AFRH resolution

Here's the full text of an ANC 4C resolution, passed at last night's meeting, regarding the AFRH development process:

RESOLUTION
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 4C

Resolution regarding community representation of the Planning Committee of the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH)

At a properly noticed and quorumed meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4C on November 8, 2005, a motion was presented by:

Commissioner Joseph Martin (4C09), seconded by Commissioner Joseph Henson (4C10), and voted unanimously with nine commissioners voting “yes” votes to adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS, the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) located adjacent to the Petworth and Park View neighborhoods intends to sell or lease up to 125 of its 270 existing acres of land for development;

WHEREAS, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4C recognizes the concerns of nearby residents regarding the potential negative impact of the proposed development alternatives, including in terms of effects on traffic, noise, air quality, and loss of green space and historic characteristics, among others;

WHEREAS the Armed Forces Retirement Home created a Planning Committee without open, publicized, serious community consultation and without consultation pertaining to Planning Committee make-up with Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4C;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED on this 8th day of November 2005, that Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4C insists upon the following measures to ensure appropriate representation and community consultation on AFRH development and the appropriateness of development:

The Planning Committee membership be expanded to include Ward 4 Councilmember Adrian Fenty or his designee; Commissioner Timothy Jones (4C08); Commissioner Joseph Henson (4C10); ANC 4C economic development committee chair, Commissioner Peron Williams (4C06); former Commissioner Janice Williams; and representatives of the Petworth Action Committee;

The Petworth and Park View communities must have an ongoing, substantive role in the development of any actual plans of the AFRH property; the process of development planning be paced to allow for genuinely full and fair community input as opposed to the current fast-track process; preservation of AFRH’s green space and historic characteristics be a priority; appropriate measures be taken to minimize negative impacts on traffic, noise and air quality; and the scale and architecture of any development that does occur adjacent to the Petworth and Park View neighborhoods should be in keeping with those neighborhoods.