Below is a summary of the actions taken by the Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 2B) at the June 12, 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.
 
June 12, 2002 - Regular Meeting

-- General Announcements:  The following general announcements were made at the June meeting.   (1) The Chair announced that Commissioner Wayne Lerch, 2B05, resigned from the Commission as he moved out of his Single Member District.  According to DC law, vacancies in Single Member District seats may not be filled within six months of a general election.  Matters related to this district may be addressed to Commissioner Jeff Hopp, who will coordinate 2B05 issues.  (2) The Chair announced that the Ambassador of Argentina has requested that a memorial to Eva Peron be placed in public space in the Dupont Circle neighborhood.  ANC 2B has requested the opportunity to comment on this proposal and has been notified by the Secretary of Council of the District of Columbia, who is the city’s primary liaison to the diplomatic community, that the Commission will be notified as this proposal progresses.  (3) Commissioner Hopp announced that he created a flyer for use in informing property owners about their responsibilities for curb and street cleanup.  This flyer has been distributed to businesses on the 17th Street corridor.  Copies of the document are available from ANC 2B.  (4) The Chair announced that the Tutorsky Mansion BZA hearing has not been completed.  The case will resume on June 18th.   (5) The Chair noted that the ABC Board will continue hearings on the Peppers and Uni A Sushi Place expansion applications on June 19th.   (6) John Ray, former DC City Councilman, provided an update of the progress of the DC Health Care Alliance, a consortium of DC hospitals to provide comprehensive medical services for the uninsured.  He noted that the program’s early results are promising. (6) In response to a question from the audience regarding emergency preparedness, the Chair informed those present that he had  taken initial steps to arrange for a special program on the matter sometime this summer.

-- Public Safety Issues:  Lt. Claus (U.S. Park Police) provided an update on the incidence of crime. He noted that Operation Gold Coast, a yearlong undercover drug sting operation conducted in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police Department in Dupont Circle and the west Dupont area, was an astounding success.  Seventeen arrests were made in the opening phase alone. Lt. Claus continued to say that the work is not done, and they will continue to monitor the area. Officer Trainer (MPD PSA 308) reported that crime was significantly reduced from this time in 2001. The Chair thanked the U.S. Park Police and MPD for their efforts, and commended them on behalf of the Commission.  

-- Tree Boxes – It was announced that the neighborhood should report to their respective Commissioners any requests for specific tree box repairs or maintenance.  The final list is due in to the ANC by June 19th. ANC 2B voted unanimously to forward this request to the Ward 2 Neighborhood Services Coordinator, with great weight, for implementation by the Department of Public Works.

-- 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 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, ANC2B voted unanimously to support the application and a stipulation to allow immediate ABC service.  (2B05)

-- Proposed Rehabilitation of the Connecticut Avenue Underpass at Dupont Circle:   Duong Bui, Project Manager for the Department of Transportation, presented the city’s plan for repairs to the Connecticut Avenue tunnel underpass at Dupont Circle. At issue is the proposed rerouting of traffic during construction through congested residential streets, for approximately nine months.  After comments and questions from the audience, ANC 2B voted unanimously to send a letter of concern to the Acting Director of the Department of Transportation regarding the alternate traffic routes the city is planning to promote, and to request information about other proposed construction projects planned in the neighborhood at that time.  (2B02/2B07)

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

2B02 – Levante’s, 1320 19th Street; Wrapworks, 1601 Connecticut Avenue
2B04 – Town House Tavern Restaurant, 1637 R Street; DC JCC, 1529 16th Street
2B05 – Courtyard by Marriott, 1600 Rhode Island Avenue
2B07 – Aroma Indian Restaurant, 1919 I Street

No action was taken on these ABC renewal applications.

-- 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.  The establishment wishes to add seated alcohol service on the second floor in the evening, and to extend hours of operation.  After comment and discussion, ANC 2B voted unanimously to support the application.  (2B02)

-- 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.  After a presentation by Andrew Klein on behalf of the applicant, comments and questions were posed by Commissioners and the public.  It was noted that, although the establishment is not in the two moratorium zones in Dupont, the addition of over 300 additional ABC seats would have a negative impact on the neighborhood.  A local resident complained about the massive amounts of trash found on residential streets near MCCXXIII every morning.  After a spirited debate, ANC2B voted to protest the substantial change application. (2B07)

-- Public Space Application:  Red Brick LLC, 1714 Massachusetts Ave., Request to Construct a Decorative Security Fence – Although the applicant was not present, Commissioner Morgan reported that the request was for a short security fence around the property which was consistent with the surrounding area.  ANC 2B took no action on the matter.  (2B07)

-- Public Space Application:  CESC for Caribou Café, 1101 17th Street, request for an unenclosed sidewalk café – The applicant provided a presentation on a proposed unenclosed sidewalk café which would expand an unenclosed sidewalk café at the site which is on the privately owned portion of the sidewalk.  After comment and discussion, ANC 2B voted unanimously to support the application.  (2B05)

-- Public Space Application:  Sofitel, 806 15th Street, request for an unenclosed sidewalk café – The applicant described a proposed sidewalk café to flank the entrance to the new Sofitel hotel.  After comment and discussion, ANC 2B voted unanimously to support the application.  (2B05)

-- Commission Administrative Matters, Old Business, and New Business:  (1) ANC 2B voted unanimously to authorize the Chair to prepare testimony on behalf of the Commission regarding the Q Street non-local heavy truck and bus ban.  (2) ANC 2B voted to send a letter requesting an expeditious ruling from the Court on legal matters regarding the lease for Dupont Down Under.  (3) Financial Issues -There were no financial matters to be considered. (4) The Chair provided copies of proposed amendment to the Commission’s Bylaws and certified the public notice of the proposed amendments.  ANC 2B will consider the amendments at the July meeting.  The purpose of the amendments is to update the Bylaws and make them consistent with current laws and practices.  (5) The minutes of the April 10, 2002, meeting were approved.

Next Meeting

The next regular meeting of ANC 2B will be July 10, 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
Staff Coordinator – Brian Piech, 296-7333, staff@DupontCircleANC.net