested that the Dupont Circle Resource Center be identified on the directional signs near the Circle.  After questions from those present, ANC 2B voted unanimously to support the proposal.  

-- Presentation on the Mayor's Budget and Transportation Issues - Dan Tangherlini, Acting Director, District Division of Transportation:  Dan Tangherlini provided a presentation on the Mayor's proposed $5.6 billion dollar budget for FY 2003.  Details on the budget proposal are available at http://dc.gov/mayor/budget_2003/index.shtm.  Attached to this email is a PDF version of the budget proposal’s details for the Dupont Circle area (referred to as Cluster 6 for the Administration's planning purposes).  Mr. Tangherlini also described the mission of the District Division of Transportation, soon to be the Department of Transportation, and addressed questions from the audience about transportation issues.  

In response to a question, Mr. Tangherlini indicated that the reconstruction of the P Street Bridge will be rescheduled within the coming 6-12 months.  The project was postponed for further analysis and planning.  Mr. Tangherlini committed to have his staff contact ANC 2B with updates on the reconstruction timeframe.  

In response to a question about the ban on non-local heavy truck and bus traffic on Q and R Streets, Mr. Tangherlini indicated that there are no plans which affect the full sweep of Q street and that there are no fundamental changes to the existing ban or current parking zones planned.  He noted that a federal grant was secured to study heavy truck and bus movement throughout the District and that he had placed a temporary moratorium on new heavy truck and bus bans pending the outcome of this study.

In response to a question about the mismanagement of the Public Space permit process, Mr. Tangherlini committed to meet with the leadership of ANC 2B to discuss suggested improvements to the process.

In response to a question about changes to the Residential Parking Permit (RPP) program for those residents living on border blocks as a result of Ward redistricting, Mr. Tangherlini committed to send a letter to those residents who are required to secure new RPP stickers reflecting their new Ward.  (Note:  These new parking permits must be acquired by June 30, 2002.)

ABC Substantial Change - Jury's, Application #7198, CH License, 1500 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Request for an Expansion in ABC Service at a Sidewalk Café with a Seating Capacity of 124:  ANC 2B considered an application for a substantial change of the ABC license at Jury’s Hotel.  Their sidewalk café, located on 19th St. side of the hotel, is a preexisting sidewalk café properly permitted by the Public Space Committee.  The applicant indicated that, for some unknown reason, the ABC license for the sidewalk café did not convey when the hotel was purchased by the current owner or was the ABC license for the sidewalk café was never properly permitted.  After questions from the audience, ANC 2B voted unanimously to reconsider its prior protest of this application and to support this application.  (2B07)

BZA Application - R. Bradley Runyan, Application #16867, Special Exception to Construct a Roof Deck not Meeting the Lot Occupancy and a Special Exception Allowing Relief from Penthouse Set-Back Requirements in an R-5-B Zone at 1317 21st St., NW:  ANC 2B considered this application for a roof deck.  The proposed expansion will be at the rear of the premises and will not be visible from the street.  It was reported that the Dupont Circle Conservancy took no position on this application.   After questions from those present, ANC 2B voted unanimously to support the application.  (2B06)

BZA Application - Jeff Tomasevich, Application #16862, Special Exception to Allow an Increase in Lot Occupancy in a R-5-B Zone at 1459 Corcoran St., NW:  ANC 2B considered this application for an increase in lot occupancy. This premises is located in ANC 2F; ANC 2B may comment as it is located on a border block.  ANC 2B received no feedback on this application and took no action.  (Located Adjacent to 2B04)

-- ABC Renewals - ANC 2B considered the ABC license renewals for:

2B01 - Best Hunan & Ruth Chris Steakhouse
2B02 - Anna Maria's, Bistro Du Coin, Café Japone, City Lights of China, DC Café, Johnny's Half Shell, Kramerbooks, La Tomate, Obelisk, Odeon Café, Pan Asian Noodle, Phillips Collection, Pizzeria Paradisio, Polo India Club, Radisson Barcelo, Sakana, Sala Thai, Star of Siam, Timberlake's, & Westin Fairfax Hotel
2B03 - Annie's, Carlyle Suite Hotel, Casa Pena, El Tropical, & Prego Again
2B05 - Bombay Club, Bua, Doubletree, Georgia Brown's, Governor’s House Hotel, Holiday Inn Central, Hotel Rouge, Loeb's, McCormick & Schmick, Skewers/Café Luna, & Sushi Taro
2B06 - BeDuCi, Clarion Hampshire Hotel, & Hampshire Hotel
2B07 - Art Gallery, Ascot, Bacchus, Bravo Bravo, California Pizza Kitchen, Charlie Chang's, Equinox, Georgetown Seafood Grill, I Ricchi, Iron Gate, Kozy Korner, Morton's, Othello, Oval Room, Palm, Penang, Recessions, Sichuan Pavilion, Smith & Wollensky, Sulgrave Club, Sushi Kappo, Tabard Inn, Taberna Del Alabardero, Taj Mahal, Topaz Hotel, Tratti, Vidalia, & Washington Club

ANC 2B considered a motion to protest the renewal of the ABC license for Lariol Plaza, located in ANC 1C, immediately adjacent to ANC 2B.  After lengthy discussion, the motion failed as the Commission felt they had inadequate information about the preexisting voluntary agreement between the restaurant and ANC 1C.  ANC 2B subsequently voted to authorize Commissioner Chaplain to represent ANC 2B in negotiations with ANC 1C to address neighbor concerns.  (Located Adjacent to 2B01)

ANC 2B voted unanimously to send a letter of support  for the renewal of the license for Café Japone and to request the continuance of the previously negotiated voluntary agreement with this establishment.  (2B02)

ANC 2B voted unanimously to protest the renewal of the ABC license for DC Café pending the negotiation of a voluntary agreement to address hours of operation for the sidewalk café and proper trash storage.  (2B02)

ANC 2B considered a motion to protest the renewal of the ABC license for Skewers/Café Luna due to early morning trash pick-up.   The motion died due to a lack of a second.  (2B04)

ANC 2B voted unanimously to protest a substantial change request by Peppers for a proposed expansion onto the second floor and 2nd floor patio pending a presentation by the applicant at the Commission’s May meeting.  (2B04)

-- Public Space Application - High Noon, Unenclosed Sidewalk Café, 19th & M Sts.:  ANC 2B considered an application by High Noon for an unenclosed sidewalk café at its 19th and M Sts. location.  It was noted that the proposed use of public space is consistent with the ANC 2B's public space guidelines. After comment and questions, 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) ANC 2B voted to adopt the March 13, 2002, minutes.  (2) ANC 2B voted to approve an employment contract for the Staff Coordinator position and authorized the Chair to extend an offer of employment to Brian Piech.  ANC 2B also voted to reimburse Commissioner Newton for expenses incurred in advertising the Staff Coordinator position.  The Chair thanked Commissioner Newton for managing the search process.  (3) ANC 2B voted to approve the expenditure of funds from the Commission’s unbudgeted reserves for an ANC publication.

Next Meeting

The next regular meeting of ANC 2B will be May 8, 2002; 7:30 p.m.; St. Thomas Parish; 1772 Church St., NW.