Minutes

ANC 3B

March 9, 2000

Present

Commissioner Breeden
Commissioner Lively
Commissioner Mizerek
Commissioner Ritzenberg
Commissioner Procida

Commissioner Mizerek opened the meeting at 7:35pm

Police Report

Sgt. Brown introduced himself to the Commissioners and the audience. Once again the major theft in Glover Park and Cathedral Heights is occurring from autos. Sgt. Brown reminded people to remove all items from their cars. He stated that drivers also need to remove their keys and lock their doors when leaving their car unattended.

Lt. Patrick Burke stated that the smart machine that monitors traffic speed would be repaired and located in PSA 205 in the next few weeks.

Sgt. Brown stated that the reciprocity enforcement had been stepped up and asked that the audience spread the word to their neighbors that all vehicles that are kept in DC more than thirty calendar days are to have DC tags.

A member of the audience asked what neighbors should do about cars that park in front of driveways and alleys. Sgt. Brown stated that the new 311 number should be used to report illegally parked cars.

Commissioner Ritzenberg asked that the Police check on traffic on Cathedral Avenue and ticket the cars that go the wrong way.

Commissioner Breeden stated that ANC 3B sent a budget request to the Mayer that included detailing a tow truck to the 2^nd District. She also stated that a resolution be made to support the installation of a red light camera at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Calvert Street.

Red Light Camera Resolution for Wisconsin and Calvert

A motion was made, seconded and passed (4-0-Commissioner Ritzenberg abstained.)

Approval of February 10, 2000 Minutes

A motion was made, seconded and passed (5-0-0)

Approval of February, 2000 expense report

Commissioner Procida to provide the Commissioners with their own copies.

A motion was made, seconded, and passed (5-0-0)

Report on March 1, 2000 Public meeting on the status of the rerouting of the D and N bus line.

Commissioner Breeden reported that complaints about the brake squealing and high volume American with Disabilities Act stop announcements had been addressed. Commissioner Breeden asked that a further study be completed on loud engine noise. The WMATA officials stated their surprise that the busses were running behind schedule.

Commissioner Ritzenberg stated that she spoke with David Erion at WMATA and he will look into the delay.

Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA)

Commissioner Breeden stated that ANC 3B sent a letter to Lloyd Jorden, Director of DCRA to bring to his attention the numerous issues ANC 3B has with the Department. The failure to cooperate with ANC 3B on items such as the posting of building permits, notification on applications for building permits, and the ineffectual Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

CVS Update

Mr. Lourenco, DCRA Permit Office did not show up for the meeting. Mr. Grossman stated that Mr. Lourenco had been informed that the building permit did not address the concerns the Department of Public Works had regarding the length of the delivery trucks. Mr. Lourenco had not responded.

Mr. Armond Spikel, Roadside Development, builder of the CVS at Wisconsin and Hall Place stated that CVS felt it had addressed neighbors’ concerns with regard to the loading dock, parifit wall and signage. The loading dock had been moved to the front of the building. The parifit wall had been raised to shield neighbors from headlights in the parking lot, and the store had agreed to adjust the brightness of the sign lighting if the neighbors found it to be too bright at night. He stated that the trucks would have to back into the loading dock. Mr. DeVol of DeVol Funeral home, stated that the loading dock activity will disturb family and friends visiting loved ones.

DC Water and Sewer Authority

Ms. Libby Lawson, Public Affairs Director, George Papodopoulas Inspector, and Dr. Siek gave a presentation on the activities of WASA and how they prioritize service calls for water leaks. Mr. Papodopoulas stated that WASA has come along way in the past year in updated its systems and procedures. He stated that WASA inherited a broken system from the city and is in the process of upgrading and replacing a majority of the service lines throughout the city. Some lines will be lined and some will be replaced with new material.

Commissioner Lively asked if a tracking system was in place to monitor the progress of service calls and repairs. Mr. Papodopoulas stated that WASA tracks the service requests manually and no tracking numbers are given out.

Commissioner Lively asked how WASA recovered expenses resulting from processing wastewater and runoff from properties such as the Federal Government, Embassy’s, Schools and Parking Garages owners who are exempt. Mr. Papodopoulas stated that all of these issues need to be addressed.

Commissioner Breeden stated that WASA knows that breaks occur in the wintertime and should be prepared with staff to handle the increases in service calls. She also stated communication between residents and WASA need to be improved. Posting an sign or a flyer at the site of the water break on 39^th Street would have alerted the neighborhood that WASA had responded to the request for service and assessed the situation.

Ms. Lawson stated that WASA was addressing the staffing issue of repair crews. She also stated that the age of the water and sewer lines is not always the contributing factor in line failure. The poor condition of streets and roads carrying heavy traffic allows the ground to fail around the lines stressing the material regardless of age.

Dove Florist Building and Georgetown University Graduate Students

Linda Greenan, Georgetown University, Assistant Vice President for External Relations, informed the meeting that Georgetown University had entered into negotiations with the new owners of the Dove Florist building to house graduate students. Chris Macleod, representing the owners Mia and Steve Lovine stated that the building would be rehabilitated but keep the current configuration of 4 floors of housing, 1 efficiency, 3 one bedroom, and 1 two bedroom apartments per floor. The University plans to house no more than 60 students. In addition, a food/coffee shop is being considered for the lower level space that is currently zoned for retail use.

Commissioner Mizerek stated that several neighbors had contacted her and were concerned about the conversion of an apartment building into student housing. Other concerns were damage done to trees and the blocking of the street and alley by contractors.

Commissioner Ritzenberg stated that Georgetown University and the new owners should have contacted the ANC and the Glover Park Citizen Association prior to performing work on the building.

Ms. Greenan stated that the University contacted the ANC as soon as it knew that it would be going forward with the proposed housing plan.

Members of the audience raised concerns about parking, noise control, and building maintenance.

Mr. Macleod stated that the contractors would be more diligent in their work around the trees and apologized for any damage that was done. He stressed that the owners wanted to work with the neighborhood in improving the building that has been neglected for many years.

Audience comment included: praise for the developer for rehabbing an eye sore building; concerns about the negative impact on the limited on street parking; the possible decrease in property values; concerns that the meeting was hostile in tone; support for graduate students over undergraduate students.

Ms. Greenan stated that the University would work with the neighborhood on parking and noise issues. A possible parking solution would be to require the students housed in the building to use on campus parking. She also stated that the University responds to all complaints regarding off campus housing noise and works with the Metropolitan Police Department regarding noise complaints.

Mr. Macleod stated that the university would assume all responsibilities for maintenance of the property including waste removal and that by having all of the building’s tenants under control of the University, complaints about nuisance issues would be easier to handle. He also stated that if the apartments were to be rented out on an individual basis, more cars might be on the street and the neighborhood would not be able to have as much control over the parking situation.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:55.

Respectfully submitted,

Christopher Lively, Transcriber