The Parking Juxataposition in Ward 3

A commenter noted the following on the Tenleytown Listerv:

I thought it would be interesting to juxtapose the following two documents. The
first being a meeting invite (it happened already) for the Ward 3 Democrats that
invites attendees to park on residential streets abutting the Methodist Home.
The second is an email posted regarding a resolution passed by the Ward 3
Democrats decrying that the proposed zoning rewrite and its impact on parking on
residential streets surrounding transit zones. I'll leave it to readers to
determine if there might be something of a contradiction here.

The Ward 3 Dems Message

Dear Ward 3 Democratic Committee Colleagues,

Please join us this Thursday evening for an "AN EVENING WITH THE MAYOR." (See
attached flyer.) This special program will provide an
opportunity for Mayor Vincent Gray to share his thoughts with the Committee on a
variety of topics to be followed by
questions from the audience. Light refreshments will be provided.

We anticipate that the program will begin promptly at 7:30 pm, so please plan to
try to arrive by 7:15 pm if possible. The event will be held at our new meeting
location at "The Methodist Home" at 4901 Connecticut Ave. N.W. (The Methodist
Home is located in the block before you reach Politics and Prose Book Store and
Café on the same side of Connecticut Avenue as the bookstore. There is parking
in the parking lot surrounding the home as well as on Fessenden St. to the left
of the home.)

I look forward to seeing you on Thursday.

All the best,

Shelley Tomkin
Chair, Ward 3 Democratic Committee


Ward 3 Dems Resolution on Parking

Resolution to Encourage Reasonable Zoning Parking Provisions

Whereas:

The By-Laws of the Ward Three Democratic Committee create a basis for Delegates to work together to encourage accountability and good government practices.

Whereas:
The DC Office of Planning's (OP) parking proposals adversely will affect residents, businesses and the vibrancy of this city by eliminating parking requirements for "transit zones", eliminating parking requirements for all new single family homes, eliminating parking requirements for new multi-unit dwellings of less than 10 units, reducing our already low parking requirements for multi-family housing and commercial uses far from transit, and reducing parking requirements for schools.

Whereas:
OP's recommended changes to parking requirements are not supported by data, do not reflect community preferences, and are not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan;

Therefore be it resolved:
The DC Office of Planning should withdraw its proposed parking provisions and develop a new approach to parking requirements that better reflects community needs and Comprehensive Plan mandates for adequate public and private parking.

Not the Steak and Egg????

A dark shadow was cast as a Historic Preservation Office notice flowed to the public regarding a series of raze permits on the 4700 block of Wisconsin Avenue. Not the Steak and Egg!!!! Don't let this quirky 24-hour icon fall to the clutches of development pressue.

Alas, not to worry. According to the Housing Complex the Steak and Egg isn't going anywhere. In fact, it is slated for expansion.

Let's up it doesn't go upscale!

ANC 3 D to discuss New Mexico Avenue Bike Lanes

In its long running interest and control around the American University campus, ANC 3D will once again take up the question of the New Mexico Avenue bike lanes. Previously, 3D objected vigorously to elements of the AU Campus Plan. The long proposed bicycle connection between American University and Glover Park has been at issue for reasons ranging from existing traffic conditions and volume of curb-cuts to pedestrian safety and loading zones.

According to the Current, the last time 3D took this up, then Chair Tom Smith objected:


Commission chair Tom Smith added a further concern: Residents on the east side of New Mexico Avenue backing out of their driveways would need to pass through the bike lane.

This is an important transportation link between the two neighborhoods; the street is more than wide enough to incorporate the design modifications envisioned by DDOT and bicycle advocates.

The meeting will take place on Monday, June 24, 2013, approximately 7:15 PM at the Sutton Towers Community Room, 3101 New Mexico Avenue.