MINUTES – ANC3D – NOVEMBER 7, 2007
The regularly scheduled monthly meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3D was called to order at 7:05 PM by Chair Rachel Thompson. Other commissioners present: Heuer, Haas, Sandza, Smith and Wells. Commissioner Gates was attending a zoning meeting.
Public Space Applications:
Justin and Beth Clark, 4901 Macarthur Blvd: Application to install a closed six foot fence and to plant a six foot pine tree. The fence was installed before applying for the permit. They said that a fence was there, and they were just replacing it to make it safer for their dogs (which have died) and for their child and to make it more compatible with the style of their home. They said they didn’t know they had to get a permit to put up the new fence.
The next door neighbor objected to the fence because it blocks the light into her home.
Commissioner Thompson moved to approve the application for discussion purposes. Commissioner Sandza made a suggestion to revise the motion but it died for lack of a second. Her motion would have been to add the conditions that the applicants remove a portion of the fence near their carport and to require them to keep their garbage cans inside the fence. The motion was withdrawn for lack of a Second.
Commissioner Smith moved to disapprove the application because of the impact on neighbors and the neighborhood. Commissioner Haas seconded this motion. The Commissioners stated that conditions of any future fence proposal would be that the fence be open, lower and removed from west/right side of carport. This motion passed 6-0-0.
Commissioner Gates arrived.
Metropolitan Methodist Church: One application to replace existing signage near the front door of the church and to place it on a new retaining wall and to build a second, free standing sign on the property close to Newark Street. A second application to stripe 7 parking spaces in public space near the entrance of the church parking lot.
Commissioner Wells moved to approve the sign in the new wall near the church entrance and to and approve the 2nd sign with the conditions that it be no taller than the proposed wall, that the church confirm that Horace Mann school officials have no concern that the new sign would cause safety issues for students because of its height and the potential to cause visibility problems, and that the church secure DDOT sign-off. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Sandza and passed 7-0-0.
Approval of the parking striping application was moved by Commissioner Thompson, seconded by Commissioner Sandza and passed 7-0-0.
Special Exception Applications
CVS parking lot-special exception extension. –
Commissioner Thompson moved to approve this application if the following conditions were met:
1. The approval be for three years.
2. The Applicant be subject to Conditions 2-10 in its current order.
3. The Applicant file a written report with the ANC on a quarterly basis.
4. Central parking will require paid parking from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. with one hour of free parking for customers during this time, and that from 6 pm-7am parking will be free.
5. A Kiosk will be provided outlining these policies.
Commissioner Gates seconded this motion and it passed 7-0-0. Commissioner Gates will testify at hearing.
4818 Foxhall Crescents – Special Exception Application to build a house on the last theoretical lot in Foxhall Crescents. Commissioner Smith moved to approve the special exception as filed. Commissioner Gates seconded the motion. Vote: 5-1-1. Commissioner Sandza voted against the application and Commissioner Haas abstained. A letter will be written by Commissioner Thompson.
Commission Business
Treasurers Report: There is currently a balance of $ 32,61.40 in the Bank of America checking account. The fourth quarter (2007) report was presented and approved 7-0-0.
Minutes: Commissioner Thompson moved approval of the October minutes and Commissioner Wells, seconded. The minutes were approved 7-0-0.
Next meeting will be December 5, 2007.
Respectfully submitted
Elizabeth (Betsy) Sandza)
Secretary