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5a Minutes from Chevy Chase ANC 3/4
G Meeting - March 9
[Originally posted on the Chevy Chase Commuity
Listserv @ Yahoo.com]
5333 Connecticut Avenue:
Representatives from the 5333 Connecticut
Avenue Cafritz project were in attendance to
discuss and review the August 27, 2013,
Memorandum of Understanding between the ANC
and the building owner. They reported that the
building is expected to be completed in August or
September of this year. Wayne Quinn, attorney for
Cafritz, reviewed the points of the Memorandum
and steps that Cafritz has taken to comply with
those terms.
1. The façade and building mass have been
redesigned according to the standards in the MOU.
The number of units was reduced from 263 to
261. The Tower was moved closer to Connecticut
Avenue. The Penthouse was moved to follow
setback requests.
2. The building height was lowered from 90 feet
to 88.2 feet.
3. The circular driveway construction has not yet
begun, but will be initiated in April or May. The
project’s landscape architect described the
procedures that are being taken to protect the
trees along Connecticut Avenue from damage as
a result of the construction and in accordance
with commitments to the ANC and DDOT.
4. Forty extra parking spaces were added to the
original design resulting in 213 spaces for cars
and 29 for motorcycles. There is an additional
room that can store up to 40 bicycles.
5. A letter has been sent to DDOT requesting that
building tenants be precluded from receiving
residential street parking permits (RPP).
Consistent with the MOU, they have requested an
exception for low-income tenants. If the building is
ever converted to condominium units, the RPP
restrictions may not be applicable.
6. Cafritz has preserved four mature trees along
Military Road, although one tree had to be
removed at the beginning of construction for
safety reasons. The landscape architect presented
the plans for installing new trees and shrubs along
Military Road and Kanawha Street. They plan to
install Southern Magnolias in some instances and
large (14- to 16-foot), fast growing trees in some
locations, particularly where a mature tree had to
be removed along Military Road. At maturity,
these trees may be 80 feet tall.
7. Two parking spaces have been reserved in the
building for a car-share program. (Zip Cars and
Enterprise have been contacted, but it could be
another company.) Cafritz was not able to meet
the requirements for a Capital Bikeshare station
due to the amount of required space (50’ x 6’)
and the need for sunlight for solar power.
8. Cafritz is developing signage and traffic control
measures including physical barriers to prevent
vehicles entering or exiting the garage by way of
the alley to Chevy Chase Parkway. The
Commissioners expressed concerns about these
steps and whether they would be sufficient to
deter traffic into the very narrow alley and
indicated that a sketch of the barrier and signage
would be useful. If the steps that are adopted are
not sufficient, the Commission indicated that it will
seek other ways to address this important
concern.
9. The garage exhaust shaft has been moved 30
feet north from the original location. In response
to a question, Cafritz indicated that the size of
the exhaust fans has been increased.
10. All units will have appropriate window shades
to reduce glare from the building. All exterior
lights have been placed away from the building
façade and exterior walls and are designed to cast
minimal light outside the building. The roof top
pool will not utilize lights in the evening and, thus,
will not be used by tenants at night. Other
exterior lighting is still under consideration.
Commissioner Maydak suggested that
International Dark-Sky protocols should be
considered.
11. Construction traffic controls as agreed to and
approved by the ANC and DDOT are being
implemented.
12. Regarding sustainability:
-green roof and courtyard have been heavily
landscaped.
-storm water management has been installed.
-plants requiring less watering have been used.
-Energy Star appliances will be installed.
-high efficiency HVAC systems have been
confirmed.
-units will have separate utility meters.
-adhesives and paints have minimum VOC’s.
-separate trash/recyclable chutes on each floor.
-local and recycled materials have been used
whenever possible.
-low-flow plumbing fixtures have been installed
wherever possible.
-apartment size and layout take into consideration
wasted space and lower energy usage.
Cafritz’s written descriptions of the steps it has
taken to comply with the MOU are on the ANC’s
website.
In response to questions, Cafritz indicated that
sidewalk safety during construction includes
signage, fencing, and lights for security. They
clarified that there is no construction truck
entrance from Kanawha Street, although there is
an entrance for personnel to the trailer. The only
construction truck entrance is through the alley
from Military Road.
Cafritz reported that units should be available for
rent by September, and the circular drive will be
completed. At this time, Cafritz has no plans to
change from a rental building to a condominium
building. Cafritz’s architect reported that all new
residential buildings in the District are approved as
condominiums, even though they are operated as
rental apartments, giving them flexibility to
change to condominiums if market conditions
change.
Neighbors asked questions about the landscaping,
entrance and exit from the alley, construction
workers loitering in the alley and leaving trash and
other debris on front steps and lawns,
construction worker parking in the alley, and
whether the electrical installation by Pepco will
cause outages for neighborhood. Cafritz indicated
that the house on Military Road adjacent to the
building that has been used as offices for
construction will be returned to use as a residence
once construction is complete.
Commissioners requested a tour of the site,
perhaps in April, and Cafritz indicated that could
be accommodated so long as all safety
requirements were met.
Commissioners Bradfield asked for a rendering of
the site from the south facing north and from the
east facing west.
[end minutes]