Meeting Minutes
January 9, 2025, 7:30 pm
The meeting convened via Zoom at 7:33 PM with Commissioners Bender, Cohen, Gianinno, Graff, and Quinn in attendance. Commissioner Hall joined later.
Announcements / Open Forum– opportunity for members of the community to raise issues of concern or importance to the 3E neighborhood
Kendall Gibson, Ward 3 MOCR, stated the DC Government has been working hard at snow removal. If there are any streets that still need snow removal or treatment, please contact her. Mayor Bowser will be hosting the MLK Peace Walk and Parade at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in SE DC on January 18 from 10:30 AM to 2 PM. Commissioner Cohen asked why the alleys aren’t treated and if trash would be able to be collected. Gibson stated there are too many alleys to plow and the priority for the city is to get the streets treated and cleared. She thought the trash trucks can get through the snow in the alleys. Cohen followed up with questions about who is responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks in areas where there is no business or homeowner such as circles. Gibson replied that Tenley Circle is Federal land and if there are any questions about a particular tract, you could contact her and she can check who owns land and is responsible for shoveling.
Leigh Catherine Miles, Chief of Staff for Councilmember Matthew Frumin announced the Next Workday in the Ward will be on January 23 at Bread and Chocolate in Chevy Chase from 8-5. Also, Frumin’s 3rd annual budget listening session will take place on Saturday January 25 at 10 am on Zoom. For any questions or concerns please contact fruminoffice@dccouncil.gov or 202-724-8062.
Chris Schumann asked about the status of the Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church and Sunrise Project. Commissioner Quinn stated that the primary investor has backed out and they have not found a new investor.
Presentation by 2nd District Police
Lt Sharmika Gatewood stated that over the last 30 days there have been 14 thefts from autos and 7 thefts. She asked residents to not leave items visible in vehicles.
Attendees:
- Noah Getz with Tenleytown Main Street said that the officer assigned to Tenleytown was more visible and out of their car for about a week after the last meeting but now seems to be falling back into their old habits.
- Asked if there were thefts taking place in the Target. Noted that they limit access to the store and many things are locked up. Gatewood replied that Target has reported just one incident this year but that the stores seem to underreport thefts.
- Asked for follow up on a wave of vandalism of businesses in Glover Park to Fessenden Street. Gatewood didn’t have any further information but noted MPD is assigning an officer to the hot spots in each PSA. In our PSA that would be the 4500 and 4600 blocks of Wisconsin Ave.
Commissioners:
- Asked to have the officer in Tenleytown out of car and patrolling especially during the day from 8 am to 7 pm.
- Asked for scooter squad to be reassigned to our PSA.
- Asked if we have had someone assigned for traffic enforcement.
Discussion of and possible vote on resolution regarding application for a Special Exception from owners of 4505 Warren Street for relief from minimum vehicle parking requirements to enable them to construct an outdoor kitchen addition
The homeowner would like to build an outdoor kitchen in part of their garage. They went through the permitting process and were told that because they live in R-1-B, this would take away their required parking space, so they need a special exception. The garage structure would not change, they are just adding a gas line, cabinets, a grill, and a door at the rear of the garage to access the kitchen. The homeowner said they have not heard from any of their neighbors although there is a letter that was submitted to the BZA website.
Attendees and Commissioners had no questions or comments.
Commissioner Gianinno moved, and Commissioner Bender seconded a motion to approve the resolution in support of the special exception for 4505 Warren Street. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Discussion of and possible vote on resolution on resolution regarding motion by Wesley Theological Seminary to condense their Campus Plan proceedings
Commissioner Bender stated he was informed today that the Zoning Commissioner has denied this request.
Discussion of and possible vote on resolution on resolution regarding petition to DDOT’s Urban Forestry Administration to remove a female ginkgo tree in front of 3711 Cumberland Street. (10 minutes)
Commissioner Quinn stated that Commissioner Denny authored the resolution but is unable to attend tonight. The female ginkgo trees drop smelly, sticky fruit. DDOT generally supports removal of the trees and there seemed to be no objections by neighbors on the block.
Attendees and Commissioners had no questions or comments.
Commissioner Quinn moved, and Commissioner Gianinno seconded a motion to approve the resolution in support of the removal of the ginkgo tree in front of 3711 Cumberland Street. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Presentation by developer of the Swedish Ambassador’s Residence property
This item will be heard at a later meeting.
ANC Business
- Election of Officers – Commissioner Bender moved, and Commissioner Quinn seconded a motion to approve the following slate of officers: Commissioner Bender as Chairperson, Commissioner Cohen as Vice-Chairperson, Commissioner Quinn as Treasurer, and Commissioner Hall as Secretary. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-0.
- Commissioner Gianinno asked about having committees or task forces for issues of concern including traffic, bike lanes, and wholistic planning. Cohen said that most of what we do is reactive instead of proactive and suggested we have working groups to help plan and suggest ideas noting that the Nebraska Ave complex planning is also coming. Bender noted that ANCs are set up to be reactive in that we only get great weight if we react to an NOI. Quinn added that we have trouble getting people to show up to the AU CLC meetings and there can be tensions between working groups and the ANCs. There was a discussion about the overlap in interests and concerns between Tenleytown Mainstreet and the ANC and Commissioners expressed an interest in exploring forming a Public Safety Committee that be advisory to both Tenleytown Main Street and ANC. Commissioner Gianinno volunteered to lead a transportation group.
- Commissioner Quinn stated we need to have someone attend the three AU and Wesley committees – the AU CLC, the Wesley CLC, and the Community Partnership. Commissioner Graff will go to the Wesley CLC and Bender can go with her to first meeting. Commissioners Cohen and Gianinno will each take one of the AU committees.
- Commissioner Bender moved Commissioner Quinn seconded a motion to amend Sherry Cohen’s contract to pay her $40 per hour. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-0.
- Approval of December 2024 Meeting Minutes – Commissioner Bender moved, and Commissioner Quinn seconded a motion to approve the draft December 2024 Meeting Minutes. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-0.
- 2025 Q1 Financial Report – Commissioner Quinn moved, and Commissioner Bender seconded a motion to 2025 Q1 Financial Report. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-0.
- Commissioner Bender suggested that we think proactively about spending our grant funds. Commissioner Gianinno suggested we explore any needs for TMS, Turtle Park and clubs at schools. Noah Getz stated they will be hosting a health and wellness day, and their Bastille Day celebration in Fessenden Park might need support.
- Approval of expenditures – Commissioner Quinn moved, and Commissioner Hall seconded a motion to approve payment of $515.00 to Sherry Cohen for administrative support. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-0.
- Approval of meeting schedule – Commissioner Bender moved, and Commissioner Cohen seconded a motion to approve the draft meeting schedule in which ANC3E plans to meet on the second Thursday of each month, except for August. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-0.
The meeting was adjourned by acclimation at 9:12 PM.