Jack Evans Asks What's on ANC2F's Mind

DC City Councilmember for Ward Two Jack Evans introduced DC Chief of Police Cathy Lanier at the October 2 meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2F/Logan Circle at the Washington Plaza Hotel (10 Thomas Circle NW). He then listened to Chief Lanier's remarks, occasionally adding a comment. After Chief Lanier concluded and departed, Evans stayed on to answer questions on various topics from the standing-room crowd of 80-90 community members.

Chief Lanier's remarks are reported in a separate blog post.

ANC2F listens to Jack Evans

Evans and Lanier

Evans said Lanier was "doing a fabulous job". He noted that last year's homocide rate was the lowest in 60 years, and that this year's was on track to be even lower before the recent shootings at the Navy Yard.

During Lanier's Q-and-A session, ANC2F Commissioner Peter Lallas (district 01) asked about anti-loitering laws as a tactic to get drug dealers off the streets. Lanier said such laws have often been found found to be unconstitutional.

Evans said if Lallas could find a law that would pass constitutional muster, Evans would be happy to support it.

"If you can find a better law, I'll introduce it immediately," Evans said.

Evans alone

After Lanier's departure, Evans talked briefly about DC's financial situation in the wake of the federal government shutdown. DC has about 1.5 million dollars in the bank, and will be able to make payroll through October -- but not after that.

Evans introduced Sherry Kimball Sherri Kimbel, constituent services director for Ward Two, to a round of applause. Kimball Kimbel told the meeting that "all the circles" -- e.g., Logan, Scott, Thomas -- are US Park Service property. As such, they are effected by the federal shutdown of non-essential services, particularly in the area of trash collection. Kimball Kimbel said that the Logan Circle Community Association was looking to spearhead a drive to keep the circles relatively trash free. She urged community participation.

Then Evans tooks questions from the community.

"What's on anybody's mind?" he asked.

Community Questions

Someone asked about a plan to move the Spy Museum to the Carnegie Library in Mount Vernon Square. Evans didn't have any information about this, but ANC2F Commissioner Greg Melcher (district 06) said there was "plenty of time for community input".

In response to a question, Evans declared himself "dead against changing the height act".

Commissioner Walt Cain (district 02) asked about the recent Council decision to reject proposed changes in the visitor parking pass program.

A woman from Vermont Street asked about an "uptick in the homeless". She was against just shooing them away, but couldn't something be done.

 "These people gravitate to Ward Two, the center city," Evans said. "The homeless issue is a very delicate issue."

There were two questions about traffic lights. One resident of N Street said DC traffic lights were not synchronized, were too short, and were getting shorter.

Evans agreed, saying he drove up 15th Street to R Street every day, then west on R. He found the traffic lights infuriating. "If I get to be king," he said, stopping for audience laughter, "I'm going to fix all that. There's no reason in the world for it."

The second resident complained about drivers at the corner of 15th and N. Drivers did not pay sufficient attention to pedestrians. Evans promised to look into it.

An ANC2F resident complained about the proposed K Street trolley line. City officials were bent on connecting the trolley to Georgetown, whether it was practical, and regardless of the inconvenience caused.

"There's a large vocal group against it, including businesses on K Street," Evans said. "There's a smaller but still vocal group in favor."

Evans received a round of applause when he departed.

Chief Lanier at ANC2F about Logan Circle Shootings

The community turned out to see Cathy Lanier, Chief of DC's Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) talk about local crime at regularly-scheduled October monthly meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2F/Logan Circle on October 2 at the Washington Plaza Hotel (10 Thomas Circle NW). 

Chief Lanier listens to her introduction

About recent shootings

Lanier announced there had been two arrests the previous evening in a stun gun robbery in Petworth. There have recently been a series of stun gun robberies in DC, including one in Logan Circle. Chief Lanier told the Washington Post the MPD did not know if the Petworth incident is tied to the other stun gun robberies.

Lanier reminded the audience that crime was down dramatically in the area, which was why the stun gun robberies got police attention.

There was little indication of progress on two other recent shooting incidents in the Logan Circle area. This was in spite of reported email assurances from the MPD more than ten days ago that the police "know who did this" and "were looking to make an arrest".

