Category Archives: Public Hearings
Zoning Case Updates
Do you remember the ongoing development projects on Holbrook Terrace NE? There were hearing at the Board of Zoning Adjustment on May 17th. Summaries of discussions are below for those that have been following the projects.
The first is BZA Case Number 19168 at 1258 Holbrook Terrace NE for conversion to an eight-unit apartment building. The hearing has been postponed to July 12th. The Board noted that this applicant has requested extensions on 3 previous occasions as they needed more time to work through issues with neighbors and ANC. For this case hearing the applicant waited until after earlier vote on the same day to submit paperwork for extension and did not show at hearing. They noted that this will be last extension and the case will be dismissed if they fail to appear again.
The second is BZA Case Number 19173 at 1264 Holbrook Terrace NE and covers conversion to an apartment building. There have been numerous meetings with the community about this project and several hearings before the BZA. At this hearing the two sides were given time to meet as they had not finalized agreements in the time provided at the last hearing. Once the hearing started, they moved to agreement on the project.
Highlights of the agreement, many of which focused on construction management, include:
- Request to have housing accommodation for adjoining neighbor (up to 30 days at $100 per day).
- Install barriers to contain/prevent dust/debris from contaminating neighboring properties.
- Liability of damages to be spelled out with neighboring properties. This includes a walk through to assess current and unintended damages.
- The immediate neighbors’ roof will be replaced by the developer.
- There were some set back concessions for an adjoining neighbor and no windows will be placed along the adjoining property.
- The Inclusionary Zoning lower-income housing units were lost with the changes to the project, which has a smaller footprint than the one originally proposed that included 3 IZ units.
The Holbrook Terrace Alliance representative noted that special exception the developer is seeking is better for community than the by-right option that they could build. They had hired an attorney to work with the developer on the final negotiations and withdrew their party status to protest the project with concessions made by the developer.
DDOT had no objection and no one else attended the hearing in support or opposition of the project. There was some discussion on the status of the ANC and whether or not the Board could issue a final ruling without and official letter from the full 5D ANC. The Board decided to proceed with a vote for a summary order given the time to hear the case and lengths the developer has taken to work with the community to modify plans. The motion passed 4-0-1 (one member was not present).
All orders and documents on the cases can be found the BZA website.
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.
Trinidad Market Request
Trinidad Market / Mike’s Market, at the corner of Florida and Trinidad Avenues NE, has submitted a request to the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) to obtain a Class A Liquor License. This would allow them to begin selling liquor in addition to beer and wine. The request comes with a change in hours that would allow them to remain open for business from 7 am to midnight each day. The notification from ABRA is below.
The community can be engaged in discussion on an ABRA application request during the review process. A business seeking a change in an existing license or a new license should present as a Single Member District (SMD) meeting of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC), at the larger ANC meeting, and at community meeting, if one is called, to discuss the license request. There can be a protest to stop a license change or to seek a settlement agreement with the community or group with standing to protest the license. You can learn more about ABRA laws and regulations and protest procedures on their website.
As with all development taking place in the neighborhood, we hope that Trinidad residents become involved and active in voicing their views on pending changes.
Bikeshare Development Plan
The DC Department of Transportation issued a press release on October 6th with the Bikeshare Development Plan for public feedback (see below). The comment period is open until November 15, 2015. The scenario recommended would add 99 stations throughout the city and expand a dozen others in core areas downtown and in high-density neighborhoods over the next three years.
Trinidad and Carver Langston would be slated, under the proposed scenario, for new stations in 2018. This would complement the one station we have in Trinidad located outside the Joe Cole Recreation Center on Neal Street.
The report is worth a glance if you are a Bikeshare user or are interested in transit options and equitable access to resources.
