CRIMES IN THE 'HOOD
MAY 1 TO 31:
Locations by Block, not actual address:
-- 1 robbery (pick pocket) at 4300 Wisconsin - bus
-- 3 assaults: restaurant, rest home, carryout
-- 8 burglaries: 4500 Windom, 4300 Chesapeake, 4700 49th , 3700
Brandywine, 4500 Albemarle, 4700 Chesapeake, 4400 45th, 4800 Brandywine.
-- all houses.
Some tips to keep in mind:
1.) Don't leave windows unlocked or open when you are away, even
upstairs windows.
2.) If you're working in the yard, lock the door you cannot see, e.g. if
you're in the front, lock the back door. It's always a good idea to keep
your doors locked, even if you are inside.
3.) If you're out of town, get a neighbor to pick up mail, newspapers,
fliers, etc. Use inside and outside lights on timers. Get a neighbor to
put your trash can back in place on pickup day. In other words, make it
look as though someone is home.
-- 23 thefts; 7 thefts from auto; 2 stolen autos -- 5300 43rd St. and
3800 Fessenden
-- 4 simple assaults and 3 threats; 5 destruction of property; marijuana
arrest; indecent exposure - 5200 42nd St.; stalking - 5200 Wisconsin
Total: 59
 

JUNE 1 TO 6:
-- 1 robbery (force & violence) in alley at 4200 Fessenden at 9:29 am.
(closed)
-- 1 assault - knife - 5000 Wisconsin - sidewalk - 11:30 am
-- 7 thefts;  1 theft from auto;  4 stolen autos -- 4500 Van Ness, 5000
Western, 5200 Wisconsin, 5400 42nd St
-- 1 simple assault
-- 1 destruction of property
Total: 16
 
 

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

****  From: "Graves, Charlene" <Charlene.T.Graves@usdoj.gov>
It has come to my attention that my email address has changed.  The new
address is:
"charlene.t.graves@usdoj.gov"  I apologize for any returns on the mailer
demon.

****  From: Bkravetz@aol.com
I have a pentium computer plus 15 inch color monitor that I would like
to donate to a charitable organization that could use it.  Please
contact me at bkravetz@aol.com.

****  From: "Ellis, Susan" <sellis@pd.state.gov>
I have wood from a tree I cut down last year in the alley in back of my
house at 5340 42nd St., free for picking up. Some are rather large
pieces but could fit easily in back of a station wagon.
 
 
 

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMENTS
I had hoped to publish the answers to the questions on historic
preservation that I had posed twice in past issues of COMMUNIT-E, but as
yet I have not received those answers. With all due respect to people
who have tried to answer, based on their own understandings, I really
want answers that are concrete, not guesstimates. If there is
misunderstanding or mistrust of this historical designation process,
answers to these questions may help to clear the air.

There will be some discussion related to historic preservation tomorrow
night (Thursday, June 14) at the ANC3E meeting. If you are interested in
this topic, I urge you to attend. There will be a discussion and vote on
the request for historic designation for the house at 46th and River.

In the meantime,  I would ask that our community leaders slow down on
any approvals relating to historical preservation until we have answers
to those questions which I am placing, for the third time, at the end of
this newsletter. -- KS
 
 
 

COMMENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY

**** From: Joseph Cotruvo <vze254xa@verizon.net
There is a proposal at the Historic Preservation Review Board (and the
ANC) for historic designation of the house at 4520 River Rd. The house
is an eyesore and in very bad structural condition with sagging and
termite damaged support beams, asbestos shingles and a crumbling
foundation . Many of the neighbors in the immediate area are concerned
that historic designation would virtually eliminate the possibilities
that it could be rehabilitated or replaced by more desirable and
suitable construction. Our concern is that historic designation would be
detrimental to the neighborhood by keeping  the property in its
deteriorating condition until it collapses. Are you aware of this
situation? Do you have any suggestions on how to achieve a result that
will benefit the AU Park neighborhood?

****  From: Burchard.Robert@epamail.epa.gov
I want to add my voice to those concerned about the impact of a
Historical Designation for Tenleytown/AU Park.  The District already
imposes a heavy set of regulatory burdens on homeowners.  Let's not add
on a Historical Designation layer.

**** From:  "Anne Chase" <chase-healy@erols.com>
 Re making Janney and Deal historic. Is there any way to nip this in the
bud?  I would be willing to bet the people behind this either have never
had children in the school system, or have not had for many years. Yes,
they are attractive buildings. But they are OLD. They don't have modern
science labs, wiring to support computers in the classroom or elevators,
which by the way are required by federal law. (Elevators). So, what are
we saying here, just as it seems that DC might start getting its act
together and doing some badly needed renovations on the schools? It
sounds like once again, almost anything should come before the
educational needs of the kids. What will probably happen is, schools in
other parts of town will get renovated or replaced, because it will be
less hassle than dealing with the historic preservation folks over here.
Has anybody asked the school communities involved what they think?

