Monday, November 11, 2024
At its Nov. 4 meeting, ANC 2E, the Georgetown-Burleith-Hillandale Advisory Neighborhood Commission, discussed dockless vehicles, sidewalk repairs, streateries and the Call Your Mother deli at 3428 O St. NW. ?
Dockless Vehicles
Commissioners expressed concern about dockless vehicles — electric scooters and bikes — being left on sidewalks, blocking doorways and becoming obstacles to pedestrians, particularly those using wheelchairs. Georgetown has the second largest number of dockless vehicles in the District.?
Although people can log a 311 complaint when they see a dockless vehicle, the process should be made easier and more transparent, said Commissioner Daniel Chao, who commented:?“When this happens, I think: Why does it have to be so difficult?”
Commissioner Topher Mathews suggested creating street parking for dockless vehicles.?“I’m not interested in just punishing or getting rid of the program entirely,” he said. “But I’m very interested in solutions that stop the problem.”??
The ANC’s resolution, which passed unanimously, calls for providers to ensure that riders park in designated areas by placing visible notices on vehicles to inform riders of expectations and fining those that park illegally. Also requested: a community relations contact for each provider.
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Sidewalk Repairs
The ANC also passed a resolution on sidewalk brick conditions. Chair Gwen Lohse referenced two constituents who have been hospitalized after tripping on loose bricks.?? ?
The Georgetown Business Improvement District repairs bricks within two weeks of receiving a report, but does not currently repair bricks outside its designated areas, forcing isolated sidewalk repairs to be done by an outside contractor.??
“You can see where they’ve repaired bricks on mixed-use streets, but then less than 20 feet away the city is not getting the bricks repaired,” Lohse said. The resolution calls for the BID to become a DDOT contractor for all repairs.??
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Streateries
The ANC also discussed DDOT’s streatery guidelines, which can be commented on until Dec 2.?[See separate Town Topics story.]??
“I’m really hoping we either have restaurants independently create their own streateries and make them beautiful or, if the BID, with this much larger swath of space, decides it has an alternative and can pay for an alternative. But if not, I would want individual restaurants to apply, versus having a massive public space permit.”??
Streatery roof coverings were also discussed. “We have a beautiful historic streetscape, and to see covered streateries where you can’t see the beautiful architecture in the building would be a shame,” Lohse said.??
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Call Your Mother
The Board of Zoning Adjustment ordered ANC 2E to gather public comment on solutions for Call Your Mother’s outdoor seating and trash issues. The commissioners, who expressed frustration at being given only two days, in their resolution largely punted the issue back to BZA, stating that the ANC will review CYM’s application when it is submitted to BZA’s Public Space Committee.
It was noted that the CYM building has a new owner, who wants the business to continue.?
Lohse said that, though the original order states the deli may not have outdoor seating, the BZA has now asked CYM to consider adding an outside-only movable standing bar to give customers space to eat.?“Our position is deferring to the ANC and the BZA. They’re certainly happy to do the standing table thing,” said CYM’s legal representative, Martin Sullivan.
But in order to have public outdoor seating, CYM would need to go through a laborious hearing process.?Commissioner Paul Maysak said that community members have made it clear they do not want outdoor seating at the deli. “The gist is, I don’t think a lot of people want it,” he said.? ????
The next meeting of ANC 2E will be held on Dec. 2.?