May ANC Meeting Summary
Below is a summary of the actions taken by the Dupont Circle Advisory
Neighborhood Commission (ANC 2B) at the May 8, 2002, Regular Meeting. Please
note this summary does not constitute an official record of the meeting.
Contact the Staff Coordinator or appropriate Commissioner for
additional information.
May 8, 2002 - Regular Meeting
-- General Announcements: The following general announcements were
made at the May meeting. (1) The Chair announced that the Northwest
Current would begin offering a Dupont edition beginning June 7, 2002.
(2) The Chair congratulated and thanked Mike Fasano, President of the
Dupont Circle Citizens Association, and Margie Young for coordinating the
rededication ceremony for the Dupont Circle Park, held on May 5, 2002.
(3) David Moorhead, PEPCO’s liaison to the Dupont Circle
neighborhood, noted that street repairs on the 1700 block of Church Street
were done by PEPCO at the request of the city. Mr. Moorehead had
been asked at a prior meeting for information on this project. Contact
Mr. Morehead on 872-2337 or at dlmorehead@pepco.com
for more information. (4) Clark Ray, the Ward 2 Neighborhood Services
Coordinator, provided an update on the status of the implementation of the
17th Street Persistent Problem Area Improvement Plan. Contact Mr. Ray
on 727-8587 or at clark.ray@dc.gov for
more information. (5) Debby Hanrahan announced that Ross Elementary
School was in need of donated personal computers with a minimum of Pentium
II processors and voice cards. The PCs would allow for student use of
newly donated software. Contact Ms. Hanrahan on 462-2054 for
additional information.
-- Public Safety Issues: Lt. Hill (PSA 308), Lt. Groomes (PSA 309),
Officer Kimball (3rd District Vice Unit), and Lt. Claus (U.S. Park Police)
provided an update on the incidence of crime in their respective
jurisdictions. They noted that, overall, reported crime was
significantly reduced from this time in 2001. Lt. Claus noted that
during May there is typically an increase in crime at the Dupont Circle park
and P Street beach, as more people begin using the parks. Lt.
Groomes noted that an armed robbery occurred recently in her PSA and that an
arrest was made in the case. Officer Kimball invited the public to
attend a meeting he would be hosting at the Dupont Circle Resource Center
(#9 Dupont Circle) on May 30, 2002, at 2:30 p.m., to discuss crime in the
west Dupont neighborhood. The Chair congratulated Lt. Groomes and Lt.
Hill for passing the Captain’s exam.
-- Update on Implementation of the Dupont Circle Parking Task Force Report -
Teri Adams, District Division of Transportation: Teri Adams, Parking
Planning Program Manager for District Division of Transportation (DDOT),
provided an update on the implementation of the Dupont Circle Parking Task
Force Report. Ms. Adams indicated that a pilot project process would
be used to implement the recommendation to place L’s on streets to demark
legal parking. She also noted that DDOT was convening a multiagency
task force to consider safety, transportation, and public works issues
caused by narrow streets. There are several narrow streets in the
Dupont Circle neighborhood. Ms. Adams said she would update ANC 2B on
the progress of this task force. Ms. Adams reported that she would
follow-up at a future meeting about the implementation of the final
additional new parking spaces recommended in the report and about the
recommended change of hours for loading zones to provide evening parking
opportunities.
-- BZA Application - Application #16873, National Association for the
Education of Young Children, Special Exception to Continue Use of a
Parking Lot at 1522-26 Church St., NW: ANC 2B considered this
application for continued use of the parking lot adjacent to their building.
