support contingent on approval of the neighbors. • Seven text amendments – ZC #08-06-1, -2, -3, -4, -16, 16A, and -20 – were adopted in two votes with no discussion. Information is on the Zoning Commission’s website concerning Comprehensive Zoning Regulations Rewrite. The Alcohol Beverage Committee recommended, and the full commission approved, support for a new liquor license for Lola’s (ABRA-079676), 711 Eighth St. SE. One neighbor asked about noise relating to a possible outdoor cafe and was told that a public space permit would come before the ANC as a separate matter. In the absence of a representative from the Historic Preservation Office, the ANC tabled a resolution concerning a “Preserve America Community” designation. ANC 6B meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE (the Old Naval Hospital). The next meeting is Oct. 14. ★
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Primal Fitness Asserts Right to Shirtless Exercise
Air Rights and Traffic Study
by Hans Manzke
Due to the efforts of Commissioner Charles Docter, ANC 6C held its September monthly meeting at the News-
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capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 49
capitolstreets ANC reports
eum, a sparkling new building at 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, which bills itself as the “World’s Most Interactive Museum.” The commission met in a spacious eighth floor conference room which afforded views of the National Mall, the Capitol Building and other area landmarks. ANC 6C Chair Karen Wirt and the audience both thanked Docter for his efforts in securing space within the exciting new structure. an attempt to “reconnect the fabric of Pierre L’Enfant’s urban plan.” In response to queries from ANC commissioners, team members noted Anthony Noble as the primary point of contact for the project. Noble can be reached at 202-470-4900. as children attending the nearby Peabody School are directly affected by vehicular traffic and the currently very brief pedestrian crossing times around the area. Phelps and Velasco noted repeated communications difficulties in dealings with DDOT. Taking this into account, the ANC voted to author and submit a protest letter to DDOT with a signature petition to follow.
Gateway Markets and Residences
Commissioner Anne Phelps presented updates on the controversial Gateway Markets and Residences project, located at Fourth Street and Florida Avenue NW. The PUD calls for a 10-story mixed-use development,which differs from the area’s current “manufacturing” zoning designation. Plans for residential, office and retail space are in the works. Phelps managed to secure party status for ANC 6C after extensive negotiations; the ANC was left out of planning discussions despite the fact that the Gateway project directly abuts 6C. Commissioners voted to extend Phelps’ authority as 6C representative to the project. She promised to report back to the ANC at large and community members as soon as updates were available.
Debate Continues over Future of Primal Fitness
Primal Fitness proprietor Mark Toorock again appeared before the ANC at the September meeting in order to address building damage at his 219 M St. NE location. Toorock noted that he recently created a dedicated weightlifting room in the building’s rear in order to accommodate neighbors concerned with the vibrations caused by patrons dropping heavy weights. The area features additional padding and an Olympic weightlifting platform. Toorock noted that weights over 95 pounds must be lifted in the new area in accordance with Primal Fitness policy. Commissioners Keith Silver, Mark Dixon and Lena Brown noted their concern over issues ranging from parking conflicts with neighbors to proper licensing and business procedure. Silver stated that residents in his single member district were concerned with Primal Fitness patrons exercising within the facility without shirts on, noting that “teenage girls are walking by and can see in.” Toorock said that some patrons do indeed exercise with their shirts off but noted that his clients retain that right as does any District citizen, inside a gym or not. Those desirous of more information regarding Primal Fitness’ once-a-week kid’s classes (which take place from 3-4 p.m.) or its involvement with local firefighters and area troops stationed in Iraq, can find it through the gym’s website www. primal-fitness.com. Additionally, Toorock lists his mobile phone number there prominently and welcomes interested parties to contact him with any inquiries.
Licensing News: Wagamama
Representatives from Wagamama, an international chain of “modern noodle bars” with locations in Europe, Australia, and Boston, presented plans to expand to the District. Hours of operation will likely be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, with the future location featuring roughly 140 seats. The ANC unanimously supported a stipulated license for the establishment’s planned site at 418 Seventh St. NW. Other presentations included a voluntary agreement between the ANC and Top Shelf, a self-described bar and lounge, to include tavern operations, as well as a note concerning Layla Lounge’s protest hearing due to concerns over lack of communication with ownership.