Lanier said the person shot during the September 12 incident on 14th Street was not cooperating with the police, which was making the investigation difficult. She also said there was a lot of misinformation "out there" about the shootings and there was "nothing to support these theories".

Community Q-and-A

During a question-and-answer session, a pastor of the Asbury Methodist Church (11th and K Streets) asked about prostitution and human trafficking in the neighborhood. In the subsequent discussion, it was said that prostitution seemed based on Internet advertising was now more common, as opposed to solicitation on the streets. Potential johns made appointments online and then met on street corners. The intersections of 5th and K, 12th and I, and 12th and M Streets were noted as frequently-used meeting spots.

An attendee from the 1400 block of R Street reported there was a lot of drug dealing and drinking on his block, and his car had been broken into twice this year. This is thought to be the work of a small group of juveniles. Some of these don't live in the neighborhood, but have friends who do. Others live in the neighborhood, so the police cannot use a "stay away order".

Another attendee from 13th and R complained that "follow through is lacking" in the case of the Logan Circle shootings. One witness saw the car and the shooter but was never interviewed by the MPD. Another woman, whose car windshield had been shattered by gunfire in the incident, had been asked three questions by the police, after which she had heard nothing.

Over 80 community members came to hear Lanier speak and listen to questions for about 40 minutes. All the seats were filled and people had to stand.

Lanier was introduced at the meeting by DC City Councilmember for Ward Two Jack Evans. Remarks by Evans to the meeting are the subject of a separate blog post.

Carlyle Suites Roof Terrace: Thin End of the Wedge?

Carlyle Suites Hotel (1731 New Hampshire Avenue NW) management tells Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2B/Dupont Circle there is no rooftop bar or restaurant in the works. But neighbors are skeptical.

The proposed deck (credit below)

At the October 1 meeting of the ANC2B's Zoning, Preservation and Development (ZPD) Committee, Carlyle Suites Manager Scott Dawson said the planned roof deck will be primarily for yoga, sunbathing, and the occasional special event.

"There are no plans for bars or nightclubs," Dawson said.

"But you're paving the way," a neighbor replied.

The hotel today (credit below)

The supporting presentation on behalf of the Carlyle Suites was made by Dawson and Michael Lee Beidler of Trout Design Studio. Beidler is also a member of the ZPD Committee. 

How aware are the neighbors?

Beginning their talk, the presenters made an assertion that there were no objections from abutting properties. One attendee spoke up to claim this was not accurate.

Later, another local resident said most of the people in the area were unaware of the intended construction.

"Some of these folks are going to be really surprised," he said. "The neighbors need some time to figure it out."

Proposal details

The proposal will create deck space on the rear of the Carlyle Suites property, away from New Hampshire Avenue. The proposed addition would not be visible from New Hampshire Avenue, but it would be visible from 17th Street and Riggs Place. Beidler said the view from 17th Street would only be in winter -- trees would cover it the rest of the year.

The deck will be set back ten feet from the roof edge, but will still be larger than the roof decks of neighboring buildings. There will be no setbacks at certain interior parts of the building, which might cause noise problems.

"It's going to be echo alley," one neighbor said.

While repeating that there were no plans for a bar, restaurant, or nightclub, Dawson refused repeatedly to categorically state the hotel would never seek to have one there in the future. Dawson also refused to rule out the possibility of outside seating on the roof deck. Similarly, the presenters could not say exactly what the capacity of the deck would be.

Dawson said nothing could prevent people from consuming food and drink on the roof deck. But the roof deck space was not shaped and sized correctly for on-site food preparation, he said. Everyone agreed it would be possible to set up a bar on the deck.

Dawson said the security arrangements necessary to get non-guests through the hotel lobby and up to the roof was an issue. This was a reason why the hotel was not considering regular food or drink service on the roof deck at this time.

Still, the neighbors were suspicious.

"Couldn't it easily be converted?" one asked.

"No, there isn't the infrastructure, there isn't the space," Dawson said.

The paperwork

The planned roof deck expansion requires approval from DC's Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) because it lies within the boundaries of the Dupont Circle Historic District. The Carlyle Suites Hotel is seeking ANC2B endorsement on its petition to the HPRB.

