From: Amy McVey <
amybmcvey@msn.com>
Contact: Amy McVey, Chair, ANC 3E
202-966-7047
Councilmembers Ask Mayor to Suspend Work on Wisconsin Ave Bank
Councilmembers Mary Cheh (Ward 3) and Kwame Brown (at-large) have
written to Mayor Adrian Fenty supporting the community opponents of
the Commerce Bank under construction at Wisconsin Avenue and Ellicott
Street, NW and ask that he not permit further work until questionable
actions by the Departments of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs and
Transportation are investigated.
In her letter of November 7, Councilmember Cheh calls the "project
inappropriate for the site and the neighborhood and the entire concept
is fatally flawed" because of "irregularities" in the already-issued
building permit and the anticipated permit for driveway access for
upwards of 1,000 cars per day. She asks the Mayor to make sure that
"no permits of any kind...be issued [and] already-issued permits...be
rescinded until full and complete compliance with all rules and
regulations is demonstrated.
"
On November 8, Councilmember Brown called on the Mayor to "suspend
this process" for a full airing of Advisory Neighborhood Commisson
3E's opposition to the applied-for curb cut, the zoning approval, the
building permit and questions about compliance with the fire code.
"I am delighted that our Ward 3 Councilmember Cheh has been joined by
Councilmember Brown to support the ANC and the community," said ANC
Chair Amy McVey. "With their backing I am sure the Mayor will hear
our pleas and stop work on this project which is the antithesis of his
often-stated transit-oriented, smart-growth goals and the established
procedures of his government. The community must be heard."
The ANC resolution points to traffic spilling out into Wisconsin
Avenue, problematic access in case of fire and dangers to the
residents, particularly children.
The community is asking for a meeting with the Mayor and with Deputy
Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Neil Albert.
The Outer Circle movie house and a restaurant formerly occupied the
site at the southeast corner of Wisconsin and Ellicott.