ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 3D
Meeting Minutes – April 6, 2005
The regularly scheduled monthly meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3D was called to order by Chair Alma Gates at 7:30 PM. Commissioners present: Gates,
Haas, Hamilton, Heuer, Shapley, Stern and Thompson. Commissioner Mullane was absent per notice. There were approximately 50 people in the audience.
Police report: Sergeant Tony McElwee gave the monthly police report for PSA205. He said that there has been an overall reduction in crime in this area - down 57% from
this time last year. Theft from auto has dropped 56%. The police are still catching speeders especially along MacArthur Blvd with the new light. They are going to be focusing on Foxhall Road with radar in the next few weeks.
Community Concerns: Caroline Quant, a resident of Sherier Place, stated that there are still serious flooding problems and it appears that water overflowing the failed infiltration trench at 5528 MacArthur Boulevard is undermining the base of the alley behind that location. She also sited construction debris behind 5510 MacArthur has resulted in a rat infestation.
Kent Slowinski announced that he has organized a clean up of Whitehaven Park that is scheduled for 9:30 on April 9. He also stated he is setting up an exploratory committee to study the need for a tree and slope overlay for Foxhall Village, Palisades, Spring Valley and Wesley Heights. He feels an overlay would support community needs but wants to be certain the community wants to pursue this undertaking, which is aimed at good development practices. People should reply to him if they are interested in joining a committee to explore the proposed overlay.
RJ Hamilton, Commissioner for ANC 3D08 announced his resignation from the Commission effective April 30th. The apartment he and his wife had been renting has been sold and they have found another apartment near Dupont Circle. He will notify the BOEE of this vacancy. His boundaries are 44th Street – Cathedral Avenue and Embassy Park Drive.
Department of Transportation’s Freddie Akinbolajo explained to the Commissioners the need to replace an outdated streetlight series circuit cabling system, which would include upgrading and conversion of the existing street lighting series circuit system with an individually powered system in Spring Valley. Most 14 foot light standards would be replaced by new 16’ poles. The light fixtures, which are globe shaped would remain, but the actual bulbs would be changed from incandescent to high-pressure sodium bulbs, which have a life of up to five years and would produce an orangey glow. Mr. Akinbolajo explained that the city has established a standard for new streetlights to avoid unnecessary delay in making repairs and to help maintain a consistent inventory of replacement materials.
Neighbors voiced their concerns about the brightness of the new lights, the possible removal of trees and destruction of curb and gutter to accommodate the placement of new light standards.
Commissioners Shapley and Stern will accept and coordinate feedback from concerned neighbors and will ascertain through DDOT when work will begin on streets where these changes will take place. Mr. Sunny Gyani, who is responsible for Wards 3 and 4, assured the neighbors that the new lights will actually make it safer and areas will be more evenly lighted. Phase I work will include Rockwood Parkway from Glenbrook Road to Indian Lane and Indian Lane from Rockwood Parkway to Nebraska Avenue. Letters will be sent to residents about two weeks in advance of any work.
John Bullock, Ward 3 Planner DDOT discussed outstanding requests for calming studies. Chain Bridge Road will be restriped this spring and new parking restriction signs have been placed along the entire length of the road. Macomb Street will also be restriped this spring to discourage commuters from entering the street during restricted hours. A traffic study of that area is still outstanding. DDOT will investigate a long-standing request from ANC 3D for removal of a “No U Turn” at MacArthur and W Street. The all way STOP signs requested along 44th Street did not meet DDOT warrants and will not be installed. A traffic study has been done for 49th and Massachusetts Avenue by Osborn George in conjunction with the proposed WC and AN Miller building and will be reviewed by DDOT. A request was made to Mr. Bullock that further discussion take place prior to the removal of any parking on Massachusetts Avenue or 50th Street related to the Miller project. A request for residential parking along V Street has been denied, however Mr. Bullock was charged to reconsider this request given the commercial growth and impact of River School faculty parking in the area immediately contiguous to the residential area of V Street. Mr. Bullock confirmed that there would be a pedestrian crosswalk installed at the intersection of Reservoir Road and Canal Road.
Mr. Bob Dreschler, Grand Mason Representative of the Freemason Grand Lodge, 5428 MacArthur Boulevard, asked for approval from the Commission to erect a flagpole in public space in front of the Lodge. This was approved 7-0-0.
BZA #17309 – a request by Dorchester Associates to allow 13 detached single-family homes on property at 2800 Chain Bridge Road was represented by builder/developer Morton Bender. Mr. Bender presented architectural schemes for a 13-house theoretical lot subdivision. The Commissioners had asked for a storm water management plan, a traffic plan and a grading plan. Mr. Bender explained that a grading plan is unnecessary because all homes would be built to conform to the natural contours of the property and would require no grade changes. Mr. Bender then stated that there are plans to establish an architectural review board and a homeowners association and that individual swimming pools and tennis courts would be prohibited.
Robert Sussman, representing the Chain Bridge Road/University Terrace Preservation Committee, stated that his committee has serious concerns about the ability of the proposed storm water management system to compensate for the amount of impervious surface that would cover the property. (For further details about this see attached letter to BZA). After hearing from Mr. Bender, and reviewing all house designs from the perspective of lot occupancy, impervious surface coverage and their location in relation to Chain Bridge Road and Battery Kemble Park, the Commission found that the developer did not meet his burden of proof.
Based on figures provided by Commissioner Thompson, it was obvious to the Commissioners that the project was designed to maximize development on each lot in a Tree and Slope Overlay district where minimum density is indicated. The Commission voted 7-0-0 to oppose the application of Dorchester Associates. (Attachment B)
Commission Business - The chair asked Commissioner Jill Stern to review the current bylaws with immediate attention to Article VI, Section 7. Definition of a Voting Majority. She will present her recommendations to bring ANC 3D’s Bylaws into compliance with Roberts Rules of Order at the May meeting.
The minutes of the March meeting were approved.
The Treasurer’s report was accepted. There is a balance of $21,709.35 currently in the Bank of America checking account.
The next meeting will be held May 4, 2005.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Shapley
Secretary