The applicant provided a presentation on the status of the lot and
improvements made since approval was last granted by the BZA. After
questions from those present, ANC 2B voted unanimously to support the
application for parking usage at this lot for a period of five years. (2B04)
-- BZA Application - Application #16876, 1531 P & Assoc., Variance
to Allow Construction of a Roof Deck & Penthouse on an Existing Building
that Exceeds the Maximum Lot Occupancy in an SP-1 Zone at 1531-35 P 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. After questions from those present, ANC 2B voted to
support the application. (2B04)
-- ABC Status Matters – Uni A Sushi Place, Application #22982, Retailers
"CR", 2122 P Street, NW, Request for a Substantial Change to
Expand ABC Service at a Sidewalk Café: The Chair announced that the
ABC Board held a Fact-Finding Hearing on a request by Uni A Sushi Place (Uni)
for ABC service at a proposed sidewalk café. In November 2001, ANC 2B
voted to oppose this request as the premises is located in the West Dupont
ABC Moratorium Zone. The applicant, though invited, chose not to
appear nor present written testimony on his proposed use at the November
meeting of ANC 2B. The ABC Board ordered that the applicant attend a
meeting of ANC 2B and present an overview of his proposed plans. James
Tan, owner and operator of Uni, indicated that he applied to use the public
space on either side of the stairwell in front of the building where his
restaurant is located. Mr. Tan did not offer specific plans; rather,
he offered a copy of a plan used by a prior tenant of the Uni space. The
Chair requested that Commissioner Newton meet with Mr. Tan to share current
documents related to the application. The Chair requested a more
specific presentation from Mr. Tan about his plans. He indicated ANC
2B will consider the application once again at its June meeting. (2B06)
-- ABC Substantial Change Matter - Peppers, Application #21211, CR License,
1527 17th St., NW, Request for an Expansion in ABC Service to the Second
Floor with a Increase of Capacity from 74 to 150: ANC 2B considered an
application for a substantial change of the ABC license at Peppers. Steve
O’Brien, representing the applicant, provided an overview of the
substantial change application. The Chair provided an overview of
prior actions by ANC 2B and the ABC Board related to this proposed
expansion. As the premises is located in the East Dupont ABC
Moratorium Zone, the Chair indicated that a significant issue that the ABC
Board would consider is whether a right by the applicant to use the second
floor existed before the moratorium non-expansion clause was enacted. After
significant comment and questions from the audience, ANC 2B voted to protest
this application. (2B05)
-- ABC Substantial Change Matter – Hotel Rouge, CH License, 1315 16th St.,
NW, Request for an Expansion in ABC Service at a Sidewalk Café: ANC
2B considered a request for a stipulation to allow ABC service at an
existing sidewalk café at Hotel Rouge. Michael Fonseca, representing
the applicant, provided an overview of the request and space, which is a
properly permitted unenclosed sidewalk café with 12 seats. After
questions from the audience, a motion to support the request for a
stipulation failed. (2B05)
-- ABC Substantial Change Matter – The Big Hunt, Application #958, CR
License, 1345 Connecticut Ave., NW, Request for a Change of License
Classification from CR (restaurant) to CT (tavern): ANC 2B considered
a request for a change of license classification from restaurant to tavern
by The Big Hunt. Dana Wells, representing the applicant, noted that
there would be no change of hours or service as a result of the change of
license classification; the tavern license allows a lower percentage of food
sales and better reflects the operations of the establishment. After
questions from the audience, ANC 2B voted unanimously to support this
application. (2B07)
-- ABC Substantial Change Matter – MCCXXIII, Application #36042, CT
License, 1223 Connecticut Ave., NW, Request to Expand to the Third Floor of
the Premises to Add a Bar, Restrooms, & Seating, and Request to Add the
Trade Name “Spank”: ANC 2B considered a request for a substantial
change for an expansion of MCCXXIII. Commissioner Morgan noted that he
had visited the establishment earlier in the day and invited the manager to
attend the meeting. No representative was present. The Chair
noted that the application was received two days before the meeting and that
the deadline to contest the application was before the June ANC meeting.
After comment and discussion, ANC 2B voted unanimously to protest the
application pending full consideration of the application at the June ANC
meeting. (2B07)
-- ABC Substantial Change Matter – 1819 Club, Application #9280, CN
License, 1819 M St., NW, Request to Expand to Include the Second Floor,
Construct a Balcony above the Perimeter of the First Floor, Relocate the
Kitchen to the Second Floor, Replace the First Floor Kitchen with 42 Seats
and a Stage, Construct Dressing Rooms, and Expand Capacity from 74 to 139:
ANC 2B considered a request for substantial change for an expansion of
the 1819 Club. Commissioner Morgan noted that he had visited the
establishment earlier in the day and invited the manager to attend the
meeting. Owner Nicholas Addams was present. The Chair noted that
the application was received two days before the meeting and that the
deadline to contest the application was before the June ANC meeting. Mr.
Addams provided a comprehensive presentation of the proposed changes to the
establishment. After comment and discussion, ANC 2B chose to take no
action on the application. (2B07)
-- New ABC License - Midi Cuisine, Application #50182, CR License, 1635
Connecticut Ave., NW: ANC 2B considered an application by an existing
restaurant, Midi Cuisine, for ABC service as a part of its operations.
Although invited by Commissioner Micone, the applicant did not attend
the meeting. As there was no presentation on the proposed
license, ANC 2B voted unanimously to protest the application. (2B02)
-- New ABC License – Savino’s, Application #50183, CR License, #1 Dupont
Circle, NW: ANC 2B considered an application for a new restaurant with
a sidewalk café on the New Hampshire Ave. side of #1 Dupont Circle. The
Chair noted that this premises was exempted from the West Dupont ABC
Moratorium conditioned upon the applicant providing parking for its patrons
in the existing parking garage at the building. Michael Levy,
representing the applicant, provided an overview of the plans for new
restaurant. Mr. Levy indicated the applicant’s willingness to
enter into a voluntary agreement to restate the parking agreement and to
limit the hours of the sidewalk café to 11 pm Sunday through Thursday and 1
am Friday and Saturday. Mr. Levy requested a stipulation for ABC
service pending the ABC hearing. After comment and discussion, ANC 2B
voted unanimously to support the application and stipulation request subject
to the successful negotiation of a voluntary agreement. (2B02)
- New ABC License – Sofitel, Application #50184, CH License, 806 15th St.,
NW: ANC 2B considered an application for a new hotel on 15th Street.
