The Lauren, A Condominium Dupont Circle Neighborhood NEWS

DUPONT CIRCLE ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION FEBRUARY 2004 MEETING SUMMARY

Below is a summary of the actions taken by the Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission (Commission or ANC 2B) at the February 11, 2004, Regular Meeting.  Please note that this summary does not constitute an official record of the meeting.  Contact the Executive Director or appropriate Commissioner for additional information.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

-- It was announced that Commissioner Carol Mitten, 2B05, has resigned her seat as she has assumed her duties as Director of the Office of Property Management. Interested parties may pick up petitions at the Board of Elections and Ethics.

-- It was announced that Commissioners Vince Micone, 2B02, and Irv Morgan, 2B07, have plans to move from the Dupont Circle area and will submit their resignations at the March meeting. The Commission voted to name Commissioner Darren Bowie Chairperson-elect in order to ensure a smooth transition.

PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES

-- Assistant US Attorney Michael Liebman distributed the quarterly prosecution report for MPD’s Third District.  

-- The Commission voted to submit written testimony to DC Council’s Judiciary Committee regarding the proposed new PSA boundaries.  The Judiciary Committee, chaired by Councilmember Kathy Patterson, will conduct a hearing on this matter on February 24, 2004. Chair Micone noted that PSA 306 includes all of the Dupont Circle ANC and that the Commission is on record supporting congruent PSA/ANC boundaries in general and the redrawn PSA 306 boundaries in particular.

GENERAL ISSUES

-- It was announced that the Embassy Square Hotel at the intersection of 20th and N Streets, NW, has closed and is expected to reopen as an apartment or condominium building.

-- Though invited, representatives of the DC Department of Transportation were not in attendance to provide an update on area transportation projects. However, it was announced that the target completion date for the P Street Bridge project has been moved from May to June in light of the recent bad weather.

-- Representatives of the new Heritage Indian Restaurant in the 1300 block of Connecticut Avenue announced their intention to request a stipulated ABC license at a future meeting.

-- Representatives of the Straits of Malaya announced their intention to reopen the restaurant and to request a stipulated ABC license at a future meeting.

-- DC WASA representatives testified that sewer cleaning in the Dupont Circle area has been completed and that sewer repair will be completed in April or May. Commissioners and members of the public reported continuing problems, especially with catch basins. DC WASA noted that all catch basins are cleaned once per year and that residents can call DC WASA for additional service as necessary.  A further update will be presented by DC WASA officials at the March ANC meeting.

-- The Commission voted to support the first comprehensive review since 1985 of the Historic Preservation Regulations and to recommend several changes to strengthen the ability of ANCs to comment on applications before the Historic Preservation Office and the Historic Preservation Review Board.

REGULATORY MATTERS

-- The Commission voted to support a curb cut on Connecticut Avenue adjacent to the Sun Trust Bank to accommodate up to three parking spaces for police cruisers. The Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit’s new offices will soon be located in the Sun Trust building.

-- The Commission voted to support a BZA application by John Whitney for a special exemption to allow a 2nd story rear deck at 1743 S Street, NW.

-- The Commission took no action on a request by the Ascot restaurant to modify its Voluntary Agreement with ANC 2B with respect to the hours for ABC service. The Commission recommended that the establishment’s representatives submit a Substantial Change application to the ABC Board.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

-- The Commission voted to authorize the Chairperson to provide testimony on ANC 2B’s operations before the DC Council’s Committee on Public Service. Each of the city’s 37 ANCs is required to appear before the Committee annually.

-- The Commission heard public testimony on a resolution regarding Immigrant Voting Rights. Commissioners Micone, Bowie and Estrada will refine the resolution’s language before bringing it before the Commission for a vote at a future meeting.

-- It was announced that documentation substantiating La Frontera Cantina’s previous ABC license for sidewalk café service has been located.  The ABC Board will consider the substantial change application submitted by La Frontera pending the negotiation of a voluntary agreement addressing the concerns of ANC 2B.

-- The Commission adopted the January 2004 Minutes, approved continuing banking services with Riggs Bank, and approved participation in the ANC Neighborhood Security Fund.

LEAD IN DRINKING WATER PIPES

The following link will direct you to the DC WASA website for specific information on lead in DC’s drinking water:  http://www.dcwasa.com/lead/default.cfm.  The Dupont Circle neighborhood is highly impacted, with many lead-based pipes.

MARCH MEETING

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2B normally meets the second Wednesday of each month. There is an open forum at each meeting for discussion of issues not on the regular agenda. The next regular meeting of ANC 2B will be held on Wednesday, March 10, 2004; 7 p.m.; DC Jewish Community Center, Q & 16th Streets, NW.  For further information, call (202) 296-7333 or send a message to email@DupontCircleANC.net.

ANC 2B Commissioner Information

Home | Menu