Meeting Minutes
January 12, 2017, 7:30 pm
The meeting convened at 7:40 PM. Commissioners Bender, Hall, McHugh, Quinn and Wallace were present.
Announcements / Open Forum– opportunity for members of the community to raise issues of concern or importance to the 3E neighborhood
Ian Maggard, the Ward 3 Liaison to the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations announced that Mayor Bowser released the Year Two Transition Plan Accountability Report. Maggard also announced the creation of a $500,000 fund available to assist illegal immigrants to defend against deportation efforts.
Presentation by 2nd District Police
Lt. Hill from the 2nd District provided an update on crime trends in the area. There were no violent crimes reported in PSA 202 in the last 30 days. Hill announced that the police have been enforcing the No Through Trucks regulations in the neighborhood.
A question was asked about the impact of the security camera rebate program on crime in the area. Hill replied that it is too early to assess the impact of the program. An attendee asked for restricted parking on a small section of Livingston St near 41st St. Commissioner Quinn said that he would follow up with the attendee after the meeting. Commissioner McHugh asked about a pedestrian that was hit by an automobile on Massachusetts Ave at 46th St. Lt Hill will look into it. Commissioner Bender asked if police are still assigned to Comet Ping Pong and about the use of key code readers in Thefts from Autos. Hill stated that police are still assigned to Comet Ping Pong and the police in PSA 202 had not yet arrested a perpetrator in possession of a reader
Lt. Hill reminded the audience that if you witness a crime or see something suspicious call 911. For any other questions, email alan.hill@dc.gov.
Presentation regarding Janney 5K route
Paul Conlon, Co-Chair of the Janney 5K presented an overview of the event. The Janney 5K and Fun Run will be held on Saturday, April 29th at 10 am and will run the same, open-route race course as in years past. Commissioner Bender moved and Commissioner Quinn seconded a motion to approve a letter supporting the event. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Presentation by and discussion with representatives from Roadside Development regarding proposed redevelopment of Fannie Mae site.
Richard Lake from Roadside Development announced that they will be redeveloping the Fannie Mae site into a mixed-use project and are looking for community input on the project. They are considering among other ideas adding commercial space, retail, restaurants, a boutique hotel, town houses and/or condos and a spa. Roadside wants to preserve the front lawn and to landmark the “E” building and plan to change the back building, parking lots, etc. At this time, they do not expect they will seek zoning relief for the site. Fannie Mae will remain at the site until November 2018. Roadside expects the first phase of the development will be ready about 3 years after they begin construction. Details about the project can be found at http://www.3900wisconsin.com
Questions were asked about: coordinating development with 4000 Wisconsin Ave, which is also slated to be redeveloped; if they will keep the wall along Wisconsin Ave.; pedestrian access to McLean Gardens; adding bike lanes; entertainment options for the site; and the possibility of adding co-working spaces, a daycare center and senior housing and/or programming at the site.
Commissioner Wallace expressed support for larger sized housing units for families and downsizing seniors. Commissioner Quinn suggested they eliminate the wall, the driveway and curbcuts along Wisconsin Ave. He stated that the setback from the street would be a challenge to activating Wisconsin Ave. Commissioners McHugh, Hall and Bender stated that the area schools are overcrowded and additional school buildings could help ease crowding. Commissioner Hall suggested pulling the 5th and 6th grades from those schools and putting them in a school on the site. Commissioner Bender asked if Roadside Development would think about the possibility of pursuing a PUD to build a 2-story school with the residential units above rather than just the residential units. Bender also encouraged Roadside to include inclusionary zoning units beyond what is required by law.
Update from DGR and DGS on status of renovations to Friendship (Turtle) Park.
Jackie Stanley, Community Outreach Coordinator with DGS provided an update on the status of construction of Friendship (Turtle) Park. The new sewer line has been installed and the foundation of the community center is almost complete. It is now estimated that the park will be completed by Memorial Day.
