Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6D met on March 18 via Zoom. Commissioners Gottlieb Simon (6D02, chair), Gail Fast (6D03), Andrea Pawley (6D04), Chearie Phelps-El (6D05), Bruce Levine (6D06) and Fredrica (Rikki) Kramer (6D07, treasurer) and Rhonda Hamilton (6D08, secretary) were in attendance. Marquell Washington (6DO1) was absent.
DC Dept. of Transportation (DDOT) Community Engagement Manager Kelly Jeong-Olson briefed the commission on the agency’s Traffic Operations and Parking Plan (TOPP), which governs the city’s management of game days at Nationals Stadium and Audi Field. The agency conducted a survey of residents in the Navy Yard and Southwest.
DDOT collected 360 responses, she stated. Traffic congestion, traffic violations and pedestrian/cyclist safety were the three major concerns of respondents, Jeong-Olson stated. In particular, those from Southwest cited double and illegal parking around the Wharf on Maine Avenue SW, she said. Pedestrian safety in the intersections along Maine & M Street SW also drew notice. Respondents requested improvements in event management and traffic flow, she stated.
“All the issues are connected to illegal activity, illegal parking and standing,” Jeong-Olson said. She characterized it as “an issue of enforcement.”
Moving on to Buzzard Point, The Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) is considering returning the 74 Bus on game days, Jeong-Olson stated. However, the obstacle is the delays created by game day congestion, she said. Many Buzzard Point survey respondents also complained about the agency’s resident access placards. DDOT is working with building managers to do a better distribution, she said. Respondents complained about the traffic flow around the oval at the northern side of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, she said.
The DDOT traffic center manages signal timing in real time, Jeong-Olson stated. She urged residents to call 311 with their complaints.
The commission had submitted a formal written set of questions to DDOT regarding the TOPP. Jeong-Olson responded to a number of these.
DDOT decided not to include Wharf in TOPP as a venue along with the stadiums, Jeong-Olson said. The TOPP is designed for specifically timed events at the sports venues. Activities at the Wharf are not similarly scheduled. However, the agency plans to use signal timing changes and traffic control officers on Maine Avenue SW in for particularly full day events, she said.
Moreover, DDOT does not have the resources to cover the stadiums and the Wharf on days where simultaneous events are scheduled, Jeong-Olson said.
DDOT determined that stadium events do not significantly impact the neighborhoods around the Wharf, Jeong-Olson said. However, the agency plans to focus parking enforcement on the south side of Maine Avenue SW. She promised to provide a full set of responses to the commission’s written questions in the near future.
The geofencing for for-hire vehicles is creating confusion about the location of scooter corrals, Treasurer Krammer stated. DDOT does not set the boundaries of geofencing, Kelly replied.
Would the agency create a different kind of plan for the Wharf? Levine asked. On March 29, an inter-agency taskforce plans to observe the day with two games and Wharf activities, Jeong-Olson responded.
Alcohol and Cannabis
ANC Alcohol and Cannabis (ABC) Committee Vice Chair Laura Diangelo briefed the commission on matters related to licenses. There are many renewals, she said. Commissioners debated whether settlement agreements should be standard for all establishments.
The commission voted to:
- protest Fat Fish & Twists renewal on the grounds of peace, order and quiet due to a lack of settlement agreement;
- renewal of the alcohol license for Chopsmith at 11 District Sq SW;
- protest the renewal of Sushi Bou at the Citizen M Hotel at 550 School St. SW on the grounds of peace, order and quiet;
- amend the settlement agreement with Intercontinental Hotel to allow alcohol sales, service and consumption at 9 a.m. on the interior and summer garden and the renewal of its license;
- amend the settlement agreement with the Holiday Inn, located at 550 C St. SW, to extend its hours to 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. and the renewal of its license;
- protest the application for an entertainment endorsement by Zooz at 636 Maine Ave. SW on the basis of peace, order and quiet and authorize Commissioner Levine to testify;
- not to take action on any amendments to the Hornblower cruise line settlement agreement;
- the settlement agreement and license for Love 420, Southwest’s first cannabis dispensary at 39 Q St. SW.
The commission voted to allocate up to $600 for a DC email for the ABC Committee and appoint Michael Keene its chair.
Other Matters
Chair Gottlieb thanked the SWBID for returning a dozen Safeway carts left out.
Theater Alliance Director Shanara Gabrielle shared her company’s plans for its new Southwest location.
Commission voted to the Maine Corp. Marathon and the Cherry Blossom Races.
. For more information visit www.anc6d.org.
