Last night, the ANC met for its May session. As has been the case for a while now, GM could only stay for the first hour or so, but he still caught a lot:
So Long Peter
Sadly, last night marked the last meeting for Commissioner Peter Prindiville. Peter is a GU senior and he is graduating. The winds will blow him beyond our shores after the ceremony, so he must step down.
Peter gave a heartfelt address offering his perspective as a student and a commissioner. As he put it, he represents a minority within the larger community, and his voters often feel disenfranchised by the local process. Peter gave strong testimony that despite those outward appearances, the inner-workings of the commission are respectful and productive, with a multitude of opportunities for collaboration. He called it the “epitome of good democracy”.
He put a particular emphasis on the sea-change that has occurred since the adoption of the GU campus plan several years ago. He noted that the two communities, GU and the neighbors, have co-existed for hundreds of years and will continue to do so. So it’s all the more of an accomplishment that the new plan ushered in genuine change in perspective on issues that used to divide the communities.
From GM’s limited observations, he’s can see that Peter is indeed an active and productive commissioner, and has been so from nearly the start. This is not always the case for student commissioners, who often wait until the second year of their terms to start speaking out on issues. His contributions will be missed.
If you happen to live in his district (basically the eastern portions of GU’s campus) and you would like to take over the seat for the remainder of the term, head over to DCBOE and pick up a petition. Assuming you’re the only one that gets the signatures, there won’t even be an election and you’ll be sworn in immediately.
Trashcan Blues
The ANC was honored with the visit of DPW director William Howland. Howland gave a brief intro on his agency’s responsibilities and activities, but the main thing people wanted to hear about is the new trash cans.
As you probably know, the entire city was given new trash cans and recycling bins recently. This has not been terribly well received in Georgetown. While everyone would love larger trash and recycling cans in theory, in Georgetown it is difficult to find convenient storage space for the larger cans that DPW delivered.
So many have exercised their option to reject the new cans. This has lead to an additional problem somewhat more acute in a dense neighborhood like Georgetown: A build-up of cans sitting on the sidewalk awaiting pick-up. This causes several problems for Georgetown, most of all the obstruction of sidewalks and the collection of trash in these unwanted cans (which can attract rats).
Howland apologized for the delay and offered as an excuse that the company delivering the cans simply delivered them a lot fast than DPW anticipated, and the agency is struggling to catch up. He said he promised the cans would be all removed within 30 days, although he hoped it would be even sooner.
For the record, GM couldn’t find space for the new cans either and marked them for pick up. After calling 311, the cans were gone within about five days.
Who Will Stand Up For a Bus Stop?
The ANC considered WMATA’s proposal to remove a bus stop at Dumbarton and Wisconsin for northbound 30 series buses. Chairman Ron Lewis started the discussion assuming the commission would oppose the station removal. But there wasn’t a ton of support from the commission or even the audience to keep the spot. (GM stood up in support of the stop, but frankly he can see the argument in favor of its removal; it is awfully close to two other stops.) Nonetheless, the commission voted 5-2 to object to the stops removal based mostly upon the-probably accurate-observation that if it’s removed it will never come back, and after it’s removal a host of residents will emerge from the woodwork enraged at the decision.
Gink-Going?
GM couldn’t stick around long enough to find out the fate of the ginkgo tree at 1312 27th St., but as a confirmed ginkgo hater, he hopes it gets the axe.
The Georgetown Metropolitan 
ANC also voted unanimously to OPPOSE the proposed development by SGA Companies and Sassan Gharai at 2709-2715 N Street (Alexander Memorial Baptist Church). Many neighbors were there and expressed strong concerns, and CAG, Friends of Rose Park, the Foundation for the Preservation of Historic Georgetown, and the NASA Historical Society all submitted opposition too, The community is very concerned about this possible situation, as was clear from the meeting.
The re-purposing of the church is a regrettable inevitability at this point, but how it will be redeveloped is of great concern to the community. The church congregation is no longer able to support the property, and is seeking to sell and relocate. While we will all miss the church, I wish the congregation would reconsider proposals (as noted at the ANC meeting there were more than 15) that might be better received by the neighbors. We live here. We walk past the lot every day. We look out from our kitchens and living rooms onto the green space and garden. When the congregation is gone, we will still be here, left to deal with the development, construction, excavation, increased density, etc. The proper development of this space is of critical importance for one of the prettiest historic areas in D.C.
More information on the development plans, opposition, and alternatives here:
http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/proposal_for_homes_at_alexander_memorial_baptist_church_doesnt_win_support_/8420