October 2007 · CSNA General Membership Meeting Minutes

Thursday, 11 October 2007 · 7:00 – 8:30 PM

True Reformer Building · 1200 U Street, NW

www.csnadc.org

Welcome and Introductions

Community Report, Announcements Special Presentations

·        Upcoming CSNA Meetings and Special Events

o       October 21: Sunday in the Park at Meridian Hill Park

o       November: Ramon Estrada, Dupont Circle ANC2B Commissioner

o       December: CSNA’s 15^th Birthday Celebration at Vinoteca, 1940 11^th St., NW

·        Future Greater U Street Business Improvement District Presentation

o       Lynn Coffin noted that in the future and in conjunction with the MidCity Business Association, CSNA will host a presentation on the proposed Greater U Street Business Improvement District

·        Ward One Councilmember Jim Graham Update – Barry Weise, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

o       Peter Feather was confirmed as ABC Board Chairperson

o       The Council voted 5-0 in favor of the Clean Car Act which would require all new cars registered in the District of Columbia to meet standards similar to the California Emission Standards

o       Barry expressed concern about the owner of the Dorchester building at Kalorama and 16^th, who has proposed a large addition of apartments that will be registered as condominiums.  Barry is worried that the intent of the owner may be to circumvent the Tenants Right to Purchase Act.

o       Scott Pomeroy mentioned that Councilmember Graham has been very supportive and active in making sure that tax relief goes towards businesses within the U Street area in the Small Business Tax Relief Act, which would set aside $11 Million in tax relief for small businesses in the District of Columbia.

o       Barry noted that former ANC1B Commissioner Raymond Wright passed away.

·        Presentation on the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) by Peter Feather, Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board Chairperson

o       The ABC Board consists of 7 members appointed by the Mayor with consent and approval of the DC Council.

o       The members of the ABC Board are volunteer board members paid with a stipend, and most members are community activists

o       ABRA focuses on licensing, enforcement, and adjudication

o       The ABC Board decides cases in terms of violation of alcohol laws

o       There are upwards of 2,000 ABC licenses in the District of Columbia, which are split by type of function and activity

o       It is the ABC Board’s responsibility to interpret the law, not to legislate

o       In the District of Columbia, residents participate in the liquor license approval process through voluntary agreements.  The District of Columbia fosters a process that integrates liquor license applications with the needs and goals of neighborhoods, through voluntary agreements and protests.

o       When asked what changes in processes or priorites he would like to see as Chairman, Peter stated that he would like to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and quality of work of ABRA.  He also stated that he would like to make the voluntary agreement process more efficient and faster.  In addition, Peter said that he would like to reduce the time involved in resolving cases in which violations occurred and have been contested by the licensee.  Also, Peter said that ABRA needs to implement a new information system in order to get data onto their website and update it more frequently to make it more user friendly.

o       Peter advised that there is a hotline number, 202-329-6347, to call for problems at ABC establishments that need to be addressed promptly.  The number is regularly answered on weekend nights.

o       When asked about the CR food revenue requirement, Peter explained that there is a regulation in place that requires 45% of revenue at CR establishments to be from food sales.  The regulation was to be enforced beginning in 2006, but the DC Council decided to initiate an auditing process for CRs to evaluate the regulation.  ABRA is currently working to provide the audit results to the DC Council.

o       When asked about reimbursable detail at ABC establishments, Peter stated that Mayor Fenty’s office is reviewing a proposal for a one year trial to provide ABRA with an extra $1 Million for reimbursable police detail at ABC establishments, which would be coordinated by ABRA and managed by the Metropolitan Police Department.

o       In response to Jean Homza’s question about enforcement at arenas and stadiums, Peter stated that liquor licenses at stadiums and arenas in the District of Columbia are not enforced by ABRA.

·        Presentation by Jeff Speck on Design of 2239 10^th Street

o       As the schematic design architect hired by owner Negusi Georgia, Jeff Speck presented plans for the renovation of 2239 10^th Street, which is adjacent to the “house on the corner” under construction at 10^th Street and Florida Ave., which Jeff owns and also designed.

o       The house is currently unoccupied.

o       The lot size is 384 sf

o       Renovation plans consist of building a modern but traditionally portioned third floor, and adding a new façade to the back of the house.

o       In the designs, the lot occupancy would be changing from 76% to 100%, and the gross square feet would increase from 586 sf to 1,229 sf.

o       Jeff expressed that since he is not expected to be the architect beyond schematic designs, he would like CSNA to request from the owner that the association be kept informed on the architectural quality of the project.

o       CSNA voted 12-0-0 to show enthusiastic support of the design of 2239 10th Street, to encourage the owner to continue to work with CSNA on the design, and to request that construction be completed in a timely manner.

·        Introduction of Tarek Bolden, Ward 1 Planner, Office of Planning, (202) 442-7619, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

o       Mr. Tarek Bolden introduced himself as the new Ward 1 Planner for the Office of Planning.  As Ward 1 Planner, Tarek will serve as a liason to the community for any type of development and planning process in the Ward.

