Greetings to the beautiful people who love Kennedy Street.
Yesterday reporter Sacha Haworth wrote an article Shining a light on the development at 1st and Kennedy Streets NW. ( https://www.petworthnews.org/blog/shady-kennedy-street-development )This article is a wonderful example of the power of local journalism. Please share it far and wide!
Many of the petition signers attended the community meeting with Janeese Lewis-George & the 4B ANC Chair Alison Brooks. Several other ANCs attended as part of the audience. Our community was hopeful that some sort of public meeting with these elected officials would get them to represent their constituents and force a compromise. This was not the case. A video highlighting clips from the event can be seen here: https://dccompass.com/video/community-meeting-highlights-the-development-at-71-kennedy-st-nw/
Although we were the group that orchestrated the meeting, we were seated opposing our own elected leadership. Our ANC rep & Councilwoman Lewis-George were handed a microphone. They got us in there, took the wind out of our sails for 40 minutes, then handed the microphone to a professional representative for the developer. Our group was out maneuvered by professional politicians.
Our own elected representation propping up RE1 LLC & their representatives is a breech of trust. The article by Sacha Haworth helps to unmask the shell games and deceits perpetuated by the developer and their partners.
So now we prepare for the hearing Tomorrow Wednesday April 24th. In preparation for the hearing our Alison Brooks (Chair of the 4b ANC) has submitted a letter in support stating the ANC and each of its comissioners have unanimous support for the project.
Alison is plowing forward full speed ahead regarding submitting the previous ANC resolution with the wrong project ID as a unanimous resolution of ANC support. The developers attorney has stated that this project and these waivers have received full unanimous ANC support. It is clear that the community is opposed to replacing the commercial space with housing that has no community space.
Because of the shady shell games that the developer has played, the original project proposal has expired. The ANC resolution that was passed in October was for a permit that had expired. The ANC passed a resolution in support of #19887, the current application is #21103. ANC support for this expired and died with the now defunct project expiration. You can review the coorespondance for this here: https://app.dcoz.dc.gov/Exhibits/2010/BZA/21103/Exhibit48.pdf
Even after the massive community outpouring the Chair of 4B ANC has stated that there is UNANIMOUS ANC 4B Support for the project.
The hearing for the building is to be Wednesday4/24; however, the hearing to revise the resolution for "Providing clerical correction" is to be held on 4/29!
You can't make this stuff up! It is too wild!
Each ANC listed above has been listed as a supporter of this poorly orchestrated project. Each ANC has failed to challenge the Chair. The 4B chair has written a letter to the board of zoning supporting the developer and stating that all of the other ANCs also support the developer: https://app.dcoz.dc.gov/Exhibits/2010/BZA/21103/Exhibit21.pdf
We urge you to reach out to each of these ANCS to request they come forward in support of the community who elected them. One of them may have the courage to break rank to support the people who actually live here!
4B01
T. Michelle Colson
240-604-3912
4B01@anc.dc.gov
4B02
Erin Palmer
Secretary
202-821-6333
4B02@anc.dc.gov
4B03
Zurick T. Smith
Vice Chair
202-539-6869
4B03@anc.dc.gov
4B04
Evan Yeats
Treasurer
319-310-5716
4B04@anc.dc.gov
4B05
Kevin Gilligan
202-713-5401
4B05@anc.dc.gov
4B06
Tiffani Nichole Johnson
Washington, DC 20011
202-271-3710
4B06@anc.dc.gov
4B07
Michael Cohen
202-656-0452
4B07@anc.dc.gov
4B08
Alison Brooks
Chairperson
240-423-0826
4B08@anc.dc.gov
4B09
Derrick Thompson
202-571-3010
4B09@anc.dc.gov
4B10
Jinin Berry
202-525-7033
4B10@anc.dc.gov
Join us in our whatsapp group here. Regardless of the outcome of this, we are working to create a neighborhood group that is open to all voices: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Keexxo4q8qa0x1Axs4kUjW
The hearing is tomorrow morning. Here are some of the links:
Full notice & document here: https://app.dcoz.dc.gov/Exhibits/2010/BZA/21103/Exhibit22.pdf
TIME AND PLACE: Wednesday, April 24, 2024,@ 9:30 a.m.
Via WebEx & YouTube (Office of Zoning):
https://dcoz.dc.gov/BZA04-24-2024
TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:
Application No. 21103 of Developer REI, LLC
Address: 71 Kennedy Street N.W. (Square 3389, Lot 138)
ANC: 4B
Relief: Special Exceptions from:
• the rear yard requirements of Subtitle G § 207. 6 (pursuant to Subtitle G §
404.1, Subtitle G § 5200.1; and Subtitle X § 901.2)
• the court requirements of Subtitle G § 209 .1 (pursuant to Subtitle G §
404.1, Subtitle G § 5200.1; and Subtitle X § 901.2)
Project: To raze existing structures, and to construct a detached, four-story with below
grade parking and penthouse, 47-unit apartment house in the MU-4 Zone.
My blessings to all of you, and I hope you have an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful weather we are having!