Upcoming Events

Please register and attend the Blagden Alley Naylor Court Association / Logan Circle Citizens Association joint happy hour to be held at Tortino on Tuesday March 6 Complimentary appetizers will be provided along with drink specials from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.   Registration is free but appreciated so we have a good head count, find that at: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2370217384
Here is the link to Tortino Restaurant it is located at 1228 11th Street.


The next Blagden Alley Naylor Court Association meeting will be on Thursday March 15, 7-8:30 PM. Ron and Clarence have offered to host again, 1241 10th Street.  At minimum we will hear from Frederik De Pue Executive Chef / Owner of 42cateringservices.com to discuss the new restaurant at 903 N Street and a return visit from  to discuss their proposal at 9th and N. They did get a full review at the CDC last week.
I am also hoping that we will hear again from the 926N architects although they appear to be pressing ahead with HPRB, they were unable to update their design before the last CDC meeting so I think we'd all be interested in seeing where things stand.

We have all seen the plans for the three new townhouses, the Stables, to be developed at 1321-1325 Naylor Court NW.  The hearing will be on Tuesday March 6 at One Judiciary Square
441 4th Street, NW start time is 0930 although this is case is listed third:  Case # 18318, Application of KB Developers (that is Kevin Batteh).    Here is the specific language: (Area Variance) Pursuant to 11 DCMR § 3103.2, for a variance from the lot width and area requirements under subsection 401.3, and a variance from the lot occupancy requirements under subsection 403.2, to allow the construction of three one-family row dwellings on alley lots in the R-4 District at premises 1321 Naylor Court, N.W. (Square 367, Lot 862).
If you haven't seen it here are the plans from the developers web page:  http://www.opaldc.com/naylorcourt.html


Since we voted to support it months ago I submitted the following letter in support of the requested variances, updated from what was sent some months ago for the preliminary review:

29 February 2012

Board of Zoning Adjustment

RE: 1321-1325 Naylor Court NW

I am writing as the President of the Blagden Alley Naylor Court Association, which represents owners and businesses in the area between 9^th and 11^th and Mass Avenue and P Streets NW, located in ANC2F06.  Also I reside at 1327 10th Street NW, which backs onto Naylor Court directly across the Court from 1321-1325 Naylor Court.  In addition I own an adjacent Carriage House at 1330 Naylor Court NW, which is also directly across from the subject property. 

The association and I fully support KB Developers proposal to construct three single-family townhouses on the R4 lot at 1321-1325 Naylor Court NW.  We have a strong interest in bringing more residential life to residentially zoned Naylor Court.  The proposed density of these three townhouses is appropriate for what is allowed on a 4750 square foot residential zoned R4 lot.  I also support the granting of all three minor BZA variances required for this project to proceed for lot area, lot width and lot occupancy. Given the extra hardships and challenges involved in developing a residential property in an alley/court, and I have great experience with such challenges from developing 1330 Naylor Court, I would appreciate any extra cooperation and support that DC agencies can provide KB Developers as they move forward to develop this property.  These are reasonable and very minor variances, which do not create any precedence given the unique location with an historic court. The proposed designs are exceptional and frankly more than any of us in the neighborhood could have hoped for.

An additional compelling reason for approving this development as quickly as possible has to do with safety.  As a parent, Naylor Court remains of questionable safety for my 11 and 13 year old children to walk to and from the metro (typically on their way to/from school) or to just do things as simple as throwing the football around.  Quick development of the dilapidated properties at 1321-1325 Naylor Court will add three additional households which will at least double the number of residents in Naylor Court whose eyes and ears will contribute to the residential fabric and enhance the livability and safety for all.  Please grant quick approval so the project may proceed in haste to add these additional residential properties to our neighborhood, making a substantial enhancement to the tax rolls, and increasing our day-to-day safety.

926 N Street

To guide tonight discussion I would like to provide two pieces of information zoning and historic.  The Architect and Property owner will be in attendance with new drawings for our review and comment.