·        Business Development and ABC: Christine Szathmary, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

o       New Businesses:

§         Paul Carlson, Vinoteca, 1940 11^th Street, presented plans for the new wine bar and bistro “Vinoteca”, which will sereve 40+ wines by the glass, cheeses, and entrees.  There will be approximately 70 seats at the restaurants.  The restaurant will open on either the last Monday of October or the first Monday of November, 2007.  Through the renovation of the storefront, the owners have restored the historic façade.  Vinoteca is seeking an entertainment endorsement to have a band up to 3 pieces play acoustic music periodically to complement a relaxed atmosphere.

§         Marvin’s Bistro, 2007 14^th St., NW, will open on Friday, October 19

§         “U Sushi” in the Ellington will be opening soon.

o       Liquor Licenses

§         Nafka, 2010 9^th Street, NW.  Phil Spalding stated that the liquor license for Nafka has been protested by ANC1B.  He expressed a need to address soundproofing of the establishment, considering that there are residences abutting the building in the rear.  The liquor license application requests hours open until 2-3 am, with dancing and music.  In addition, there are challenges with trash removal in the alley which need to be resolved.  Also, the alley has not been improved.  CSNA voted 11-0-0 to write a letter to Ken Laden and Callistus Nwadike of DDoT to detail the condition of the alley behind 2010 9th Street and to ask that the alley be put on a priority repaving list.

§         Capitol 718.  Phil Spalding explained that this building is adjacent to Ben’s Chili Bowl, which was purchased by the Ali family.  There are plans to have a CT Tavern license in the ground floor.  Phil is not sure what plans are for restoration of the building.  The name “Capitol 718” derives from Kamal Ali’s father’s original cab license number.

§         International Grill.  Phil Spalding stated that ANC1B protested the liquor license for International Grill because there is currently a show cause relating to a 3 am brawl outside the establishment after closing hours.  The applicant desires a 4-5 am closing time.

§         Asmara.  ANC1B has protested Asmara’s licence, as there are ongoing investigations into the establishment by 4-5 different agencies.

§         Selam, at 1524-1526 U Street.  ANC2B has protested Selam’s request to have entertainment throughout the week, because there is a voluntary agreement in place that states that Selam cannot have entertainment.

o       Hospitality Resource Panel: CSNA voted 14-0-0 to contribute a $500 grant to the 9th & U Street Hospitality Resource Panel to send two representatives to the HRP conference in New Orleans.

·        Clean & Green: Brooke Clagett – This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

o       Janice Wright, Harrison Recreation Center Site Manager. Office: (202) 673-6865, Cell: (202) 577-6200.  Janice introduced herself as the new Site Manager at Harrison Recreation Center employed by DC Department of Parks & Recreation.  On Thursday, October 18, there is an open house at Harrison Recreation Center.  On November 17, there will be an event of potluck and poetry.

o       Brooke stated that as the new Clean & Green Chair, she would like to have smaller Clean & Green projects throughout the year, and work in conjunction with other Clean & Green groups in the area.

o       On Saturday, October 20, there will be a planting on Vermont Ave. from 10 am – 12 pm, sponsored by the Westminster Association.

o       CSNA voted 11-0-0 to solicit planting contributions from Garden District and to accept $618 from Gerard DeRuggiero and Home Depot for planting materials.

o       Brooke explained that street trees require 10-20 gallons of water each week, which they are not getting during the drought.

·        Public Safety: John Solomon – This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

o       John expressed his goals to organize and coordinate public safety activities with other neighborhood groups, and to unify in the fight against crime.

o       It was expressed that there has been significant turnover in the police in PSA 305.

·        Historic Preservation and Development: Ernest Springs – This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

o       Jon Kardon, Level 2 Development, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it – Jon presented an update on the construction of View 14 at 2303 14^th Street, NW.  Jon advised that a letter would soon be sent out to all neighbors within 500 feet of the property detailing the plans for the site.  The letter explains that as with any major construction site, there will be impacts on the community, but that Level 2 Development and the general contractor, Clark Residential, will work with the community to mitigate impacts on the community.  The letter states that work hours will be from 7 am – 7 pm Mon-Sat, details the traffic control plan for the site, and explains that soldier piles will begin to be driven in mid-October and noise will be associated with this process.  Construction will last  two  years.   Jon stated that Level 2 Development has committed to being responsive in addressing comments and concerns raised by the community throughout the construction process.  Contact Jon Kardon at (202) 483-1110 ext. 510 or at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it with any questions  or comments.

·        Transportation: Cheryl Cort – This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

o       Phil Spalding provided a recap of the 14^th Street Streetscape Presentation, at which DDoT representatives presented conceptual designs for streetlights, treeboxes, traffic patterns, bicycle lanes, etc.  Phil said that it was a very engaging session at which 30-50 people were present.

o       At an upcoming Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) budget hearing, there is the potential for the yellow line extension to Fort Totten to be cut from the budget in the next fiscal year.  CSNA voted 12-0-0 to write a letter to Emeka Moname of DDoT that expresses the need to continue the WMATA yellow line extension and that expresses opposition to cutting the WMATA yellow line extension from the next fiscal year budget.

·        Treasurer’s Report: Chuck Baxter

o       Chuck was not present, but Lynn stated that there is $5,355.92 in the CSNA bank account.

·        Membership: Phil Spalding – This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

o       There are 70 new members this year.

Questions, Comments, Concerns

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