tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post5414150064647375866..comments2023-10-22T10:53:07.976-04:00Comments on 14th & You: Could Hank's Be Driven Out of Dupont?14th & Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401615764637283832noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-86930539048936762912010-03-09T11:44:51.796-05:002010-03-09T11:44:51.796-05:00"Hank's is one of the few reasons (the ot..."Hank's is one of the few reasons (the other's being Trio's milkshakes and Pasha Bistro's gyros) to dine out along 17th Street these days."<br /><br />I like your blog sometimes, but damn you can be a Debby Downer. <br /><br />1. Floriana: I've had really good meals, especially Sundays with a half price amarone<br />2. Komi is without a doubt one of the top five restaurants in the city<br />3. What about one of the most fun food places in the city: Mr. Yogato?<br /><br />Boo to the negativity.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17124266279306595227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-82496908750656636172010-03-06T10:53:53.064-05:002010-03-06T10:53:53.064-05:00Following up on the response to Anonymous's qu...Following up on the response to Anonymous's questions, there is also a major difference in the two proposed expansions. Hank's wants to expand into an adjacent structure, where Masa 14 wants to create a very large outdoor space on their rooftop. The potential impacts are very different. <br /><br />Living in the city, one of my favorite things to do is enjoying a rooftop for dining, drinks and company. I have speakers on my roof, so I enjoy businesses that have opened that provide rooftop and deck experiences for socializing. <br /><br />However, I have also seen some very bad designs approved that fail to consider how sound travels. <br /><br />Rear oriented decks that back onto residential areas should be totally discouraged. If allowed, no music should be played outside and the outdoor hours should be limited. Doors and access to the outside area should include methods of restricting indoor volumes from projecting outdoors.<br /><br />Masa 14 has the right design, however it is very big for an outdoor space and there is good reason for residents to be concerned about potential impacts from sound projecting from the inside portions of the roof kitchen/bar/dining area when the doors are open, particularly when you add the volume of the activities of the patrons who are outside on the deck.<br /><br />Right now the VA process is the only tool the community has to put safeguards in place to address the types of concerns raised by the proposed expansion, so I understand the need to use it right now. <br /><br />However given the current VA process in order to get standing to discuss these issues and be part of negotiations you must "protest" the license and this only occurs after the building gets posted and by then the clock is already ticking where leases are in place.<br /><br />Once that happens you tend to get lumped into a "group" whose motivations are defined as being against the business.<br /><br />That "group" does include very vocal individuals whose desire is to not allow any more alcohol related capacity to be created indoor or outside in the area. The process does not always allow for making distinctions regarding these motivations.<br /><br />So the result is that an adversarial relationships are created by the current VA process, which is only the contract, and sometimes not all the issues and concerns get addressed because people like myself don't want to be part of a "protest."<br /><br />There are other tools besides a VA that are proactive and tangible, that create involvement earlier in the process, that when coupled with a type of contract like a VA, create a much more community minded win-win-win approach that fits the type of mixed use community this is where businesses and residents co-exist and are often one in the same.<br /><br />Scott PomeroyScott Pomeroynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-48403192169935508102010-03-06T06:58:06.656-05:002010-03-06T06:58:06.656-05:00Hi "Anon." Nope, he (me) isn't lead...Hi "Anon." Nope, he (me) isn't leading a protest against expansion of Masa 14. I'm not leading any protest, nor even co-leading any protest. I'm just one of appx. 85 residents who signed a petition letter, led by some neighbors, seeking a Voluntary Agreement (VA) with Masa 14 re: their rooftop expansion. That doesn't mean they/we are "against Masa 14" or even that we signed something "against the expansion." In fact, the petition letter stated: "We appreciate and encourage positive development of the property in question, and we undertake this protest with every hope we are able arrive at a Voluntary Agreement that establishes a healthy balance between that development and we, the nearby residents." Masa 14 is popular, gorgeous frankly, and led by a good guy (whom I helped with a regulatory problem at his place on 17th; happy to send a link to an article where he complimented my help).