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Articles
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| ANC 6D balks Corcoran changes |
VOICE writes, "ANC 6D balks Corcoran changes
BY BEN WEINSTEIN
The Southwest advisory neighborhood commission Sept. 10 unanimously opposed the Corcoran Gallery's latest plans for the Randall School property — though commissioners hadn't yet seen those plans.
Representatives from Monument Realty — the school's partner in the campus and residential project — told commissioners they requested a later zoning hearing date in order to reconfigure the buildings. New plans had not been drawn up, but commissioners decided to oppose the project and ask that the Zoning Commission further delay its hearing.
Monument Realty will set back its residential buildings farther than previously planned from the historic Randall School structures at 65 I St., SW, according to project representatives. "
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Commissioners and residents opposed the projects for reasons ranging from the project's environmental certification and amenities offered to concerns about blocked light and views. Commissioner Andy Litsky added that the developer failed to give the commission adequate notice of its changed plans.
The Zoning Commission is scheduled to hear the planned-unit development case Sept. 27, but the developer will ask it be pushed back to November. The project must also go before the Historic Preservation Review Board.
Monument Realty and the Corcoran Gallery plan to build a mixed-use development with residential units alongside a new Corcoran College of Art + Design campus.
Shuttle Bug gets nod
The commission unanimously approved plans for a shuttle bus serving residents whose routes to the Waterside Mall and the Waterfront Metro station have been cut off by construction.
Citizen group Southwest Action Team's plans call for midday and peak/evening-hours routes from the Metro station to streets and housing complexes north of the mall, roughly bounded by Seventh and G streets, and going as far northeast as the Capitol Park Twin Towers apartment buildings. The group calls the Shuttle Bug "A safe way to Safeway."
"The people in those communities have their lifeline cut," Southwest Action Team member Beth Paulson said.
Commissioner David Sobelsohn praised the idea, saying he was first to warn that the construction detour would be dangerous. Moreover, he added, he experienced the danger first hand. "I never realized I would be the first assaulted," he said, referring to an incident in which he was attacked and robbed last year.
Other commissioners also praised the idea but questioned whether the proposed route might unfairly exclude some residents. In its vote, the commission stipulated it would revisit the proposal at a later meeting.
Southwest Action Team said the temporary shuttle would cost $160,000 for the first year, with funding secured from private developers with Southwest projects.
Waterside Mall OK'd
The commission approved modifications to the Waterside Mall project plans. The developer adjusted the M Street facade to open up sight lines for Tiber Island and Carrollsburg Place residents.
Other actions
The commission also voted to:
• Support the route for the Oct. 6 AIDS Walk Washington.
• Support DRI Development/Jamestown Properties requested alley closing at First, Half, I and K streets, SE, for an office and retail project.
• Commissioner Max Skolnik is seeking a volunteer from his single-member district to serve on its Community Outreach Committee, which evaluated grant applications.
Roll call
Commissioners Rhonda Hamilton, Max Skolnik, Ron McBee, Roger Moffatt, Andy Litsky, David Sobelsohn and Robert Siegel were present.
The commission's next meeting is 7 p.m. on Oct. 8 at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, 600 M St., SW.
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Posted on Sep 19, 2007 07:41am.
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