Below is a summary of the actions taken by the Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 2B) at the September 18, 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.
 
September 18, 2002 - Regular Meeting

General Announcements/Public Forum:  The following general announcements were made at the September meeting.   (1) The Chair invited those interested in running for election to ANC 2B in November to introduce themselves to the audience. He noted that on October 9th, there would be a general orientation meeting for candidates to describe issues of significance in ANC 2B.  (2) Gottlieb Simon introduced himself as the City’s liaison with ANCs.  (3) Mike Fasano, President of the Dupont Circle Citizen’s Association (DCCA), announced that there would be a fundraiser on October 1st at La Tomate restaurant benefiting the Hospice of Washington.  He also stated that the first fall membership meeting will be held on Monday, October 7th, 7:30 pm, at the Belmont Mansion.  (3) Resident Jim McGrath requested that the ANC 2B investigate an alleged nonresidential use at 1756 P Street, NW, which is zoned for residential use.  Commissioner Irv Morgan was assigned to this matter.  (4) The Chair announced that the DCCA House Tour will be held on October 20th, from 12-5 pm.  The Chair noted that tickets may be purchased through DCCA.  (5) Representatives from the DC Emergency Management Agency announced that there would be a neighborhood emergency preparedness meeting on Saturday, September 28th, at Francis Junior High School.  The Chair announced that the ANC was not informed of this meeting, and that it would be constructive if the ANC were notified in advance of any such meetings.  (6) Resident Peter Knapp complained that he did not receive his voter registration card before the election.  The Chair directed him to the DC Board of Elections and Ethics.  (7) Resident Brian Stuffle announced that on Friday, October 11th, Foundry Baptist Church will be hold its annual Concert for Life.  (8) David Moorehead, PEPCO’s ANC 2B Liaison, welcomed those present to visit the PEPCO headquarters’ gallery at 8th and G Streets, open daily from 12-4 pm.  The Chair thanked Mr. Moorehead for the quick response to the request to clean up the public space around the substation at 22nd and N Streets, NW.  (9) Norm Neverson, Chair of the DC Democratic Party, noted the high turnout at the Dupont Circle precincts for the September primary.  He stated that he hoped for a similar turnout in November.  (10) The Chair announced that the Department of Transportation notified ANC 2B that 18th Street, NW, from Connecticut to Massachusetts Avenues, will be resurfaced between September 28th and November 30th.

Public Safety Issues:  MPD Investigator Kristian Kimble gave an update on the success of Operation Gold Coast, conducted from June 2001 to June 2002.  The combined effort of the MPD and US Park Police has resulted in the indictment of 31 suspected narcotics dealers and 85 suspected buyers.  Only nine suspected dealers remain at large.  He asked that if anyone sees anything suspicious to call the police.  Also, Investigator Kimble asked that neighbors who are available attend the sentencing hearings for those arrested.  The next hearing date is October 25th.  Contact Investigator Kimble on (202) 352-8401 for more information.  MPD officers from the 2nd District (below N Street in the Dupont neighborhood)  reported that violent crime is down 24% from last year in Police Service Area 209.  

Regular Agenda

-- New ABC Application by Azul; CR; 1753 Connecticut Ave., NW; Restaurant with Live Music and a Sidewalk Café; Hours - Monday-Thursday, 11 am - 2 am, Friday, 11 am - 3 am, Saturday, 10 am - 3 am, & Sunday, 10 am – midnight:  Owner Mike Gramm presented his plans for this new establishment.  After a brief presentation, ANC 2B considered testimony from many constituents.  Residents noted that parking problems, live music, open windows, trash issues, hours of operation, noise on S Street, the size of the proposed establishment, proximity to residential property, and the possibility of a future sidewalk café were issues of significant concern.  ANC2B voted unanimously protest the application and authorized the negotiation of a voluntary agreement to address issues of neighborhood concern.  (2B02)

-- New ABC Application by Recessions II; CR; 1823 L St., NW; Restaurant with Background Music; Hours - daily, 11 am – midnight:  Dmitri Mallios, counsel for the applicant, noted that this is a “new” license, but that the operation will be same as the existing restaurant of the same name.  The building in which Recessions has been located will be vacated for construction.  The “new” restaurant is located nearby.  ANC 2B voted unanimously to support the application and a request for a stipulation to begin ABC service prior to the Board’s hearing.  (2B07)

-- New ABC Application by Copperfields; CR; 888 17th St., NW; Restaurant with No Entertainment; Hours - Monday-Friday, 8 am - 5 pm:  Commissioner Morgan stated that he has not been contacted by the applicant nor was the applicant present.  ANC 2B voted unanimously to protest the application pending a future presentation on the application.  (2B07)