As a matter of right in a C2A zone:

** Can build to 50 feet in height with no limit to the number of stories.

** Can occupy 60% to 100% of the lot depending on the use

** I think the lot size is about 8000 square feet.  If so they can build a 20,000 square foot building of that 12,000 square feet can be for C2A use.  (This reflects a FAR of 2.5 with 1.5 for C2A)

** I will bring a list of C2A uses that are a matter or right.  These are detailed in section 721 of the code.

** Since it is in an Historic District they do not have to provide any parking.

** The existing building is not a contributing historic structure, so it can be torn down.

If the proposal complies with the things above, we do not have a say.  If they propose commercial uses that aren't a “matter of right” than they will have to get a variance which will give us a say.

There is an HPO publication on New Construction in Historic Districts and this is where we do have an input that we can provide direct to the Architect and Owner tonight as well as though the ANC to HPRB.

The key to the design of a new building that enhances the existing environment is its compatibility with neighboring buildings.  Compatibility is achieved through careful attention to the following design principles:

**Setback - Respecting the existing setback is important when locating a new building in a historic district

**Orientation - The orientation should respect that of its existing neighbors, that is face the street.

**Scale - should respect the prevailing human scale of other buildings in the neighborhood

**Proportion - Should be compatible with that of its neighbors.  Think in terms of the relative proportion, size, location of windows and doors in the existing Victorians that surround it.

**Rhythm - Heights of roofs, cornices, towers and other projections establish a rhythm of the street.

**Massing - Matching the general bay front design of the existing buildings on the street

**Height - Should not be significantly higher or lower than its neighbors

**Materials - Since all the buildings on this street are made of brick, the new building needs to respect that including size, texture and finish (glazed vs unglazed, etc.)

**Color of materials should complement those of surrounding buildings

**Roof shape, should be consistent

**Details and Ornamentation - a contemporary interpretation of historic details and ornamentation can be a good way to differentiate a new from a historic building

Mayor level meeting today over ABRA/Mood situation

My understanding is that there will be a meeting today in the Mayor's office to discuss ABRA, Mood Lounge, etc.  I am hoping that they will address why an entire community has to spend a year fighting a bad actor with a process that takes many months to adjudicate complaints.  The system is clearly stacked to ensure the revenue operation stays in service (with actions that impede revenue operations being turned around in days or weeks) while local citizens whose lives are made miserable by the behavior have to go through a slow moving process that takes months if not years to get any action.  The ABRA process is stacked against getting any action and seems to have been designed to wear out local residents (and I should note local businesses too who have suffered from the bad behavior).

Finally that is compounded by the ABRA Board, who for the most part, don't seem to understand what it is like to live in an urban environment especially this one where their liquor laws have allowed a night club to operate immediately adjacent to a residential community.

I read the findings on the Bar over at 5th and Florida who opened without a liquor license and the owners were found unsuited to have a license so they had to start all over with a new business owner.  I believe ABRA's position here, while very strict, were appropriate.  I have also read the official findings by the police and the ABRA board (so far) and I must say if the same standards were applied Mood Lounge would be similarly found unsuited to possess a liquor license.  Maybe they feel more freedom to take action before a business is officially open.  All I can say is that anyone who read the police report would immediately conclude that this is not a business who should possess a liquor license.  Mood and other's are celebrating their license renewal as a finding of "not guilty" but that is not the case.  As I read the ABRA report they were found "guilty" of the offenses but ABRA did not assess the violations to require the loss of license (and gave them considerable direction and homework to do if they wanted to keep the license).

Hopefully that is what will be discussed today and James "Freddy" Bulger, the Ward 2 Constituent Service Liaison for the Mayor, is planning to come to the meeting tonight and give a report on what happened.

One more entry to come in preparation for the 926 N Street discussion tonight.

