| | | Near Northeast commission (ANC 6C) supports extension on New York Ave. project; supports various runs | | February 26, 2010 |  | | | Voice Correspondent | | At a Feb. 18 meeting:
• The commission unanimously voted to support a two-year extension for the development of 460 New York Ave. NW due to the owner’s inability to find a buyer. Commissioners Ryan Velasco and Anne Phelps expressed concern that the property has remained derelict and unkempt since the development was approved two years ago. The commission conditioned its support on the creation of an “operation plan” that should include an agreement to maintain the property and institute aesthetic improvements until construction begins.
• Planning committee chair Rob Amos told the commission that the a zoning hearing that was scheudled for March on creating a new Union Station zone has been postponed, but he did not give a new date for the hearing.
• The commission unanimously supported, pending approval from absent commissioner Charley Docter, to support the Lupus Foundation’s Walk for Lupus Now on April 17. Foundation representative Kassandra Kearse told the commission that the event is the organization’s biggest fundraiser. She said the 1300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue NW will be closed for the entirety of the race. Streets along the rest of the route will have “rolling closures” as participants pass through.
• The commission unanimously supported the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s MS Walk on April 17. The race will begin and end at the Canadian Embassy, and will take place entirely on sidewalks. There will be no road closures.
• Former commissioner Bill Sisolak informed the commission about Google’s search for a city to test a new fiber optic high-speed Internet system. Sisolak suggested D.C. would be a great site for the pilot program, and encouraged all citizens, particularly elected officials, to visit the Google site to voice their support for D.C. to host the trial.
• The commission unanimously supported a public space application from Carmine’s, 425 7th St. NW, for an 18-seat outdoor patio. The tables will be surrounded by iron fencing.
• The commission voted to support, with one abstention from commissioner Ryan Velasco, sending a letter to the D.C. Office of Planning opposing the Billboard Blight Removal Approval Resolution of 2010. This legislation would allow the D.C. Department of Regulatory and Consumer Affairs to permit businesses to display “special signs” in return for removing billboards on their property.
Commissioner Anne Phelps and Stanton Park Neighborhood Association member Monte Edwards told the commission that D.C. banned the creation of new billboards, generally about 300 square feet in size, in 1931 and allowed only a few to remain within city limits under strict guidelines. Only about five of them remain in D.C., Edwards said. Unlike billboards, “special signs” are not freestanding and are generally placed directly on buildings, Phelps said. They can be as bigs as 6,000 square feet, she said.
• The commission unanimously voted to support, pending approval from absent commissioner Charley Docter, the 22nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Walk, sponsored by the Capitol Running Company on March 14. The race will begin at 9 a.m. and should be finished by 10:30 a.m., said an organization representative, Lesley Green.
• The commission voted to support approved Gallaudet University’s request to rezone and convert the Denison House on its campus from an administrative building to its original function as a residence hall.
• The commission unanimously approved allocating $2,000 to purchase a laptop computer and accessories in order to electronically archive commission records.
• The commission unanimously approved, pending the auditor’s review, a payment of $71.60 for a plaque commending Michael Cortese, president of the Gospel Rescue Ministries in Northwest D.C., for his “outstanding work in the community.” Commissioner Mark Dixon presented the award. | | | | | Log in to comment on this article |
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