Cleveland Park Service Road Survey

A Cleveland Park resident took it upon himself to establish a survey regarding the Service Road between Macomb and Ordway Streets at Connecticut Avenue in the Cleveland Park commercial district. Here are the results:


500 opinions are registered! 60% of these were residents of Cleveland Park. A few highlights from the data:



A majority of our community would like to see the service lane changed. 56% of Cleveland Park residents, and 55% of the sample overall, are looking for something other than the status quo when it comes to the CP service lane.


Among people who support the status quo, the Flex Space was their preferred second choice by a wide margin.


Among those supporting a full restoration of the sidewalk, a partial extension was, by far, their second choice.


- Keep Service Lane (Option 1) 44%

- Restore Sidewalk (Option 4) 30%

- Partial Sidewalk Extension (Option 3) 15%

- Flex Space (Option 2) 10%



There were very significant demographic difference on this issue within the community, primarily on age. Among CP residents 18-44, 77% want to see something done with the service lane. Among CP residents 45+, 60% want to see the service lane remain unchanged.


Similarly, there were big differences by the type of housing one has. Two-thirds (67%) of those living in a multi-unit building want the service lane changed. 56% of those living in single family houses would like to keep the status quo.


This sample has 52% of CP respondents living in multi-unit buildings. This is not even close to being representative of the neighborhood. There are approximately 1100 houses in CP compared to 1900 condo units. That doesn’t count apartments. Just provide some perspective, Quebec House alone has nearly 900 units. Newark St, from Connecticut Ave to Wisconsin, has 82 homes.



87% of CP residents walk to the CP strip, and 47% drive (yes, many do both). When asked their primary mode of transportation to the businesses on the CP strip, 70% of CP residents said they primarily walk, while 26% said they primarily drive.


70% of those who primarily walk to the strip would like to see the service lane changed. 86% of those who primarily drive to the strip would not like to see the service lane changed.


The raw results can be found at a public dropbox.

ANC 3E to Take up More Bike Sharrows in the Ward

On the heels of the recent decision by ANC 3D to support bike facilities on New Mexico Avenue, ANC 3E will weigh a DDOT proposal to install sharrows (the stenciled biker logos on the street) within its boundaries on 41st Street from Western to Tenleytown and on Jenifer Street from Western to Nebraska Avenue. There is a small segment of the 41st Street proposal which lies in the ANC 3G boundary.

There has been a little discussion on the Chevy Chase Listserv, with a primary concern around the traffic diverter at 43rd Street and Jenifer:

I am concerned about the proposed change in the traffic diverter, which would make an important piece of safety infrastructure less effective and would encourage bicyclists on Jenifer Street to cross through the center of the traffic diverter, when the current practice of using the ramps and curb cuts is safer. A bicyclist cycling through the opening in the traffic diverter will be directed into on-coming traffic, while one using the ramps and curb cuts will be crossing 43rd Street safely alongside the crosswalk.

If this is a true concern, the ANC can work with DDOT to change the configuration of the diverter to make it safe for bicycle and emergency equipment passage while eliminating private vehicle passage.

Detractors also allege the sharrows will be an unsafe solution for cyclists:

... it will direct some cyclists to Jenifer Street, which has very high parking utilization on both sides of the street and has only about a lane and a half of space available for two-way traffic. Most cyclists will not change their route as a result of the new signs and paint, but some cyclists who aren't familiar with the safer routes will be encouraged to choose Jenifer Street over safer and possibly more direct routes in the grid of neighborhood streets. With the high parking utilization and high demand for parking, Jenifer Street has a large number of distracted drivers concentrating on trying to find a parking space, especially on weekends. With the narrow width available for two-way traffic, it is difficult for the cyclist to stay far enough to the right, to allow on-coming traffic to pass easily, and still avoid the door zone. Painting "sharrows" in the road doesn't change the amount of space available for cars and bikes.

This seems to be a false concern. A sharrow is:

a street marking installed at locations in Australia, Canada, and the United States. This marking is placed in the center of a travel lane to indicate that a bicyclist may use the full lane.

