Minutes

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3D

November 1, 2006 Monthly Meeting

The regularly scheduled monthly meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by Chair Alma Gates.  Other commissioners present: Heuer, Haas, Thompson and Wells. Commissioners Shapley and Mullane arrived late per earlier notice.

Police Report

Officer Ellis gave the monthly police report in Office McElwee’s stead. Ellis wasn’t able to present monthly statistics as he hadn’t been on duty for several days due to the crime emergency rescheduling of PSA officers.

There was little to report regarding Halloween night on which police coverage was rearranged. In reference to two recent carjacking/assault cases in Georgetown, Officer Ellis said a man had been apprehended. He cautioned residents against anyone claiming to be a police officer without the proper badge (he showed his), and said that if one is ever in doubt whether an officer is legitimate, the best thing to do is to ask to speak to his supervisor who should be contacted immediately by radio.

Officer Ellis distributed an MPD Bulletin entitled, “GPS Navigation Thefts.” GPS devices are like early mobile phones in that they are plug-in devices and therefore subject to theft. Commissioner Gates asked about a rash of recent bike thefts in which an older model bike appeared to be left behind. Officer Ellis confirmed that thieves are “trading up” through theft.

Community Concerns

Neighborhood Watch: Resident Kent Slowinski addressed the audience on the subject of Neighborhood Watch efforts and asked whether the ANC would host a one-hour training session by Chevy Chase residents who have organized these.  He reported that he had met with Samantha Nolan of Chevy Chase/DC who started a successful program in her area.

Commissioner Heuer said there were several such groups in Spring Valley when she lived there. The hardest part of getting one started is finding someone willing to be a block captain, she said. Commissioner Wells said she would be happy to discuss this with Kent after the meeting. Chairman Gates said an organizing role would be better handled by neighborhood associations. Commissioner Thompson suggested that a request be put to the Wesley Heights – Spring Valley Association and that the neighborhood listservs might also be helpful.

ABC License #75442 – Bambu Restaurant, 5101 MacArthur Boulevard, N.W. – Licensee requests to change license class from “D” (wine and beer) to class “C” (full beverage service)

This property is located in Chairman Gates’ district.

Bambu was represented by their attorney, Candice Fitch. However the restaurant owner had not arrived and a decision was made to delay discussion until later in the meeting.

Public Space Application – New (second) driveway per DC standards as per plans for 4948 Lowell Street, N.W. – Discussion and vote

This property is located in Commissioner Thompson’s district.

The property owners, Mae and Anderson Grennan, presented landscaping plans that show the location of a new driveway on Lowell Street to the left of their front door and close to the neighbors’ property line. They also brought architectural plans and explained that the existing driveway and attached garage are at the opposite corner of the house from the kitchen. The Grennans have two young children, and rather than wind through the basement from the garage with groceries and children they have been parking on the street. They said this is both inconvenient and poses a safety problem for their children.

Commissioner Thompson noted that a large street tree is located to the right of the proposed driveway and asked Earl Eutsler, an arborist at the Urban Forestry Management division of DDOT, to assess the plan with respect to the likely survival of the tree (a mature willow oak).

Commissioner Thompson also noted she had observed a mature stand of hollies on or near the property line to the left of the proposed driveway and asked the Grennans and the Speyers (the neighbors) to discuss whether or not the hedge would be affected by the driveway installation. Mary Speyer was in attendance and spoke, expressing concern about potential loss of the hollies as a visual barrier (and the willow oak), and asked the Grennans to do a formal survey to identify the location of the hollies in relation to their shared property line.

Commissioner Thompson moved that the ANC delay consideration of the application until its next meeting, and send a letter to the Public Space division recommending: a) that Mr. Eutsler be solicited for his view on the plan; and b) the Grennans conduct a survey or take other steps to satisfy the Speyers’ concerns about the hollies.

The motion was seconded by Chairman Gates and adopted 5-0.

