Bates Area Civic Association

Monday, September 8, 2014 – Meeting Minutes

7:05 Meeting Called to Order, Summary of Agenda – Geovani A. Bonilla, President
– (Secretary Review of Last Meeting Minutes – no August meeting)
– (Treasurer’s Report – not here, he’ll update next week)

7:07-7:30 Mixed Use Development on Florida & Q – Maedwell Companies
– have been canvassing community for last 1-2 months to gauge interests and requests (bicycle shop, restaurants, hardware store, office or open kitchen space; they have interest from retailers and commercial proprietors); presented architectural designs
– Proposes 41 units all for rental – some units affordable housing (meaning income $38-$65K or so) and a few market rate; some funding through DC housing finance agency
– Green roof – currently about 22,000 sq ft (studios, 1 and 2 BR)
– What do we want? Nice sports bar, gym/workout area, not fast food but affordable such as under $20 entrees, gallery/reception space, banking, larger coffee shop for working
– Discussion re what is parking and loading plan for commercial space; where would parking for retail be? only 6-8 off street spots, no underground parking planned (because is very expensive and couldn’t charge additional for use of parking spaces in affordable units, most of funding would have to come from city based on available financing)
– Do they have any completed projects in other areas? Yes 1644 N. Capitol in 2013, also condos and residential on Quincy, involved in affordable housing for 30 years, most recently acquired old buildings and refinanced using some manner of financing
– Geo noted keep in mind saturation of “white tablecloth” restaurants, history of loitering

7:30-7:37 MPD – special presentation of certificate of appreciation of neighborhood youths
– Derrell Nixon, Shawn Lattisaw, and Marlon Fields – MaryAnn Wilmer introduced, they took initiative to help victim of crime who had purse stolen, lent their phone and stayed with her until police arrived, also have been helpful in distributing flyers; police presented certificate on behalf of BACA, Geo gave 2 movie passes each as appreciation

7:37-8:10 FLUX – alternative proposal for Florida and Q
– Power point presentation – Ward 5 Developer with regional and national experience, still working on finding architect and master planner
– View project as linking U Street etc with NoMa and Union Market; goals to reinforce neighborhood identity, expand dining options, promote & improve Florida and N. Cap intersection, improve appearances and public safety, attractive affordable housing
– Michael Dove with Forum Theater – has been in various locations around area, focus is plays that are relevant to particular neighborhood, affordability to all income levels, discussions after performances to help improve community, want to have community-based multi-arts cultural space for gathering and art, they like this neighborhood
– Joe Carrol (?) plan to bring together food, arts, and conversation with retail, arts, residential with combo of “sit down” and “sit a spell” restaurants (white tablecloth vs café), he has experience with Busboys, Taylor Gourmet and other retail like Giant and WalMart but here want to have new concept with art together with restaurant etc
– want to include 12 artist lofts as part of 50 total units, 51-100% affordability, focus on transportation other than automobile because general patrons for their types of projects tend to focus on public transportation and urban dwellers
– Email engaged@fluxonflorida.com, also website being developed and will have surveys, will have twitter etc, will be at Bloomingdale and ANC meetings soon
– Questions?
a. Yes, this is first public presentation to neighborhood group.
b. Is there anyone else that currently does this type of proposal well? No one yet, there are other small theaters but they want to do more than just theater.
c. Geo notation re site (and for ANC’s knowledge) that Langston and Slater are problem due to DGS because one is great location for theater and other is meant to be school, need DGS to stop trying to make those be charter school, noted that they already have accessibility and some off-street parking, please consider
d. Joyce Robinson-Paul says Truxton Circle doesn’t have identity problem – she thinks there’s 20 years of identity; Harold Gist noted thanks for coming out early for community engagement to go along with project experience
e. Suggested will be problems with parking and really important to try to address that, doesn’t like Zipcar option because that takes away usually 2 spaces
f. Other resident says not all neighborhood is focused on getting more parking – area is within walking distance of metro, this is transit-oriented area which means less parking, doesn’t want them to focus on more parking but focus on other stuff
g. Developers noted different parking needs at different times of day, lots of ideas
h. Commissioners no questions other than Joyce’s comment – Geo noted there is some confusion for newer residents that aren’t aware of history, need to strengthen identify, more comments on whether is Truxton Circle
i. Proposals are due October 10th, noted elections could have impact
j. Forum Theater next performance is 9/15/14 in Silver Spring – to remix culture, all tickets are “pay what you want”

8:11-8:22 Uncle Chip’s Cookies – Shannon Boyle
– Now serving breakfast during the week – mainly bakery but also do sandwiches and coffee, everything is fresh and baked every day
– applied for liquor license to ABRA for this fall but they’re still on vacation so doesn’t think anyone has seen it – very small because limited seating, 10 indoors and 18 outdoors
– open every day, as customer base expands hours expand, such as now open earlier for breakfast and will open later for drinking, only expect maybe 10pm at latest ever
– Right now lots of teachers, people after work, probably would be mainly after work drinks, not really planning on expanding menu too much since small kitchen
– She went before ANC meeting last August but that was SMD, she wasn’t aware of full ANC meeting needed, Joyce noted she can come to SMD again
– Brunch would be bagel sandwiches, oatmeal, granola, coffee, are getting espresso machine so will have more coffee options, focus on healthy options
– VOTE: any opposition to support of liquor license? 1 opposed – noted we’re expressing preliminary support, pending further details of hours and license application
– Question from resident re why opposition – going away from decision in past to focus on getting away from alcohol with saloons, crime, etc with children and churches in area
– Requested to give copy of application to ANC commissioners to prep for their meetings
– She’s normally in store during open hours so feel free to stop by with questions

