| | | Southeast Capitol Hill commission (ANC 6B) takes stand on parking, market issues | | December 10, 2009 |  | | | At its Dec. 9 meeting, the commission:
• unanimously voted to designate chair David Garrison to represent the commission at a Dec. 10 hearing on the proposed Ward 6 Residential Parking Protection Pilot Act of 2009. In the resolution, the commission asked Ward 6 D.C. Council member Tommy Wells for more time for community comments on the issue.
They also requested that a portion of the law calling for a graduated fee system that would charge households additional fees for each additional car be removed from the law and dealt with on a citywide basis. The commission also asked that a provision allowing Zone 6 parking only one one side of a block be enacted only if a majority of households on the block give their consent. Several residents said they were confused about the the proposed program and others, who have been in another pilot parking zone for a year, said they enjoyed the arrangement.
• unanimously voted to support a resolution urging the Department of Real Estate Services to lower the deli cases in Eastern Market to be lowered to floor level. The cases currently are raised 6 inches off the floor. D.C. health code requires them to either be flush with the floor or raised 6 inches off the floor. Currently, both customers and workers are having trouble seeing each other over the cases.
The Capitol Hill Community Foundation has offered to help pay for lowering the cases, but the department, which manages the market, has so far not allowed it. Ken Jarboe, the commission’s representative on the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee, originally wrote that the commission “demands” that the department lower the cases, but commission chair David Garrison said, “We’re not in the demanding business.”
• unanimously voted to support a resolution asking the Department of Real Estate Services (formerly known as the Office of Property Management), to hire experts to assess the windows at Eastern Market. The resolution complained that the windows installed during the reconstruction of the market were not tinted or glazed correctly, and the sunlight coming through them is spoiling food and creating an “intense glare.” Shades have been installed as a temporary solution. The commission wants the department to find a “long term solution that addresses the functionality, historic appearance, aesthetics and serviceability issues” of the windows.
• unanimously voted to support a Historic Preservation Application for 323 South Carolina Ave. SE for a two-story rear addition. The owners also plan to restore the home’s façade to its original appearance.
• made no motion on a proposed text amendment to city zoning code that would permit car-sharing parking spaces to be rented as a matter-of-right in residential and several other zones. The amendment would allow car-sharing services like Zipcar to rent spaces from private residences, such as spaces in alleys and driveways.
Several commissioners said they had problems with the idea of allowing commercial businesses to operate in residential zones. Dick Wolf, a representative of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society, said he agreed with commissioner Ken Jarboe, who called the legislation “a can of worms” and Wolf called the idea “special-interest” legislation since Zipcar is the only car-sharing service that operates in the metropolitan area. Commissioner Will Hill wondered if the change would ultimately require residents who rent to Zipcar basic business licenses. Ultimately, the commissioners agreed to get more information about the proposed amendment from the Zoning Commission.
• unanimously voted to support an Alcoholic Beverage Control Board application from Dulce Café & Lounge, 1123 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Over the last several months, the commission and a group of local neighbors have been negotiating with owner Cliff and Nyika Humphries over hours and entertainment restrictions for the establishment. The space is directly adjacent to the old Pacific Café & Lounge, which neighbors complained had operated as an illegal nightclub. Dulce will be allowed to serve alcohol until 11 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and until 1 a.m on Fridays and Saturdays.
• heard a summary from at-large D.C. Council member David Cantania’s on the highlights of his work on the council’s health committee.
• heard representatives from the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority discuss the city’s Combined Sewer Overflow Project. The project is still in the initial stages and undergoing an environmental impact statement process. People can comment on the project by e-mailing csotunnels@dcwasa.com.
Another water authority representative discussed the department’s recent study on galvanized pipes and home water quality. Residents who have galvanized pipes, and had or once had a lead service line, are being advised to use faucet filters and to have their water tested. While the majority of water tested in the city has less than the Environmental Protection Agency’s limit for lead content, the majority of water that has not passed comes from galvanized pipes. Call 202-354-3600, the agency’s lead line, for more information or go here. | | | | | Log in to comment on this article |
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