Chair Amber Gove (6A04) convened the Oct. 14 meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6A via Zoom with Commissioners Keya Chatterjee (6A01), Phil Toomajian (6A02), Mike Soderman (6A03), Laura Gentile (6A05), Robb Dooling (6A06), Sondra Phillips-Gilbert (6A07) and Brian Alcorn (6A08) in attendance.
Acting Director of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Everett Lott shared DDOT’s new District-wide response to implementing certain traffic speed interventions such as installing speed humps, flexi posts and additional stop signs. Lott explained that in the past, residents would have to submit a 311 request for one of these interventions, which would require DDOT to perform a traffic safety assessment (TSA) report. These reports take time and resources, slowing down the potential implementation of said intervention.
Moving forward, as Lott explained, DDOT will use in-house staff and resources to make these assessments so they can expedite the process. Through this expedited process, DDOT aims to clear the backlog of requests and allow the agency to perform TSAs on larger projects. Ultimately, Lott hopes that residents and visitors to the District alike will more heavily use the alternative transportation options available instead of deciding to drive. Lott can be reached via email at [email protected], but he encouraged residents to submit 311 requests as needed.
DC Redistricting
The redistricting of DC’s wards and ANCs involves balancing population size among legislative districts. Samuel Rosen-Amy, chief of staff to At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman (I), who chairs the redistricting subcommittee, ed the meeting to explain what changes Ward 6 can expect and to share how residents can voice their opinions.
DC law requires that each of the eight wards must be equal in population within 5% of the average, which calculates to be around 90,000 residents. Ward 6 is currently well above that 5% threshold with roughly 108,000 residents, whereas Wards 7 and 8 are below the threshold. The Redistricting Committee has been holding hearings for each ward.
The Ward 6 hearing will be held Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 10 a.m. In addition to attending the hearing, residents can visit https://dcredistricting.esriemcs.com, an interactive map that allows s to redefine ward boundaries using actual census data and even submit a formal recommendation to the committee.
Community Outreach Committee
The commissioners voted to send a letter to Mayor Bowser ing the DC Universal Basic Income (UBI) Coalition’s request that the mayor Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI), as one demonstration of for a guaranteed income for DC residents. The vote was six in favor with Toomajian opposing and Soderman abstaining.
The Community Outreach Committee meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month.
Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee
The commissioners voted unanimously to protest the application of Daruwalla LLC, t/a Daru, at 1451 Maryland Ave. NE (ABRA #113870) for renewal of its Class C Tavern License unless a settlement agreement is finalized prior to the protest deadline; and that Mona Hatoum, the chair and the vice chair of the ANC, and Dooling, be authorized to represent the ANC in this matter.
The commissioners voted unanimously to protest the application of Lydia on H LLC, t/a Lydia Restaurant & Lounge, at 1427 H St. NE (ABRA #119312) for a Class C Restaurant License unless a settlement agreement is finalized prior to the protest deadline; and that Mona Hatoum, the chair and the vice-chair of the ANC, and Dooling, be authorized to represent the ANC in this matter.
The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Mike Velasquez to the Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee.
The Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Transportation and Public Space (TPS) Committee
The commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter to DDOT stating that the ANC’s preferred, rank-ordered options of DDOT’s bike lane designs for the 1300 block of North Carolina Avenue NE are Alternatives B, E and C. Concept 1 for the intersection at 14th Street NE is the preferred initial design option.
The commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter of to DDOT for TSA #21-00452815, requesting all-way stop signs at 16th Street and Constitution Avenue NE, including the consideration of raised crosswalks if the all-way stop request is denied.
The commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter of to DDOT for the 2021 Rock‘n’ Roll Marathon street closures for the race taking place on Nov. 13.
The Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month.
Economic Development and Zoning
The commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter of to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) for a special exception from the rear yard requirements of Subtitle E §306.1, to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing, attached, principal dwelling unit at 248 10th St. NE (BZA Case #20530).
The Economic Development and Zoning Committee meets at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month.
Other Business
The commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter to DDOT requesting a postponement for receipt of ANC comments on public space construction permit application #378346 (201 8th St. NE) until after the Nov. 10 ANC 6A meeting, as the commission did not receive sufficient time to review.
Visit www.anc6a.org for a calendar of meeting times, meeting agendas and other information.