ABC License #75442 – Bambu Restaurant, 5101 MacArthur Boulevard, N.W. – Licensee requests to change license class from “D” (wine and beer) to class “C” (full beverage service)

Suchen Chen, the owner of Bambu, explained that she is applying for a full liquor service license for Bambu in order to make the restaurant more competitive with surrounding eateries, most of whom already have full liquor licenses.

Chairman Gates confirmed these other licenses and said that since Bambu received its current license she has heard no complaints whatsoever. The current application was properly posted, she said.

Chairman Gates moved to approve the license. The motion was seconded by Ann Heuer and approved 5-0-0.

Discussion of Resolution on Proposed Whitehurst Freeway Removal

Commissioners Shapley and Mullane arrived mid-way through this item.

This item was placed on the agenda for discussion and update, with the question being whether the Commission should pass a second resolution. The Department of Transportation has released a final consultant’s report which identifies and ranks three alternatives to keeping the freeway intact.

In June 2005 the ANC adopted a resolution which stated ANC 3D “will oppose any decision to remove the Whitehurst Freeway until such time as a) data convincingly supports the desirability and practicality of an alternative; and b) decision factors as identified and ranked by ANC 3D residents in the course of public meetings held in April and May have been met.”

Commissioners observed that the study process has been underway for close to two years and that at recent public meetings to present alternatives, a vast majority of residents still expressed strong opposition to removing the freeway. The Commission noted that a new mayor and council members are soon to be sworn in and that both the mayor and several likely council members have said the project should be terminated.

Palisades residents Joe and Sherry Rich made several points in opposition to the freeway removal and urged the Commission to come out strongly against it.

Commissioners agreed that while it’s unclear whether the Council is planning a vote on the project, the ANC should adopt a further resolution before the end of the year that references the 2005 resolution and opposes removing the freeway. Thompson will draft a resolution for discussion and vote at the December meeting the gist of which will be a) to call for a stop to the project; and b) oppose any further funding for any study.

Commissioner Heuer said it would be important to circulate the resolution broadly and include Virginia lawmakers who may not have been following the issue closely.

Discussion of Utility Consumer Bill of Rights – Letter/resolution requesting an extension of time for public comments on proposed rulemaking

Chairman Gates had asked Commissioner Mullane to draft a resolution on this issue. Commissioner Mullane said he needs to recuse himself on anything related to the energy matter as his wife is employed by a companies or companies that work in this sector.

Commissioner Wells offered to examine available materials and report further at the Commission’s December meeting.

Department of the Environment Strategic Design Team Request

Chairman Gates presented a request from Palisades resident Nick Kauffman, who works for the new Department of the Environment, for input from the Commission on a list of questions concerning the Department’s mission, activities, and perceived strengths and weaknesses. She asked Commissioner Haas, who chairs the ANC’s Environmental Committee, to hold a meeting of the committee and recommend a response.

Commissioner Thompson suggested inviting the DOE to make a formal presentation to the ANC about its mission and activities, since to the Commission’s knowledge the new department has not been properly rolled out. Commissioner Shapley seconded this idea.

Commissioner Haas will determine next steps.

Commission Business

Presentation of quarterly financial report: Commissioner Haas, as Treasurer, presented the quarterly financial report for review. She noted that the ANC’s quarterly payments will be debited in the amount of a credit card purchase for Internet services from a Canadian company.

Commissioner Heuer moved to accept the quarterly report. Commissioner Wells seconded. The vote was 7-0-0 in favor of accepting the report.

Commissioner Haas, as Treasurer, presented the monthly financial report.  There is presently $26,281.88 in the Bank of America Checking Account.

Minutes: Commissioner Thompson, as Secretary, presented minutes from the October monthly meeting. Commissioner Heuer moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Mullane seconded. The minutes were adopted by a vote of 7-0-0.

Chairman Gates concluded the meeting at 8:45 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission is December 6, 2006

Respectfully submitted,

Rachel Thompson

Secretary