The intent is to:

- Assist bicyclists with lateral positioning in a shared lane with on-street parallel parking in order to reduce the chance of a bicyclist’s impacting the open door of a parked vehicle;

- Assist bicyclists with lateral positioning in lanes that are too narrow for a motor vehicle and a bicycle to travel side by side within the same traffic lane;

- Alert motorists of the lateral location bicyclists are likely to occupy within the traveled way;

- Encourage safe passing of bicyclists by motorists; and

- Reduce the incidence of wrong-way bicycling.

Ultimately, there will be more cyclists in the District in the future. Steps taken today to help facilitate safe practices and passages will improve mobility for cars and bikes alike. The implementation of sharrows on quiet residential streets are a good step in the right direction. Interested parties should plan on attending the ANC 3E meeting:

Thursday, August 29, 2013, 7:30pm
Embassy Suites, Chevy Chase Pavilion
4300 Military Road, NW
(On top of the north exit from the Friendship Heights Metro)

Cleveland Park Service Lane Revisited

A Cleveland Park resident has shared a little history surrounding the Cleveland Park service lane. It is time to end this anachronism and restore the commercial strip to its past glory.

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.

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.

DDOT -facepalm-

In 2009, DDOT engaged a consultant to produce a study to improve the streetscape and pedestrian safety in Glover Park. This followed a 2006 study completed by the DC Office of Planning in 2006. Just 6 weeks ago, the plans were finally implemented. However, a few residents in Georgetown and Observatory Circle, DDOT appears to have reversed its position on pedestrian safety and returned Wisconsin Avenue to a configuration that yielded 6 pedestrian-vehicle collisions in the three year period from 2008-2010.

One might be able to understand a politician wanting to cater to his constituents. However, the DC Department of Transportation answers to federal and professional standards. The current and former Mayors have held a progressive view of traffic management, particularly pedestrian safety. Thus, it is very curious that DDOT would make this change so swiftly at the whim of a Councilmember from a different Ward.

Is Mary Cheh complicit in this decision? Where is the Mayor on this issue? How about Pedestrian Safety advocates?

New Capital Bikeshare for Ward 3

DDOT has released the latest round of expansion for the popular Capital Bikeshare program. New stations to be installed by March include:

Connecticut and Nebraska Avenues NW
Connecticut Ave and Albemarle St NW
Wisconsin Ave and Fessenden St NW
Wisconsin Ave and Veazy Street NW

The subsequent round of expansion will feature stations at the following locations:

Wisconsin Ave and Ingomar Street NW
Brandywine St and Wisconsin Ave NW
Connecticut Ave and Porter Street NW
Massachusetts Ave and 48th Street NW

A map of these stations can be found here

Forest Hills and Bike Lanes

The Forest Hills Connection has a description and survey for alterations to Broadbranch Road connecting Beech Drive in Rock Creek Park to Linnean Avenue in Forest Hills/Chevy Chase.

This is a good opportunity to learn more about the proposals and weigh in. There is also an official website with contact information for the consulting engineers.

Rethinking Ward Circle

GreaterGreater Washington has an interesting blog entry that analyzes Ward Circle in its current condition and suggests alternatives.

Dear DDOT, How Did this Happen?

Former ANC Commissioner Chris Fromboluti posted the following on the Chevy Chase Listerv:

Dear ANC Commissioner Henry Griffin:

Recently I returned from a short vacation to find that Kanawha Street had been made one way Eastbound between Connecticut Avenue and 38th Street NW. I have polled a number of neighbors and residents of the affected block and all are annoyed at the change and none had been notified nor informed that this change was in the works.

This new traffic pattern is very inconvenient for all who live in the immediate area. It means that residents can no longer turn onto Kanawha from Connecticut but have to take a roundabout route to get to their destination. This in turn adds traffic to the streets that we now have to detour through. It just doesn't make any sense.

Per my experience as a former Commissioner, any change to street configuration is always vetted with the affected neighborhood to gauge citizen reaction before it is enacted. Were you or the ANC aware of this action? If yes we would appreciate knowing why no-one was notified in advance. If, as I suspect, you knew nothing about this I would appreciate an investigation into this very irregular procedure.


