Cleveland Park Giant Update

Stop and Shop aka Giant Food, has updated the website for the plans at the fabled store at Newark Street.

After fits and starts dating back to 1998, the project seems to be moving forward to moderinize and upgrade the two-block section of Wisconsin Avenue controlled by the corporation. In response to the December 11, 2006neighborhood meeting, the official website has been updated to include context, renderings, plans, and interior amenities.

What strikes me about this is how Newark Street would become a little "town centre", with additional green space, traffic calming, and most importantly sheer walkability.

Parking Legislation offered by Cheh

According to the Washington Times, Council Members Cheh and Brown introduced legislation reserving space on residential streets for members of the DCFD. The bill provides up to 60 feet of curbside parking near fire stations for use by personal while on duty.

The article inferred that the bill may be expanded to include DCPS teachers with respect to schools.

ANC 3E Commissioner Amy McVey was quoted as supportive of this bill.

ANC 3C Meeting 1/22

Monday, Jan. 22, ANC 3C meeting. Meeting begins at 7:30PM at the 2nd District
Police Station Community Room.

Introduction of Dee Smith, Constituent Services Coordinator, Office of Councilmember Mary Cheh

Consent Calendar: Public Space application filed by the British Embassy to erect a new service entrance off of Observatory Circle and new gatehouse and expanded mail facility with a portion of the gatehouse located in public space

Other Business:

Election of 2007 ANC 3C Officers

Consideration of Washington International School’s Special Exception application to increase enrollment by 25 students bringing total enrollment to 450 students, and increasing faculty and staff by 8 persons

Consideration of an application for a new liquor license and entertainment endorsement at Divino Lounge Restaurant, 3407 Connecticut Ave., NW; license would allow alcoholic beverage sale, service, and consumption from 11:30AM-2AM,
Sunday through Thursday, and until 3AM on Friday and Saturday; entertainment endorsement would allow background music with occasional DJ and tango lessons from 6PM-2AM, Sunday through Thursday, and until 3AM on Friday and Saturday Consideration of a resolution urging the Zoning Administrator to respond to a January 2005 ANC 3C request for an opinion on whether a proposed building at 3714 Massachusetts Ave., NW, owned by Soka Gakkai International, can be
permitted as a matter of right or whether it should be subject to a special exception process which would require that any prematurely issued permits be rescinded;

Consideration of a resolution that would require full disclosure of the extent of a building project, including a list of needed permits and all design plans, at the time that the first permit associated with the project is filed with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Approval of the 2007 ANC 3C committee chairmanships and 2007 meeting
calendar.

ANC 3 F Meeting

ANC 3F will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 17, 2007, at the
Capital Memorial Church, 3150 Chesapeake Street, N.W. Agenda items will
include:

Election of ANC officers for 2007.
Consideration of an application to the Board of Zoning Adjustment to
subdivide the lot at 3546 Alton Place, N.W., so as to create two lots,
one of which will not meet the minimum area and width requirements under
the zoning regulations.
Consideration of a public space application for a new driveway and
driveway cut at 4618 - 38th Street, N.W.
Report on plans to rebuild the Wilson Pool and consideration of a request
for a determination on zoning requirements for parking.
Consideration of a request to reinstall residential permit parking signs
on the south side of the 2900 block of Upton Street, N.W.

DC Mud on the 5220 Wisconsin Ave project

The DC Real Estate blog DC Mud posted notice today of the release of images and details on the Akridge 5220 Wisconsin Avenue project. For more details, please visit their site.

Washington Post covers the BCC Rescue Squad

Katherine Shaver notes that the 70 year relationship between the all-volunteer sqaud started when the squad was based in Ward 3, and continued until it was codified by Montgomery County law in 2005 and continues to this day.

The squad began with one ambulance in a Northwest garage in 1937 and continued to serve that area even after moving to Bethesda in the 1950s. A formal memorandum of understanding between the squad and the District's fire and EMS department was codified into Montgomery law in 2005.

