Monthly Archives: April 2014
Weekly Zumba Class
Reminder: The Trinidad Recreation Center hosts a weekly Zumba Class every Wednesday from 7-9pm at 1310 Childress St NE, Washington, DC 20002.
For more information, call 202-724-1294.
Minutes for April Meeting
TNA Board MEETING MINUTES
Date: 4/22/14
Location: Trinidad Recreation Center
ATTENDANCE: ~ 60 community members; ASL Interpreters; ANC members
| Name | Title | Present |
| Officers | ||
| Robby Mann-Thompson | Chair | Y |
| Cynthia Hartley | Vice chair | Y |
| Sejal Patel | Secretary | Y |
| Dawn Boutelle | Treasurer | Y |
| Board members | ||
| Matt Ashburn | Social media lead | Y |
| Brian Camus | Y | |
| Marqui Lyons | Y | |
| Erika Marshall | N | |
| Jamie Berryhill | Y |
AGENDA:
Open Hands
- TNA introduced Open Hands — the housing nonprofit that purchased a 4 bedroom unit on Oates Street.
Art in the Alley
- Scheduled for May 10th
TNA introduced plans to conduct a Community Survey
- TNA updated the community on status of community survey plans.
- Community feedback on inputs for the survey included:
o Issues with utilities – someone had their gas lines freeze in the winter
o People dumping in yards of vacant properties
o How can people get involved “Call to Action”– attend meeting, writing letters, volunteering.
Discussion with Councilman Kenyan McDuffie
- DC budget approval process
o $10.7 billion dollar budget FY 2015
o Council votes on budget at end of May
o Updated members on budget autonomy suit
- Zoning issues and concerns –Zoning Regulation Review
o Deadline for community input has been extended to September
o Is aware of Ward 5 community’s widespread concerns about:
- pop-ups,
- reduced parking requirements for developers,
- maintaining walkability,
- maintaining livability for seniors (ward 5 has highest population of seniors)
o Problems with “matter of right” with respect to pop-ups and other types of high-density and expanded housing and use of “variances” to control/oversee these developments
o Discussed engagement with Zoning Commission chair Anthony Hood, and the willingness of zoning commission to engage the public/community
o Described how DC Council has no direct authority over Zoning Commission
o Encouraged Community to reach out to Zoning Commission and the Office of Planning with concerns/suggestions
o Community raised concerns about effectiveness of DCRA in enforcing stop orders/legal challenges, etc.
o Identified zoning studies – like those completed in Georgetown and Ledroit Park – as mechanisms for changing overall zoning
- Effectiveness of Fire/EMS services
o Hearings have been held to address recent events/deaths
o Discussed problems under consideration by council, including staffing, hours, labor/management issues, resource allocations
o Community expressed frustration with noise pollution from sirens; informed that there are strict protocols dictating when sirens can be used and may be a problem with enforcement.
- Homelessness
o Lack of adequate shelters for homelessness – noticeable issue over the course of the winter
o Described legislation proposed to address some of the problem, e.g., defining minimum standards for shelters, etc.
Message from TNA chair
- Chair of TNA reiterated the intent of TNA to prepare a letter to Zoning Commission with suggestion changes and requests.
- Reminded community that membership is required to vote on and participate in developing zoning-related suggestions/requests/statements prepared by TNA.
o 11 new members recruited
Next meeting: April 22 at 7pm
Our next meeting is Tuesday April 22 at 7pm at the Trinidad Recreation Center (1350 Childress St NE). We’ll hear from Councilmember McDuffie and also discuss the DC zoning regulations review, including draft recommendations to be submitted by the Trinidad Neighborhood Association.
Trinidad Neighborhood Association 