Daily Dispatch from Wednesday, November 9th, 2005Updates on Truxtoncircle.org:
[A] Community Events Calendar changes:
1. Meeting Wednesday November 9th 7:00pm Mt. Sinai - Richardson Place Mondie Development [http://www.truxtoncircle.org/events.php?view=details&uid=104]
[B] Discussion Board activity:
(You must be signed in to access Truxton Circle discussion boards)
1. Street Banners/Signs for Truxton Circle [http://www.truxtoncircle.org/discuss.php?view=board&uid=104]
2. Does anyone know of a good plumber? [http://www.truxtoncircle.org/discuss.php?view=board&uid=103]
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E-mail Submissions:
From Ben Turner regarding Richardson Place
Hey Guys, as a follow up from Monday's BACA meeting in
which we met with Mr. Mondie re: Richardson Place New
Construction Development, we'll be meeting tomorrow
(Wednesday November 9th)at 7:00pm in Mount Sinai
Babtist Church with Jim Berry, in order to solidify
our next steps and course of coordinated action.
Look forward to seeing everyone there at this
important juncture!
Ben Turner
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More from John Grumbine regarding Richardson Place
As it turns out, I cannot make the meeting tomorrow night. I think I was clear about some of my concerns in my meeting notes, but just to reiterate what I'd say if I were there tomorrow night:
1. I'm concerned how little in his planning has been firmed up-- across many fronts. At best, this means that they just haven't gotten around to those pesky details. That concerns me. At worst, it means that they're trying to leave wiggle room on several fronts so that they can just get the variance and go forward however they desire with permit in hand. This concerns me more. I'd like some commitments from Mr. Mondie but I'm unsure as to their value-- how would things be enforceable?
2. I think Mr Mondie has not given the aesthetics of the proposed building anywhere near enough consideration. Not only did he not understand that the buildings surrounding his development were two stories (not four, as he indicated at BACA), but there seems to be a disconnect between the neighborhood's appreciation of the charm of Richardson Place and his idea of what "nice looking buildings" look like. See plans for his vision-- which includes oddly placed windows, vinyl siding and peaked roofs. At a bare minimum, he needs to use brick, flat roofs and make the facade(s) match the other buildings on Richardson.
3. I am somewhat skeptical of Mr Mondie's honesty. I find it really hard to believe that he is actually planning on living in one of the units. That sets off warning bells to me. Further, his assurances that these won't become rental housing are really not very reassuring to me. What steps has he taken to show that will not be the case?
4. I'm concerned that this is his first attempt at something like this. Maybe he'll have beginner's luck, but I'd rather not have his beginner's misfortune occur in our backyard. He seems to be making this up as he goes-- I'm not convinced that he'll get his act together as he gets further into the process (and things get more difficult).
Importantly, I think this type of new construction will set a precedent for the types of development and renovations that the neighborhood finds acceptable. I believe that if we lower the bar too much in the name of "all development is good", we might find ourselves with a number of buildings in a few years that we will regret. I do not believe it's too much to ask to get Mr. Mondie to build new construction that fits with the existing aesthetics in the area. After all, isn't new development supposed to move the area forward or, at a bare minimum, carry the status quo forward? His proposed plans strike me as neither of these; so far the only upside of the plan seems to be that we'll just be adding more density to the area.
John
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Dispatcher: Below is a draft letter to Adrian Fenty regarding the rumor that several group homes are opening on Bates Street. This will also be discussed at tonight's special BACA meeting. Please make every effort to attend.
Scott
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Adrian Fenty Nov. XX, 2005
City Council, Ward 4
Washington DC
Dear Councilmember Fenty,
We are a group of Ward 5 residents seeking immediate information concerning
disturbing developments in our neighborhood. As chair of the Human Services
Committee you are in a position to obtain the information.
We have learned informally from several sources that at least two group homes
for youths under judicial/correctional supervision are about to be opened on
Bates Street N.W. ? at 62 and 67.
