Mount Pleasant DC Forum

[jack]

The next monthly ANC business meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 2, at 7:00 pm, at the La Casa Community Center, 3166 Mount Pleasant Street.

Topics expected (subject to change):

Open Resource Web site
Long Range Planning
Community Meetings
Simultaneous interpretation of meetings and ADA-compliant audio
Overhead projection equipment
Liquor license transfers
Comprehensive plan
Monroe Street traffic calming
ANC budget
ANC staff hire
ANC newsletter
Music in the Park Series

[luis]

Can somebody explain the agenda, I don't quite understand what is going to be discussed. Could you give a bit more detail on the items listed?

[Gregg Edwards]

My additional item was left off: The Historic Preservation Review Board consideration of facade alternations to the Majestic Apartment Building, 3200 Sixteenth St NW.

There are basically three issues in the discussions I've heard on the facade, and one on the process.
The facade issues are:
1] Will the replacement of glass blocks backed by gold leaf be accomplished in a way to preserve the current unique look.
2] Will the proposed replacement of many glass blocks by a security and intercom system seriously degrade the integrity of the current facade?
3] Will the substantial expansion of the door overhang degrade the aesthetics of the current configuration, and is the tenants' desire for more protection from the elements a reasonable trade-off?

The process issue is more complex.

It perhaps gets down to what should happen when the owner does not provide the ANC with good documentation in a timely manner. Is one copy on file downtown enough notice?

Here is the rest of the agenda, as posted on www.anc1d.org:

Topics expected (subject to change)

Approval of Agenda
Approval of minutes, July 22 meeting.
Open Resource Web site
Long Range Planning
Community Meetings
Simultaneous interpretation of meetings and ADA-compliant audio
Overhead projection equipment
Liquor license transfers
Comprehensive plan
Monroe Street traffic calming
Majestic Apts Historic Preservation Review Board issues
Music on Lamont Plaza
ANC budget
ANC staff hire
ANC newsletter
-----------
As the de facto webmaster, I'll post on anc1d.org any reasonable paragraph of explanation submitted by a commissioner.

[luis]

I'll ask again -- can somebody please explain the agenda items in a bit more detail, not sure what really is going to be discussed. I hope it is not too much truoble to ask
-Luis

[jack]

[Marie]

[jen]

I'm interested in the issue of music in Lamont Park--I'm wondering what has prompted the ANC members to put this subject on the agenda in light of the other very important issues already being highlighted. Which ANC member specifically finds this to be a large neighborhood concern? Interestingly, it is placed last on the agenda--does this mean it will be discussed last? Will the community have an opportunity to voice their opinions? Please respond promptly as several neighbors have been discussing this as an agenda topic and are interested in your response. Thanks,

Jen

[jack]

[Marie]

I'm with Jen, what are you talking about with Music in the Park?

You posted "for which DPR should perhaps request ANC approval".

No one needs ANC approval; the only approval needed is by the single commissioner whose jurisdiction includes the park--and only when there is amplified music. The park is open to anyone who applies and pays for a permit.

Or is this another ANC attack on what the MPNA does in this community like you all did with the MPNA Irving-Harvard Triangle Project?

Some of us who have worked very hard along side the MPNA on this project aren't forgetting that this ANC put that MPNA project on the ANC agenda, changed the name of the MPNA project as well as sends the government their opinions on what should happen with their project.

It sounds like you might be interfering on this MPNA project too? Since we don't know, we can only assume........

So, please do tell, how can one 'speak up and be heard on this topic' if you can't tell us what you will be deciding upon or discussing or why this is even on your agenda?

What is it really all about?


Marie

[jack]

[jen]

Gregg, are you the commissioner representing the area of Lamont Park? Have you received some complaints? If so, how many and are those people residing on 17th street? In the interest of transparency, it would be a good idea to convey this information. These musical events showcase Mount Pleasant residents/musicians and are quite time limited (two hours in the early evening). I can't imagine this is a substantive problem for the ANC. Many people have enjoyed this series. If this is to be scrutinized so seriously, maybe you should consider a greater scrutiny of the Mt. Pleasant Festival (another fun but extremely loud event)....or maybe the Zoo concerts as they can be easily heard from 19th Street. This is getting a bit out of control.

Jen

[Gregg Edwards]

Dear Marie,

I'll not raise here a slew of hot-button issues, nor my perspective on old issues that have some strongly divergent versions of what happened. Nor suggest a crowd behind me by using "we".

I have exchanged short messages, including a number of questions, with an officer of MPNA. In addition, several neighbors have stopped me on the street to discuss their ideas and recommendations. At some point in the development of an issue, I prefer that discussions with substantial public interest be noted in public, and not just in private.

I may be wrong, but this is not a decision point on MPNA's series. So, my intent in this agendum is only to start a public discussion and call for a variety of perspectives to be formulated. And do so well before any controversial decisions must be made.

The agenda Tuesday is already jammed. There will not be time for a Great Debate. I do hope to put on the record this call for dialog. And I hope to avoid the kind of emotionalism that is quite expectable when issues burst on the scene at the last moment.

