ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 3D

                                     SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 MEETING MINUTES

The regularly scheduled monthly meeting was called to order by Chair Rachel Thompson at 7 05 PM.  Commissioners present:  Gates, Haas, Thompson, Sandza and Wells.  Commissioner Smith was absent by notice.  Commissioner Heuer arrived at 7:30 pm

Jesse Baltimore House - Chair Thompson noted that the disposition of the Jesse Baltimore House is still not clear.  The present ANC3D did not take a position on what to do with the house because it did not have an opportunity to hold a hearing on the subject.  The former commission passed a resolution to save the house.

Special Exception BZA 17686 – Burton Finkelstein, 4516 Garfield Street.  Mr. Finkelstein appeared before the commission requesting a variance from the front yard set-back and a special exception to allow an addition to his home not meeting the nonconforming structure provisions in the Wesley Heights Overlay.  Mr. Finkelstein brought photos of his home and the proposed plans.  He said that he and his wife had lived there for 35 years and that neighbors on both sides of his home supported this request.  Members of the ANC3D Zoning Committee, who are Wesley Heights residents and who were instrumental in getting the Wesley Heights Overlay approved, said they had no objection to the application. Commissioner Sandza moved to approve, Commissioner Haas seconded and it passed 5-0-0.  Commissioner Sandza was appointed to write to the BZA regarding the application.

GWU-Mt-Vernon – Whitehaven Parkway Curb Cut Application for a new driveway, primarily for service vehicles to access the new Pelham Hall.  Alicia O’Neal, Director, Real Estate Operations, Bob Good, architect and Randolph Peterson, representing GWU, appeared before the Commission to discuss landscaping plans and revised storm water management in connection with Mount Vernon’s Pelham Hall’s replacement project, and also in support of the curb cut.  Several neighbors from W Street voiced their dissatisfaction with the landscaping and storm water management plan, as did members of the ANC.  It was admitted by GWU that the ANC had the right to supply a response to GWU's July 30, 2007 filing before the BZA.  Commissioner Heuer moved to approve the curb cut with several conditions, Commissioner Thompson seconded the Motion and it passed with Commissioners Heuer, Thompson, Gates and Wells voting in favor and Commissioners Haas and Sandza voting against.  No one abstained.  Commissioner Gates was delegated to draft the communication with the BZA.   

Lab School – Motion for modification of Condition #6 of Final Order (BZA#17383-A), a

waiver of the six month time requirement.  Commissioner Gates moved to support this modification.  Commissioner Sandza seconded.  Passed 6-0-0.

Commission Business

Minutes from July meeting were approved 6-0-0.

Treasurer’s report:  There is currently a balance of $34,509 in the Bank of America checking account.  This includes two allotments in the amount of $6,388.00 to complete the FY07 payments.

The budget for FY 2008 which begins in October 2007 was presented for the first time.

The Commissioners discussed allotting a certain amount for web design and also for the possible use of expert witnesses.  The budget will be presented again in October for final discussion and approval.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, October 3, 2007. 

Respectfully submitted,

Elizabeth (Betsy) Sandza

Secretary