Monthly Archives: April 2016
Environmental Assessment Hearing Schedule for Benning Road Improvements
Please note the information below. The District Department of Transportation is looking at alternative approaches to extending the DC Streetcar line east of the Benning Road Metro Station. This hearing is part of that process.
Environmental Assessment Hearing Scheduled for Benning Road Improvements
(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) invites the community to a public hearing Thursday, May 19, 2016, to review the findings of an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Benning Road and Bridges Transportation Improvements.
Following the successful launch of the H/Benning Line of the DC Streetcar on February 27, 2016, this EA considers alternative approaches to extending the existing line east of the Benning Road Metrorail Station. The study area encompasses Benning Road, NE, from Oklahoma Avenue to the Minnesota Avenue and Benning Road Metrorail Stations, and evaluates the environmental and cultural effects of the proposed improvements.
The study was conducted in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), and will be released by DDOT and the Federal Highway Administration on Wednesday, May 4, 2016.
Public comments will be accepted from May 4, 2016 until 5 pm June 2, 2016. Following the public comment period, the report will be finalized.
WHAT: Benning Road Transportation Improvements Environmental Assessment
WHEN: Thursday, May 19, 2016
6 pm – 8 pm
WHERE: Department of Employment Services (DOES) Building
4058 Minnesota Avenue, NE
TRANSIT: Metrorail: Minnesota Avenue Station (Orange Line)
Metrobus: Visit wmata.com
The reports are available online for public review on the project website http://www.benningproject.com/project-resources/.
Comments should be submitted to Malia Salaam by email at info@benningproject.com or by mail at District Department of Transportation, 55 M Street, SE, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20003.
The document will be available at the following locations for public review between May 4, 2016 and June 2, 2016:
Benning (Dorothy I. Height) Neighborhood Library
3935 Benning Road, NE
Washington, DC 20019
Deanwood Library
1350 49th Street, NE
Washington, DC 20019
District Department of Transportation
Progressive Transportation Services Administration
55 M Street, SE, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20003
Getting to the Meetings
Be sure to check out http://www.goDCgo.com to learn about transportation options for getting to the workshop.
Can’t Make a Meeting?
Materials from this meeting will be made available on the DDOT website at the meeting’s conclusion.
Do you need assistance to participate?
If you need special accommodations or language assistance services (translation or interpretation), please contact Malia Salaam at (202) 563-5003 or info@benningproject.com 5 days in advance of the meeting.
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The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, its projects, programs, activities, and services on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act and other related statutes.
In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code sec. 2-1401.01 et seq. (Act), the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in a violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.
ABRA Hearing: Moratorium for Queens Chapel/Bladensburg Road Corridor
This information was sent to TNA by the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) and may be of interest to Trinidad residents.
The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (Board) will conduct a hearing at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 to receive public comment on a proposal from the public to institute a new moratorium on certain liquor licenses along the Queens Chapel Road, NE and Bladensburg Road, NE corridor. Petitions were submitted by the following groups and can be reviewed on ABRA’s website:
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C
Langdon Park Community Association
The Greater Woodridge-Gateway Leaders’ Group
Residents of Woodridge, Langdon Park, and Gateway Communities
Members of the public that want to comment on the petitions at the hearing should contact ABRA General Counsel Martha Jenkins by 4 p.m. on Monday, May 30, 2016. Provide the full name, title and organization, if applicable, of the person(s) testifying.
Email: abralegal@dc.gov
Call (202) 442-4456
Those providing input should bring six copies of their testimony to the hearing. Testimony may be limited to five minutes in order to allow every person an opportunity to be heard.
Members of the public that are unable to testify in person can submit written statements to the Board until 4 p.m. on Friday, June 10, 2016. Written statements must include the full name, title, organization, if applicable, and signature(s) of the person(s) submitting comment. Written comment may be submitted by:
Email: abralegal@dc.gov
Mail: Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, 2000 14th St., NW, Suite 400 South, Washington, DC 20009
The hearing will be held at the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Hearing Room:
2000 14th St., NW
Suite 400 South, 4th Floor
Washington, DC 20009
-www.abra.dc.gov-
BZA Case Update: 1264 Holbrook Terrace
On April 19th the developer of the property at 1264 Holbrook Terrace, ANC Commissioner 5D02 Keisha Shropshire, and concerned neighbors and citizens representing the Holbrook Terrace Alliance appeared before the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) for a hearing on the proposed development under review (BZA Case 19173). There have been several community meetings about the proposed project and extensive negotiations between the developer and immediate neighbors. The hearing can be viewed on-line at the BZA website. There are two sections to the video. The first is prior to the late arrival of the party status group. The second lengthy section (over two hours) covers the discussion on the project.
(Photo from the BZA website documents)
The project has been significantly revised since it was first proposed and discussed with the neighborhood. After feedback from the Office of Planning and discussions with the community, the developer no longer seeks an 8-unit building but to subdivide the lot into lower density row developments that reflects the character of the street. There are two lots that would then be developed as matter of right development under the R-4 regulations (under 35 ft in height is one of the regulations, for example) and one lot requires relief to have a three-unit building (2,700 sq ft lot).
One item of note in the changes is that in the previous plans for an 8-unit building there would have been 3 inclusionary zoning units, or affordable housing units. With the new plans presented to the BZA on April 19th there will not be inclusionary zoning units as there will be fewer overall units and the developer is looking at three separate buildings instead of one larger building.
Some items requested at the end of the hearing are noted here along with new dates for a continued hearing.
Items requested by the BZA:
- The developer will submit a revised shadow study from the same angle.
- The developer is also to present clearer design plans to show that the project is a conversion to a multi unit dwelling and not a new building.
