Meeting Minutes
July 25, 2024, 7:30 pm
The meeting convened via Zoom at 7:35 PM with Commissioners Bender, Cohen, Denny, Gianinno, Hall, and Quinn in attendance.
Announcements / Open Forum– opportunity for members of the community to raise issues of concern or importance to the 3E neighborhood
Natalie Avery, Executive Director of the Friendship Heights Alliance, announced there will be a Makers Market on Saturday July 27 on Wisconsin Ave between Garrison and Jenifer Streets from 3 pm – 7 pm.
Jason Millison, the new Community Relations Director for American University introduced himself to the community.
Leigh Catherine Miles, Chief of Staff with Councilmember Frumin’s Office stated Frumin passed on the input he received from the community regarding the Better Bus Program to WMATA. Frumin is currently touring all the public schools in Ward 3 to make sure they are ready for the first day of school.
An attendee shared information about caring for small trees during hot weather and drought.
Hope Cousin introduced herself as the Ward 3 Manager for MOCRs. She can be reached at hope.cousin1@dc.gov or 202-341-7706 with any concerns.
Presentation by 2nd District Police
There were no representatives from MPD on the Zoom call.
Discussion and possible vote on resolution regarding ABCA application for a medical cannabis retailer license for Nugg Heaven to open a dispensary at 4932 Wisconsin Ave
Col Jones, the owner of the LLC seeking the medical cannabis license for 4932 Wisconsin Ave, stated he has about 10 years’ experience, mostly in California, operating medical marijuana dispensaries and this would be his first store in DC. Commissioner Bender stated they have been in negotiations regarding this location and Jones has agreed, among other things, to not have any signs in the front that reference cannabis, drugs, intoxication, or the like, including in the shop’s trade name; check IDs for everyone coming in the store before they can enter the sales floor; have security at the front of the store and take practical steps to not allow illegal stopping or parking in the vicinity of the store. Currently, there are apparently-illegal cannabis shops on the block where Mr. Jones wants to open his store and across the street from the Tenley Library. Commissioner Bender noted that he has been pressing ABCA
and MPD to close these shops and that he believes that the one above Rome Pizza may have already closed. The city is now going after the illegal places and, if Col Jones’ establishment is permitted to open, no other licensed facility will be allowed to open within 400 feet of this shop, so we may decrease the total number of cannabis shops in the area. Bender stated that he believes this is a good settlement agreement. Jones added that he just negotiated a lease for parking spaces in the rear of the store.
Attendees had no comments or concerns.
Commissioners:
- Had concerns about whether the neighborhood received ample notification about the license application.
- Multiple Commissioner cautioned Mr. Jones to keep this above board and not serve minors. Jones offered to have monthly meetings with Commissioner Bender regarding the operation of the business and to address any complaints from neighbors.
- Raised concerned about construction while a stop work order was in place. Jones stated there was no work ongoing.
- Asked for more details about the stores he operated in California and if he received any citations. Jones replied that they were cited for a delivery person not noticing that a customer’s medical card had expired and citations for their trash not being properly separated.
Commissioner Bender moved, and Commissioner Quinn seconded a motion to approve the draft resolution in support of the medical cannabis application on the condition that Jones signs the settlement agreement. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-0.
Discussion of and possible vote on resolution regarding ABCA application for Steak n Egg Diner to serve liquor until 3 am weekends and 2 am during the week, with carry-out until 1 am
Cameron Mixon, representing the owners, stated that, at Commissioner Bender’s suggestions, the new owners agreed to seek to serve alcohol only until 11 pm though they would still remain open 24 hours on certain days. A question remained whether the patio in the front of the store had been constructed in a manner that violated public space regulations; if so, the Commission did not want to support alcohol service there until any public space violations were remediated. Commissioner Bender stated we only recently received the notice of this application and have not had time to negotiate with the applicant. He drafted a resolution protesting the application to maintain our standing but will hold it pending an agreement.
Attendees raised no concerns.
Commissioners:
- Asked for clarification about whether they were applying for outdoor service.
- Stated we need to clarify the status of the patio with the Public Space Committee. There does not seem to be any issue with alcohol service indoors until 11 pm even with the restaurant open 24 hours but we need to clarify the status of the outdoor space.
Commissioner Bender moved, and Commissioner Hall seconded a motion to approve the draft resolution protesting the ABCA application for Steak n Egg Diner. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-0.
Discussion of and possible vote on resolution regarding ABCA application by Friendship Heights Convenience Store for a Retailer’s Class “B” Beer & Wine Store at 5252 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 001A
Commissioner Quinn stated that the Friendship Heights Convenience Store started last year in the public space adjacent to the Booeymongers. This was an illegal business as they were a separate business from Booeymongers and thus not permitted to operate in public space. They then moved around the corner but did not transfer the alcohol license. They now have a new application to transfer the license and change the license from beer and wine sales to also sell liquors. The protest date is September 9, which is before our next meeting; accordingly, Commissioner Quinn drafted a resolution protesting the application to maintain our standing but will hold it pending negotiations with the applicant. Commissioner Bender added the applicant had also been cited for selling marijuana illegally.
Attendees and Commissioners had no questions or concerns.
Commissioner Bender moved, and Commissioner Cohen seconded a motion to approve the draft resolution opposing the ABCA application for the Friendship Heights Convenience Store. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-0.
Discussion of and possible vote on resolution regarding Notices of Intent from DDOT to reduce the speed limits on Wisconsin Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue from 30 to 25 mph. (10 minutes)
Commissioner Quinn stated we received two Notices of Intent (NOIs) from DDOT to reduce the speed limit along Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues from 30 to 25 mph. DDOT seems to be doing this city-wide in support of the DC Vision Zero initiatives.
Attendees stated that the lack of enforcement of the current regulations is a concern.
Commissioners:
- Asked if there would be speed limit cameras deployed in conjunction with lowering the speed limit. Quinn stated the city recently deployed more cameras and currently there is just one camera on Massachusetts Ave near Van Ness.
- Stated there are a lot of jay walking issues on Massachusetts Ave.
- Stated DC has an 11-mph leeway for speed camera tickets and that the proposed speed limit reduction would lower the speed in which someone would get a ticket from 41 to 36.
Commissioner Quinn moved, and Commissioner Hall seconded a motion to approve the draft resolution in support of lowering the speed limits on Wisconsin Avenue and Massachusetts Avenues. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-0.
ANC Business
- Approval of June 2024 meeting minutes – Commissioner Bender moved, and Commissioner Quinn seconded a motion to approve the June 2024 Draft Meeting Minutes. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-0.
- Approval of expenditures – Commissioner Quinn moved, and Commissioner Bender seconded a motion to approve payments of $490.00 to Sherry Cohen for administrative services and reimbursements to Sherry Cohen in the amounts of $14.88 to register the ANC domain name, $254.40 for the Vimeo account, and $160.00 for web hosting and updates to the website plugins. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-0.
- Approval of 2024 Q3 Financial Report – Commissioner Quinn moved, and Commissioner Denny seconded a motion to approve the 2024 Q3 Financial Report. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-0.
The meeting was adjourned by acclimation at 9:03 PM.