**** From: "Linda Hughes" <lindahughes@mris.com>
What troubles me most about an Historic Designation being placed on a
property belonging to someone who did not apply for nor request the
designation is the way it can severely and negatively impact the value
of that property.  (Recognizing that a value is only truly achieved when
a sale is taking place.)  It seems to me that if the current system
remains intact there should be a method by which the property owner
could recover his financial loss.

**** From: look4me@earthlink.net (Vicki Lambert)
I cannot claim to be knowledgeable on the topic but, having moved here
from Cleveland Park, a neighborhood that cannot get enough of  "historic
preservation", I can say that it was my strong impression there that the
preservation people do have a say over what is done to properties so
designated--in that case the entire neighborhood.  It was a mystery to
me how the people who held such power got it but they did seem to be
able to enforce it.  I may be mistaken but I think building permits had
to be approved by them, for example.  Aside from the presumption of such
a procedure, it can hold up work in inconvenient and costly ways and,
worse yet, homogenize an area according to the taste of a small group
who thereby rob it of the peculiar charm of its own unregulated
history.  There are, of course, many standards worth insisting on.  No
one should be allowed to alter their property in ways that generate
persistent or disturbing levels of noise, smell, or pollution.  But
"style" is an individual matter best left to individuals unfettered by
committees of strangers whose concern is baffling at best.  I would be
saddened to see the residents of A.U. Park exchange their trust in one
another for such pretension and self-consciousness.

**** From: Abauer4600@aol.com (Amy Bauer)
I'd like to put my two cents in about historical preservation in this
community...

I am greatly disturbed but not at all surprised by the boldness of the
Historical Society in their attempts at designating private homes as
"historic landmarks."  During the "fight" over the Tenleytown firehouse,
a representative from the DC Historic Preservation Board told me
directly that "if this worked, (the firehouse project), then it would
put historic preservation on the map in Tenleytown!"  It appears that
the preservationists have become really fired up by the fact that they
"got their way" by making it clear to the Fire Dept. that they could tie
this up in court, preventing the FD from getting the new firehouse that
we so desperately need.  (I was in the meeting in which the
preservationists tried to sign an MOU with the Fire Department before we
had any community input.)  Now the FD is going to add on to the old
firehouse instead of starting anew as the firemen wanted.  There will be
a huge addition on the old firehouse, creating lots of extra "living"
space but absolutely no additional fire apparatus operating space as the
firemen need. (we've seen the most recent plans) This cheats our
neighborhood, which is bursting at the seams, and the firemen who serve
us, out of the possibility of ever getting back the heavy rescue
equipment that they took away several years ago. (Community leader Anne
Renshaw has been working tirelessly for many years to get this equipment
back) The original plans that the preservationists nixed, allowed for
future growth.

As far as the idea of searching for historic homes in the area; I think
it is absolutely outrageous that a small group of citizens have the
audacity to think that they should in any way be able to put a
restrictive "title" on any personal property.  If we wanted to have the
equivalent of a homeowners association telling us what color we can
paint our front door, or if the addition we plan is "acceptable", then
we could have moved to the distant suburbs, (no offense intended to some
beautiful communities), paid much less for the equivalent housing, and
formed just such an association which would routinely help us decide how
we can improve our properties.

The concept of historic preservation can be beneficial to our community
only when the needs of the community are met first and our freedom of
home ownership decisions are not infringed upon.  Regardless of what the
handful of preservations have or will say, the community is losing with
the "renovated" firehouse, both in operating uses and money.  (Just talk
to some of the firemen).

If historic preservation is sought on private homes, then it should be
done only with the homeowners consent.  The idea that a house should
remain "as is" because a "prominent architect" design it is absurd.
Prominent to whom???

Let's face it, within our lifetimes, most of these homes is this area
will be well over 100 years old and although that certainly is part of
the charm of this neighborhood, it is by no means a reason to declare
them all "historic."  Since "historic preservation has been put on the
map in Tenleytown", then I'd bet my last dollar that they will
eventually be coming after all of our homes!
 
 

QUESTIONS ABOUT HISTORIC PRESERVATION

1.)  Does the private homeowner or institution have any say over whether
their property would be designated historical?

2.) If a homeowner wishes to appeal such a designation, can they do so
and how do they do it?

3.) What does historic designation mean to owners in terms of what they
can and cannot do to improve or change their properties?

4.)  If a school such as Janney were designated historic, what would the
DC Department of Education have to do to add on to the school or make
changes to it?

5.) How is historic designation enforced?
 

-END-