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Liquor Store in Atlas Gym Building Protested
The Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00 pm on the third Monday of each month.
Economic Development & Zoning
• The Commissioners voted, unanimously, to send a letter of support to the Board of Zoning
Adjustment (BZA) for a special exception from the lot occupancy restrictions, the minimum rear yard requirements, and the rear addition restrictions to raze an existing rear addition and construct a new, two-story, rear addition to an existing, attached, two-story principal dwelling unit at 1226 Duncan Place NE (BZA #20514) in the RF-1 Zone. The Economic Development and Zoning Committee meets at 7:00 pm on the third Wednesday of each month.
Community Outreach Committee
• The Commissioners voted, unanimously, to send a letter to the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development requesting that the decision regarding Hill East Redevelopment Phase II/Reservation 13 prioritize housing for seniors and that at least 50% of the units be designated as deeply affordable housing as defined by 30% AMI. The Community Outreach Committee meets at 7:00 pm on the fourth Monday of each month.
Other Business
• The Commissioners voted, unanimously, to send a letter to owners regarding maintaining physical control and sanitary upkeep of the alley lot between 15th &16th and C &D Streets NE.
Visit www.anc6a.org for a calendar of meeting times, meeting agendas and other information. u
ANC 6B RepoRt
by Elizabeth O’Gorek
At their July 13th meeting, Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6B voted to protest an application from Sip Wine and Spirits to open a “higher-end” liquor store, Sip Wine and Spirits, at 1100 K St. SE. The building is the former site of Atlas Gym, located across the street from Ginkgo Gardens.
Community members voiced opposition to a liquor store at the site, citing the proximity to Tyler Elementary (1001 G St. SE) as well as issues with crime, traffic and parking. Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg (6B08) said that Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) regulations need to be clarified for this case, as they appear to prohibit liquor stores from being located within 400 feet of a school or recreational facility. The Tyler playground is located up the street and across the intersection at I Street SE.
Several petitions in opposition were circulated around the community, attendees told the commission. Residents said that they were not opposed to liquor stores in general, but said the location comes with challenges that would be aggravated by a liquor store. Oldenburg noted that then-First District Commander Morgan Kane had also expressed opposition to the idea.
The applicant was unable to appear at the meeting of the Alcohol Beverage Committee (ABC), so the committee did not make a recommendation, preferring to allow time for the applicant to reach out to the community before they appeared before the full commission. Technical difficulties prevented a representative of the liquor store from being heard at the online meeting of the full commission. Still, the commission cited the extreme opposition from the committee and concerns with crime and safety in opposing the application.
La Casina Liquor License Hearing Deferred to September
Commissioners voted to request an extension of the petition deadline for an application for a Class C Restaurant License for La Casina 1978 (327 Seventh St. SE), a new Romana pizzeria planned for the former site of 7th Hill Pizza. The application was posted at the start of the holiday weekend, July 2. The eleven days between posting and the meeting of the full ANC did not allow sufficient time for the community to learn about plans for the space or ask questions.
The applicant is in Rome, Italy, with plans to move to the District in August. They have agreed to extend the petition deadline to Sept. 17 to allow for community consultation. That decision will necessarily defer the opening, which had been planned for September.
Affordable Housing at Proposed South Capitol Development
Representatives from WC Smith presented a concept for a 13-story residential development at 850 South Capitol Street. The site is oddly-shaped, including a narrow strip extending south to I Street SE, and extends under the I-395/I-695 highway to the north.
The proposed building would have two interior courtyards, a rooftop pool and three levels of parking above grade surrounding the lobby and amenity spaces on the ground and second floors. Unit numbers have not been finalized, but representatives said that all would be offered at market rate.
The site is zoned D5, for high-density commercial and mixed use, and would require a special design review by the Zoning Commission, in part because of the required viewshed along South Capitol to the Capitol dome.
The property would not be developed for up to five years, around the same time that the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will rebuild the interstate ramp. Corey Holman (6B06) asked representatives if the developer was interested in entitling the project before inclusionary zoning might take effect in the area, as is currently being debated. WC Smith representative Shane Dettman said that advance work is necessary because the application and permitting process is lengthy, requiring up to a year in zoning and design review alone.
The commission decided they would consult with ANC 6D, especially Edward Daniels (6D07), whose Single Member District (SMD) borders the south of the lot, citing that ANC’s extensive experience in dealing with developers on the question of affordable housing. The WC Smith development team is expected to file a design review application prior to the September meetings of the ANCs.
Approval for Two-Story Addition on Tenth St. SE
The commission voted 9-0 with one abstention to a two-story rear addition and raze of an existing carriage house at 232 Tenth St. SE. The project has been subject to months of discussions between the architect, property owner, and neighbors. Initial plans included a third story which was been removed after discussions with the neighbors.
In addition to historic review, the applicant is requesting a special exception to allow for lot occupancy 2.3 percent over what is permitted by right and to permit the building to extend further than 10 feet past the house to the north.
Multiple neighbors spoke in opposition. The focus was on light and air as well as the precedent that a rear addition would set when there are no two-story rear additions on the block, although there is one one-story addition.
In putting forward a motion to support, Commissioner Steve Holtzman (6B05) cited the applicant’s willingness to remove the partial third oor from the design as a compromise to get the two-story rear addition, which they could have done as a matter of right. He noted abutting neighbors were no longer in opposition and have made a promise secured from the applicant not to add a third oor later.
Opposition to DC Circulator Route Change
The ANC voted to oppose changes to the Eastern Market-L’Enfant Plaza Route proposed in the DC Circulator Transit Development Plan (TDP).
The ANC said this route serves both Nationals Stadium and Audi Field with special service on game days and DC Public Schools (DCPS) students living on Capitol Hill who attend Je erson Academy Middle School.
In the letter, ANC6B opposed the proposed truncation of the route between Eastern Market and L Street SE, arguing this would negatively impact Barracks Row and eliminate “one-seat rides” between Eastern Market and the Riverfront and Wharf and areas in between for business, recreational, and student users. However, the Commission supported the proposed extension between L’Enfant Plaza and Mt. Vernon Square. Additionally, the ANC asked DDOT to study ways to make the turnaround near Eastern Market safer and more e cient.
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