ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 6A DAVID HOLMES, CHAIR, 202-251-7079
ANC 6B by Emily Clark
D
ark alleyways and wide open spaces dominated the discussion at the March ANC 6B meeting. Nine commissioners were present (Commissioner Garrison did not attend), most votes were 9-0 and at the end, the commissioners went into closed session to discuss a personnel contract matter. The most heated exchanges centered on an application by the restaurant Acqua al Due on 7th SE to expand seating to the upper floor and extend its hours of operation. With approval of the application contingent upon a voluntary agreement between the owner and nearby residents, a group of neighbors showed up to oppose the application. Their objections were numerous and, at times, personal. Residents said that they sometimes had trouble leaving their homes because of vendor trucks blocking the alley. They also claimed that accumulating trash in bins behind the restaurant brought rats into the alley and that they were disturbed late at night by the sound of bottles being disposed of. They also said that the owner had not been responsive to their complaints.
Claims and Counterclaims
In rebutting what he described as frivolous charges, owner Ari Gejdenson said that restaurant employees check the dumpsters five or six times a day and that vendors have the gate code and do not linger in the alley after deliveries. He also said that the restaurant never disposes of bottles after 9 p.m. Gejdenson also claimed that no matter how accommodating he has tried to be, he felt that nothing he could do would satisfy these particular residents. He lobbied against any further amendments to the VA and urged the commissioners to approve his application based on the VA he had already signed. Commissioner Oldenburg
noted that DDOT is looking into creating a loading zone and putting up signposts that clearly emphasize that parking in the alley is illegal. She also noted that there are many establishments along this particular block, but that “We are laying everything on this one restaurant owner and it is completely unfair.” Commissioner Pate pointed out that all alley parking is illegal and that neighbors should call 311 with complaints. The commissioners voted 9-0 to approve the application based on the existing signed VA.
Ambitious Waterfront Dreams
Patricia Zingsheim of the Office of Planning unveiled a preliminary proposal for the downstream span of the old 11th Street bridge. The old bridge is scheduled to be demolished in May, and Zingsheim said her office is looking to work with DDOT to create a recreational area that will connect green space on both sides of the river. “This is a real opportunity to connect waterfront recreation, adventure recreation, arts and environmental education,” she said, adding that the area could be a cultural beacon that would serve families throughout the city and beyond. Zingsheim said her office is studying the public/private model that went into such urban spaces as New York’s Hi-Line and Chelsea Piers, as well as the Navy Piers in Chicago. “We are testing private partner interest because the project would require a significant commercial component,” she said. Zingsheim also pointed out that the site is already a stop for the Circulator bus and that there could be a planned trolley stop in the future. “The site has six million square feet of land with commercial potential, right in the middle of a rapidly developing area,” Zingsheim said. The preliminary plan, which would connect the bike and pedestrian paths on both sides of the Anacostia, calls for removing the deck from the old bridge and laying a new superstructure on top of
Serving the Kingman Park, Linden, Near Northeast, North Lincoln Park, Rosedale, and Stanton Park communities
★ ★ ★
ANC 6A generally meets the second Thursday of the month, at Miner Elementary School, 601 15th Street, NE.
www.anc6a.org ANC 6A, 2nd Thursday, April 12, 8 PM Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee 3rd Tuesday, April 17, 7pm • Sherwood Recreation Center Corner of 10th & G Streets, NE • Chair, Adam Healey, 556-0215 Transportation & Public Space Committee 3rd Monday, April 16, 7pm • Sherwood Recreation Center Corner to 10th and G Sts. NE • Chair, Omar Mahmud, 546-1520 Economic Development & Zoning Committee 3rd Wednesday, April 18, 7pm • Sherwood Recreation Center Corner of 10th & G Streets, NE • Chair, Drew Ronneberg, 431-4305 Community Outreach Committee 3rd Monday, April 16, 7pm • Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith Annex 1235 C Street, NE • Chair, Elizabeth Nelson, 543-3512
Please check the Community Calendar on the website for cancellations and changes of venue. Attend a meeting! Volunteer for a committee! It’s your ANC!
Preserve and Protect Your Neighborhood Join the Capitol Hill Restoration Society CFC # 50747 55th Annual House & Garden Tour Dates Announced: SATURDAY, May 12, 5-8 p.m. and SUNDAY, May 13, 1-5 p.m. 202-543-0425 www.chrs.org capitalcommunitynews.com H 55