Update Meeting Notice for Thursday 16 Feb

Meeting Notice Blagdenalley@gmail.com www.blagdenalley.blogspot.com Next Blagden Alley – Naylor Court Association Meeting is Thursday 16 February 16 from 7-8:30 PM Place: Home of Ron and Clarence @ 1241 10th Street NW Agenda is: 7:00 - Development plans for 1250 9th Street/ Contemporary Wing Gallery 7:15 - PoliceReport (Sgt. Terestre is confirmed and possibly Lt. Carroll) 7:30 - EventsCommittee & Upcoming Happy hour with LCCA @ Tortino(Elizabeth) 7:40 - Presentationby the Architect of proposed major new development at 926 N Street NW,           followed by Association discussion** 8:15 - Latest on Mood Lounge 8:20 - Stop Sign at 10th and O Streets 8:25 - New Business 8:30 - Adjourn **Megan Mitchell from Suzane Reatig Architecture (a local firm they are located at 1312 8th Street NW) will present new plans on Thursday.  Note these are considerably updated from that which was shown at the ANC meeting a few weeks ago.  She will be accompanied by Apostle Green from the United House of Prayer.  There are very much looking for your feedback and believe they have made some good strides since the ANC meeting.  I will bring to the meeting a hand out that explains what is allowed as a matter of right on this lot, zoned C2A.  As the existing building is not considered to be a contributing structure in terms of historic our comments are guided by what is allowed in a C2A zone and the following guidelines: Go to this link: http://planning.dc.gov/DC/Planning/Historic+Preservation Then click on the Design Guidelines Icon Then click on New Construction in Historic Districts This pamphlet goes into detail but can be summarized as follows: The key to the design of a new building that enhances the existing environment is its compatibility with neighboring buildings. Compatibility is achieved through careful attention to the following design principles of building:  -Setback  -Orientation  -Scale  -Proportion  -Rhythm  -Massing  -Height  -Materials  -Color  -Roof Shape  -Details and Ornamentation  -Landscape Features  If at all possible please take a minute before the meeting to read what is stated there for each of this principles. Thanks see you on Thursday! Greg

Great news about 903-905 N Street NW

The former "Space" has been leased by Frederik De Pue Executive Chef/Owner of

42° Catering Services

He intends to open a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.  No bar although they will have beer and wine with dinner.  He has a very exciting concept for this and will join us at our March meeting to fill all in on his plans.

Welcome Frederik!  

PS He will explain at the March meeting but his company is affiliated with Smith Common on H Street NE.  

Homicide, Unfortunately

On January 26th, 7:12 PM.  Dalontray Williams, 19, of the District was found in the lobby of Kennedy Recreation Center with a stab wound.  He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.  An investigation revealed that the stabbing had occurred outside the Recreation Center on the 1500 block of 7th Street NW

Next Meeting and Joint Social with LCCA!

Blagden Alley Naylor Court Association Next Meeting 16 Feb & Joint Happy Hour with Logan Circle Citizens Association March 6

Thursday 16 Feb 7-8:30 PM
Home of Ron and Clarence @ 1241 10th Street NW.

Tentative Agenda is:
Police Report (Sgt Terestre is confirmed and possibly Lt Carroll)
Events Committee (Elizabeth)
Presentation by the Architect of proposed major new development at 926 N Street NW - The United House of Prayer Property (Confirmed)
Visit by United House of Prayer (Invited)Contemporary Wing Art Gallery at future Development of 1250 9th St NW (Invited)

Latest on Mood Lounge

LCCA and the Blagden Alley & Naylor Court Association Joint Happy Hour Is Tuesday, March 6. Join the LCCA and Blagden Alley & Naylor Court Association leadership for this social hour celebrating the arrival of Tortino Restaurant in our neighborhood! Complimentary appetizers will be provided along with drink specials from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make lots of new ones! Tortino is located at 1228 11^th Street, N.W., between N and M Streets. We aren’t charging admission for this event but you must register(http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2370217384) in order to participate.

Also note that I will be posting Association info along with meeting minutes at www.blagdenalley.blogspot.com.