So if this is correct, DDOT, possibly in conjunction or advice and consent of ANC 3/4G Commissioners, has altered the configuration of a street in the grid in upper Northwest to be one-way, causing residents to significantly alter their driving patterns adding unnecessary traffic to adjacent streets. This appears to be without any notice to the community for discussion. To wit, a quick search of the ANC 3/4 G website suggests nary an agenda item or minutes indicating any sort of public notice.

Rumors in the community are that the local Single Member District Commissioner was fully aware and advocating for this change.

Seriously, how does this happen without a peep to the broader community? What happens if or when other residents or ANC Commissioners decide they want significant changes to their streets? What is the process for making a street one-way? Was Councilmember Cheh's office aware of this?

Inquiring minds would like to know.

DDOT Announces Capital Bikeshare Expansion

DDOT has announced the addition of two Bikeshare stations in Ward 3:

3000 Connecticut. NW – National Zoo

Calvert Street and 39th Street, NW (Stoddert Recreation Center)

In addition, DDOT will expand the station at Calvert Street and Woodley Place in Woodley Park.

More on the Cleveland Park Service Lane

The petition for the removal of the service lane in Cleveland Park is drawing attention from The City Paper and GreaterGreaterWashington (see comments).

What are your thoughts?

More on Streetcars

Recent discussion on the Tenleytown Listserv has revisited the idea of a Wisconsin Avenue Streetcar. These exchanges prompted a post on Greater Greater Washington rehashing many of the same arguments, pro and con regarding the streetcar system and the implementation of the system specifically in upper Northwest DC.

Former ANC 3E Commissioner Carolyn Sherman suggests that instead of Wisconsin Avenue, Connecticut Avenue ought to be studied:


Let's revisit for a minute the option of putting the streetcar, if there is to be one, on Connecticut rather than Wisconsin. Remember that from Van Ness on up--and it's a long way to Chevy Chase Circle--residents have no access to Metro, and many fewer buses. That area includes much of Chevy Chase, Forest Hills, and many other neighborhoods. Residents there tend to drive, with the understandable excuse that there's no easy mass transit. Suppose there's a streetcar every few minutes that takes all those workers, etc., straight down Conn to the K St corridor and beyond. Isn't that route just as needed and likely to have heavy usage as the route taking people who live along Wisconsin over to Benning Road? AU and GU have their own bus systems, and DHS will have its own too. Wisconsin is already filled with mass transit options. And consider the fact that if, as one poster says, "a big reason for a Wisconsin Avenue streetcar is to create demand for high density in-fill development along the corridor,"isn't that another reason to go for Connecticut Ave? There's much more room for infill along upper Connecticut. Think of all the possibilities for infill from Chevy Chase Circle on down to Van Ness. There are blocks and blocks of low- and medium-rise buildings. Imagine that whole area mirroring the development along Wisconsin and Western. How vibrant that area could become, with all the revenue for the city coming in.

Why does it need to be a choice? Both streets had streetcar lines in previous eras (see map for post consolidation era layout). Connecticut Avenue was developed by the Chevy Chase Land Company, and the development patterns on that road were created specifically for the Streetcar. Ms. Sherman is correct that connecting downtown to Chevy Chase Circle and beyond by Streetcar is a good idea. However, this should not be done instead of Wisconsin Avenue, but in addition.

Connecting Rosslyn and Georgetown to Tenleytown, Friendship Heights, and extending up to NIH and Rockville was part of a system in the 20th Century. Similarly, connecting downtown to Chevy Chase and Chevy Chase Lake and beyond via Connecticut Avenue is a good idea. There is no reason why these shouldn’t be part of the long term plans for the region.

E6 Line - WMATA Town Hall

From WMATA in consideration of the proposed elimination of the E6 bus line through upper NW Washington, there are a series of Town Halls:



We are tuning in to you to help us make important decisions about Metro's future.

