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Thursday, May 10 General Meeting Information

U Street Neighborhood Association will have its general meeting on May 10, 2012 at the Third District Pollce Station community room at 7 pm.  DDOT will give updates on the U Street streetscape.  The office of Planning will be providing an overview of the PUD process.  JBG will be providing updates and describe the variances they are requesting for the project at Florida/8th Street.  Hiba Abdallah will be presenting on a facility planned to be built at 9th/S St NW for individuals aging out of the foster care system.  Also Zahir Rahimi (owner of Mila 2015 14th St) will describe his desire to change this clothing store to a restaurant.  We will also be discussing the U Street Neighborhood Harrison Recreation Center film series starting in May.

 

 Click here to see the agenda.

 

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2010 - January General Meeting - Minutes

On Thursday, January 14, 2010, the U Street Neighborhood Association held its first regular meeting of 2010 at Source, 1835 14th Street, NW.  Topics included Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham’s presentation on proposed parking legislation, and a presentation by MASA 14 on proposed additions to current building at 1825 14th Street, NW.
Read more for the complete meeting minutes.
January 2010 · Regular Meeting - Agenda
Thursday, 14 January 2010 · 7 PM
Source • 1835 14th Street, NW 
www.ustreet-dc.org
Welcome and Introductions
  • Christine welcomed attendees to the meeting.
  • The following officers were appointed by a vote of acclaimation at the December meeting
    • President: Christine Szathmary
    • Vice President: Jon Kardon
    • Secretary: Brian Card
    • Treasurer: Sharon Dreyfuss
  • Christine announced current committee chair vacancies – Public Safety; Friends of Harrison Recreation Center; Business Development; and Membership. 
  • Christine also announced there was a orange hat patrol focused on Wallach Street and Whitelaw Market tonight at 8:00 following the meeting.  
Committee Business Reports and Discussion
  • Brian reported that overall crime is down based on comparison from previous year as well as comparison to previous month.  Robbery is the only crime that has increased, and seems to be spread across days of the week, and times of the week.
  • Commander Kucik has been replaced with Commander Kishter.
  • Specific incidents of concern included a robbery of Whitelaw Market in the daytime, as well as a crash caused by youth who stole a car, running a light and crashing into another car at 13th & T Monday, January 11th.
  • Yearly Stats for PSA 305 are as follows – Total Violent Crime 19 past month/217 past year – which includes Homicides (0 past month/2 past year); Sexual Assaults (0 past month/2 past year); Robbery (15 past month/167 past year); Assault with a deadly weapon (4 past month/46 past year).  Stats for Property Crime are 38 past month – which includes Burglaries (2 past month/54 past year); Theft other (13 past month/277 past year); Stolen Auto (3 past month/123 past year); and Arson (0 for full year). 
Total balance as of January 1st, 2010 is $16,843.33 of which $1,744.42 is earmarked ($1,744.39 developer’s showcase; $10.03 Vermont Ave. project; and $20 Harrison Rec.)  
  • Question was raised about notice of dues being required.  Should have been indicated in email invitation to yearly party.  Next email should indicate.
  • There is a need to reconcile current list of members. 
  • No update.  DPR still in state of flux.  Interim director has not been nominated as permanent director.   
  • Christine reported for Cheryl Cort who was unable to attend.
  • Cheryl suggested in email to Christine that we support extending 15th street lane to florida avenue (Cheryl suggested that we send letter to Graham in support of this).   Statement was made that this is a study that will end in March.   Brian made a motion that the U Street Neighborhood Association write a letter to Graham “to support extended contra flow bike lane up to W St./Florida Ave.; expressing desire for better implementation of protected bike lanes for 15th street; and extending length of pilot study beyond march.  Ask to study impact on safety of north bound bike lane @ intersection of Florida/15th/w.”.  Motion passed.    
  • Metro FY 2010 budget deficit – Cheryl suggested that the association should weight in on fare increase/service cuts issues.  Proposed cuts include – 30 minutes between trains, less trains, reduced service of buses. 
  • Cheryl also suggested that we ask for multi unit meters, and request matched hours of enforcement with RPP hours. 
  • 3 applications going to the DC Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) – 2027 11th – rear/roof addition to 3 story unit; 1825 14th conceptual partial second story; and 1011-1013 T & 1900 Vermont – wants new construction 3 story with basement.   Any comments can be mailed to Sheryl.  Board meeting will be on 28th of January.  
