Martin Moulton, head of the Convention Center Community Association in Shaw had this recap of the recent ANC2C meeting, in which the proposal to convert the Bundy parking lot to a dog park was voted on. Here’s his recap from the Shaw list:
. . . The important and most contentious item on the agenda was the Friends Of Bundy Park “update” on their extensive support for a dog park in ANC2C02. ANC2C04 Commissioner Sule and ANC2C03 Commissioner Brooks dominated and controlled the discussion. ANC2C02 Commissioner Chapple spoke up on behalf of residents in his SMD and the supporters of the dog park and proposed that OPM and Safe Shores should consider some compromise on their plans for use of the vacant lot at Bundy for parking. This item was taken to a vote.
Sule and Brooks voted against a dog park at Bundy. Chapple and Padro voted in favor. There was a second vote related to dog parks which I still don’t completely understand, but maybe one of our ANC’s who has access and still uses this listserv might clarify that vote.
One resident — who lives adjacent two Bundy and owns two properties on the west side of Bundy Athletic fields — brought in official DC Municipal Regulations on parking for schools and other buildings which suggest that a Building like Bundy, should have only 1 parking space for every 600 square feet of floor space. To justify 75 parking spaces at the vacant lot at Bundy, the Bundy School would need to be 45,000 square feet. The resident, who is an architect, noted that the Bundy School could not possibly contain anything close that much floor space.
Even The Editor of the Seventh Streeter (who does not live on one of the blocks adjacent to the Bundy School and who voiced her opinion against a dog park at the Bundy vacant lot) confirmed that ANC2C Chair/Commissioner Brooks was unfair in the way she mishandled the public discussion about Bundy during the meeting.
The Mayor’s office announce at the CCCA meeting Tuesday that in the next few weeks OPM and Safe Shores will announce and hold a public meeting on the land transfer and usage of the vacant lot at Bundy and Safe Shore’s use of the Bundy School.
Commissioner Alex Padro also chimed in on the list serv with his viewpoint:
Commissioner Chapple and I supported seeking a compromise that would allow Safe Shores parking and a dog park or other green space at the current deteriorated parking area between the former Bundy School and P Street, NW.
Seventy-five parking spaces on the site is excessive. Despite the fact that our two colleagues dissented with our approach, we still believe that the best way to move forward is to seek a compromise, which we are willing to help achieve.
Commissioner Sule’s motion was for the Commission to support finding a location for a dog park other than at the Bundy parking lot. Brooks seconded the motion, but made it clear that her support was for there not to be another dog park in Shaw. “Put it up on Georgia Avenue, or put it in Georgetown, anywhere but Shaw” was Brooks’ take. Chapple and I dissented on Sule’s motion.
Bates Area Civic Association 