ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 3E

TENLEYTOWN     AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PARK     FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS

c/o Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home 5425 Western Avenue, NW Washington, DC  20015

www.anc3e.org

 

Resolution on the Wesley Theological Seminary Campus Plan

 

 

Whereas, the Wesley Theological Seminary (the “Wesley Seminary”) has applied to the Zoning Commission (“ZC”) to amend and extend (to 2025) its Spring Valley Campus Plan and seeks approval for further processing of a new residence hall (ZC Case Number 05-40A); and

 

Whereas, the Wesley Seminary is adjacent to ANC 3E; and

 

Whereas, ANC  3E has reviewed the proposed amended and extended Campus Plan both in hardcopy form and pursuant to a presentation by Wesley Seminary officials at an ANC and community meeting; and

 

Whereas, ANC 3E applauds Wesley Seminary for both coming up with a sensible plan and responding to community concerns; and

 

Whereas, ANC 3E is concerned about one aspect of the Campus Plan pursuant to which Wesley Seminary has agreed to remove steps located at the northeast corner of its property near the far northwest corner of the American University campus.  See Wesley Seminary Prehearing Statement at 6, 11 and 21.  The ostensible reason to remove those stairs is to address a concern that AU students may exit the AU campus from that gate, traverse the Wesley Seminary campus and enter Spring Valley.  See id at 21.  The effect of the change will be to make it more difficult for neighbors to enter the AU Campus and require AU students who desire to head northwest on Massachusetts Avenue to backtrack 0.? miles to  the main AU gate and then return that distance to do a simple errand or use a local business.

 

Now therefore be it resolved, ANC 3E supports the Wesley Seminary application but urges that the Zoning Commission not include removal of the steps near the AU gate as a condition of approval of the plan.

 

ANC 3E approved this resolution at its meeting on April 12, 2012, which was properly noticed and at which a quorum was present.  The resolution was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.  Commissioners Jonathan Bender, Matthew Frumin, Tom Quinn, Sam Serebin and Beverly Sklover were present.

 

 

__________________________

ANC 3E

By Matthew Frumin, Chairperson