Other PZ&E News
Commissioner Ryan Velasco presented a new city-wide proposed height regulation, which governs the measurement of structure height as well as setback from area streets. He requested that the record be kept open on the topicuntil the October ANC meeting, which passed unanimously. Velasco also noted that a proposed city-wide firearms sale regulation has a Sept. 29 hearing date before the DC Zoning Commission. The meeting will be held at the Office of Zoning at 441 Fourth St. NW, Suite 220-S, at 6:30 p.m. Further information can be found within the Office of Zoning’s press release: http://app.dcoz.dc.gov/ content/schedule/ViewFile.aspx?fileId=218&file Name=PHN08-20_09-29-08.pdf. Proposals for a new gasoline station at 1400 Maryland Ave. NE and a request to convert single-family homes at 1238 New Jersey Ave. NW and 1242 New Jersey Ave. NW were both delayed until the Oct. 8 ANC meeting.
Community Announcements: New Ward 6 Planner
Melissa Bird has replaced Jeff Davis as the new Ward 6 Planner within the DC Office of Planning. She encouraged citizens to contact her with any issues at melissa.bird@dc.gov. Bill McCloud, representing the Mount Vernon Triangle Business Improvement District, noted that the new urban-style Safeway at Fifth and L streets NW hosted a grand opening ceremony on Sept. 12. Mayor Fenty was present for the occasion. Rick Bauman presented the DC Bike Event scheduled for Sept. 27. Modeled after rides in New York City, Chicago, Portland and Montreal, the ride had been embroiled in negotiations with the Mayor’s Task Force and came before ANC 6C at a late date. This prompted Docter to put forth a motion to take no position on the event due to a failure to provide information to commissioners. Bauman admitted to not knowing the public process regarding events in DC and agreed to an open and frank line of discussion going forward. The ANC supported the event. ANC 6C regularly meets the second Wednesday of the month, but due to Yom Kippur, the ANC will meet Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Foundation located at 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Call 202-547-7168 or visit www.anc6c.org for more information and meeting agenda. ★
Air Rights over I-395
Representatives from Louis Dreyfus Property Group LLC, attended the September ANC meeting to present development plans for the area directly above Interstate 395, where the interstate runs between Second and Third streets NW. Members of the project’s development team presented the company’s proposal to construct three buildings in the up to 2 million square feet of space up for grabs should the development receive all necessary approvals. The proposed development would include around 150 housing units (a percentage of which will be designated as affordable housing), as well as office space, in
50 ★ HillRag | October 2008
Transportation News – Traffic Study for Stanton Park
6C
Transportation Committee Chair Phelps presented updates on a traffic study conducted by the District Department of Transportation around Stanton Park. ANC commissioners and area residents alike are very concerned about pedestrian safety around the park as motorists commute to and from work. One concerned citizen collected over 130 signatures supporting traffic calming measures. The ANC and citizens both expressed a desire to pursue traffic calming procedures,
St. Peter’s Annual Christmas Bazaar is Back!!
Have lunch and do your holiday shopping with us
When: Saturday 11/22/08 • 9 am – 5 pm Sunday 11/23/08 • 10 am – 1 pm Where: St. Peter’s Parish Hall 2nd & C Streets, SE, Washington, DC 20003 Shop a wide variety of items including clothing for the whole family, children’s items, books, videos, DVDs, CDs, house wares, furniture, jewelry, holiday gifts, baked goods and much more.
Donations will be accepted at St. Peter’s Parish Hall Sunday 11/16/08 from 2-5 pm and evenings Monday 11/17/08 – Thursday 11/20/08 from 6-8 pm
For further information call Lynn Boyle 202.543.3230
NOTICE
Blackman/Jones Class Action Litigation
YOU OR YOUR FAMILY MEMBER MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A FREE NEW COMPUTER OR OTHER AWARD IF:
• You or your family member requested or received special education
services at a District of Columbia public school, including DCPS schools or charter schools, or attended a private school paid for by the District of Columbia between January 1, 1995 and March 1, 2008.
AND
• You or your family member experienced delays receiving special
education services because
(1) you or your family member did not receive a timely due process hearing OR decision;
OR
(2) the school failed to fully and timely implement a due process hearing or settlement agreement. If the statements above apply to you or a family member, you or that family member may be a Blackman/Jones Class Member. To determine eligibility or for further information, call the Blackman/Jones Compensatory Education Award Call Center at 202.347.7616, or visit www.turningthepage.org/?p=2. Individuals who became class members before March 1, 2008 must act by February 19, 2009 or they will waive their right to a Blackman/Jones Compensatory Education Award.
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