Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6C met on Oct. 9 via WebEx. Commissioners Christy Kwan (6C01), Leslie Merkle (6C02, secretary), Jay Adelstein (6C03), Mark Eckenwiler (6C04, chair), Joel Kelty (6C05, treasurer) and Commissioner Tony Goodman (6C07, vice chair) were in attendance. Commissioner Patricia Eguino (6C06) was absent.
Aria on L apartments at 300 L St. NE plans to remove and replace balconies along the east side of the building following the collapse of a fourth floor balcony in July 2023, said Vice Chair Goodman. He attributed the incident to rotting wood.
“Even though the building was only a few years old, they clearly did not properly waterproof the wood or use the right wood and other s,” Goodman stated.
Two engineering assessments “stated unequivocally” that a visual inspection revealed signs of rotten wood and “completely compromised” cantilever beams caused by water infiltration due to inadequate waterproofing wraps, reported nearby resident Shad Gohn. “These conditions are reported to exist in all east elevation balconies. All balconies, except the collapsed structure, are still intact and attached to the building,” she said.
“The most alarming thing about this, is that we’re going on well over a year, and the Department of Buildings (DOB) has done nothing,” Gohn added, expressing concern about the potential for another collapse.
The current building owner also submitted “duplicate” plans for the replacement balconies which are “exactly the same” as what the original developers submitted in 2011, Gohn said.
“I’m skeptical that DOB is working on it, or that the permit is working its way through the system,” Treasurer Joel Kelty added. Kelty remained concerned about the design of the remaining balconies beyond waterproofing measures.
“I see some stuff that makes me uncomfortable the way those balconies are designed. I’m not the architect of record on this one, but I am an architect,” Kelty said.
The commission took no vote on this matter.
Other Matters
The commission:
• ed the public space plan of J.O. Wilson Elementary School at 660 K St. NE including renovations, the removal of a curb cut on Sixth Street, additional bike racks and several improvements to the public space area;
• ed the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) proposal to change curbside regulation along H Street related to the bus lines with opposition to plans that eliminate the left hand turns along the road, recommending left turns at Fourth, Sixth and Eighth Streets NE.
• ed the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) application for a rear addition at 502 Constitution Ave. NE;
• ed the Historic Preservation Application (HPA) for a partial rooftop edition and roof deck at 401 6th St. NE;
• opposed the HPA for a concept approval to remove existing rear additions, construct a new three-story addition and new full basement, renovate the interior of the existing main house and replace existing windows and front door at 16 Third St. NE;
• opposed the BZA application for variance from the street frontage requirements to combine two existing lots to convert an existing row dwelling into a three-unit residential structure at 622 I St. NE.
ANC 6C will meet next on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. via WebEx. Visit anc6c.org to learn more about the commission and to attend the meeting.
Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at [email protected].