DDOT Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Media Contacts
Terry Owens — (202) 763-8635, (202) 671-5124; terry.owens@dc.gov
Michelle Phipps-Evans — (202) 497-0124, (202) 671-0624, michelle.phipps-evans@dc.gov
DDOT’s Draft Bikeshare Development Plan Released for Public Feedback
Public comment period open through November 15
(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) today released a draft of its first ever Bikeshare Development Plan for public feedback. The draft plan establishes a set of goals, measures, expansion plans, and financial projections for the next six years for the District of Columbia’s portion of the Capital Bikeshare program.
Under the proposed plan, Capital Bikeshare in the District would expand by 99 stations over the next three years, doubling the number of stations east of the Anacostia River. By 2018, approximately 65 percent of residents, 90 percent of jobs, and 97 percent of all transit entry and exit points in the District would be within a quarter mile walk of a bikeshare station.
The Capital Bikeshare program is a partnership between the District of Columbia; Montgomery County, Maryland; Arlington County, Virginia and Alexandria, Virginia.
DDOT is soliciting feedback on the draft Bikeshare Development Plan, and anyone can comment on this webpage, http://dcforms.dc.gov/webform/capital-bike-share-form, until November 15, 2015.
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The mission of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is to enhance the quality of life for District residents and visitors by ensuring that people, goods, and information move efficiently and safely with minimal adverse impact on residents and the environment. Follow us on Twitter for transportation-related updates and more; like us on Facebook and visit the website at http://www.ddot.dc.gov. Visit goDCgo.com for more information on transportation options in the District.
Michelle B. Phipps-Evans | Communications Specialist
District Department of Transportation (DDOT)
O 202-671-0624 | C 202-497-0124 | E michelle.phipps-evans@dc.gov
http://www.ddot.dc.gov @ddotdc
UPDATE: Zoning Cases on Bladensburg and Montello Ave NE
There are three updates to zoning cases for Trinidad properties that were scheduled in the September 15, 2015 hearing of the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA).
- The review of parking variance for the proposed dialysis facility on Bladensburg Road was delayed until October 20th. This is case 19004.
- Review of the parking variance for the Thornton Development property at the corner of Florida and Montello Ave NE was delayed until October 27th. This is case 19061.
- Case 19062 for parking variance on the Thornton Development property at 1112 Montello Ave NE, between Eli’s Carry Out and the alley, was reviewed and approved by BZA. Thornton Development requested exception from the width of two standard parking spaces. The 9-unit building has to have 5 parking spaces to meet requirements. Based on lot size, 5 spaces only fit if 2 spaces are sized for compact cars to save 1 foot and 3 inches of space. Interesting points of discussion from the publicly available video of the meeting include:
- DDOT did not have objection if Thornton Development also installed 3 long-term bike racks and 1 short-term bike rack. They agreed to do so.
- ANC 5D did not submit a letter or attend the hearing. The project had been discussed in previous ANC 5D06 Single Member District meetings. There was discussion on ANC 5D, the current “situation with internal conflict”, and difficulties of getting zoning cases on the Chair’s agenda. The Zoning Chair also noted that “They are having some serious issues in ANC 5D.” The discussion continued and the case was voted on without input from ANC 5D.
- There was opposition from a resident in the 1100 block of K Street NE who cited Zone 6 parking issues. He noted that he has had to park as far as three blocks from his house as Maryland residents park on their streets, clients of H Street businesses park on their streets, and the additional parking pressure coming from new condos being built on Florida Ave NE in Zone 6 and Zone 5 will exacerbate the problem. He requested that ANC 6A be consulted on this issue with DDOT and BZA and that the case be delayed until such time and then heard in conjunction with BZA Case 19061. Mr. Anthony Hood, Chair of the Zoning Commission, noted that there has never been an issue with ANC 6A weighing in on projects that border two ANCs in the past. Mr. Lloyd Jordan, BZA Chair, noted that they would continue with the hearing as scheduled. What is important to note here is that ANC 5D, when better placed to react to zoning issues in the future, should also be consulted on projects in the neighborhood across Florida Ave NE.
