Tarek Bolden of the DC Office of Planning told our Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners and the audience about DC Small Area Plans. The plans go through about seven steps, with a lot of community input. When all agree that the best plan has been reached, the city councilmember who represents the area (in our case, Tommy Wells) presents the plan to the city council. Mr. Bolden said, “When the council endorses it, then, the plan has teeth,” and only the development shown on the plan can be done. He hopes to complete a plan by the end of the year for Southwest. The public owns fifty-six percent of the area. A plan will prevent piecemeal development that might not be best overall. Last month, the commissioners voted to not consider any more development until the completion of a Small Area Plan. They had heard of a charter high school being interested in the area.
Andy Litsky, chair of ANC 6D, will represent our Advisory Neighborhood Commission at the DC Zoning Commission meeting on Parcel 5 of the Wharf on Thursday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m. at 441 4th ST. NW. He will report the support of the ANC for the plans for Parcel 5, with the understanding that a bus management plan will be provided so busses will not idle in the area. The public is invited to the meeting. He said in the ANC meeting, “Some people go nuts just when they see a bus. When it is idling, they really go nuts.”
The Wharf plans provide for two hotels with a total of about 400 rooms on Maine Ave., where 7th St ends. Those buildings also include about five restaurants and three or four stores. The only street frontage is Maine Ave., a through street carrying a lot of traffic. The access to one of the hotels is a half block away from Maine Ave., on an upper level. It faces the proposed 7th St. Park. The park is smaller than a tennis court. A bus lane is provided to the entrance, with the exit around the park.
A new commissioner, Ed Kaminski, appeared at the DC Zoning Commission and reported that the commissioners had voted unanimously that the plans of the developer for M St. and South Capitol St. did not meet our expectations. Two of the experts on development of the Zoning Commission challenged the developer. The developer decided to defer its request. It will come back to the ANC when it has revised its plans. Mr. Kaminski said, “This was very good.”
The commissioners voted unanimously to endorse the curb cut and generator pad request of the developers of the new fire station to the Public Space Commission of the DC Department of Transportation. The fire station will move from 555 E St. SW to be under a new hotel on 400 E St. SW. The lot where the present fire station is will be developed later.
The commissioners appointed new Alcohol Beverage Commission representatives. They are Michael Lefphin, Lance Kubach, Cara Shockley, Travis Johnson, Gloria Hamilton and Shanon Vaughn. Cara Shockley will be the chairperson.
In connection with the play “Good People” being presented by Arena Stage, the theater will have a job fair Friday, March 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Many employers will be there recruiting. Also those attending will be offered training and resume writing. The play “Good People” opens with a dollar store cashier being fired for being repeatedly late to work, and goes on with the impact of her unemployment on her family.
The DC Historic Planning and Review Board will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 28, at 441 4th St. NW. Mr. Litsky will represent the ANC’s support of the application of Harbour Square for Historic Designation. This meeting is also open to the public.
The next meeting of the ANC will be Monday, March 11 at 7 p.m. at 200 I St. SE. The ANC wants to meet occasionally in Southeast because about half of its area is in SE DC.
On Thursday, March 28, the Friends of SW DC will hear reports from those who received their grants last year. The meeting is at River Park’s meeting room, 1301 Delaware Ave., SW, at 7 p.m. They will have refreshments.
The Southwest Neighborhood Assembly is about to elect officers. If you know someone who is interested in serving, email swnaelection@thesouthwester.com.
By B. K. Lunde