For the first time ever, Metro will host combined Open Houses and Town Hall Meetings prior to its official Public Hearings. Metro staff members will be available at Open Houses for one-on-one conversations about Metro service and programs. Town Hall Meetings will give you an opportunity to talk about the future of the system with Metro leaders, including members of the Metro Board of Directors. During the Public
Hearings, Metro will take formal testimony on the following options under consideration for the FY12 budget:

o Increasing the Metrorail train wait times on weekends

o Eliminating the Metrobus E6, K1 and N8 lines

o Restructuring the Metrobus M4, V7, V8, 70 and 71 lines

o Eliminating the 50¢ discount on certain Anacostia bus routes, resulting in MetroAccess fare increase, and modification of the Anacostia station bus transfer discount program

The Open Houses will be from 5:30-6:00 p.m. followed by the Town Hall Meetings/Q&A from 6:00-6:45 p.m. The Public Hearings will start at 6:45 p.m.

TUESDAY, MAY 17

St. Mary's Armenian Apostolic Church
4125 Fessenden St, NW
Washington, DC
Metrorail stop: Friendship Heights

Valet Parking in Cleveland Park

ANC 3C has announced the pending application for Yanni's replacement Medium Rare to facilitate valet parking. The several responses have objected to the application.

What difference does it make whether it is the customer or a valet parking service parking when the cars are using public space in the neighborhood?

March 14th: Connecticut Avenue Design Charrette

From the DC Office of Planning:

Residents and other stakeholders are invited to participate in the upcoming Design Charrette for open space along Connecticut Avenue from Albemarle to Tilden Street.

When: March 14th, 2011
Where: University of the District of Columbia; 2nd floor of Building 38, Windows
Lounge

Charrette program:
3:30-4:00 Project Presentation
4:00-5:30 1stBreak-out design session
5:30-6:00 Break
6:00-6:30 Presentation of results of first break out design session
6:30-8:00 2ndBreak-out design session
8:00-8:30 Summarize and wrap up

How can you contribute? Come share ideas, design solutions,place-making ideas, mobility suggestions. You can drop in at any time during the charrette/design workshop,or you can actively participate in a full design breakout session or both(they will build on each-other);or just attend the 8pm summary and wrap-up.

This Design Charette is part of the Connecticut Avenue Van Ness-UDC metro Commercial Corridor Enhancement Study process led by the District Office of Planning, funded by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government, and in partnership with the UDC Sustainability Initiative and the UDC School of Architecture.

For more information on this project, please contact:
Andrea Limauro at the DC Office of Planning.
202–4427605
Andrea.limauro@dc.gov
www.planning.dc.gov

DDOT Releases Livability Plan

After 9 months of community input and study, DDOT has released the "Livability" plan for Rock Creek West 2. The study area includes parts of Friendship Heights, Tenleytown, AU Park and Chevy Chase.

In sum, there are some great new features detailed including alterations to Ft. Drive and Nevada Avenue, a HAWK signal at Northampton and Connecticut Avenue, and several miles of "bicycle boulevards".

The study was executed in conjunction with the affected ANCs and Connecticut Avenue Pedestrian Action.

Klingle "Valley" Moving Forward

After years, almost two decades, of discussion, debate, and acrimony across several neighborhoods, it appears that the city is close to a resolution with Klingle Road. Some residents wanted the road to be restored and upgraded from its 1990 condition. Others suggested a bike/hike trail while a third group suggested a compromise.

As suggested, there were several options considered, with a dedicated trail (option C in this link) as the preferred alternative.

Given the technical variables associated with the different options, the proposed solution appears to be a good result.

DDOT Unveils Ward 3 Plans

The final recommendations have been released by DDOT for areas in and around upper northwest. The areas under study include Friendship Heights, Tenleytown, AU Park and Chevy Chase.

Interestingly, many of the improvements feature the addition of more bike sharrows, bike lanes and other facilities to slow the speed of traffic. The addition of bike lanes for Nevada Avenue and Brandywine suggest the need to work with the National Park Service to improve conditions on Broad Branch Road between Linnean and Beech Drive.

DDOT is seeking comments on this report.

DDOT Livability Study Update

DDOT has released (PDF) the feedback collected during the second public meeting of the Rock Creek West 2 livability study.