It does not require a zoning variance or any other type of approval at this time. In addition, if the hotel decided to serve food and/or drink on the roof deck, it would require one or more new rounds of public space permits and liquor license amendments, all of which would normally be subject to citizen comment through the ANC before a decision was taken by the DC government. There are no such permit requests pending at this time.

Members of the committee pronounced themselves comfortable with the historic preservation aspects of the renovation, but urged the Carlyle Suites Hotel management to further consult residents of nearby apartment buildings before moving forward on the project.

"Continue to reach out to the neighboring properties," said ANC2B Commissioner Leo Dwyer (district 07). Dwyer is chair of the ZPD committee.

(Photo credit: from documents prepared by Trout Design Studio and presented to the ZPD committee)

Carriage Houses to Return Behind 1617-1619 19th Street

The owners of 1617 and 1619 19th Street NW took another step forward on an ambitious plan to renovate the rears of their properties. A committee of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2B/Dupont Circle heard Dennis Lee of Capital Design Group outline the planned renovation for the house, which will include restoration of long-demolished carriage houses on the rear of the property.

1617 and 1619 19th Street

ANC2B's Zoning, Preservation and Development Committee heard the presentation at its meeting on October 1. The presentation was necessary because the planned renovation will require five zoning variances from DC's Board of Zoning Adjustment. The renovation will require variances because (among other reasons) it will cause at least one of the completed houses to exceed the lot occupancy limit of 70 percent, and because it will create at least one interior courtyard smaller than the 350 square feet minimum.

The owners are a married couple who live in one of the buildings and rent out three units in the other.  They have appeared before ANC2B before, when they were seeking an endorsement for their petition before DC's Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) to move forward on this same renovation. HPRB granted the go-ahead to the plan on July 25, 2013 (see .pdf document here).

At one time, the entire alley behind the houses were lined with carriage houses, stables, and garages. With the exception of 1617, 1619, and 1621 19th Streets, all of the structures are still in place today. The proposed new construction would restore the demolished carriage houses on the two properties and return it to its original footprint. The plan is to design and build the carriage houses so they blend in as much as possible with the nearby original rear structures.

The carriage houses will be used for parking and will have "green roofs". The upstairs may be used for storage or a "mother-in-law apartment".

The presenter said they had had good community support and no objections from the neighbors.

"We've got pretty much everybody involved there," he said.

A concern was that the increased lot occupany would set a precedent for similar requests by the neighbors. However, a study of lot occupancy in the surrounding area showed that most neighbors' lot occupancy was already higher than 77 percent. Seventy-seven percent is expected to be the lot occupancy on these properties when the renovation is finished.

Although no vote was taken, sentiment on the committee seemed to be favorable toward the renovation.

Commissioner Kevin O'Connor (district 02) said any letter of support from the ANC should articulate why it supports the renovation, considering that there is a need for five variances.

Commissioner Leo Dwyer (district 07) said he would try to develop the language for the letter and email it to members of the committee prior to the full ANC's next meeting.

Dwyer is the chair of ANC2B's Zoning, Preservation and Development Committee.

The matter will probably appear on the agenda of the next meeting of ANC2B, which is scheduled for Wednesday, October 9, at 7pm, at the Brookings Institution (1775 Massachusetts Avenue).

Neighbors Lobby ANC2F on 1101 Rhode Island Avenue

"You are increasing your property's value, but you are decreasing ours."

CAS Riegler prepares to present

This was a reaction of a local resident to the presentation by real estate development company CAS Riegler about its proposed new multi-story building at 1101 Rhode Island Avenue NW. More than 20 future neighbors of the proposed mixed-use building turned out at the Community Development Committee meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2F/Logan Circle to question developers closely about their intentions, and to express their displeasure at certain aspects of the project. The meeting took place on September 25 at the Washington Plaza Hotel (10 Thomas Circle).

The community mobilizes

The controversy started before the meeting had begun. Activity on Twitter and the web site Popville indicated the possible future neighbors of the proposed project were mobilizing against it. Among the reasons: concern about building height, parking, and setback. Developers responded with a detailed post explaining their position and asking that supporters of the project come to the ANC meeting.

No members of the community other than those connected to CAS Riegler spoke in favor of the proposal during the meeting. However, more than 20 local residents came in a group and identified themselves as having serious concerns about the proposal. Of these, six or seven individual residents identified themselves by name and address before detailing their objections.