- They are also to present by right plans so that the community and BZA board can have all information for a clearer understanding of the project and its implications on neighbors. The BZA board noted that the community cannot get everything they want and if a matter of right building is constructed on the space there will likely be greater adverse impact on the community and immediate neighbors. They also noted that the neighbors will not be involved in the process nor consulted if a by right construction happens.
- Side elevations of the existing property and proposed building was also requested.
- The neighbors have been asked as a community to list and prioritize what the top priorities are for the development and to work with the developer to come up with a scenario that all can agree with or live with going forward. This list is to be shared with the developer and the BZA Board.
- Photographs that can be uploaded onto the website to show neighborhood character and existing buildings was also requested.
New dates for the continued hearing are:
May 5: The community priorities would need to be submitted to the BZA
May 10: Materials from the developer in response to the priorities would need to be submitted to the BZA
May 13: Any community responses on the new drawings would need to be submitted to the BZA
May 17: The continued hearing before the BZA
TNA will post news we have of any additional meetings leading up to the next hearing date. We hope that everyone keeps informed and stays involved in developments in our community.
Department of Employment Services Hospitality Information Session
We are passing on information about an employment session at the Trinidad Recreation Center tomorrow from 1pm – 4 pm.
“Today, I was informed about a Hospitality Information Session being hosted by the Department of Employment Services, Homewood Suites, and Hampton Inn. It is taking place tomorrow 1pm-4pm at Trinidad Recreation Center.
If you or someone else you know is interested in Hospitality Employment Opportunities, please have them contact me or forward their contact information to me so that I may pass along to Department of Employment Services. Interested candidates will be required to register in DCNetworks.org.
DOES informed me that there will be other sessions like this coming our way in the future and they ensured me that they will provide more advance notice.
Thanks,
Keisha
Keisha L. Shropshire
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner | Single Member District 5D02
Phone: (404) 245-6772 | Twitter: shropanc5d02
Email: 5d02@anc.dc.gov”
Trinidad Neighborhood Association Meeting Tonight (4/26)
There will be a TNA meeting tonight at 7 pm at the Trinidad Recreation Center (1310 Childress St NE).
Hope to see you there!
Catch the Breeze at Gallaudet University
Come out and Catch the Breeze at Gallaudet! DC’s Professional Ultimate team plays throughout the Spring and early Summer at Gallaudet University on Saturday evenings at 6:30pm and Sunday afternoons at 1:30pm! Bring the kids 1.5 hours early for a free youth clinic while you enjoy food, drinks including craft beer on tap, and the sounds of a live local Indie band. Then cheer on the Breeze to victory over our rivals from as close as Philadelphia or as far away as Toronto and Montréal, Canada. Tickets $10 advance / $12.50 day of game. The events are Free for all kids 12 & Under. http://tickets.the-dcbreeze.com
Home Schedule (gates open 90 min early)
Sat 4/23 6:30pm vs Toronto
Sat 5/7 6:30pm vs New York
Sun 5/22 1:30pm vs Montréal
Sat 6/4 6:30pm vs Toronto
Sat 6/11 6:30pm vs New York
Sat 6/25 6:30pm vs Philadelphia
Playoffs: July 16 or July 23
ANC 5D Meeting Tonight
The monthly Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 5D meeting is tonight starting at 7:00 pm at the Fifth District Police Substation (1805 Bladensburg Road NE). The agenda for the meeting is on the ANC5D website. Tonight there will be presentations by the Board of Elections and Ethics, Casey Trees, Arcadia Mobile Market, and the DC Streetcar as well as community action items.
One community action item on the agenda specific to Trinidad is discussion of the development project at 1264 Holbrook Terrace NE. The developer is requesting a special exception to convert a building to an eight-unit condo building. Over the past few months Commissioner Shropshire (ANC 5D02) has held community meetings on this project. Last month the ANC filed an opposition to the special exception, based on feedback from the community. Any revisions to the ANC stance are due as the project does go before the Board of Zoning Adjustment for review on April 19th, where community feedback will be considered in the final ruling.
If you have not had a chance to attend an ANC meeting, tonight is one where you can see how local governance at the ANC level can impact development in our neighborhood.
Rain Delay – Community Clean Up Moved to Tomorrow
We had a great turn out this morning for the community clean up. Unfortunately the colder, heavier rain arrived at the same time so we agreed to meet tomorrow, Sunday, April 10. The start time will again be 10:00 am at the Joe Cole Recreation Center. Please join us for a drier community clean up and a pizza party hosted by 405 Yoga.
This morning the Department of Public Works (DPW) turned out as well to thank volunteers for efforts to have a trash free Trinidad and presented the Trinidad Neighborhood Association with a Community Good Steward Award. Check our twitter feed for photos and info.
DPW Tweet: “Great turn out @TNAdc for their monthly community clean up! #helpinghands #joecolerec. pic.twitter.com/rtrDKUeGY8”
Thank you to everyone that came out in the rain and we will see you tomorrow at 10:00 am!
Community Clean-Ups
Starting April 9, the Trinidad Neighborhood Association plans to host neighborhood clean-ups the second Saturday of every month (cancellations may occur due to weather). We need volunteers to come out and clean-up for a Trash Free Trinidad.
We hope you will join us! Please use the Sign-Up Genius link to RSVP — this helps us plan.
Dates: April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9
Times: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Meeting point: Joe Cole Rec Center (Neal Street side)
Trash bags will be provided; consider bringing your own garden gloves. Dress for the weather!
On April 9th we will have a post-clean up pizza party hosted by 405 Yoga for our volunteers and neighbors. We appreciate the support from our local businesses as we work together to clean-up our streets and sidewalks.
Trinidad Neighborhood Association 