Complaints from DC residents outside the traditional service area as well as certain Montgomery County residents do not demonstrate the understanding and cooperation between the service and its historic roots.

Indeed, the squad takes in more money by percentage from DC residents than it provides in service calls, according to the article.

Perhaps if the Tenley fire house hadn't taken years to renovate and there wasn't evidence of mismanagement and mishandling of cases on the part of DC EMS this wouldn't be an issue.

However, with the additional development and population goals slated for the Friendship Heights-Tenley corridor, if more emergency services aren't dedicated to the area, the residents of Ward 3 will depend more on the BCC Rescuse Squad.

There should probably be more interjurisidctional coorperation such as the BCC Rescue Squad provides to DC residents.

Goulet receives Council Appointment

Ward 3 resident and former Council Candidate Eric Goulet has received an appointment from Chair Vincent Grey to be the Budget Director for the Council. Goulet served as the Clerk of the Finance and Revenue Committee under Ward 3 Councilman Jack Evans.

Dogs terrorize Cleveland Park

As reported on the Cleveland Park Listserv,

Two dogs just wandered through my yard - coming up from Macomb through our yard on Newark Street and now Highland. One doesn't have a collar but both look lost and wandering. One is a caramel colored boxer looking dog - not too big - maybe 60 pounds. The other is a black and white husky, that looks well rounded and maybe a bit on the older side.

The one canine was described as "light brown, short haired, somewhat muscular dog. A medium sized dog. It had a round rather than sharp face. The dog looked well fed..."

The dogs are accused of mauling and or killing several cats in the neighborhood.

According to 2nd District MPD Commander Andy Solberg, "be warned that if they have attacked and killed cats they are
likely not to be afraid to attack again. We encourage all residents to get to safety as a matter of first priority, and call 911 or 311 to report these dogs".

Update:
From the Cleveland Park Listserv:
Animal Control has caught the brown dog - a pit bull/boxer mix. It was not a stray. He got away from his owner in Rock Creek Park. The owner has been informed that the dog killed two cats and the Department of Health is investigating. They have not had any reports of sightings of a loose husky, so they think that he probably went home.

If anyone had a good look at the brown dog or saw it during one of the attacks, Animal Control would appreciate your coming down there to identify it.

MLK celebration to take place at UDC

The Mayor’s D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission 22nd Annual King Holiday Celebration

Monday January 15, 2007
3:00 p.m. Public Reception
4:00 p.m. Program
5:30 p.m. Post-program reception

The University of the District of Columbia
4200 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Main Auditorium
Building 46

Sam of Sam's Park and Shop passes away

According to reports, Sam Gorlitz , co-founder of Rockville based Federal Reality Investment Trust passed away recently at the age of 89 . The company named the renovated Park and Shop development in the heart of the Cleveland Park Historic District after Gorlitz, who was credited with starting one of the nation's earliest real estate investment trusts devoted to retail assets.

According to the Washington Business Journal:

Federal Realty began in D.C. in 1962 with three metro-area properties including Congressional Plaza in Rockville. Today, the company has 18.6 million square feet in a portfolio that sketches across the country.

"By founding Federal Realty, one of the industry's first retail REITs 45 years ago, [Sam Gorlitz] earned a deserved reputation as a visionary," says President and CEO Don Wood. "Federal Realty continues to adhere to many of the operating principles that Sam and other members of the Federal Realty management team established over 40 years ago. He has left a strong imprint on the company and the community and today we consider ourselves stewards of his legacy."

Library Chief coming to Cleveland Park 1/13

The Friends of the Cleveland Park Library, the Cleveland Park Citizens Association, and the Cleveland Park Historical Society invite you to meet Ginnie Cooper, Chief Librarian of the D.C. Public Library System, on Saturday, January 13 at 10:15 a.m. at the Cleveland Park Library (street level auditorium), 3310 Connecticut Avenue NW at Macomb Street.