BTW, Jen, thank you for your considerate approach to me. In the very limited time I'd planned for Tuesday eve's meeting, I don't want to distract a broader discussion by raising the sundry complaints and critiques I've heard. I think these should be considered as evidence of the passionate engagement for which our neighborhood is famous. Now, my intent is to start gathering ideas early, and also to show I'd rather not make these decisions unaided by myself.

Since the comprehensive plan is preoccupying me recently, I hoped to ask what kind of functions do we want to see. Actually, I would like to see the comp plan include a statement about leveraging our many small parks for better benefit. In this regard, we have many more parks than Columbia Heights, which has over twice our area and population and almost nothing like a plaza. Should we seek to offer hospitality and mutual use with them?

Respectfully,
Gregg Edwards
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – -
PS: Here is what I wrote last month [2005 06 10] to approve the current series, and addressed to MPNA's inquiring officer:

Dear__
From what you have told me, this is the kind of event that will make Mount Pleasant a great place to live, to visit, and for business .
The energy and enthusiasm of yourself and MPNA is truly impressive.
Cordially,
Gregg Edwards

[Laurie]

Dear Gregg:

It is true that you supported our series and sent me those noted words of support you posted above. If an event is to have amplifed music above 60 dbs, one must obtain support ONLY by the ANC Commissioner where the venue is located. We received support from 3 commissioners (Wysocki, Kahn, Edwards). We received support from Mainstreet, Inc. We didn't need it, but we surely appreciate it and are grateful.

Since then, MPNA has been quite successful with our events and we are only 1/2 way through our series. We have had such positive responses from neighbors, businesses, police, as well as our local musicians who now want to be added to our series. In fact, our musicians are playing for free. It is their way in giving back to our community as part of their community service. We felt that we could add a few this season, but wanted to be confident in discussing with them for inclusion for next year.

MPNA is a mature organization and has been in this community over 14 years. Certainly we are sensitive to quality of life issues such as amplified music, especially with me living across the street from the park and experiencing first hand noise emanating from the park.

I sent you an email (see below) asking you to

(1) support adding more this season and

(2) supporting our next year's series so that we would have time to plan our series with local resident musicians.

You have never responded with support of my recent request. Instead, the only response I received was being copied on an email addressed to the rest of the ANC asking if it could be put on the August agenda (see your email below).

That was the last time I heard from you on this issue. I have received nothing back from you, nor did I have any idea you actually put it on the agenda. Our requirements by DPR pertains to amplification only. Our requirements by DPR pertain to only you. Your only feedback to me was:

"You can see for yourself my current preference before any further approvals: A public consultation with ANC1D."

In the meantime, we have resident artists who are waiting for an answer and it's only your continued support that we need to obtain the required permits.



Laurie Collins
President, MPNA



Dear G,

Last night’s Music in the Park series was a great success! In fact, we were approached by local Mount Pleasant artists who want to be added to the series. We are considering adding a few more this year, but want to negotiate with those who are interested for next year’s line up. Also, since last week’s event was rained out, we will need to reschedule that event.

Are you in support of adding more to our current series as well as supporting this “annual” event for next year? We will keep the same format, i.e., 6-8 pm.


Thanks. Laurie Collins

Dear Colleagues,

Can we put approval of this series on our agenda for the meeting of 2005 Aug 2?

Certainly, this series seems aligned with the recommendations included in my trip report on vibrant commercial corridors. However, I’m not sure that I understand the program completely.

I, for one, would like to hear more about how this is going, who likes it or not, whether anyone else is competing for the time slots, and mostly how this might fit into a larger program for encouraging creative engagement in Mount Pleasant. For example, how does this fit into supporting the arts and public engagement? Is this a good substitute for paying gigs in local venues, including the restaurants? Could we encourage other groups to join in with other kinds of programs on other nights or at other times?

Respectfully,

Gregg Edwards

Dear Gregg,

There is no requirement by the Government to get support from the entire ANC. Just you. I received your support already. My question to you is: do you have a problem with adding more to our calendar of events?

Laurie Collins

Subject: RE: Music in the Park Series

Dear Laurie,

I too am permitted to have questions; this function is not your sole prerogative. I prefer communications that are not one-sided – which means that I get to ask questions, my phone messages are returned,... Everything for friendship, nothing for tribute.

You can see for yourself my current preference before any further approvals: A public consultation with ANC1D.

Respectfully,

Gregg Edwards

[New Neighbor]

Does this actually boil down to:

(1) For the event to happen, Gregg has to say "ok."

(2) Laurie asked Gregg to say ok.

(3) Gregg hasn't yet said ok.

(4) Gregg thinks the ANC should discuss whether to say ok.


If so, it seems that another mole hill has been moutainized.

You decide by whom.

[Marie]

Yes, it seems like Laurie is simply waiting for Gregg's simple reply that he will continue to support amplified music as part of the Music Series and also support amplified music of the music series next year so she can move forward with planning their MPNA events.

But Gregg has thrown out a road block, or, in this case, starting to build a dog pile and another drama episode.

Laurie's request is pretty simple to me, yet this ANC seems to like drama...or is it their desire for control?

It is clear who is creating this drama.

Marie