July 2023 Minutes

BNCA Meeting Minutes
July 18, 2023
Zoom Virtual Meeting

Welcome Address from Kathy Jacquart

• Overview of upcoming meetings
  • No meeting in August
• Garden project has been going well and the space looks good
• Brookland Middle School looking for donations of clothing and shoes for recent migrants from South America
• Councilmember Parker is hosting a community event on August 26th at Turkey Thicket

Presentation from Samuel Swiller and Jared Kahn – Development of 701 Michigan Ave NE

• Former Pizza Hut building near the Catholic University campus
• Submitted a map amendment application for the parcel
  • Want to increase the amount they are allowed to build on the lot to MU2 so that they can increase housing
  • 20% of sq footage will be allocated to affordable housing
• Map Amendments are not the same as Planned Unit Development
  • Right now trying to update the zoning
• Recently leased the current building to Petite Scholars
• Questions:
  • What sort of input is being requested?
    • Wants the community to buy in on the plan for development
  • Do you currently own the property?
    • Yes, through the use of a ground lease with another set of owners
    • Lease is long enough that it is effectively ownership
  • What SMD does this fall under?
    • SMD 701
  • What is the AMI for affordable housing?
    • 60% for 28 Units. 1 unit in the penthouse would be at 50%
  • Is it possible to increase the number of 50% units and add 30% units?
  • Are you planning to support the farmer’s market that already exists there?
    • Both of the above will be addressed in the future, right now they are focused on the zoning update
• BNCA will provide a letter of support for the map amendment request.

Presentation from Bob Malesky – Civic Engagement

Long-time Brookland resident and historian and author of Bygone Brookland Bob Malesky gave an informative and interesting presentation on the history of development and civic engagement in Brookland.