| | | Southeast Capitol Hill commission (ANC 6B) aims to examine local retail/restaurant mix | | February 26, 2010 |  | | | Voice Correspondent | | At a Feb. 23 commission meeting:
Commission chair David Garrison announced he has formed a “special committee for retail mix,” to be chaired by commissioner Ken Jarboe. Garrison has been participating in a Ward 6 economic development round table that is generating ideas for addressing a recent string of retail store closures and the subsequent multiplication of restaurants in the area, particularly along 8th Street SE. He said he formed this new special committee to ensure that the round table’s solutions are in line with the commission’s priorities.
Commissioner Ken Jarboe, member of the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee, announced that the D.C. Department of Real Estate Services has agreed to negotiate long-term leases with Eastern Market merchants. The committee also plans to ask the department to cease restricting through-traffic in the parking area immediately west of Eastern Market.
The commission unanimously voted to support a public space application from Zest American Bistro, 735 8th St. SE, for an unenclosed sidewalk cafι.
The commission unanimously supported a Historic Preservation Review Application for renovations to 307 9th St. SE, including demolition of the current kitchen and an addition to the rear of the house.
The commission unanimously voted to support, with commissioner Neil Glick abstaining, a Historic Preservation Review Application for a two-story addition to 218 10th St. SE.
The commission unanimously voted to oppose, with commissioner Will Hill abstaining, a Historic Preservation Review Board application for renovations to 1229 E St. SE. The commission cited the plan’s incompatibility with the surrounding neighborhood and opposition from neighbors. Complaints against the proposal centered around the size of the proposal, which would increase the house’s mass to over 6,000 square feet, the demolition of the historic “shotgun house” on the premises and a curb cut to accommodate a driveway. The commission encouraged the owners to continue working with the Historic Preservation Office to develop a plan that is more acceptable to neighbors.
The commission unanimously supported revised plans for updated security measures at the Marine Commandant’s house, at the corner of 8th and G streets SE. Plans include protective bollards and tree boxes, fenced-in guard houses and fencing around the property. Commissioner Francis Campbell said the plans address neighbors’ concerns that the historic house would appear too “fortress-like.”
The commission unanimously voted to not oppose the 5th Annual SunTrust National Marathon, which is scheduled for March. The commission had previously opposed the street closures planned for the race because of complaints that police did not properly allow cars through intersections when runners were not in sight. A representative from Ward 6 D.C. Council member Tommy Wells’ office said Wells is discussing the issue with the Metropolitan Police Department’s Special Operations Division to ensure officers are issued appropriate authority to allow cars through. A representative from the race organization suggested they meet with the commission after the race to review the race’s impact.
The commission unanimously voted to appeal the D.C. zoning administrator’s decision to allow Airports Council International to renovate 136 D St. SE as a private club for its membership. Planning and zoning committee chair commissioner Francis Campbell said the organization seems to want to use the facility t as a hotel for its membership. And too many for-profit and nonprofit organizations have purchased residential facilities in the area for temporary housing, he said. He said he is concerned that zoning the facility as a private club would create a dangerous precedent.
Airports Council International representative Brett McAllister told the commission that the facility “would not be a hotel.” Plans include converting the upstairs town house into a study, library, gym and leisure facility for its members, he said. The downstairs apartment would be used by a staffer to maintain the premises.
Michael Wilson, who lives at 124 D St. SE, presented the commission with paperwork that the organization filed last year. It indicates that the basement apartment would be used as a “private club.”
Casey Trees representative Carol Herwig describe her nonprofit’s various tree-planting initiatives throughout the city. Her organization donates trees to groups or schools for planting, hosts workshops to teach how best to plant trees, reimburses residents who plant trees on their property and organizes its own citywide tree planting projects in the spring and fall. Casey Trees is also looking for paid summer high school interns.
The commission unanimously supported renewing one-year exemptions to permit the sale of single beers and small bottles of liquor for JJ Mutt Wine and Spirits, 643 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; Capitol Hill Wine and Spirits, 323 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; and Haydens Liquors, 700 North Carolina Ave. SE. The commission also supported an exemption for only small bottles of liquor for World Liquors, 1453 Pennsylvania Ave. SE.
Commission chair David Garrison told the commission that the meeting was the last in the Old Naval Hospital on Pennsylvania Avenue because the building is temporarily closing for renovations that will turn it into a community center. The commission will move to its new office at 703 D St. SE, where future meetings will be held until the renovations are completed in spring or summer 2011. Commissioner Ken Jarboe pointed out that the Old Naval Hospital has housed every commission meeting since advisory neighborhood commissions were created in the 1970s.
The commission unanimously voted not to renew, with commissioner Ken Jarboe abstaining, a one-year exemption to permit the sale of single beers and small bottles of liquor to Eastern Thrift Market, 1620 A St. SE. Residents complained to commission about problems with “loitering, disposal of empty beer cans, public urination and other disagreeable behavior” in the vicinity of this establishment. The commission approved, with commissioners Neil Glick and Carol Green opposing and commissioner Ken Jarboe abstaining, an amendment to this motion to recommend to the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration that they allow a 30-day period before enforcement for the establishment’s owner to correct these issues.
The commission voted to reelect, with commissioners Francis Campbell and Neil Glick abstaining, commissioner Francis Campbell as chair of the planning and zoning committee.
The commission voted to reelect, with commissioner Neil Glick abstaining, commissioner Mary Wright as chair of the alcoholic beverage committee.
Jennifer Fowler, a parent of a Tyler Elementary student, announced that the school’s “Alchemy of Great Taste” event is scheduled for March 13 in the Eastern Market’s North Hall. The fundraiser will feature music by Buck Forty Nine and food from Granville Moore’s, Sticky Rice and Dangerously Delicious Pies. More information and ticket prices can be found at tylerelementary.net/greattaste. | | | | | Log in to comment on this article |
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