  • No news or updates to share on the status of the JBG on hotel project @ 13/U Street. 
  • Representatives for Sula, Inc t/a Masa 14  presented the proposed second story addition presentation for 1825 14th St (Bree - architect; Letif – representative for partners of Masa 14th).  This is for a partial second floor addition and a roof deck.  Roof deck set back 17-19 feet from front; second story building set back 45 feet from front façade.  Space between would be open patio.  Bree stated that the setback prevents the roof deck from being seen from across 14th street on sidewalk.  Bree said that the front portion (18th feet) will be a green roof.  Bree stated that there will be no need for exceptions/variances for building codes.  Statement was that the roof top was a beer garden a 100 years ago, and that they want to restore this to a similar type of function/ambience.   They are asking for full hours.  This will be restaurant and a small bar (2am week; 3 am weekends closing).  Concern expressed about noise going across 14th St to Swann St.   They stated that they will serve dinner until 1 am/2 am week/weekends.   Roof will be bound by second story on the left side; but no second story on the right side.   Seating – in open portion of patio – approximately 60 plus; 20-30 folks on the inside.  Claims that there will be a four foot high wall at the edge of patio closest to street, which some attendees suggested should be higher.  Concern expressed about increased need for trash pickup.   Jan 28th going before historic review board.   They claimed that there will be no outdoor music.  Motion was made to “Move to accept the conceptual façade as presented tonight” – Brian; Jean seconded.  Vote was positive for this.  ABRA is on ANC February agenda. 
  • MASA 14th discussed expansion of license to accommodate 2nd floor addition (interior & patio).  See discussion noted in Historic Preservation also.  They have already applied for the license (restaurant license – expansion of CR).   ABC hearing is March 1st.  MASA 14 opened Oct 12th.  Noise issue was raised by several attendees.   Question was raised on limiting the outside hours on the deck, they were not ready to address this, but will bring it to the partners attention.   Discussion was raised about incorporating the outdoor portion being closed at earlier through a voluntary agreement. 
  • Preliminary planning committee occurred in November – 15 folks attended.  Looking at January 27th at 6:30 to have another meeting at Thurgood Marshall Center (4th Wednesday of month).  Goal is to make sure that folks are made aware of incentives/programs for green efforts.   Mentioned Bethesda Green as an organization as a model of what he would like to organize for this effort.
Community Presentations
Councilmember Jim Graham provided a briefing on his proposed parking legislation and also addressed general questions.
  • Councilmember Graham - discussed efforts for a residential parking legislation based on efforts done for Columbia Heights, Mt Pleasant, Ward 3, and Ward 4.
  • Legislation would create one side of the street which is limited to residential parking permits (RPP) at all times.  The other side would be the hourly parking.  RPPs can be obtained for $15 currently.
  • This would include a provision in which every household could obtain a visitor’s pass allowing visitors (nanny’s, caretakers, contractors, etc.) to park in the RPP side of the street.
  • Consideration at this time would allow ANC to vote on adoption of this (example all of ANC 1B could adopt).
  • There are issues such as boundary streets in which one side is a different Ward than the other side such as S Street.
  • Concern was expressed about the visitor passes creating increased competition for parking.
  • Councilmember Graham stated that there would be increased ROSA (Registration of Out-of-State Automobiles) enforcement.  Graham also stated that there has been increased late night enforcement.
  • Saturday enforcement on meters on U Street is supposed to start this weekend. Graham also stated that Multi-space meters are planned to come into U Street.
  • Question was raised about creation of municipal parking creation, to which Graham responded that there is a municipal parking garage that holds 1000 cars in Columbia Heights. He also stated Reeves Center has been showing increased usage, there are a lot of city trucks parked there that can be moved elsewhere freeing up more space.
  • Questions about metro reductions were also raised.  Councilmember Graham when asked about the East U St Metro closing – said he doesn’t expect it to occur.  Asked about metro closing hours being moved back, stated that he doesn’t believe it will occur.  Graham encouraged folks to attend the Jan. 27th metro public hearing @ 5:30 at metro Headquarters at 600 5th St.  If you want to testify call/email Graham to get on the list.  Graham also discussed the resignation of John Catoe/Metro head. 

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