Mount Pleasant DC Forum

[jack]

Attached, the Office of Planning report on the library variance application, sent to us this evening by the DCPL. -- Jack

[Cory]

I shared the letter with Jim Graham, Tommy Wells, DCPL and BZA. Unfortunately, public support for a completed library and to stop wasting millions of taxpayer funds won't satisfy the ANC's concerns for fire safety. A point I tried to make is that, as former fire chief Dennis Rubin has said, the apartments best defense against future fires is a full sprinkler system. There is no fire access road at the rear of the building but if the buildings are fully sprinkled, that would stem the spread of fire and give DCFEMS sufficient time to respond with hoses, if needed at all. Sprinklers are now standard in most new construction and, if the residents of the Monsenor Romero Apartments or other buildings are truly concerned about fire safety, they will include a sprinkling system in their plans *and* make sure that there are sufficient fire extinguishers available in public spaces per D.C. Code. Nonetheless, if DCFEMS does need access to the rear of those buildings the library plan maintains sizable south and north yards for such access.

Jim Graham responded to my letter saying that he agrees. Jack responded favorably but he has yet to commit to a vote. DCPL thanked me for my support. I hope there is a good turnout this evening at the meeting.