Questions were asked about the selection of playground equipment and programming for the rec center. Ms. Stanley did not know about the equipment and stated there will be a DPR community meeting in February or March to discuss the programming. Other attendees asked questions about lighting at the facility, playground and fields. Ms. Stanley stated that the playing fields would not be lighted at night.
Discussion with DPR about issues at Chevy Chase (Livingston) Park including off leash dog use, lights and impacts from Little League.
Commissioners Bender and Quinn began by explaining that about seven or eight years ago, agreements were reached between DPR, Capitol City Little League, dog walkers, and immediate neighbors regarding use of Livingston Park. Neighbors were unhappy about the number of cars associated with the Little League that were parking on residential streets. The neighbors also did not want any amplified sound systems to be used at the park. Little League wanted to install lights on the ball fields, which nearby neighbors opposed. The League agreed to put up no parking signs, not use amplified sound, and agreed to use the lights only while the field is in use and to turn them off by 9:00 PM. The dog walkers wanted to have their dogs play off leash on the baseball fields and agreed to do so before 8:30 AM, to clean up after their dogs and to treat the field once per week. Quinn went on to say that issues have started to creep up.
Mike Lightfoot, DPR Risk Manager stated that DPR has a blanket policy that does not allow dogs on playgrounds or athletic fields. They have asked for help from MPD with enforcement. Lt Hill stated that the police will enforce the off-leash dog regulations if they receive a complaint. Seth Shapiro, DPR Permits Manager, stated they have a hard time maintaining the field up because of the amount of dog urine and the field will be re-sodded in the spring. Commissioner Quinn added that the field also has significant drainage problems that need to be addressed. Commissioner Bender says that there is a long-standing detente between the dog walkers and Capital City Little League that they would like to keep. Commissioner McHugh asked if the area beyond the outfield could be fenced in for the dogs. Mr. Shapiro stated that they might be able to consider it but could not make any promises.
Matt Stone from Capitol City Little League stated that Chevy Chase Field is their most heavily utilized field. The lights on the field are on a timer and if practices or games are canceled (for instance due to rain or a sick coach), the lights still come on. Stone apologized for the time the amplified sound was used as they were unaware of the agreement not to use amplifiers. Commissioner McHugh asks about if they could put up signs about the amplified sound ban. There was a discussion about being able to turn off the lights either manually or remotely when games and practices are canceled. At Commissioner Bender’s suggestion, Little League agreed that coaches or others who have evening games or practices that are canceled will make a good faith effort to contact DPR to ask that the lights be turned off on such evenings.
Alison Betty with Chevy Chase Dog Park stated that they want to continue to be a part of the park and stated that they are willing to work with the other parties to address problems and help out with any issues that the other parties encounter.
A neighbor asked Capitol City Little League to send out a letter to parents reminding them not to park on the cul-de-sac and to remind the teams to put up no parking signs while using the fields.
The parties agreed to continue the discussions and Commissioner Quinn agreed to arrange another meeting.
ANC Business
- Approval of 2017 budget, meeting schedule, and officers – Commissioner Bender moved and Commissioner Quinn seconded motions to: elect the officers (Chair – Commissioner Bender, Co-Chair – Commissioner McHugh, Secretary – Commissioner Hall, and Treasurer – Commissioner Quinn) and the tentative meeting schedule of meeting the second Thursday of each month. The motions were approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
- Approval of December 2016 meeting minutes – Commissioner Bender moved and Commissioner Quinn seconded a motion to approve the December 2016 meeting minutes. The motion was approved 5-0-0.
- 2017 Q1 Treasurers Report – Commissioner Quinn moved and Commissioner Wallace seconded a motion to approve the Security Fund Resolution. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
- Approval of security fund resolution – Commissioner Quinn moved and Commissioner Bender seconded a motion to approve the Security Fund Resolution. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
- Approval of expenditures – Commissioner Quinn moved and Commissioner Bender seconded a motion to approve payments of $468.75 to Sherry Cohen for administrative support, $17.26 for copying and $25 for the Security Fund. The expenditures were approved 5-0-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:37 PM.