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Trashcan Storage and Rat Prevention ANC 6C Report by Sarah Payne
Krepp Asks Commission to Follow Reservation 13
in the process of asking DDOT to approve an Open Streets in early 2023 along the entire length of Eighth Street SE and NE, from Florida Avenue NE to M Street SE. They asked for ANC 6B support.
The letter recommends support but raised questions about the impact of such an event on residents and commercial interests on Capitol Hill. In particular, commissioners were concerned about closing the intersection of Eighth and Pennsylvania Avenue SE; about restricting movement and curbside parking for residents living in the area; about safety if traffic is redirected onto the 800 block of D Street SE; and about ensuring that it is still easy to access Eastern Market and the surrounding street markets. There was some discussion about whether these details should be included in the letter, or whether the ANC should weigh in further along in the process. In the end, the ANC included these as concerns, rather than conditions.
I-695 Ramp Study Design
The ANC voted unanimously to send a letter to DDOT about the 11th Street SE I 695 ramp study and 30 percent design. DDOT has plans to widen the D4 Ramp, make improvements to the D3 Ramp, add a two-way bike path between I and O Streets SE, as well as make numerous safety improvements for pedestrians, including extending the Virginia Avenue bike/pedestrian path from 9th Street SE across the northern edge of Virginia Avenue Park to 11th Street SE.
Commissioners said while they were generally supportive of changes to the pedestrian walkways and cycle paths, they are still worried about the widening of the ramp from three to four lanes, arguing that the additional lane will increase speed and include more traffic on the ramp, reducing the safety of pedestrians and cyclists crossing where the i-695 ramp intersects with 11th Street SE. Outgoing Commissioner Denise Krepp (6B10) said that during the redistricting process ANC 6B commissioners were often told that what was happening — or going to happen— on Reservation 13 is not their business because they were not then in Ward 7. Krepp said, following redistricting, which put her SMD in Ward 7, ANC 6B Commissioners and residents are still being cut out of discussions, just “in new ways.”
“A lot of nagging, a lot of nagging,” she acknowledged, “[but] sadly a lot of folks on the other side of the river haven’t been forthcoming with the information.”
Krepp encouraged commissioners who will remain in office in single member district (SMD) 6B to continue to build relationships with 7D and others moving forward regarding activity on the property.
Alcohol Beverage Committee
The ANC voted to take no action on an application to the DC Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration for renewal of a Class “C” tavern license from the Tune Inn (331 Pennsylvania Ave. SE), citing their long history on the street. Samolyk, the commissioner for the area, said the Tune Inn has never had a settlement agreement (SA), but that during her eight years as commissioner she was unaware of any issues. However, some commissioners were uncomfortable supporting an application without a SA.
The ANC supported an ABRA application for a Class “C” tavern License with entertainment endorsement for Rose’s at Home (721 Eighth St. SE), amending the SA to include a requirement for indoor trash storage. The committee had questions about trash management, saying that the establishment had trouble executing according to the current SA. Representatives said that the owners had agreed to store trash indoors until pickup, which happens four times a week.
Commissioner Samolyk was elected Vice Chair at the outset of the meeting, filling the role vacated by Alison Horn when she resigned after moving out of ANC 6B09. Samolyk chaired the meeting after her election. Chair Corey Holman (6B06) was on the call, but not able to lead the meeting.
The final stage of improvements to Pennsylvania Avenue SE will complete installation of a protected bike lane and relocate bus stops along the avenue. After that, permitted parking times and patterns along the road will be affected. Image: DDOT
The next full meeting of ANC 6B is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13. Find details at anc6b.org. It is the final meeting of this ten-member version of the ANC 6B commission; ANC Commissioners elected to the newly-redistricted ANC 6B on Nov. 8 will take office in January 2023. u
Trashcan Storage and Rat Prevention
ANC 6C RepoRt by Sarah Payne
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6C met Wednesday Nov. 9 via WebEx. Commissioners Christine Healey (6C01), Karen Wirt, Chair (6C02), Jay Adelstein (6C03), Mark Eckenwiler (6C04), Joel Kelty (6C05) and Drew Courtney (6C06) attended the meeting.
At the meeting, Commissioners discussed the District’s increase in the rodent population, specifically in rats. One of the main concerns contributing to this increase are residential garbage collection containers. When trash containers are left in the alley they can be hit, damaged and become not “rat resistant” creating infestation issues in residential alleys and communities.
District law requires individuals to store trash containers on their own property, not in the public alley, and remove them no later than 8 p.m. the day of trash collection.
Commissioner Joel Kelty (6C05) noted the significant increase and reported that the District Department of Public Works (DPW) will soon be implementing “operation clean sweep” to address this. The purpose of this initiative is to educate, monitor and enforce the District’s regulations regarding trash and recycling to mitigate the number of rodents in the District. Educational outreach will include mailed notices and hanging tags on doors. The department will be conducting a three week monitoring period after which they will start writing tickets at $150 per violation.
Kelty encouraged residents to get a jump start on collecting their cans and be mindful of the condition of their personal trash containers.
“I would encourage you all to bring your cans on your property when it’s not trash day,” Kelty said.
“If your can is damaged, you can contact DPW or make a request through the 311 service to have the can either repaired or replaced.”
Chair Karen Wirt (6C02) commented that she had been ned several years ago during a former similar crackdown by District o cials.
Commissioner Mark Eckenwiler (6C04) added that there are plans for a multi-agency walk through ANC 6C in late November, noting that “there is going to be some e ort to address the particular problem” of rodent infestation. The agencies involved include the Department of Health, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) and DPW.
Representative from Mendelson’s Office
Declan Falls, a representative from DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson’s o ce, spoke about the Chairman’s work in the council and upcoming hearings with a focus on education. The Chairman plans to hold a hearing on Nov. 30 regarding chronic absenteeism and truancy in schools.
Falls was asked about the Chairman’s previously proposed legislation on the gray market cannabis businesses by Commissioners. Falls said he believes that the Chairman is “still supportive of reeling them in” but did not know of any plans to move forward on the legislation proposed.
“That’s too bad,” Kelty said. “We could really use some help. We have over 16 weed shops in a one mile stretch of H Street right now. I’m not necessarily opposed to cannabis, but that’s too many in one spot in the neighborhood and commercial zone.”
Eckenwiler referred Falls to the ANC’s previous testimony when the legislation was rst proposed which detailed the nature of the ANC concerns.
The Commission Voted Unanimously to Adopt:
• the ANC 6C Transportation and NEW MILLENNIUM