Come and find out what's ahead for the D.C. Public Library system - renovate MLK or build a new main library on the old convention center site? When will the Tenley-Friendship, Anacostia, Benning, and Watha T. Daniel/Shaw permanent branches (NOT interim branches) be opened? And when will ALL branches be refurbished, modernized, and upgraded?

We urge you to read the Mayor's Task Force report, "A Capital Library for a Capital City: A Blueprint for Change," on the D.C. Public Library's website at http://dclibrary.org/capcon/index.html Bring your questions - express your views!

Interim Tenley Library is open!

4200 Wisconsin Ave.

Hours of operation:

Monday: 9:30 am to 9:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am to 9:00 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Friday: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Tortilla Soup at Cactus Cantina at the City Paper

Interesting review of a standard from the neighborhood!

Mark Plotkin on the swearing-in

On another matter which I think deserves mention and reaction, Ward 3 Councilmember, Mary Cheh has asked Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg to swear her in at the cerimonial swearing in on Wednesday morning at the DC Convention Center. It should be noted that Justice Ginsberg was one of the 8 justices in 2000 who in the lawsuit Alexander v Daley voted against the interests of the residents of D.C. by affirming the decision of the 3 judge panel which threw out D.C.'s case for full voting rights in the U.S. congress. Justice John Paul Stevens (Gerald Ford's only Supreme Court appointment) dissented from the majority decision and noted that he wanted to "set case for oral argument." That is in english, Ginsberg, a DC resident, not only voted against D.C. but would not even give the city a hearing. Cheh, a law professor, who I spoke with on Monday, takes great umbrage at this question and says that I am "over-reaching and really grasping and that all of this {questioning} is pretty offensive."
I think it's pretty offensive that elected officials continue to honor and reward those who go out of their way to diminish D.C. and not grant the same rights of citizenship that every other American takes for granted. I would like your reaction to this. Why must we continue this Stockholm Syndrome ( falling in love with our captors).

Mary Cheh takes office

According to the Washington Post, in a private ceremony this morning, Adrian Fenty, Mary Cheh and others officially took their oaths of office:

Gray --who replaced outgoing council chair Linda W. Cropp (D) -- was sworn in next, with his daughter standing next to him. Three new council members, Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), Harry Thomas Jr. (D-Ward 5) and Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6), also took the oath of office, as did returning incumbent council members David A. Catania (I-At Large), Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) and Phil Mendelson (D-At Large).

Within 10 minutes, the ceremony was over and the new D.C. leadership posed for pictures and retired to the judge's chambers to sign official documents.

Marc Fisher 12-31-06

Where I live in upper Northwest, I hear plenty of complaints that transcend neighborhood boundaries: Why do so many police officers stay sealed up in their vehicles? How long will the shame of the city's ambulance service frighten residents and visitors alike? How can it be that our local high school, Wilson, is considered one of the city's best, yet graduated only 53 percent of its seniors last spring?

But I'm also looking to you to take care of some smaller things: The half-done road project near my house is virtually dormant. Preservation zealots have joined with NIMBY activists to prevent needed development along Wisconsin Avenue. And the branch library has been shut down for two years.

D.C. residents tend to believe that their own corner of town is neglected while others get all the attention. If you can get us to see that we're all pretty equally ill-served, that would be a great service, and a promising first leg of your marathon run.

A farewell from the office of Kathy Patterson

As we close the doors of our office today, Ward 3 Councilmember Kathy Patterson and her staff would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year. We would all like to say how much we have enjoyed working with so many of you. The mountains of paper that we have cleared out of our office in recent days reminds us of the many issues that have arisen over the years. We want to thank you all for the input you have given us, and for all of the good times we have had together. It has been such a pleasure to know so many of the residents of Ward 3.

Penny Pagano
Chief of Staff for Councilmember Kathy Patterson

President Ford makes a final visit to Ward 3

Emergency No Parking signs will be posted tonight on certain streets surrounding the National Cathedral in preparation of funeral services for President Gerald Ford. The signs will restrict parking on January 2, 2006 from 6am until 3pm. Any vehicle parked in violation of the Emergency No Parking signs will be towed. Please alert your neighbors. Thanks.

