This coming Wednesday, June 12, ANC 5C will consider a resolution to support a ‘Zoning Variance’ for the new Woodridge Library. I support the variance because it maintains the current amount of parking and if we demand more parking, we’ll get less library. I’ll explain in more detail below.
Photo courtesy of http://woodridgedclibrary.wordpress.com/
First, I want to let folks know that we’ve approved a permit for the first event with amplified sound in Langdon Park in 2013. This Saturday, the park will host a child’s birthday party and the permit allows for amplified sound from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The regulations still state that the music must be kept to a reasonable level (the regulations actually state the music can’t be any louder than a normal conversation – 60 decibels)
And if that paragraph was interesting to you, keep reading and come on out to the next Langdon Park Permitting Task Force meeting:
Langdon Park Permitting Task Force Meeting
Date: Thursday, June 6, 2013
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Langdon Rec Center, 2901 20th Street NE
I’m pleased to announce that we will be having a special guest at this meeting! Jacqueline Alvarado, Constituent Services and Permits Manager for DC Department of Parks and Recreation. Jacqueline has had a family commitment arise this date so she will try to join us for the July meeting.
We had a meeting last Saturday, May 11, with about 30 community members in attendance. The architects and Department of General Services presented revised designs for the proposed Chuck Brown Memorial Amphitheater including a smaller tower and improved sightlines.
But most of the neighbors who spoke at the meeting were not there to provide feedback on plans, but to suggest and demand that they do not want a new amphitheater there at all.
The DC government officials leading the meeting said they would be again meeting with leadership downtown to determine next steps and if the project is moving forward.
And I believe DC government is seriously reconsidering the placement of this Amphitheater at Langdon Park.
Based on the conversations I’ve had recently, and the tone of those conversations, it is my estimation that the District government may be reconsidering it’s plans. I have no exceptional knowledge of any internal deliberations, but that’s just the sense I get.
They will be letting us know what next steps are or when they’ve made a decision, but if you would like to have your voice heard (either in support or against the amphitheater), I’d suggest these are the people to email and let your voice be heard:
After gathering feedback on the draft letter I circulated over the weekend, I have sent the following final letter to Mayor Gray.
I’ll remind folks that the next meeting is this Saturday, May 11 at 10am at the Woodridge Library. I suspect that the city will not have had time or opportunity to digest this letter in just 5 working days (well, 4.5) between now and Saturday morning, so I’d ask that the community go to that meeting with an open mind. They may be able to repsond to some of this letter, they may not. Either way, we should hear them out. See you Saturday morning, if not sooner.
UPDATE: See the post above this one for the updated, final letter.
At our meeting last Thursday, about 35 members of the community packing into a hot room at the Langdon Rec Center to talk about the proposed Chuck Brown Amphitheater.
After about 90 minutes of discussion, it was eventually decided that I would draft a letter to Mayor Gray, outlining our concerns, suggestions and ideas. I said I’d post the letter on my website on Saturday (today!) and gather feedback to send in on Monday.
So have a look and let me know what you think. You can email me ( nolan@ancnolan.com ), use the contact form on this site, or leave a comment here.
The letter is in PDF but you should be able to read it below or you can download a copy to print here:
(if you need more information on the issue, notes from the last meeting are on my website and you can view the architectural drawings of the last design as well)
New post: Woodridge Library Before the Board of Zoning Adjustment http://t.co/FTEcEtaxiL - posted on 06/10/2013 01:15 pm.@DDOTDC Strips down on 20th St NE near Jackson/Kearny. For counting traffic for stop signs? Cc: @jonsmandel @tiffany - posted on 06/06/2013 06:23 pmRT @dcalerts: ROBBERY SNATCH(ESTABLISHMENT)_0738-HRS_1900 B/O RHODE ISLAND AVE NW/ LOF B/M WEARING A GREEN JACKET BLACK PANTS,... http://t.… - posted on 05/30/2013 08:21 am