In addition, we believe that at least six group homes are already operating in
our neighborhood. The addresses: 19, 21 and 23 Bates St. N.W., and 201, 203, and
205 P. St. N.W.
We need to know immediately:
? Which agencies or officials licensed or approved these projects?
? Why were homeowners and other residents not consulted?
? How many youths are housed at these locations, or are slated to be housed at
the new ones?
? What are the supervision requirements?
? Were these youths adjudicated for violent crimes?
? Who operates or will be operating these facilities ? government employees or
private contractors?
? If the operators are contractors, what are their credentials and what are the
contract terms concerning compensation, accountability and government
supervision?
We would like to examine all documents concerning licensing or other approval
procedures, including the selection of contractors, if contractors are involved.
None of us opposes rehabilitation opportunities for young people. We question
why so many social-service projects ? authorized or unauthorized - are centered
in one neighborhood ? ours.
Within a few blocks of Bates Street N.W., the Model Treatment Program at 1300
First St. N.E. dispenses methadone. The site is a magnet for illegal drug
activity, as reported by the Washington Post in 2002, and documented by the
Government Accountablity Office (GAO) in 2004. (Everything else aside, the
proximity of this open-air drug market would seem to make our neighborhood a
poor choice for group homes for adjudicated youths).
At 71 O St. N.W., SOME (So Others May Eat) provides meals to the poor and
homeless. As a result, homeless men are a constant presence, something of which
residents, police and city officials are well aware.
We will be requesting a meeting with your staff to begin the process of getting
our questions answers. We cannot emphasize strongly enough that this is a matter
of extreme urgency.
Sincerely,
(signatures)
cc: Vincent Orange, Washington DC City Council, Ward 5
James Berry Jr., Advisory Neighborhood Commission, 5C01
Cleopatra Jones, Advisory Neighborhood Commission, 5C02
Cmdr. Jennifer Green, PSA 501, Metropolitan Police Dept
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From Jim Berry, ANC 5C01
Neighbors,
Below please find a list of dates that the DC Department of Parks and Recreation is hosting a series of open houses to receive comments on their Master Plan. It seems to me that the meeting at the Kennedy Playground provides a good opportunity for those of us who live below Florida Avenue, NW to talk about the recreation and leisure time needs of residents from our are (of all ages). In fact, we should be thinking about a location for a state of the art recreation facility. If anyone is interested in working on this issue with me, please send a return email at your very earliest convenience.
Best,
Jim Berry
ANC 5C
The DC Department of Parks & Recreation is holding three Open Houses, for the public to meet the new Executive Staff and participate in a discussion regarding the 5-yr Agency Master Plan.
* Nov 15, Emery Rec Ctr, Georgia & Madison NW, 6:30-8:30 pm
* Nov 16, SE Tennis & Learning Center, 701 Mississippi Ave SE, 6:30-8:30 pm
* Nov 17, Kennedy Recreation Center, 7th & P Sts NW, 6:30-8:30 pm
Please RSVP to Justice and Sustainability Associates at 202-610-0005
For more information on the DPR Master Plan, see www.dpr.dc.gov and or contact Leslie Schill, DPR Office of Planning, 202-673-2033.
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Neighbors,
Below please find a copy of the Public Notice that is being circulated in the community re. the next meeting of ANC 5C. Please share its contents with your neighbors and encourage them to attend.
Hope to see you there!
Best,
Jim Berry
ANC 5C
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 5C
POST OFFICE BOX 77761
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20013
TELEPHONE: (202) 832-1965/1966
www.anc5c.org
PUBLIC NOTICE
Monthly Meeting
Invited guests include representatives from the following:
D.C. Department of Transportation
re. the criteria for curb cuts in ANC 5C
D.C. Office of Planning
re. planning efforts for the North of Massachusetts Avenue (NOMA) area
The Catholic University of America
re. a status report on campus and student life at the university
A&R Development Corp
re. the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station Retail and Residential Development Project
Where: The Catholic University of America
Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center
(Room C of the Great Room
When: Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Time: 7:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. |