Kelvin M. Cusick
Lieutenant, PSA 204

Council Committee Assignments

Council Chair elect Vince Gray has announced the Committee assignments for the upcoming term. Ward 3 Council Person elect Mary Cheh has received Public Services and Consumer Affairs.

The mission of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs is to protect the health, safety, economic interests, and quality of life of residents, businesses, and visitors in the District of Columbia by issuing licenses and permits, conducting inspections, enforcing building, housing, and safety codes, regulating land use and development, and providing consumer education and advocacy services.

The other assignments are as follows:

Jim Graham (1) - The Committee on Public Works, which now includes the Alcohol Beverage Control Board, as well as the Metro budget. Graham has also been re-appointed to the Metro Board.
Carol Schwartz (at-large) - Committee on Government Operations.
David Catania (at-large) - Retains the Committee on Health.
Jack Evans (2) - Retains Committee on Finance and Revenue
Phil Mendelson (at-large) - Retains Judiciary Committee, which will oversee the confirmation of the new fire and police chiefs.
Marion Barry (8) - Committee on Housing.
Kwame Brown (at-large) - Committee on Economic Development.
Tommy Wells (6) will get the Committee on Human Services.
Harry Thomas Jr.(5) will get the Committee on Library, Parks and Recreation.

What is ANC 3G doing?

A recent posting to the Chevy Chase Listserv notes the minutes from the December 11th ANC 3G meeting noted an update on a traffic signal currently being installed at the intersection of Morrison Street and Connecticut Avenue:

Commissioner Buchholz, having reviewed all of the Commission’s files for the last several years on the subject, raised for discussion once again the issue of the new traffic light being planned for the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Morrison Street... Commissioner Buchholz stated that in his view, not only would this be a very confusing type of light for both motorists and pedestrians alike, but also that this type of light is not what the Commission had sought and requested for this intersection over three years ago. He supported the latter point with a statement from the record that detailed the Commission’s agreed-upon position concerning this traffic signal dating from 2003. He said, in part, that in a letter dated June 24, 2003, the Commission strongly recommended “that DDOT study the feasibility of installing traffic lights..” at this intersection (and Northampton Street as well) and that as the Commissioner who drafted that 2003 letter for the Commission, he clearly meant a normal three-light traffic signal where red means “stop” and green means “go”. He said the Commission intended that the light allow traffic to flow in an alternating pattern, with pedestrians being able to cross the street at intervals..

A subesequent note on the listserv took exception with this view.

Indeed, a further search of the archives revealed the actual resolution that was passed on this matter. After the recitals, the resolution clearly stipulates:

NOW THEREFORE, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3/4G hereby resolves to express its demand for the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Morrison Street at the earliest possible date, in compliance with the 2003 DDOT study report recommendation.

The Commission further requests that DDOT evaluate and report back to the ANC as early as possible regarding the various configurations and options regarding the stoplight that it is considering for this intersection, including but not limited to the following: blinking lights, a pedestrian-activated light, left turn restrictions in both directions on Connecticut Avenue, installation of speed humps or similar measures on Morrison Street and Livingston Street, curb extensions, and so forth. The DDOT report should describe the extent to which each potential configuration or option will first, help to ensure public safety and secondly, will minimize the impact to Morrison Street, including the volume of traffic on that street and neighboring streets.

I am not sure if there are issues with the Commissioners memories, or if Commissioner Buckholz's research skills are lacking, but it is clear that the ANC passed a resolution in 2005 and DDOT afforded the resolution with the "great weight" mandated under the DC Home Rule Charter, arriving at the solution which is being implemented. So the question lies, what is the ANC doing by entering this erroneous reading into the record?

Perhaps this is why many city agencies and residents simply ignore the ANC process, because the Commissioners continue to try to act in their own unstated self-interests and the Commissions as their own fifedoms?