ANC2F apparently had advance warning of the turnout, as the published agenda had an unusual annotation reminding attendees that questions about the project from the floor would not be taken until the presenters had spoken and the committee had asked all the questions it wished to.

CAS Riegler presents

Kevin Riegler of CAS Riegler made the initial presentation. He asked the ANC to support a petition to DC's Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) requesting five zoning variances and a special exception. The BZA hearing is scheduled for December 3. (A list detailing the variances and exception are listed on page two of a BZA word processing document available here.)

Artist's view of project, presented at meeting

Unusually for the area, the building site is not part of any historic district, so does not require endorsement from DC's Historic Preservation Review Board.

The proposed building will be located on an odd-shaped lot. It will have existing two-story townhouses to its rear. As planned, the building will be more than more than two stories taller than these neighbors.
 
Riegler said his company was also a member of the community. The company's offices are located diagonally across from the project site. He talked about the history of the site -- it belonged to the Diamond Cab company, and before that was a gas station -- and is a high-traffic area of Rhode Island Avenue.

"It's a nice quiet street but doesn't necessarily need to be," Riegler said.

The site now

The planned building will have "up to" 40 residential condominium units, and 25,000 to 29,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor. The vision is for the space to be occupied by a single retailer, most likely a "three-meal bistro, umbrellas on public space".

The developer is planning a single level of parking with 14 spaces for the building. Over the garage, the plan is to create a "green roof", which might cost more to build, but would be more pleasant for residents to look down on than the roofs of cars. The garage will include a bicycle room with 40 spaces.

Another potential problem area is what excavation may reveal about the land underneath the former cab company and gas station. There is expected to be petroleum contamination to clean up and old gas tanks to remove. How many gas tanks are actually below the property is impossible to know. Records indicate that there were once as many as 11, and at least 4 have been removed.

Questions from the committee

ANC2F Commissioner Walt Cain (district 02) asked whether the proposed penthouse will be visible from the alley to the rear of the building, which will face the neighboring historic townhouses. Reigler said that it would "in spots".

From drawing presented at meeting

Cain is chair of the ANC2F's Community Development Committee.

Committee member Joel Heisey asked who would manage the retail space.

"We will," Riegler said.

"Forever?" Heisey asked.

"We can't promise that," Riegler replied.

Commissioner John Fanning (district 04) said that the alley that will separate the building from the row houses was in bad shape and will need to be resurfaced. It was agreed that this could be done as part of the project.

In response to committee questions, the developers put forth a timeline for the project. Ideally, they will be able to get a permit to raze the buildings on the property in 30 days. Demolition would take place in the first quarter of 2014, and construction would stretch for 12-14 months after that.

The community has a say

The first speaker from the community, a resident of the 1500 block of 12th Street, said they had three concerns: parking, roof setback, and lot occupancy. 

The developers assume that most residents will not have cars. Most of the current residents of the neighborhood had cars, the first speaker said. It was not appropriate to assume that new residents will not have cars. The best way to assure the new building would not aggravate the parking shortage would be to meet the legal requirements, which would entail providing 21 parking spaces.

"We feel really comfortable with the ratio of people who own cars," Riegler replied.

Concerning roof setback, there seemed to be some disagreement about whether the penthouse would exclusively house stairs, elevators, and mechanical equipment, as required by law. If the penthouse structure is in any way meant for residential use, it would be in conflict with zoning code.

The proposed building's neighbors to the rear

CAS Riegler is also requesting an exception from lot occupancy requirements. Community members said the building as designed would occupy 90 percent of the lot space, including the "green roof" on the parking area. This is far more than the maximum 75 percent permitted under law. 

Debate went on a long time. It wandered back and forth among these topics as other residents echoed the above concerns. Residents urged the developers to lower the number of units and to dig a deeper garage to get the required number of parking spaces.

"A restaurant is not needed in that neighborhood," one resident said.

"The building looks like a cheap hotel," said another, commenting on the drawings presented to the committee. 

Still another, a mother of a small child from the 1100 block of Q Street, was worried about the ground contaminants that the excavation would uncover, and said she was "worried about remediation".