Jim Smith, representing the applicant, provided an overview of the
plans for new hotel. Mr. Smith requested that the ANC support a
stipulation for immediate ABC service, pending the ABC Board’s hearing, as
Sofitel will be ready to open in early June. After comment and
discussion, ANC 2B voted unanimously to support the application and
stipulation request. (2B05)
-- ABC Renewals - ANC 2B considered the ABC license renewals for:
2B01 - Caravan Grill, 1825 18th St.; Grille 88, 1910 18th St.; Thaiphoon,
2011 S St.; Wazuri, 1836 18th St.
2B02 - Childe Harold, 1610 20th St.; Chipolte, 1629 CT Ave.; Embassy Row
Hotel, 2015 Massachusetts Ave; Fuzio, 1630 CT Ave.; Etrusco, 1606 20th St.;
The Front Page, 1333 NH Ave.; Pesce, 2016 P St.; Raku, 1900 Q St.; Thai
Chef, 1712 CT Ave.; Zorba’s, 1612 20th St.
2B03 - Floriana, 1602 17th St.; Dupont Italian Kitchen, 1631 17th St.
2B05 - Bank of America, 730 15th St.; Capitol Hilton, 1001 16th St.; Fran
O’Brien’s, 1001 16th St.; Jefferson Hotel, 1200 16th St., Olives, 918
16th St.; Peppers, 1527 17th St.; Vivo, 1509 17th St.
2B06 - The Mansion on O Street, 2020 O St
2B07 - 4th Estate, 1101 17th St.; The Big Hunt, 1345 CT Ave.; Café Asia,
1134 18th St.; Café Citron, 1343 CT Ave.; Café Soleil, 839 17th St.; Café
Toka, 1140 19th St.; Chipolte, 1837 M St.; Daily Grill, 1200 18th St.;
El Chalan, 1924 I St.; Frank and Stein, 1850 K St.; Fuddruckers, 1216 18th
St.;Il Pranzo, 1800 M St.; Jurys, 1500 NH Ave.; Kaz Sushi, 1915 I St.; Luna
Grill,1301 CT Ave.; The Mayflower, 1127 CT Ave.; Oodles Noodles, 1120 19th
St.; Sam & Harry’s, 1200 19th St.; Sizzling Express, 1150 CT Ave.;
Spezie, 1736 L St.; Teatro Goldoni, 1909 K St.; Tequila Grill, 1990 K St.
ANC 2B voted unanimously to send a letter of support for the renewal
of the license for Fuzio 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
Grille 88 pending the negotiation of a voluntary agreement to address issues
related to applicant’s impact on the peace, order, and quiet of the
immediate neighborhood. (2B01)
-- Public Space Application - Café Toka, Unenclosed Sidewalk Café, 1140
19th St., NW: ANC 2B considered an application by Café Toka for an
unenclosed sidewalk café at 1140 19th Street. 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)
-- BZA Application - Application #16823, Humberto Gonzalez, Variance to
Allow the Expansion of a B&B from 6 Sleeping Rooms to 11 or More, with
Group or Social Events in an R-5-D District at 1720 16th St., NW: ANC
2B considered an application by Humberto Gonzalez for a variance to allow
bed and breakfast use from six to eleven or more rooms at the Tutorsky
Manson, located at 1720 16th St., NW, with accessory use for group or social
events. A brief presentation was made by the applicant and Cynthia
Giordano, the applicant’s counsel. The Chair noted that, after
extensive negotiation, the applicant discontinued efforts towards a
voluntary agreement to address neighborhood concerns and had not been in
contact with ANC 2B or other protestants since the April BZA hearing. It
was further noted by the Chair that the public notice on the matter was not
reflective of the application supplied by Ms. Giordano. Once again,
ANC 2B voted unanimously to protest this application pending the negotiation
of a binding voluntary agreement to address issues of neighborhood concern.
(2B04)
-- Commission Administrative Matters, Old Business, and New Business: The
following administrative matters were approved by ANC 2B. (1) ANC 2B
voted to adopt the Quarterly Financial Statement for the second quarter of
fiscal year 2002. (2) ANC 2B voted to approve a resolution allowing
the Treasurer to maintain the Commission’s financial records at his
resident. (3) ANC 2B voted to approve the expenditure of funds from
the Commission’s unbudgeted reserves for back taxes, penalties, and fees
in the amount of $403.06 to the IRS for unpaid payroll taxes dating to the
mid-1990’s.
Next Meeting
The next regular meeting of ANC 2B will be June 12, 2002; 7:30 p.m.; St.
Thomas Parish; 1772 Church St., NW
ANC 2B Commissioner Information
ANC 2B - 296-7333; anc2b04@aol.com
2B01 - Norma Zane Chaplain, 234-2880, normazane@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
