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November 2009 · U Street Neighborhood Association

General Membership Meeting Minutes

Thursday, 12 November 2009 · 7:00 - 8:30 PM

Source - 1835 14th Street, NW

www.ustreet-dc.org

Welcome and Introductions 

      Election of CSNA Officers will be held at the December Holiday Party.  Nominated officers include: President - Christine Szathmary; Vice President: Jon Kardon; Secretary: Brian Card; Treasurer: Sharon Dreyfuss

      The Holiday Party will be held on Thursday, December 10 at Town at 7 pm.

      The U Street Neighborhood Association voted unanimously to approve up to $350 to be spent on the holiday party 

Committee Reports and Discussion 

      At the 11/3 PSA meeting, several officers were present.  They announced that there would be more of a focus on “hot topics” at the PSA meetings.

      MPD advised at the PSA meeting that there is a program where people can register their vehicle to have a bumper sticker identifying their car as one that is not used between 1 and 4 am, and that if the car is seen by the police being used during these times, the car could be pulled over by the police under suspicion of car theft.

      There was recently a shooting at 8th and S Streets that was associated with gang violence at the Lincoln / Westmoreland projects.

      There have been drinking and heroin incidents at 7th and Wiltberger

      ABRA has $1 Million in its budget to match business contributions to reimbursable detail 

      There is a total of $16,831.40 in the U Street Neighborhood Association account.  $15,056.98 is available for general use, $1,744.39 is available for future Dog Days events, $10.03 is available for the Vermont Ave median planting, and $20 is available for Friends of Harrison Rec Center. 

      No update provided 

      Project at Vermont and T, NW; Mr. Derek Huetinck

        Plans were presented for 3 duplex townhouses to be developed as 6 condominiums and 6 parking spaces on what are currently vacant lots at T and Vermont.  The development is on 3 out of 7 of the vacant lots, the remaining 4 will likely be developed by another owner.  The project is by-right and does not require variances or waivers.  The architect is Lessard Group, which has experience with infill projects including Harrison Square that blend well with the historic character of neighborhoods. The façade design includes natural brick, bay fronts, painted cornices, turrets, and Flemish bond band elements.  The rear material is hardy siding (not vinyl siding).  There is one front door for every two units to make the buildings look like single family rowhouses.  Green elements of the design include EnergyStar appliances, below ground stormwater retention, and possibly low VOC materials and permeable pavers. 

      Brixton Pub, 901 U Street, NW; Ian Hilton and FormDesign

        Plans were presented for the design of the Brixton Pub, planned as a British Pub that would occupy what is currently a vacant building at the corner of 9th and U Streets.  The historic uses of the building include a laundry facility, driving school, liquor store, and it has been vacant for the last 20 years.  The design intends to have a prominent corner with a wood storefront.  The top half of the formstone façade would be left installed and repainted, as it cannot be removed due to structural risks.  The windows would all be replaced.  There would be a roof deck.  The occupancy would be planned for 83 seated occupants on the first floor, 102 seated on the second floor, and 102 seated on the roof deck.  The owners have met several times with HPRB to review the plans, and HPRB has been supportive.  An HPRB hearing is scheduled in December.

        The U Street Neighborhood Association voted unanimously in general support of the design as presented, and encouraged the applicant to emphasize the corner, potentially through enhancing the crown.  In addition, the U Street Neighborhood Association welcomes the painting of a sample of the formstone and the exploration of other feasible façade options. 

      There is an exploratory committee for “Midcity Green,” which would advise businesses and residents about green initiatives and incentives that are available.

      Thanks to Jeffrey Willis for organizing the Vermont Ave. planting. 

      Changes to the 15th Street bicycle lane have been implemented.  There continue to be complaints about not having a protected northbound bike lane. 

        The U Street Neighborhood Association voted unanimously to support an amended voluntary agreement for Town Nightclub.  The U Street Neighborhood Association also voted unanimously for Town to be open until 3 am on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, beginning in 2010.

        Significant changes to the voluntary agreement include:

          Open until 3 am on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which has already been approved by ANC1B

          Exit to be changed to be near U Street and not at the parking lot, in an effort to reduce noise

          Smoking area to be changed to the rear of the building, not at the parking lot, in an effort to reduce noise

          Parking amount to be reduced from 50 to 45 vehicles

          Added “performance space” to the nature of business

          Now open on Sundays from noon to midnight - Town is closed on Sundays under the existing voluntary agreement 
           

      There is uncertainty in who will be the next director of the Department of Parks and Recreation

      The U Street Neighborhood Association voted unanimously to issue a letter to DDOT to request that additional street trees be planted on the south side of the 1300 Block of V Street, in front o f the Harrison Recreation Center. 

      No update provided 
       

                           Questions, Comments, Concerns
 
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