-- ABC Substantial Change by Larry's Lounge; CT; 1840 18th St., NW; Sidewalk Café with Seating for 20:  Ken Megill, co-owner of Larry’s Lounge, provided an overview of his application for a sidewalk Café at Larry’s Lounge.  Resident Chamille Chlost shared a petition from the neighbors which requested that the ANC protest the application due to noise concerns.  ANC 2B considered further testimony from those present.  After discussion, ANC 2B voted to protest the application and authorized the negotiation of a voluntary agreement to address hours of operation and noise concerns.  (2B01)

-- ABC Substantial Change by Grille 88; CR; 1910 18th St., NW; Live Music:  Alan Popofsky, owner of Grille 88, provided in overview of his request for a substantial change to allow unamplified piano music.  Commissioner Chaplain raised various questions and concerns from neighbors, including the considerable problem of both parking and trash in the neighborhood.  It was further noted that the establishment has already made great progress towards previous concerns with the neighborhood, and that a voluntary agreement was forwarded to ANC 2B to address these concerns.  ANC 2B voted to adopt the voluntary agreement submitted by the applicant (the agreement was read into the record during the meeting), withdraw its protest of the renewal of Grille 88’s ABC license, and support the substantial change application with the limitations noted in the agreement.  (2B01)

-- Public Space Application by Starbucks; 1500 21st St., NW; Sidewalk Café with Seating for 8: Joe Spinelli presented plans for an unenclosed sidewalk café on 21st Street, NW, at P Street, for Starbucks. Commissioners and residents voiced concern about the trash problems at the sidewalk cafes operated by Starbucks on Connecticut Avenue near Dupont Circle.  After discussion, a motion was passed unanimously to support the application contingent upon operating hours from 9 am to 10 pm; no advertising on the sidewalk café furniture, fences, or umbrellas; and regular cleaning of the public space from the curb to 18 inches into the street.  (2B02)

-- Alley Closure Application by The Phillips Collection; 1618 21st St., NW:  Rich Rutledge, Chief Operating Officer of The Phillips Collection, described the alley closure request.  The Chair noted the alley will remain open to the public and that the “closure” is technical to allow The Phillips Collection to build below the alley.  The Chair further noted that this issue was part of the Commission’s master cooperation agreement with the Collection.  ANC 2B voted unanimously to support the application contingent upon a covenant guaranteeing public access and use of the alley.  (2B02)

-- Zoning Application by William Bass; 1629 21st St., NW; Special Exception to Establish an Art Gallery in an Existing Apartment Building:  Steve Gell, counsel for the applicant, provided an overview of the proposal.  Mr. Gell noted that a small gallery wishes to move to this location, currently zoned residential.  ANC 2B considered testimony from residents, who noted concerns about the impact of yet another residential conversion on 21st Street.  After discussion, ANC 2B voted unanimously to protest the application and authorized the negotiation of a voluntary agreement should issues of concern be addressed.  (2B02)

-- Zoning Application #02-25, University of Notre Dame, 1615 New Hampshire Ave. NW, to Convert a Building to University Use:  The Chair announced that the Zoning Commission had left the record open for the ANC to submit further testimony on this matter.  The Zoning Commission made this decision based on the concerns voiced by residents that this issue was not properly noticed by the Office of Zoning.  A substantial number of residents from the neighborhood provided testimony in opposition of the application.  Issues noted were impacts on the peace, order, and quiet of the neighborhood; the potential loss of tax revenue caused by the change of the building; future expansion of the university program; the lack of community spirit arising from the high turnover rate after every semester; and the loss of residential space.  After discussion, ANC 2B voted to send a letter to the Zoning Commission noting its disappointment at the lack of proper notice; that new testimony had lead the commission to change its position; and that the ANC now opposes the application.  (2B03)

-- Tree Removal Request, 1717 Rhode Island Ave., NW:  The applicant noted that a number of healthy trees need to be removed due to substantial construction at this location.  City regulations require that the ANC support such requests and that applicants replace any trees that must be removed for construction with new trees to equal those removed. ANC 2B voted unanimously to support the request while noting its disappointment at the loss of healthy trees. (2B07)

Commission Administrative Matters, Commissioner Reports, Old Business, New Business, and Public Forum:  The Commission took action on the following administrative matters.  (1) The minutes of the August 14, 2002, meeting were adopted.  (2) ANC 2B authorized testimony before the DC Council regarding parking issues.  (3) Commissioner Chaplain announced that the BP Amoco station on 18th and S Streets still did not have a buyer. (4) ANC 2B voted to send letters to the ABC Board and Public Space Committee requested that the proposed hours of operation be placed on placards and ANC notices.

Next Meeting

The next regular meeting of ANC 2B will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 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