8:22-8:31 Kristin Scotchmer – Update on Mundo Verde Charter School
– Opened doors last Tuesday 9/2 with 400 students, inside of building is 95% renovated and will start on outside garden spaces next week and over next few months
– Also starting to build addition in next month which will go through Feb. 2015
– Street work should be complete because did utility work for both buildings, that’s why it took longer than anticipated, there is now new water main for that end of P St
– There will be open house probably on weekend to see building
– Joyce hoping for Spanish classes for neighborhood residents by beginning of next year – they’re looking at that for new school year, have applied for funding to do extension of cooking classes with neighbors and children, they’re community supported agriculture site and so far have only done with students but looking to expanding that to neighbors
– Resident expressed appreciation for school and energy on block, question about school buses – there are 2 shuttle buses for 90 kids, noted from 1st to N. Capitol it seems like buses can’t fit so traffic is backing up, she will look into it; also noted that when buses unload there are lots of people helping and are friendly but they’re taking up entire sidewalk so suggestion to try to get them in straight line so people can use sidewalk, parents are jaywalking across street and is very chaotic so work on kinks
– there won’t be curb cut because not approved by DOT, should be getting signs saying is school area, drop-off time is 8 to 8:30 although some cars still unloading at 8:35
– don’t know for few weeks if won Lysol Healthy School contest, but thanks for votes
– she will try to reach out to Harmony Charter School in Eckington to help get established
– Is there space to be used for community garden? They’re going to look to see how can best be used but it’s a small site so not sure how much they can do that, they have garden coordinator and staff there daily that might help identify good garden site
– Are they going to put playground back? Right now they’re going to NY Ave or Florida parks, they will be putting some play equipment back on site but not a ton
– Please stop by if have any questions

8:32-8:40 ANC Joyce Robinson-Paul
– For first time in 20 years US Senate will be introducing DC statehood bill in December
– Also have had lots of hearings on PEPCO reliability, city is providing $1 billion to help, one last hearing at Public Service Committee, she’s not happy about that funding
– Main street festival, art all night, other activities are being planned
– House at 117 NY Ave is collapsing, getting Washington Post and Mayor’s office involved
– 3rd Tuesday of month will be first ANC meeting since July
– Question re O Street – when is the street between Dunbar and CAPCS/houses going to open? Also are we going to have access to track and when? She is working with principal on track access. Street will be opened very soon, was delayed due to track and field celebration but should be open within next few weeks, noted need to take down old sign saying no entrance during school hours and she will contact them, also noted will probably need traffic control or some sort of oversight with new street for NJ Ave etc.
– Also store on 3rd and P was robbed again thru armed robbery – they know who it is and is group forming on Hanover by people who don’t even live in city, they’re working on it; noted there was pretty clear video of people coming in even with customer there, talk to commander about doing something more to prevent these crimes from occurring

8:40-8:55 ANC Terry Janine Quinn
– Re 2 developer presentations – once bids are submitted there will be independent review board to award project, then she will receive notice and there will be hearing, then will be continued community outreach by winning bidder, usually developers don’t reach out beforehand like they have so let them know your suggestions; based on Bloomingdale experiences she has serious concerns re discussions with developers without understanding of process and what community wants from project, don’t make developers put forth effort/money/etc then feel unwelcome or like got mixed messages
– Re Project on Richardson place: 2 prefab homes were delivered which is new for this community, in past developers purchased lots and wanted to put apartments, residents fought hard against that and won, so 8 yrs later being developed with same zoning rule but units still have 3 units each so don’t meet zoning criteria, don’t know how will be addressed, currently DCRA’s illegal construction group is investigating it
– Next ANC meeting is at Trinity Univ 7pm Tuesday – projects from tonight will be there
– also thinking about purchasing new neighborhood flags for each neighborhood in commission since lots of funds saved up, let her know if any thoughts on that
– Vision McMillan Plan has made some changes to development plan and community benefits package – there’s still $50,000 allocated to Bates, would not come directly to civic association but distributed in equal amounts over 5 yrs, have to apply for it in grant form, also CBA had contemplated shuttle from Bates/Hanover up to McMillan but that has been scrapped and money allocated to shuttle from McMillan to Brookland, Councilmember said already working on plans for Shuttle from NoMa to McMillan
– Art All night is Sept. 27 9pm to 3am – free with shuttles, has been expanded from Shaw to other associations, goal to bring more attn. to N. Cap corridor and show is walkable area; Joyce noted wants it to be expanded down through Hanover to NY Ave
– Developer Maedwell noted is seeking letter of community support before hearings

8:55-8:59 Nomination of new 2014-2016 BACA officers: David Hall and Jason Holloman accepting nominations, 2-year terms, nominate yourself or whoever you want
– We have applied for 501(c)(3) and should be getting that soon, officers are responsible if anything happens, at large members help officers, want new and long-term residents
– David nominates self for president, other people can run as well; Secretary and Treasurer are happy to let others take on role if anyone wants it
– Let your neighbors know to come and vote, please pay dues, can’t be officer if not dues paying member, also should pay dues to have vote on community matters

9:00-9:01 Community Event Updates
– Geo noted should be more Movies at Park
– Miles Holloman noted will reschedule cookout and basketball at Florida Ave Park
– Geo will invite candidates that are running for ANC to next meeting

9:01pm Adjourned