Travel down the drop shaft, ride in a train to the tunnel and see for yourself how Chris, the Tunnel Boring Machine, works. DC Water and Salini Impregilo-Healy will host a Northeast Boundary Tunnel Community Day at the construction site just south of RFK Stadium.
 
What: Northeast Boundary Tunnel Community Day
When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019; 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: RFK Stadium Parking Lot 8 – south of RFK Stadium, 2600 Independence Avenue, SE. Look for the large cranes!
 
Space is limited to only 140 participants. Tours are scheduled for every hour and last approximately two hours. Tour guides will instruct participants along the way from the muck pit, down the 105-foot deep drop shaft, and on the train to the giant tunnel boring machine.

To participate you must: 

• Be at least 18 years old
• Register for a tour group
• Sign a liability waiver and a photo release form
• Participate in the safety orientation
• Wear fully closed-toe shoes and long pants

Your personal protective equipment which includes hard hats, gloves, a flashlight, safety glasses, and vests will be supplied and must be worn at all times while in the construction work zone.
To register for a tour group time, please visit: 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050944A8A92FA2F85-community

Currently our community is seeing an uptick in construction projects and our ANC commissioners have drafted some info for us on resources to keep up with what is going on and ensure that we understand our rights.

Per our commissioner Sydelle Moore:
When public comment is allowed on any project, you WILL receive an official notice from me with accurate information and a request for comment. However, public comment is NOT allowed on all projects. To learn the difference between projects that do and do not receive public comment, please use the information included here.

Also, for the first time in ANC 5D’s history, we now has a Zoning and Development Committee which includes multiple lawyers and architects who will help you for FREE with any development related questions. The committee meets once a month including this Thursday at 7:30 PM at 371 Morse St. NE
Please contact your ANC commissioner with any questions.

Comm. Sydelle Moore, 5D05
Email: 5D05@anc.dc.gov
Phone: 202-681-6159
Twitter: @sydellebelle

Comm.Bernice Blacknell, 5D04
Email: 5D04@anc.dc.gov


MYTHS & FACTS:                        
MYTH: ANC Commissioners vote on all construction in our community
FACT: ANCs only vote on projects when a homeowner or developer would like to make changes to a property beyond what is allowed by our zoning laws. Most construction does not undergo ANC review as long as it follows the zoning laws.

MYTH: Our neighborhood is zoned only for townhouses.
FACT: Most of us live in an RA-2 zone which means that any building can have multiple units, but all buildings are required to remain under a certain size.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
QUESTION: What is an RA-2 Zone?
ANSWER: RA-2 zones are designed to permit moderate-density residential housing. They also permit the construction of those institutional and semi-public buildings that would be compatible with adjoining residential uses like a church or school.

QUESTION: What are the rules for an RA-2 project?
ANSWER: This chart shows what is and is not allowed in an RA-2 zone.  http://handbook.dcoz.dc.gov/zones/residential-apartment/ra-2/                         

QUESTION: How is my property zoned?
ANSWER: Almost all homes in our area are in an RA-2 zone. See the map below for details. http://maps.dcoz.dc.gov/zr16/

QUESTION: What if I suspect illegal construction?
ANSWER: Report all illegal construction by calling, emailing or tweeting 311 and then report the incident along with the 311 tracking number to your ANC commissioner. Your commissioner is: Comm. Sydelle Moore 5D05@anc.dc.gov or 202-681-6159.

QUESTION: Where can I find more information?
ANSWER: The DC Office of Zoning website: https://dcoz.dc.gov/ has additional information about zoning. Important meeting notices are posted to the ANC 5D website at least one week prior to any vote: http://www.anc5d.org/. ANC 5D meets every month except July and August on the second Tuesday of the month at 371 Morse St. NE from 7-9pm. Only cases requiring ANC approval are reviewed at these meetings. The next meeting is September 10, 2019 at 7PM
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Ample research demonstrates that opening additional alcohol retailers in areas struggling with crime and facing socioeconomic issues only serve to increase crime and exacerbate issues with substance abuse. For this and other reasons LCA has joined ANCs on both sides of Benning Rd in protesting the approval of an additional ABRA license at 2031 Benning Rd. NE. Please read the letters submitted in support of this protest below.

Most DC homeowners received their property tax assessments in the mail earlier this year, while others may receive them after a new home purchase. For those who disagreed or took issue with those assessments, here is how you can appeal.
1. File as soon as possible. The Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) requires appeals be filed electronically on or before April 1. For new property owners, the form here must be filed within 45 days of receiving their assessment.
2. Call your assessor. The contact information for the person who assessed the property should be listed on the assessment. The assessor should be able to give you an idea as to why the home was assessed at that particular value and why it might have changed from prior assessments. The government’s assessment incorporates data from sales, construction permits, field visits and existing land values.
3. Gather evidence. OTR warns that your appeal should be specific and should have hard supporting evidence: “Please note that a successful appeal requires meaningful and accurate supporting information. Simply offering an opinion with no factual basis will probably not result in a reduced assessment.” Leading with strong evidence will put you on a better footing throughout the appeals process.
4. File a first-level appeal. You can claim that the assessment is incorrect based on the home’s estimated market value (using a recent appraisal, for example); equalization (comparing to similar properties); classification (the current use of the property); and property damage or condition. You can choose a written, phone or in-person hearing with OTR.
5. Appeal to the Real Property Tax Appeals Commission. If your first-level appeal is denied, you can appeal the assessment to the Real Property Tax Appeals Commission (RPTAC) within 45 days.
6. Appeal to the DC Superior Court. As a last resort, property owners can appeal RPTAC’s decision to the DC Superior Court.