Michigan Park Citizens Association

Michigan Park Citizens Association
April 5, 2016
Ross Auditorium, Providence Hospital

Meeting began at 7:18pm.
Vice President, Roxanne Carter, led with Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes for the March meeting were read by David Conrad. One correction to the minutes noted was the date of the meeting recently held with Chief Cathy Lanier. The correct meeting date was March 24, 2016. The March meeting minutes were approved.

No Treasurer’s report was provided due to the absence of the treasurer.

Old Business:

1. EYA development: Don Looney contacted Tai Meah (Senior Legislative Counsel)regarding the redevelopment of the Josephites property. Mr. Looney stated that he believed Ms. Meah was misinformed because she indicated that she thought the ‘deal was done’, however, until the zoning process is complete, the deal is not complete.  Mr. Looney also indicated that ‘word on the street’ is that Mayor Bowser wants the deal completed and that Councilman McDuffie is not willing to publicly oppose the development.
2. Spigot at park: David Conrad stated that there is possible funding for this project from the Greater Brookland Garden Club. Approximately $2000 is needed to complete the project and we should contact GBGC for assistance. He indicated that Mary Pat Rowan (GBGC) and Jeff Feeley (ANC5B05) may be able to contribute funds to the project. Ralph Bucksell will make a formal request to contribute funds. Per Ralph B, Jeff Feeley has a total of $500 of ‘excess’ funds to contribute. There was also a recommendation from the floor to possibly ask Ursula for funding as well since it benefits both communities. David Conrad will confirm the dollars needed for the project. And he also stated that he has received no response or communications from DPR or McDuffie’s rep (Diamond Wade). The Association should also draft a letter addressed to McDuffie’s office, Vincent Orange and David Grasso.
3. Joint Meeting with Queens Chapel Civic Association and Chief Cathy Lanier: Roxanne reported that the meeting with Chief Lanier went well and was well attended by both civic associations. School security and recent neighborhood crime were addressed. There is an increased police presence at the schools since the joint meeting.

New Business:

1. Nominating Committee provided the slate for 2016.
   1. President: David Conrad
   2. 
1st VP: Roxanne Carter
   3. 
2nd VP: Don Looney
   4. 
Secretary/Membership: Paul Wood
   5. 
Treasurer: Beulah Sutherland
   6. 
At Large: Barbara Henderson, Anne Gribbins, Ralph Bucksell, 1 open seat
   7. Sergeant at arms: Open
   8. Herald: Open

The Association needs to review the bylaws for any changes to titles and positions such as the joint position of Secretary and Membership chair. The nominating committee will meet before the May general meeting.

2. Bunker Hill E.S. community fair to be held on April 30th from 1pm to 4pm. One of the counselors at the school (Linda Davis) asked for the association’s participation at the event. The purpose of this event is to inform parents about community organizations and neighborhood groups. It was approved that the association would participate and send volunteers to the event.
3. Federation Report: Elizabeth McGowan reported that the last meeting was held on March 22nd. Dorothy Brazil was a speaker and indicated concern about the Board of Elections, specifically that the board is in flux and not all members have the credentials to do the work. There is much concern about the upcoming June 14th primary elections and she wanted to alert all civic associations. There is anxiety that DC officials are not prepared with adequate facilities, supplies and resource support for the elections.
4. EYA property development: Vinnie Wolfarth reported that Paul asked for a taskforce for EYA and that EYA is waiting for comments from neighbors and residents on the development. EYA is submitting its 1st plan to zoning on May 1st. Approximately 95‐110 homes are currently planned. There is an opportunity to request to keep the development to north of Webster Street. Vinnie met with an architectural historian for a DC law firm to show the updated documents. Vinnie is soliciting as many comments as possible on the EYA development and wants to submit comments to the EYA task force before the May 1st zoning meeting. There was a recommendation from the floor that Paul send an email to all association members to request their feedback and comments on the EYA development by April 8th.
5. San Antonio Grill. The Association had previously voted and approved support for outside liquor services for San Antonio Grill. This was brought to the membership body again and was reaffirmed and approved. Ralph B. will draft a letter of support that will be signed by Paul.

Meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm

Michigan Park Citizens Association
Regular Monthly Meeting
February 2, 2016
Elsie Stokes School

First Vice President opened the meeting at 7:15 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance. Roxanne noted that the December meeting minutes were not available for review.  She thanked Vinnie Wohlfarth for hosting the December Christmas party at Wohlfarth Galleries.

Elizabeth McGowan, delegate to the Federation of Citizens Associations, gave an update on the proposed merger of Pepco and Excelon and noted that the information was posted on the Association’s website.

David Conrad gave an update for the Garden Committee. He met with an representative of DGS (Department of General Services) at the triangle park (Michigan/12^th/Sheperd) in December.  DGS had been asked by DPR (Department of Parks and Recreation), who maintains the park, to consider installing the yard hydrant for our use. David will follow up with both departments.

Roxanne Carter purchased Christmas gifts of clothes and educational items for four children from three families who attend Bunker Hill Elementary School. See Photo.