By the end of the meeting, several members of the Community Development Committee had indicated they felt CAS Riegler's presentation was inadequate. They would have to return and do better. 

"We need concrete documents instead of assertions," Committee Member Joyce Cowan said. Other members of the committee echoed her sentiments, and indicated they expected to see more detailed plans and information in the future.

"I need more concrete information," said ANC Commissioner Matt Connolly (district 08).

No motion was made and no vote was taken about the project at the meeting. It was agreed that there would be further meetings between the concerned parties and the committee would consider the zoning relief requests again in the future.

1628 11th Street: 33 New Residential Units, 21 Parking Spaces

The current home of the offices of the National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees (NAPFE) at 1628 11th Street NW (between Q and R Streets) will be future location of 33 apartments and 21 parking spaces. It will also require a handful of zoning reliefs. This is according to information presented to the Community Development Committee of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2F/Logan Circle at its September 25 meeting.

1628 11th Street is a quarter-acre parcel

The 28,000-square-foot building was reportedly purchased this summer from NAPFE by Fortis, a DC-based real estate investment company, for $5.5 million.

Representatives of Holland and Knight appeared before ANC2F to make a presentation and request ANC support for an application for zoning relief before DC's Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA).

They also detailed how the structure will be renovated and enlarged to change it from office space to living space.

How many, how much, how big

Two additional floors of apartments will be added on the top of the building, the presenters said, bringing the total number of planned apartments to 33. This is a decrease from a previously-reported plan for "35 to 40 multi-family units".

During a period of questions from committee members, the presenters said it was not yet decided if the units would be rental or condo. Soon after, in response to a follow-up question from Commissioner John Fanning (district 04), the presenters said that the units would "cost $400,000 to start".

The units are planned to be 600 to 1700 square feet in size.

Car elevator: going down?

One unusual feature is a planned car elevator which residents will have to use to access the 21 parking spaces. Car elevators are found much less frequently in DC than in other major American cities, presenters and commissioners agreed.
This is because DC zoning normally requires cars to be accessible at all times. However, presenters said, they were requesting an exception because a ramp down from street level to the underground parking would "adversely impact housing".

Members of the committee asked about the possibility that a car elevator would make an excessive amount of noise and would require a human operator. Although the presenters did not have information about the amount of noise a newly-manufactured car elevator might make, they reassured the committee "this is not going to be an old lift". The current models use hydraulic lifts, they said, and are operated with a key fob, so there will be no need for a human attendant.

A relief will also be sought for setback requirements for two roof structures that will contact mechanical equipment. The structures will be 18 feet 6 inches tall, but according to currently zoning regulations only 13 feet would be allowed. The resulting structure would be visible from 11th Street, the presenters said, but "you'd have to be on the playground [across the street] to see it."

Although the roof structure does not comply with the setback requirement, the entire renovated building as planned will not require zoning relief for height.

No members of the community raised objections or asked any questions of the developers at the meeting.

The committee voted unanimously to recommend the full ANC support all the zoning variances requested. The request may be considered by the full ANC at its next meeting, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 2, at 6:30pm at the Washington Plaza Hotel (10 Thomas Circle).

Le Diplomate Requests Temporary Seasonal Enclosure

Popular French Bistro Le Diplomate (1601 14th Street NW) has a request in the works for a temporary seasonal enclosure.

Le Diplomate's outdoor seating on Q Street

The Community Development Committee of Advisory Neighborhood Committee (ANC) 2F/Logan Circle heard the request last night at its regular monthly meeting. Le Diplomate currently has outdoor seating on two sides of its restaurant -- the 14th Street side and the Q Street side.

The Committee voted unanimously after a short discussion to recommend that the full ANC approve the request. ANC2F may consider this issue at its next meeting. The meeting is scheduled next Wednesday, October 2, at the Washington Plaza Hotel (10 Thomas Circle). Please note the meeting will start half an hour earlier than usual, at 6:30pm. Ward Two DC Councilmember Jack Evans is scheduled to appear at the meeting to discuss the recent incidents of gun violence in the Logan Circle neighborhood.

Le Diplomate's request must then be considered and approved by two agencies of the DC government -- the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), which handles public space issues, and the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB), because Le Diplomate is located in the Fourteenth Street Historic District.