Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 6A) met via Zoom on April 8. Commissioners Keya Chatterjee (6A01, vice chair), Roberta Shapiro (6A03), Amber Gove (6A04, chair), Dave Wethington (6A05), Commissioner Robb Dooling (6A06) and Steve Moilanen (6A07) were in attendance. Commissioner Mike Velasquez (6A02) was absent.
DC Assistant Attorney General Jason Jones briefed the commission on the legal action taken by his agency against George Papageorge and his 10th and C Streets LLC for the evasion of District vacant property taxes on his property at 1000 C St. NE.
“Anyone who lives in the neighborhood knows about that house and that it has been sitting vacant for some indeterminate amount of time,” Jones said, noting that it has likely been sitting unoccupied for more than 40 years.
The lawsuit orders Papageorge to pay the outstanding property taxes in addition to “significant damages, civil penalties and interest” to the District in the amount of $1.8 million.
For neighbors, this is a victory, said Commissioner Shapiro. The property has been a source of unresolved concern for decades, she pointed out. Commissioner Shapiro congratulated the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for “finally slaying this dragon” and expressed gratitude for enforcement of District law.
Chair Gove acknowledged the work current and former of the commission who participated in their “long running effort” to address the vacant property through letters and testimony. She echoed Shapiro’s gratitude to the OAG.
Vacant properties are often brought to the attention of the Department of Buildings (DOB) as a direct result of resident complaints, Jones reported. He encouraged residents aware of vacant properties or tax evading property owners to report the locations.
The commission took no vote on this matter.
Other Matters
The commission voted to write to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D) requesting the restoration of a crosswalk at Florida Avenue and M Street NE for west bound bicycles and pedestrians to access M Street NE and the NoMa/Gallaudet metro station. T
The commission further requested that the traffic signal division review and adjust signal timing to help slow driver speeds to the existing speed limit along Florida Avenue NE.
The commission voted to:
- approve a grant for the Miner Elementary School PTO in the amount of $1,000 to fund the renovation of the turtle habitat;
- the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) application for a new two-story and basement rear addition to an existing row house at 216 11th St. NE;
- the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) application for a special exception from lot occupancy requirements to construct a two-story with cellar rear addition to an existing, attached, three-story, principal dwelling unit at 235 10th St. NE;
- protest the Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis istration (ABCA) license application of Verg Enterprises LLC at 1230 H St. NE.
The next meeting of ANC 6A is at 7 p.m. May 9 via Zoom. Get details on committee meetings and how to online at anc6a.org.
Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at [email protected].