Purchased Xmas Gifts

EYA representatives Tessa Quintanilla and Evan Goldman provided an update on the planned development of the Saint Joseph’s Seminary property. They explained that EYA is a company based in Bethesda, Maryland that focuses on urban infill developments.  EYA has completed around 30 projects over the last 20 years. Mr. Goodman stated the once projected number of 150-160 townhouses is not longer under consideration, but he would not commit to a new number. He noted that a recent survey identified increased traffic, decrease in home values and loss of green space as the three major concerns of nearby residents. Mr. Goldman then separately addressed each of the concerns.

1. On Property Values:Chancellor Row is the EYA development closest to Michigan Park.  In the Chancellor Row development, the first phase houses sold for $530,000 and the last phase sold for $750,000.  Existing homes in the vicinity of Chancellor Row sold from $340,000 to $570,000 during the same time frame.  EYA cited this as evidence that this  development by EYA did not depress neighboring home values.
2. OnGreen space: EYA is currently proposing to preserve the south, east and west sides of the property immediately adjacent to the existing building.  EYA is working with Hayden Wetzel to obtain historic designation of the seminary building and a public easement of the proposed green space. Additionally, EYA:
   1. Will landscape the east side to the nunnery’s entrance.
   2. Will build a playground and benches to the west side near the bus-stop.
   3. Will work with bike share to get a station near the bus-stop.
   4. Will place another public space inside the development.
3. OnTraffic.  Neighbors were concerned about traffic on 13^th Street and Alison Street NE. EYA is proposing to connect Webster Street between 13th and 12^thand in a manner that traffic may only enter Webster Eastbound from 12th Street northbound. Webster will be a private road so residences on the south side of Webster who don’t have an alley will have their parking spaces.  All other houses have either 1 or 2 parking spaces. EYA will work with DDOT about making any street a one-way street.  The large trees on 12th street will be preserved and utility lines will not run under them.  Existing utility lines will not be under grounded.

Tessa Quintanilla talked about the design of previous projects and how it blends in with the existing neighborhoods. Michigan Park is primarily red brick and they will design houses with brick in front and back.

Questions were fielded about the utility under grounding, the public space, the private road and the traffic (info is already in the bullet points above)

Michigan Park Citizens Association
Regular Monthly Meeting
December 1, 2015
Wohlfarth Galleries

[The minutes are released by the MPCA Executive Board pending approval by the membership at large]

President Paul Wood opened the meeting at 7:15 pm.  November minutes were read and accepted.  The treasurer’s report was read by Treasurer Beulah Sutherland, no written copy was updated for this month.

Elizabeth McGowan, MPCA delegate to the Federation of Citizens Association, related that she had received documents related to the proposed Excelon/Pepco utility merger.  Elizabeth suggested and President Paul Wood agreed to posting the documents to the MPCA website.

Paul thanked Lavinia Wohlfarth for hosting MPCA December’s meeting and Christmas potluck at the Wohlfarth Galleries.  Lavinia graciously granted use of her business space on short notice. Providence Hospital experienced some flooding which caused the temporary relocation of the physical therapy clinic in our normal meeting place in Ross Auditorium for a minimum of 30 days. Hopefully, MPCA will be able to meet again in Ross Auditorium by the next meeting in February.  Staff members of EYA home builders were scheduled to speak at our December to discuss the considered development of the land surrounding Satin Joseph’s Seminary. They will instead present in February. ANC5A03Commissioner Adrian Jordan has also invited EYA representative for his scheduled meeting Thursday, 3 December.

The MPCA Executive Committee released a statement in November related to the planned development. The statement noted that MPCA will not take a position regarding the development until a specific proposal is made upon which the members may discuss and deliberate.  The Executive Committee also formed a subcommittee to gather information and inform MPCA membership about the intended development.  To goal is to have informed discussion and deliberation among members and neighbors.  Three neighbors agreed to donate their time to serve on the subcommittee – Catherine Sutherland, Lavinia Wohlfarth, and Sherrill Schultz.

Paul reported that misbehavoir of student from Brookland Middle School was a topic of discussion during the November meeting of ANC5B05 Commission John Feeley.  5D police representatives were present. Brookland Middle School falls within ANC5B05 and PSA 504. Police stated that they were unable to dedicate an officer to Turkey Thicket Recreational Facility as had been done before due to officer shortages.  John Feeley noted that the school was forming a Parents Association to involve more parents in the school. Both MPD officers and Brookland Middle School Principal will be present at the December ANC5B05 meeting to discuss further.

Members agreed that $300 was appropriate for the purchase of gifts for students from a needy family in Bunker Hill Elementary.  The students and family will be identified by the school principal. Roxanne Carter is coordinating the gifts with school Principal Kara Kuchemba.

Jamie Vargas, owner of San Antonio’s Bar and Grill on 12^th Street, successfully obtained the permits necessary for sidewalk seating. MPCA has supported this effort. The seating will be in place in Spring of 2016.

Queens Chapel Civic Association will publish an article of recent featuring the two neighborhood associations.

The meeting was adjourned and members enjoyed the Christmas Potluck