The transcript of the hearing and other documents related to the BZA cases can be found on the Office of Zoning website. Case numbers cited above can be used to search for documents related to these specific cases.
No More D3? MetroBus Service Changes Proposed
Eliminate the D3? Extend the D4 route to Kennedy Center, replacing part of the 80 bus route? More X1 and X3 buses on the route during the day?
Those are some of the proposed metro bus route changes that WMATA is considering. They will be holding public hearing number 606 on September 17, 2015 on the proposed changes. The public information session will begin at 6 pm and public hearing will be at 6:30 pm. The hearing will be held at Metro Headquarters Building 600 5th Street, NW.
The hearing is a public forum and all are invited to present their views. If you wish to speak at the hearing, please submit your name and organizational affiliation, if applicable, by email to speak@wmata.com or by phone to (202) 962-2511. You can also submit written statements by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 to writtentestimony@wmata.com.
Not ready to submit written testimony or attend the hearing? You can participate in a survey at http://www.wmata.com/betterbus. The survey opened on August 15th and will close on September 23. It includes feedback questions on the proposal and related service changes as well as demographic questions.
You can view all proposed route and tariff changes here.
Video of the August ANC 5D Meeting
Miss the recent ANC meeting on August 11th?
A resident of Carver-Langston takes video of our ANC meetings, as they are public forums. The videos are available to watch on YouTube if you want to keep up with events in ANC 5D. The links below are to the Twitter notices of the videos and a link to the videos on YouTube. The videos are in sections to facilitate taping and uploading/downloading files.
Video Part 1 notice: https://twitter.com/ehm742006/status/631472773886517248
Part 1 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iE8W3SKHuM&feature=youtu.be&a
Video Part 2 notice: https://twitter.com/ehm742006/status/631477987427356672
Part 2 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFF92cgqGTo&feature=youtu.be&a
Video Part 3 notice: https://twitter.com/ehm742006/status/631479935132135424
Part 3 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVTu9ncnDmk&feature=youtu.be&a
Video Part 4 notice: https://twitter.com/ehm742006/status/631479970142003200
Part 4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjDVF3NOC7A&feature=youtu.be&a
Hearing on Bodega Market’s Class A Liquor License Request Postponed to September
The Bodega Market on Florida Avenue has applied to the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) for a substantial change to its license, from a Class B to a Class A. That means it would expand to sell spirits as well as the beer and wine already offered in the store. The Bodega has reportedly purchased the liquor license from Brothers Liquor, which earlier this year closed their store located next to the Bodega. A previously scheduled public hearing has been rescinded by ABRA and a new hearing schedule posted.
We anticipate this coming before the ANC with a community meeting in Single Member District 5D06 before the petition date. TNA will post notice of the meeting as soon as we have details.The ANC can vote to support or protest the application. ABRA also enables residents to protest a liquor license application: How To File a Protest.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE REGULATION ADMINISTRATION
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Posting Date: July 10, 2015
Petition Date: August 24, 2015
Hearing Date: September 8, 2015
License No.: ABRA-094621
Licensee: Bodega Market, LLC
Trade Name: Bodega Market
License Class: Retailer’s B
Address: 1136 Florida Avenue, N.E.
Contact Information: Yared Demissie: 202-494-6237
WARD 5 ANC 5D SMD 5D06
Notice is hereby given that this licensee who has applied for a substantial change to his license under the D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Act and that the objectors are entitled to be heard before the granting of such on the hearing date at 10:00 am, 2000 14th Street, N.W., 400 South, Washington, DC 20009. A petition or request to appear before the Board must be filed on or before the petition date.
NATURE OF SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE:
Class Change from a Retailer B to a Retailer A.
CURRENT HOURS OF OPERATION AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE SALES/SERVICE/CONSUMPTION
Sunday through Saturday 7am-12am
Trinidad Neighborhood Association 