<br /><br />You're also mistaken in stating that I'm against a VA for Hanks. A VA is part of the process and regs. I'm not against a VA at all. The question is, how do they get one without the kind of neighborhood toxicity that resulted last time, without letting some residents who lack reasonable motivations steer the process into trench warfare?<br /><br />Your confusion gets to some of the points raised in the original posting, so I hope the above helps. ( As for the separate topic of Masa 14, if you want to discuss more with me, or the actual leads of that, email me directly: lawson.joel [at] gmail.com ).Joel Lawsonhttp://facebook.com/joellawsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-55086280441195022642010-03-05T22:49:08.674-05:002010-03-05T22:49:08.674-05:00ISn't Lawson leading a protest against an expa...ISn't Lawson leading a protest against an expansion at popular Masa 14? So, why is he against a protest/VA for Hanks expansion?<br /><br />ConfusedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-76162181682500837572010-03-05T13:35:04.218-05:002010-03-05T13:35:04.218-05:00Jack - thanks for the clarification. I've edi...Jack - thanks for the clarification. I've edited the post to reflect that the VA is not with the Dupont ANC.<br /><br />The subject of the post is not ANCs in particular, but rather the VA and protest processes which, IMO, can be abused.Mr. Other Upper NWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12536367497290075887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-42229918662262788352010-03-05T13:32:48.693-05:002010-03-05T13:32:48.693-05:00Reading the interview, Jamie only mentions the gro...Reading the interview, Jamie only mentions the group of 5, not the ANC.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-26087300574726641962010-03-05T13:08:03.339-05:002010-03-05T13:08:03.339-05:00I think we're really mixing apples and oranges...I think we're really mixing apples and oranges here. The ANC does not currently have a VA in place with Hank's. The ANC lost its standing to enter into a VA with Hank's several years ago when procedural mistakes were made. It is a group of 5 or more individuals who signed the VA in question here.<br /><br />Additionally, I think the ANC is being erroneously targeted in this posting. In fact, I led the last round of the moratorium renewal on 17th Street, and when we heard that several restaurants - including Hank's - wanted to expand, we crafted an agreement that passed the ANC unanimously that would allow 2 expansions. Hank's was last in applying for an expansion, so in the original "emergency" moratorium renewal, would have been prohibited from expanding due to moratorium rules. However, the ANC worked closely with ABRA and "surrendered" an unused license within the moratorium zone so that a 3rd business - Hank's - could expand.<br /><br />I love Jamie and I love Hank's. I am becoming increasingly concerned that she's blaming the ANC when we should be applauded for working diligently to accommodate her expanding business.Jack Jacobsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14260223037962597280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-79636015914838950712010-03-05T06:53:14.373-05:002010-03-05T06:53:14.373-05:00We'll all have to see how Jamie's negotiat...We'll all have to see how Jamie's negotiations proceed, but I'll simply say this:<br /><br />I've seen no indication whatsoever that the ANC is likely to be the source of her frustrations. For that reason, I feel the headline and other elements of this post could create a false sense of suspicion and hostility regarding the ANC.<br /><br />And I say that fully aware of what Jamie faced last time around; in my opinion, it was unnecessary and tremendously unhelpful to any genuine sense of community.<br /><br />There are other potential players in this, far more likely to create complications if given unwarranted indulgence.Joel Lawsonhttp://www.facebook.com/joellawsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095284393772305956.post-3220080369431168172010-03-04T23:12:45.966-05:002010-03-04T23:12:45.966-05:00the problem is one of engagement. most of these pl...the problem is one of engagement. most of these places (like hank's) are approved of by a vast majority of people in the ANC (or even in the SMD). the problem is that, for almost all projects in DC, those in favor of a project don't show up at the meetings.<br /><br />those in opposition, on the other hand, are always well-represented at community meetings. it makes sense, if you think about it. if you're in favor of something, why rock the boat. a restaurant proposes to expand? sure, no need to say anything about that, you just nod your head and go about your business. but if you live next door and don't want to smell more oysters? by damn, you're going to show up at that meeting and raise holy hell. it's just easier to feel a visceral need to act when you have a negative position.<br /><br />if you want to support places that you feel are a good fit for the neighborhood, you <i>have</i> to show up at these meetings. show the commissioners that there are people out there who actually care about and approve of the expansion of hank's...IMGophhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10389077782536090328noreply@blogger.com