Aaron Landry

Neighbors-

Hope your 2020 is off to a great start! The next ANC 2B meeting is Wednesday, February 12th at 7:00 p.m. at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, 1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Room 500 (Agenda PDF).

Amending the D.C. Comprehensive Plan

Thank you to those who contacted me and other commissioners over the last couple months regarding the proposed amendments to the D.C. Comprehensive Plan. To recap from a prior newsletter, and the Office of Planning’s overview (PDF), The Comprehensive Plan “is a high-level guiding document that sets a positive, long-term vision for the District, through the lens of its physical growth and change.” The ANC 2B has been engaged with this process since 2016, and has formally provided input in January 2017, May 2017, and February 2018. Feedback provided to ANC commissioners from neighbors and neighborhood organizations over the last few months have been compiled and consolidated into a draft motion that will be discussed at our next ANC 2B meeting on Wednesday, February 12. This builds upon the work of the ANC 2B has done to date. If you have any further questions or suggestions for this draft, please give me a ring or send me a note! Again, thank you to all of you who have provided me feedback on this.

1801 18th St NW – Pupatella

At the location of Rosemary’s Thyme Bistro, Washingtonian’s Anna Spiegel confirms rumors of Pupatella moving in. I frequent the original Pupatella location near Ballston (which was recently named one of the top 10 pizzas in the region by the Washington Post), and have visited their location in Richmond. I’m exited for the pizza as well as the space to be revitalized. They are targeting an opening this spring.

Dupont Circle Resource Guide and Comprehensive Street Outreach Network

By request of many neighbors, the Mayor’s office, the Department of Humans Services, and the Department of Behavioral Health have released two brief resources: the Dupont Circle Area Resource Guide (PDF)  and the Comprehensive Street Outreach Network fact sheet (PDF). These resources are an overview of many of the questions I receive on who to call and which agency is responsible in various scenarios, as well as outlining the outreach network that exists for those experiencing chronic homelessness. In our neighborhood, Miriam’s Kitchen has an outreach team and in my strong opinion are worth supporting.

Alice Carter
As most of you know, Alice Carter who lived with chronic homelessness on 17th and Corcoran passed away in late December. Washington Blade’s Lou Chibbaro Jr. digs into some of the broader issues surrounding Alice’s condition and death, and highlights the severity of gaps in our systems to properly respond to those suffering from addiction and experiencing homelessness on our streets. It is an important read.

Ward 2 Candidate Forum – Tonight!
The Sierra Club is hosting a Ward 2 Candidate Forum on Environmental Issues tonight at the Edlavitch Jewish Community Center, with most of the candidates running to be our next councilmember. I will be attending. Say hi if you see me! If you miss this one, there will be another hosted by the LCCA and DCCA on March 5.

1636 R St NW – Mikko

One of my favorite places to visit in the neighborhood, Mikko, is seeking a change to their license to serve at hours comparable with neighboring restaurants. After discussions with me, other commissioners, and neighbors, they decided to abide by Dupont Circle ANC 2B’s Policy and Procedures Manual which has guidelines for sidewalk cafés. The change will allow them to serve outdoors until 11 p.m. on most days and to midnight on Friday and Saturday. The feedback I have received about Mikko has been overwhelmingly positive and I think they have been fantastic and cooperative neighbors to have. If you have any thoughts about Mikko’s change of license or want more information, please let me know. I would expect to see placards on the building in the coming days with more details. This will likely be on our ANC 2B agenda in March.

1601 Massachusetts Ave NW – Embassy of Australia
The Australian embassy is seeking some minor changes to their ongoing renovations, which will be heard by the ANC 2B this month. Details here.

1315 16th Street NW – Rogue Hotel
The Rogue Hotel is seeking an extension to a zoning adjustment order that was previously granted. The ANC 2B will be briefed and I anticipate unanimous support. Details here.

1737-1741 N Street NW – Tabard Inn
The Tabard Inn applied to be a historic landmark. The application has been professionally prepared and I have not heard any opposition, especially as it is the ownership of the building who are seeking the designation. We will hear an overview by the ANC 2B this month.

As always, keep in touch! I have been working in coffee and lunch meetings with neighbors, so if you’d like to sit down and chat, I am happy to do that! Nonetheless, shoot me a note with what’s on your mind!